"E-Erix...I..." Isabella stood up, her face crimson, and her hands balled into fists while grabbing sides of her gown.
Erix took a step forward, leaving only a palm's distance between them as he looked straight into her shaking, but ardent eyes.
"Bella, I've watched you in various intensities during this month. You acted differently, recklessly, but tried to hide it, and still failed."
Isabella's chest heaved up and down, and her face drooped.
Erix calmly held her chin and raised her head, "Look at me."
Isabella's eyes saw his face, utterly calm but having a hint of a smile.
"I will give you one chance to speak your mind, so answer me, Bella."
Erix put his hands on her shoulder, slightly tightening his grip, "Why did you do all this?"
Isabella's eyes directly streamed uncontrollable tears at that, "Because I wanted to impress you! Because I love you and wanted you to look at me!"
"I-I am tired of pretending...I...don't want to separate from you, Rin, Aria..." Isabella's lips trembled. "I want your love...the same love you give to Rin and Aria. I want a man, and every bit of me wants that man to be you!"
Erix's facial muscles twitched, but he still couldn't prevent a wide and wild smile from spreading on his face. "Say no more."
His right hand went around her waist and his left hand behind her back as he pushed her towards him and planted his lips on hers.
Isabella felt a jolt as her entire body trembled. The accumulated longing and desire burst at Erix's touch on her body and his kiss, causing her mind to release such a strong current of bliss that she went blank.
Isabella fainted, and her conscience went adrift.
Erix chuckled and slightly bent before he carried Isabella in his arms and gently nudged her consciousness with his spirit energy to wake her up.
Isabella slowly opened her eyes and saw Erix's face up close and his hands behind her, carrying her up.
"Aah," Isabella was startled hearing Rin's voice and saw Rin looking at her from the bed while lying on her stomach, and her chin resting on her hands on the pillow.
"You both knew...?" Isabella asked, her face entirely flushed.
Erix and Rin, who always admired Isabella since their first encounter found out about everything fifteen days ago and since then, they have been measuring.
Both of them concluded that they wanted Isabella, from their depth of heart and desires.
To Erix, it was his heart and wild instincts seeking Isabella's love after finding her feelings and intense desire of love towards him, and how they came.
To Rin, she wanted Isabella because the one she admired, loved as a sister, and respected made her man fall for her after showing such intense feelings for him.
There was no way that Rin wanted to make Isabella someone else's woman after knowing that! And must she stay lonely after showing such intense love for Erix and suppressing it silently?
No.
She must become her man's woman and her sister forever! Rin also had the same feelings towards Aria, Lilith, and Lily. They must become her man's women for they loved him and she also loved them as sisters and believed them worthy.
Rin's grin was cheeky as she looked at Isabella from the bed. "You are not going anywhere, nor going to become someone's woman after all that, alright?"
Isabella's face was red like a tomato, but her heart warmed with an intense feeling of bliss.
"Mom...where are you?"
The sudden voice of Aaron startled the trio.
"...let's not show Aaron all this for now," Erix said with a wry smile. "To be honest, I want Aaron to consider me his big brother when he grows up."
Isabella gently smiled and said, "You are a boss-like brother figure to him, and I also want his relationship with you as it is. This is better. "
Rin chuckled, "He will understand when he grows up."