Chapter 127 - Heart Beat

"So that was the decision taken by everyone?" Irene asked as she sipped her tea.

"Yes, it indeed was furthermore, there was no way she was going to last long with that attitude of hers," Alfred said as he shrugged.

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"Alfred, we shouldn't talk bad about others behind their back," Alan said as he hit Alfred with his sword handle.

"I know brother, next time I will say it to her face!" Alfred said as he smirked.

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"Alfred!" Alan said as he looked at him with a *What are you saying?* look in his eyes.

"Come on, remember the apple doesn't fall far from the tree and I am your brother so of course even I can go extreme sometimes~ can't I brother? Especially when *looks at Irene* the person involved is dear to us," Alfred said with a cheesy smile while Alan choked on his tea.

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"You!!" 

"What?"

Both the brothers started bickering whereas, Irene was busy thinking about something.

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"Your Highness, now that Lady Katz has been annihilated from the competition than would there be anyone who would take her place and....won't her being sent back like this lead to misunderstanding between the two nations?" Irene asked as she kept down her cup as she looked at the Princes.

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"Lady Winter, for brother's partner only the best ladies were chosen and no one can take their place so even without her the competition would go on it's the usual manner and as for the relation..."

"The western kingdom isn't a fool who would start a war just because of something like this furthermore they are fully aware of what Lady Katz did and they know what they should do with her." Alfred and Alan said as they looked rather serious.

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"I see then that's good although...(that girl holds grudges for long and I am afraid...what if she does something she shouldn't do.)"

"Don't worry she won't cause any more harm to any of us although it's true she might never want to see us again and..." Alan said as he looked at the clouds.

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"And??" Both Alfred and Irene asked as they looked at him.

"And...if we think from her perspective, she wasn't completely wrong either after all in the west people are more greedy than here so of course, she grew up learning about class and status...they were just her ways to protect herself but they don't work here and that was the mistake she made." Alan said as he closed his eyes.

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"That's true but why are you thinking about all this out of blue? Don't tell me did you perhaps had a thing for her?" Alfred asked in a joking manner as Irene's heartbeat suddenly dropped.

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"What nonsense are you spouting!!" Alan shouted while standing up from his seat.

"Nonsense hmm, well if what I am saying is nonsense then would you explain the sudden nervousness on your face?" Alfred asked as he laughed.

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"This is because I was flustered by your stupid questions! And...I was only saying all that because as a future emperor I must see all the sides or else my decision won't be fair enough." Alan said as he cleared his throat.

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Hearing that Irene's ears picked, and somehow her mood felt better than before.

"Wow! Now that's something I can believe~ but still brother you don't have to worry even a bit since I as your lackey would handle matters like this so all you have to do is order me." Alfred said as he put his arms around his shoulders.

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"Really? Can I trust you?" 

"Of course! You can I am your brother. And I am not full enough to take the place of the sun who has already been chosen." 

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"Yeah Yeah you are the best brother~," Alan said ad he ruffled his hair and both of them started laughing.

"(Never against each other....I wish that too, I hope both of you will never go against each other be it for the throne or.....)" Irene thought as she miles while looking at them.

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"Seems like both the Highness have lots of free time today, which is why both of you are laughing here," Irene said as the colour of their face faded, which made her laugh even harder.

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"Looks like your Highnesses skipped your duty again? *Sigh* The maids must be going crazy in search of you..." Irene said while she shook her head making both of them feel quite guilty.

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"Fine! We skipped out work but my lady don't worry we would work overtime to make up for our work today." 

"And we won't skip or run away again." Both Alfred and Alan said as they stood from their seats and walked towards the exit.

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"That would be great, then have a good day," Irene said as she bid her goodbye.

"Yeah, good day to you too," Alfred said as he walked forward while Alan stood there looking at her.

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"Umm, your highness is there anything you need?" Irene asked as she looked at him with a confused face.

"Uh well, I just....wanted to know if Lady Winter is fine with the arrangements.... mean *gulps* Is Lady Winter fine with being a candidate?" Alan asked as he looked at her as if his whole life was dependent on that one question.

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"Your Highness..." Irene was a bit taken off guard by his sudden question which seemed more like a proposal.

"I just want to make it clear that lady winter is free to leave if she doesn't take part in this ball or act as a candidate...I don't want to and I will never force you...so please don't hesitate since we all know where this can take us." Alan said as he held her hand with a serious expression in his face.

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"Your Highness, did you ask the same question to the other candidates too?" Irene asked as she looked at their shoes.

"No...I....am only asking this to you!" Alan said with a flustered face as Irene looked at him.

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"Me...only me..." Irene stammered as all the blood reached her face and she became bright red.

"Yes....so lady witner what's your answer?" Alan asked as he gulped.

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"I..."

"(What should I say to him? I indeed took this invite beacsue I wanted to make sure Bith the leads don't fight again but was that the only reason?)"

"(I don't know but looking at him makes me happy so of course...)"

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"Your Highness, I am happy with you and I guess that's enough to answer your questions." Irene said as she smiled brightly.

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*Ba-thump* *Ba-thump* 

The surroundings suddenly felt lighter and Alan was frozen right on his feet with his heart racing.

"Umm, your highness?" Irene who was worried about him not saying anything asked as she tried to free her hands but he didn't let her do so and instead he pulled her into a hug.

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And the whole room filled up with only heart beat sounds of two young souls not fully aware of what those butterflies on their tummy were.

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"Lady Winter, Thank you and I too...I too am happy with you, no actually I am more than happy with you! It's a feeling I get only with you and I am unable to describe it on words...but I know that I only have this feeling with you." Alan said while hugging her warmly. 

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"Lady Winter I____" Alan said while he faced Irene who looked too shocked to process anything didn't really know how to respond.

"Oh, I am so sorry! Did I make you uncomfortable?" Alan asked as he removed his hands.

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"( He hugged me just now....and because I am not saying anything he thinks I am upset....this is bad I need to say something!)"

"Then I shall leave..." Alan said as he turned around but Irene held onto his sleeves.

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"Your Highness, Thank you for telling me about your thoughts and feelings. It made me feel special and I didn't hate your touch...*blushes* I was just too shocked and didn't knew how to respond." Irene said as she looked at him as her face got redder with every word she said.

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"I see...then you didn't hate my hug then...I hope you won't hate this too." Alan said as he came forward and kissed her hands and ran away without looking back.

"Just now did soemthing happen?" Irene talked to herself as she looked at her hands which were warm just like her face.

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"Did he really...kiss my hands...!!!" Irene thought as she closed the door and sat on the floor with her racing heartbeat and uncontrollable replaying of the memories that just happend.

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"(Irene get a grip of yourself! He is just 13 don't think about anything else...*looks at her hand* but why does my heart still flustered every time with him...Don't tell me Am I...)" 

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"Finally I did it!!" Alan said as he jumped happily in the air with a flustered face.