Interrupted

"Am I interrupting something?"

Richard had been standing with a vacant look on his face when he turned his head in the direction of the voice. Kira stood against the door with her arms crossed, unamused.

"What do you want?"

“Well, first, congratulations.” Kira raised her arms in surrender at Richard’s gaze, the laughter disappearing from her face.

'Funny, they actually act like siblings.' The princess mused as she casually pushed from the wall and from Richard's embrace. The handsome knight was making her act stupid and wishing for something that wasn't meant to be.

"Second, I’ll give you a room as a matter of courtesy as you were the former duke and to put father's mind at ease. But when you left me the title, you promised. You said you wouldn’t take back what you gave.”

“So?”

Richard asked as if he had no objections. Only then did Kira let out a chuckle.

“It’s better to be clear, right?”

Richard walked up to his big sister.

“Kira.”

“Yes?”

“You must treat Her Highness with respect. The position of Duchess is more than a title, it requires you to be a role model for other nobles-.”

Almost questioning the idea of just sneaking away while the siblings bickered. Yet the subject of treating her with respect stopped the woman dead in her tracks. 'What's with this guy? Aren't you supposed to hate Alexandra so much you'd go through with assassinating her?'

“Stop, stop,” Kira said, frustrated. “You’re at it again with that tiresome nagging.”

“…….”

When Richard’s persistent stare continued, Kira let out a sigh.

“Fine. I’ll be more respectful next time.”

Slyly, Kira directed her question at the man who was happy after hearing the response he wanted.

“You haven't slept together, right?”

“What-.”

“With Her Highness, since you got back?”

Kira cackled.

“I knew it. Honestly, where do you get off about lecturing me about respecting the princess while you can't even keep her happy in bed." Richard's stoic expression shattered as if someone just tossed a brick at it.

"How did you know I haven't... I mean we haven't... by all the gods I don't need to have this conversation with you right now."

“I have a sixth sense for things like this. The way I see it, Her Highness doesn’t have zero interest in you.”

"She is still interested in me?" He interrupted her before she could finish which provoked a shit-eating grin on her face.

“Wow, getting you to fall for her, she’s amazing! She’s no ordinary person!”

While Kira clapped her hands annoyingly, Richard mulled over his feelings. He wondered where this angry and endless feeling like a swamp came from.

Richard roughly pulled on his necktie to loosen it and massaged his neck.

Meanwhile, the women in question stood watching all this play out. 'Are they ignoring me or haven't she noticed me yet? I should help him out but his confused expression is too cute!'