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Aries remained silent, observing Dexter\'s demure. Ever since the royal messenger announced Aries\'s candidacy, Dexter had been acting oddly. It wasn\'t like he changed, but the air he exuded felt different.

Dexter didn\'t oppose the royal decree and even threw a large banquet. Still, Aries had always felt unsettled, as if he was distancing himself from her.

"Don\'t you want me to go?" she blurted out under her breath, watching him raise his head.

"No." He shook his head the moment he locked eyes with her. "Of course not."

"Then, what\'s the problem?" she inquired without beating around the bush. "Ever since that day, you start distancing yourself from me. It… hurts watching you go farther and farther."

Silence descended in the private sitting room as they looked at each other. A shallow breath slipped past his lips, lowering his eyes until he was staring at the glass in his hand.

"I had always known you will eventually leave the stronghold and return to the imperial palace." He broke the silence with his low baritone voice. "Believe me or not, I am glad that you will stay by his side. I know you truly cherished him, and he, too, values you more than anything in this world. I\'ve been by his side for years and I know he is sincere."

"However, the sheer thought that I wouldn\'t see you just as much as before bereaved me. This place had always been so dull before you stepped foot in here," he continued bitterly. "Selfish as it may sound, but that\'s the truth. It was a mere personal dilemma, which I should\'ve prepared for since I had always known this would happen sooner or later."

Aries pressed her lips into a thin line. Her eyes softened as she kept her gaze on him. However, she couldn\'t say anything that was enough to console him. She didn\'t plan to oppose this proposition since she had always wanted to stay with Abel.

"Do you know why I stayed here instead of heading straight to the Rose Palace?" she spoke after minutes of silence, smiling subtly. "Because a part of me wants to stay beside you just for a little longer. I didn\'t know at that time, but now, I am certain."

Her lips stretched slightly, watching him raise his head. "I want you to be happy for me. I know you are already, but I don\'t want you to be sad. When we first met as an instructor and a student, I had always thought highly of you. But after everything that had happened that led us to this familial relationship, I\'m glad you agreed with Sir Conan\'s proposition."

"Because if you didn\'t, I don\'t think I would ever get the chance to feel this way again. I don\'t think I will ever feel disheartened to the point I had to hold my tears back, because I am leaving home," she continued softly. "This place… you… even though the time I was here was fleeting, I had always felt this was the place I grew up to."

"Thank you for loving me as if I am your real sister." She bowed, and then slowly raised her head, flashing him a bright smile. "Even if I enter the imperial palace, I will always visit you. I\'m good at sneaking in and out, remember? So, don\'t be so sad because, at the end of the day, you\'ll always be my brother."

Dexter\'s eyes softened as he smiled subtly at her. "At this point, I feel like a father who will send my daughter to another man\'s home."

"You do act and speak like a father," she quipped, sniffing hard despite that her eyes kept her tears at bay. "But we never had this moment, right? It feels different… uniquely saddening and reassuring at the same time."

"Indeed." He rocked his head, chuckling dryly. "Be careful when you\'re there, Dani. I will visit the Imperial Palace when I can, so you do not have to sneak out."

"Make sure you visit me, else I will." She narrowed her eyes, pouting. "Don\'t ever act like I am a stranger, or I will surely punish you."

"How will you punish me?" he laughed, and his laughter grew louder when she frowned, unable to think of any punishments.

"You\'ll get a piece of me," she threatened, raising her chin up. "Just because I have a soft spot for my brother doesn\'t mean you can disregard my warnings. I\'m telling you, take care of yourself. Stop overworking yourself just because you are capable, handsome, and wealthy. Who would look after me if you get sick?"

Dexter chuckled, staring at her while she rambled on and on. His heart softened as she listed down his bad habits, smiling subtly. Moments like this were enough proof that time was fleeting.

He couldn\'t help but recall the day she stepped foot in the manor. It felt like it had just happened yesterday. Who would have thought? That his relationship with her, which was fake, to begin with, turned into a real sibling connection?

\'If only you know… how I wished Daniella was like you,\' he thought bitterly. \'She doesn\'t even know my favorite food or anything. And yet, you… couldn\'t stop saying the things I yearned to hear from my own sister. Surely, blood doesn\'t mean family. And you…?\'

Aries suddenly halted, scrunching her nose up. "Are you listening to me?" she clapped, snapping him back to the current lapse.

"You are my only family, Dani," he remarked, causing lines on her forehead. "Whatever happens, if you need anything, just call me and I\'ll be there for you. Always be mindful in the imperial palace. That place was never a safe place for anyone, even for the emperor."

Aries pursed her lips. "I know that."

"Don\'t forget," he stressed solemnly. "You… are my sister. I won\'t let anyone trample my only family. So, always keep your chin up high and be proud. Go crazy if you must. I\'ll clean things up for you."

"Even if it\'s murder?"

"Even if it\'s murder," Dexter repeated while rocking his head.

"Bad influence…" Aries narrowed her eyes suspiciously while he laughed. "You are such a bad influence on someone like me."

"I never said I wasn\'t." He shrugged, patting his thigh before standing up. Dexter offered his hand, smiling charmingly. "Shall we go back to the banquet hall?"

Aries blinked twice, staring at his charming smile. For some reason, Dexter\'s demeanor changed to how it usually was. She studied him for several more seconds and nodded.

\'Well, it seems he already come into terms with his dilemma,\' she thought, clasping his hand with a bright smile. With that being said, the two of them returned to the banquet hall to enjoy the rest of the night.