The Experiment

The morning light filtered gently through the grand windows of the castle, casting long shadows across the stone floors. Kyle stirred from his sleep, groggy and disoriented for a brief moment before remembering where he was. His adventure in the new world was no longer a strange dream but a strange reality, and as he glanced around the lavish guest room where he had spent the night, he couldn't help but marvel at the intricacies of the decor—the heavy velvet curtains, the rich tapestries, the gold-trimmed furniture. It was a far cry from the modest, gamer-centric room he’d left behind back home.

He pulled himself from the bed, stretching and heading toward the door. He hadn’t expected to stay at the castle long, but after meeting Aria’s family and surviving the rat quest, it seemed like he was becoming a somewhat familiar guest.

As he wandered down the hall toward the dining area, he ran into Alistair, who was standing outside the breakfast room, appearing as poised as ever. The younger man greeted him with a nod, though his gaze was a bit more intense than before.

“Morning,” Kyle said, rubbing his eyes and yawning. “You’re up early.”

“Late, actually,” Alistair replied coolly. “Everyone except Amara has already had breakfast. She’s a late riser these days, especially with the pregnancy.”

“Yeah, I bet that takes a lot out of her,” Kyle said, nodding.

Alistair tilted his head slightly, his expression becoming more focused. “I’ve been meaning to ask you something, Kyle,” he said in a low voice. “How exactly did you manage to get a date with my sister? Aria doesn’t usually... entertain such things since she’s engaged.”

Kyle paused for a moment, considering how to respond. The tension between them was subtle but growing, and Alistair’s steady gaze only made it more apparent that he was curious—and possibly suspicious.

“Well, see, the thing is,” Kyle began, “it wasn’t really me inviting her out. She asked me out, and I figured, why not? So technically, I wasn’t the one asking her on the date. She invited me.”

Alistair furrowed his brow, clearly mulling over Kyle’s explanation. “I see,” he said slowly, though he didn’t seem entirely convinced. “That means... if she invited you, even though you went on a date, that’s nto cheating on her part?”

Kyle grinned, feeling a little more at ease now that he was able to explain his side. “Exactly! I told her it wouldn't count as cheating because she was the one asking me out.”

Alistair blinked. He looked as if the gears in his mind were still turning. “Huh. I suppose I can understand that logic,” he said, though there was still an air of confusion in his expression. They made their way to the table. The food was already laid out—delicious breads, cheeses, fresh fruit, and meats. The aroma of fresh coffee filled the room, and Kyle felt his stomach rumble in response.

As they ate in relative silence, Alistair’s expression remained contemplative. Kyle noticed the occasional glance his way, almost as if Alistair was weighing something important in his mind.

After a few minutes, the door swung open, and Amara entered the room, her long, wavy hair cascading down her back. She looked every bit the regal figure she was—pregnant, but still as graceful as ever, with her deep green eyes soft but full of determination. Her burgundy gown hugged her frame, and she held her posture with an effortless elegance that Kyle couldn’t help but admire.

“Good morning, you two,” Amara said with a warm smile. “Sorry I’m late. I was up late reading last night, and I... well, I might’ve slept in.”

“Morning, Amara,” Alistair said, his voice suddenly turning more serious. “There’s something I’d like to discuss.”

Amara raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. “What’s that?”

Alistair took a sip of his coffee before setting the cup down, looking at his sister with a calm, collected expression. “I’ve been thinking about something all night. I want to run an experiment to understand how you perceive the concept of cheating. Specifically, how you’d feel about a... date, with someone like Kyle.”

Kyle blinked, eyes wide. “Wait, what? What do you mean by experiment?”

Amara froze mid-step, her eyes narrowing sharply. "An experiment?" Her voice dropped to a dangerous tone. "You want me to... what? You're suggesting that Kyle and I go on a date?"

Alistair, unfazed by her outburst, remained composed. "Exactly. I want to test your perception. What if Kyle invited you, instead of the other way around?"

Amara's anger flared, her face turning red as she raised her voice. "Alistair, are you seriously implying that I would go on a date with him? I’m married to Marvin! I love my husband! Do you think I’m the kind of woman who would—"

Kyle flinched at her sudden outburst, but Alistair calmly raised a hand to defuse the tension. "Amara, please. Just hear me out. I’m not saying you should do it, but we need to explore what you think about a situation like this. Now, scenario two: what if you invited Kyle out on a date? Is that considered cheating or not?"

Amara stood still, her fists clenched tightly, her breathing heavy with frustration. She took a deep breath, visibly trying to calm herself down. Her expression shifted from fury to one of quiet contemplation, though the frustration was still evident.

"This is ridiculous," she muttered, staring at her brother. "Why would it be cheating if I invite him?” She paused again, as though working through the logic in her head. "I suppose... it’s not like I’m doing anything wrong. And I don’t have anything planned this morning.

Amara exhaled sharply, glancing between Kyle and her brother. She was silent for a moment, the gears in her mind turning as she processed the idea. Then, to Kyle’s surprise, her gaze softened, and she gave him a look of mild curiosity. “Fine. I’ll do it.”

Kyle blinked, caught off guard by her sudden change of heart. "What? You’ll do what?"

Amara's eyes locked with his, her demeanor shifting from irritated to a curious calm. "I’m not the type to shy away from new experiences. And besides, it’s not like I’m betraying Marvin, right?"

She paused, letting her words settle before looking back at Kyle, a soft but still pointed smile tugging at her lips. "Well, Kyle," she said, her voice smooth, "would you be so kind as to have a date with me after breakfast?"

Kyle was taken aback, unsure of what exactly to say. His thoughts were a whirlwind, but there was one thing that stood out—this was, without a doubt, the most unusual and unexpected thing that had happened to him since his arrival in this world. Still, something felt strange about the whole thing.

"Uh... sure," Kyle stammered, his nerves making him fumble with his words. "I guess I can do that.