Finding You, Again
Us 23 - Truth and Happiness

"Duke!! Wake up, breakfast time is almost over. And why are you sleeping on the couch?"

Mom's astonished voice pierced through the dream, which I quickly forgot.

"I accidentally fell asleep!" I rubbed my face so that my consciousness would fully recover.

"That's bad Duke, you should have rested properly, after doing a grueling mindlink yesterday!" Mom sat down, rubbing my shoulder slowly.

"Are you alright? Your face's look isn't good" Mom looked worried.

"I'm healthy Mom, just need enough rest"

I don't have time to relax now. I need to see Bee soon.

"Where's Bee?" ask Mom, who now has a slightly sour face because, the objection earlier..

"He's in the room. And the situation is not good either. He was a little pale and very nervous. But he won't say anything to me. Waitaminute! Did something happen between you?" ask Mom, with full investigation.

Mom and her sharp instincts, I complained in my heart.

"I just have to talk to her Mom" I dodged and headed for the bathroom.

"Ck. at least improve your performance a little, you look like you've been run over by a bunch of giraffes" Mom grumbled, in a soft voice as she walked towards the kitchen.

He was certainly upset, because I refused to explain what happened.

But what can I explain? That I had kissed Bee accidentally, and now she's mad at me?

Mom would kill me if she knew that. Kissing someone without permission is sexual harassment .

But he returned the kiss!!

My eyes were again unfocused, remembering the sweet taste of Bee's lips that I missed so much.

I looked at the reflection of my lips in the mirror, and imagined in detail how Bee's lips moved.

My mouth sighed because I definitely wanted it again. I had to splash my head with cold water to ward off these wild thoughts.

I came out of the bathroom with an increasingly troubled mind.

Worriedly, I approached the door. I should speak more calmly and should not make Bee too depressed, I repeated in my heart.

And I'll apologize too. After all, the kiss happened because I couldn't help myself.

I knocked slowly and waited, but there was no answer from inside.

"Bee? Are you inside?"

I'm starting to worry. Did he faint? Mom said she looked unhealthy.

I opened the unlocked door carefully, and found the room empty.

For a moment my heart slipped anxiously, imagining Bee had left. But then it dawned, he was in a pack in the middle of the forest. Bee can't go anywhere.

I glanced at the balcony and saw it there. He was staring towards the snowy pale mountain. My heart throbbed with relief. He's still here of course.

"You should have worn thicker clothes if you wanted to be outside" I glanced at her clothes, as soon as I got to the balcony.

Bee no longer wears her nightgown like last night. But a knee-length skirt will not guarantee warmth.

Bee jumped a little to hear me, she must be daydreaming. The sound of the large window sliding open and also my footsteps, should have been enough to hint at my arrival.

"What are you doing here?" tanyanya, with a rough tone. Anger is still clearly visible on Bee's face.

"We need to talk Bee"

"No! There's nothing we need to talk about anymore!" knock Bee, with a ketus.

He stepped into the room, without caring about my whereabouts. I caught up with him, taking a deep breath.

"Come on Bee, there's a lot we need to talk about. I made a mistake, but I know you enjoyed that kiss too"

I was forced to say this, as Bee stubbornly continued to walk in, with no desire to hear me.

Bee immediately stopped his steps, and turned to look at me. His face was getting red with anger.

"No!! I didn't enjoy it. It was a mistake, and we better forget about it" Bee shouted loudly, with teary eyes holding back tears.

"Forget it?? I won't forget Bee, it's the sweetest kiss I've ever had!"

"Enough!!!" Bee shouted while covering both ears, a sign that he did not want to hear my explanation.

"Don't say that, you're disgusting!! How dare you say such a thing. I really misjudged you, Duke!!"

Bee shook his head and looked at me with a face of hatred, complete with flowing tears.

Disgust???!!

I'm getting lost. I got a hunch there's been a big misunderstanding here. But don't know what.

I walked slowly, and grabbed both of Bee's hands that covered her ears.

"Don't you dare touch me!!!"

Bee jerked my hand hard, trying to break away. But I held him back, he had to hear my explanation.!

"No!" flat answer. "I have to say something, and you have to hear it"

"I don't want to!!!!"

Bee screamed loudly and jerked my grasp with all my might, and of course still failed.

But due to that effort, his body became unbalanced and fell onto the bed that was behind him.

I who did not expect to get a fierce fight, also interested in following Bee's body weight, and fell with the landing position right above him.

Thankfully, one of my hands reflexively restrained my body from falling flat on its body.

The position of Bee that is now under me gives some flexibility. Bee would have no choice but to listen to me.

I grabbed his right hand, which was trying to push me back, and raised it over Bee's head, fusing it with the left hand I was still holding.

"What are you doing? Release me!!"

Bee screamed in panic and jerked her hands many times, trying to escape my clutches.

"Calm Bee, I just want you to hear--"

YOOOO!!!!!!!

The noise of broken glass falling makes me aghast.

At the door Mom looked at me and Bee with pias faces. The breakfast that had been on the tray fell at his feet.

"DUKE PACIAN THEOBALD!!! HOW DARE YOU!!" Mom screamed hysterically, while running up to me.

"Bold--once-you-do-do-deed-hina-like-that-that-thereof. I-not-not-raising-you-to-be-man-br*ngs*k-as-this!!"

Mom beat me with an iron tray in her hand. For every word, he took one hit.

