Chapter 42: Promises and The Journey Home [R-18 Contents!]
"Are you done already, Hal?" Rumia asked as she approached, her own arms laden with small parcels wrapped in delicate tissue paper.
"Yeah, I am," I nodded.
Rumia’s blue eyes sparkled with curiosity as she craned her neck, attempting to peer into my purchases. "You seem to have bought quite a lot of things." Her tone was playful, but I could detect the underlying inquisitiveness that was so characteristic of her.
I quickly shifted the bag further away. I couldn’t let her see the delicate lace bra and underwear I bought for my own mom. "I bought some things for Lisa as well, that’s why," I said.
The moment the words left my mouth, I knew I’d made a mistake. Rumia’s expression shifted, her eyes narrowing.
"You’re always favoring Lisa over me," she said, sulking.
"Well," I replied, perhaps more sharply than necessary, "she doesn’t have a father who tries to kick me out of my own house every time I speak with his daughter."
Rumia’s cheeks flushed a deep pink, and for a moment she looked like she might argue. Her mouth opened, closed, then opened again before she finally looked away. She couldn’t deny the truth of it.
"Whatever," she said finally, her voice smaller than before. "Next we should—"
"Next, I’m leaving, Rumia." I cut her off.
"W...what? Already?" She asked.
"I shouldn’t be spending this much time with three noble ladies. People talk, and reputations matter."