The King's Mandate: Anomalous System

It's been 7 hours since Lier came. She has been pouting since my mom told her that I have a girlfriend. She didn't say anything at that time, but after eating lunch when I was in my room, she came and saw the VR gear.

'What's this?' she asked.

I told her it's a VR game.

'Why do you have it?' she asked. 

I told her I play a VR game with Elena.

'Idiot. Dumb. Stupid Das!' she said. 

I didn't...I couldn't tell her anything in response.

I played LWO for 4 hours today with Elena. Miss Serah also helped me in leveling up. We cleared the tower, all the 100 floors. I didn't level up, or I didn't hear that 'Leveled Up' when a player levels up.

Elena and Miss Serah asked me what level I am. I used my faker skill and showed them that I am level 13. I haven't checked my level yet. I couldn't check it in front of them. I should worry about that later because...

"Hey Lier, are you really going back home?", my mom asked.

"Yes aunt, Das has grown enough to get a girlfriend so there is no need for me now.", she said grumpily.

After playing LWO, when I went downstairs, Lier was telling my mom that she wants to go back and my mom called uncle Ady to pick up Lier.

We are currently eating dinner, and it's my favorite dish today but...

"Idiot."

She is calling me an idiot whenever our eyes meet. She is angry about something, right?

Did I do something? She was acting fine until mom told her about Elena---could it be...no, I am thinking too much. I know that Lier and I have been close, closer than cousins, closer than childhood friends but...the thought of her falling in love with me...

If that's true, then I don't know what I should do.

Wait, it's not confirmed yet, maybe I am thinking too much?

"What's wrong, Das? It's your favorite dish made by Lier and me, and you are not eating it.",

"Aunt, he must want to eat something made by his dear girlfriend, he won't like my cooking. I am just a cousin after all.", Lier said with an almost menacing voice.

Okay, now I am sure that she loves me.

Ding dong~ Ding Dong~

"Looks like Ady is here. Lier, do you really want to go?"

"Yeah. I will just get in Das' way."

I didn't tell you to go home. What's with that emotional torture!

"Hey Ady. Long time no see."

"Derek. How are you doing?", Uncle Ady said.

"I am fine. What about you and Lirole?" my dad asked.

"She is fine. " He then looked at me and said, "Hey Das."

"Hey, Uncle Ady."

Uncle Ady patted Lier's shoulders as he asked, "Lier. What's wrong? Yesterday you were yelling to come here, and now you want to go back?"

"Mmm."

"You said you would stay here for a month, what happened?"

As soon as he asked that, Lier looked at me.

Don't look at me! She is going back because of me, so if I tell her to stay will she stay?

Alright, let's try it!

"Lier, at least stay for a week.", I asked her.

"Shut up stupid Das.", Lier said.

"....."

"Lier, that's no way to talk to him. He is the heir, talk to him with respect.", my uncle said.

"I don't care. Stupid will be stupid. Stupid king. Stupid Das."

"Lier!"

"I will get my bag, you stay here dada," Lier said as she ran up the stairs.

She calls her dad dada...now is not the time for that!

I followed her upstairs and entered her room. 

She was packing her bag. She had already put all her clothes in the closet. 

She really wanted to stay longer… didn't she?

Dammit!

"Hey, Lier."

"I don't want to talk to you.", she looked away from me.

"Just hear me out."

"I don't want to."

"Do… Do…." I stuttered as asked, "Do you love me?"

"Wha…!" the clothes fell down from her hand.

"Do you?", I asked again.

"What will you do if I say yes?", she asked me.

"I...I---", I was stuttering, trying to say something as a reply.

"Will you break up with your girlfriend?", she asked while glaring at me.

"....."

"No answer? You are still a kid who doesn't understand people's feelings.", Lier growled.

"Lier, Let's talk about this."

"There is nothing left to talk about."

"I love my girlfriend. I love Elena."

She pushed me down on the bed as she said, "Are you trying to brag?"

"I am not. I am just telling the truth.", I said while looking into her eyes.

"It's not....", she broke off mid-sentence.

"What? It's not what?"

Tears fell down on my face from her eyes. The last time I saw her crying was...

"That was a lie. Everything was an act.", she said while crying.

"What do you mean?"

"I was scared when I was on the train. I was so scared that I couldn't move."

"Wh... at?"

"When you asked me why I didn't say something even though I noticed you were looking for me, I was calming myself down.", she said while choking on her tears.

"...."

"I lied about everything. I am still scared of people."

"Why did you do that?"

"For you. Last year when I asked you what type of girl you like, you said someone like your mother so...so I did my best to learn cooking and tried to act grown-up."

"...."

"I tried to act mature, and then you say you got a girlfriend? It's not fair."

"...."

"I have been in love with you ever since we were kids. I thought one day I would tell you my feelings, so I was taking it slow. 'He will not go anywhere' I kept thinking that and...and you got a girlfriend? It's not fair!"

"Lier. My girlfriend said she is okay if I---"

I was about to continue speaking when she--... she kissed me. 

Someone other than Elena kissed me. 

This kiss feels different; the taste is different.

"Just so you know, this was my first kiss.", she said while blushing.

Her face is red. I have never seen her making that face.

"You just… kissed me."

"What if I did?"

"....."

"You have 3 months."

"Huh?", I looked at her.

"I will be moving here in 3 months, and you will be 18 in 3 months. I have already told grandpa, he said he would engage you with me.", she stated.

"What?"

"I will be your fiancé when you turn 18."

"Wait, I have a girlfriend!", I shouted.

"Grandpa doesn't know."

"I will tell him.", I said.

"Do you have the guts to go against him?"

"...."

"Have fun with your girlfriend for 3 months."

"..."

What should I do now?

"Anything else you have to say?", I asked.

"Huh?" Her face is red again. It must be something embarrassing.

"Tell me."

She broke the eye contact with me and looked down as she said, "I didn't do it on purpose."

"What are you talking about?"

"At noon, when I went to take a bath, I didn't know you were in there. So...I peeked.", she said while slightly stuttering.

Okay now, this is indeed embarrassing.

"It's okay, it wasn't on purpose, right--"

"No.", She cut me off.

"Huh?", I was confused.

"I was watching the whole time."

"What?!"

"I peeked till the end.", she said embarrassedly.

"Pervert!", I shouted.

"Don't call me a pervert!", she glared at me.

"Lier. Are you done packing?", uncle Ady shouted from downstairs.

"Yes dada!"

"Bye, have fun for 3 months."

"Bye," I said while she went out of the room.

What should I do? I will call Elena first.

"Hey, I forgot to tell you something" she came back running.

"What?"

"See you in LWO."

"Wh… at?"