Chapter 10: The Sapphire Family - 3
"So, we’re hiding things now, Kai? From your own sister? I’m your big sister, you know." Her voice was soft, but the genuine pain in it was unmistakable. My clumsy grab for the diary had clearly hurt her.
My mind raced, trying to formulate a believable lie, one that would appeal to her too nice nature. The diary, still clutched in my hand.
"No, Evelina, it’s not like that at all," I said, trying to form a sincere tone in my voice. I took a step closer, lowering the diary slightly. "It’s just... this journal. I found it."
She asked. "Found it? Where?"
"In the arena," I explained, trying to sound a little somber. "After... after the last bout. It must have fallen from someone’s pocket, or perhaps they dropped it in the chaos." I gestured vaguely towards the window, as if the arena were visible from here. "It’s clearly a personal diary. And I... I just don’t think it’s right for us to look into someone else’s private thoughts without their knowing. It feels... disrespectful."
I watched her face carefully. Her expression softened almost immediately. The hurt in her eyes receded, replaced by a thoughtful, almost apologetic look. "Oh, Kai," she murmured, her voice filled with regret. "You’re right. Of course, you’re right. How thoughtless of me. I was just... curious. I truly apologize for prying."
A wave of relief washed over me. She believed me. The lie, simple and appealing to a sense of moral decency, had worked. Her ’niceness’ wasn’t a facade in this instance; it was genuine. At least, that’s what I desperately wanted to believe.
"It’s quite alright," I said, forcing a small, forgiving smile. "No harm done." I carefully placed the diary back on the desk, making sure it was out of her immediate reach, but not appearing to hide it.
She smiled back, a genuine warmth returning to her eyes. "Thank you for understanding. You always were so considerate, Kai." She then gestured to the bed. "Come, sit. You’ve been through quite a lot today, haven’t you? That arena was... dreadful."
I nodded, grateful for the change of topic. I walked over and sat on the edge of the bed. Evelina gracefully settled beside me, she was pretty close up, my cheeks blissful.
"It was," I agreed, my voice low. "I’m glad we left when we did."
"Me too," she sighed, leaning back against the plush pillows. "Father insists on attending these ’tutorials,’ but Mother and I find them so... barbaric. Luminous, on the other hand, he’s always fascinated by the knights and their flashy swords." She chuckled softly. "Remember that time he tried to fashion a wooden sword from a broomstick and accidentally knocked over Mother’s favorite vase?"
A small, genuine smile touched my lips. "Oh, yes," I feigned, trying to conjure a memory that wasn’t mine. "He was always so full of energy."