"Mom stop! It's not what you think!!' I raised my hand, trying to stop the blow.

The punch didn't hurt, and I'm sure the iron tray has changed shape now. But obviously this sight is embarrassing.

"What do you mean by 'unlike you imagine'? You held Bee's hands on the bed, and I could hear a shout of rejection from her earlier!" scream Mom. Back trying to hit me with a tray.

"I know, but this is really just a coincidence Mom!"

It sucks, I get out of bed, grab the tray, and throw it out of reach.

"You know I'm not gonna do anything that despicable, Mom, not after what I saw in El's head"

I stood in front of Mom, and looked her right in the eyes to make her believe my words.

Mom's breathing became slower, as soon as she heard the name El mentioned.

He knows how I struggled so hard to receive memories when Linus harassed El. I will not do such a damned deed to anyone.

Mom finally nodded weakly.

"But what are you doing? What's going on"

Mom and I turned at the same time towards Bee, and found that she had closed her eyes on the bed.

"Bee!!!'

I touched his forehead and found his body temperature high, a sign that he had fainted from a blood clot in his brain.

I tidied up Bee's position, and hurriedly picked up the medicine vial in the desk drawer.

I asked Dr. Sidra to leave some vials there, after yesterday's attack. I don't have to take her to the hospital or call her now.

Carefully, I injected the drug in the right arm. I went back to check her temperature after a few minutes, and her fever started to drop sign the medicine was working.

"He'll be conscious, won't he?" Mom sat on the bed and stroked Bee's hand.

"What happened to you guys? Why is Bee yelling mad at you?"

Not yet I answered, Mom had already showered me with other questions, while looking at me sharply. A view that means I have to answer the question clearly.

"I--- kissed him last night, more or less like that" I explained, looking down.

Admitting you kissed someone to your mother isn't easy. It's shameful!!

"You what?!" Mom shouted in surprise.

"I swear it happened without Mom's coercion. But I did it without Bee's consent" I explained.

"And I swear he returned my kiss" I added, quickly.

Because Mom's eyes have glanced dangerously at the tray I just removed. Prepare to hit again.

"You're sure he's avenging her?" Mom looked at me, with eyes narrowed suspiciously.

I nodded hard.

"Then what's wrong? You shouldn't have fought if she returned your kiss" Mom still looked at me doubtfully.

"I don't know Mom, after which Bee suddenly slapped me and shouted something about Roan?!"

I could not hide the astonishment in my voice. Mom's face was confused. Mom looked at Bee questioningly.

"Did he misunderstand your relationship with Roan? Maybe Lui thinks you're lovers"

Mom looked at me skeptically.

"Whats?!..ha.ha..ha"

I chuckled amusedly at Mom's words. That's a very absurd and very unlikely assumption to happen.

Seeing Mom's still serious face, I stopped the laughter.

"Are you serious Mom? There's no way anyone would think I had a romantic relationship with Roan. We always fight when we meet"

"That's right. But you never met or fought in front of Lui. He's been staring at you from a distance all along. It could be that Lui misunderstood" Mom explained with a very logical reason.

I'm silent thinking about it. This is the only plausible explanation for why Bee behaved like that last night.

This kind of situation never crossed my mind at all, since imagining me having a relationship with Roan, was enough to make me shudder in horror.

"Where's Roan? I had to bring her here to explain if we had nothing to do with Bee"

"She's off with Rex to town. There's a new gadget he wants to buy" Mom said, shrugging her shoulders.

"CK. uncle Rex spoils him too much!" My murmur, I have to wait until noon at least.

"Yes, and no one can prevent it. You know that" Mom covered Bee's body.

He tidied Bee's hair slightly scattering, and then stroked her forehead gently.

"Wake up baby! You made my son so tormented by his love" Mom whispered in Bee's ear.

"He'll be up in a while, Mom, don't worry"

I threw myself on the sofa and squirmed tiredly. My head felt heavy again, because I must have slept no more than two hours last night.

"I'll call someone to clean it up!" Mom pointed at the pile of plates, glasses and food strewn across the door.

I nodded slowly and Mom came out immediately.

I typed in a message asking Roan to go straight to Manor upon arrival.

He has to help me explain everything.

---------- *0o0*----------------

I stared blankly at the ceiling of the room without daring to make a sound.

My consciousness had recovered a moment ago. But I did not dare to move for fear of waking up the sleeping tiger-err sleeping wolf that was on the sofa.

His breathing was heavy and regular, signaling he was soundly asleep.

I glanced at his slightly opened mouth with a very challenging shape.

How can one look so beautiful while sleeping?!

I grumbled with annoyance in my heart. I felt my lips still unable to forget the memories of last night.

Soft, wet lips swept over my frozen lips with a warm melt, leaving me drifting away instantly.

Duke's right, I did return the kiss, I didn't reject him. My common sense came a little late, the slap came very late.

What do you think Lui?? You look like a cheap woman who seduces Duke.

Ughhh. My stomach was nauseous imagining what I did last night.

The mistake started, when I really enjoyed the warm touch of Duke's hand on my face.

I ignored the warning of the danger signal in my brain, telling me to reject Duke's invitation to go for a walk, or to remove the Duke's hand from my face. But that kiss was a very fatal mistake.

He shouldn't have done that. Not with Roanna. Now the Duke shamelessly wanted to talk about it!

Anger burns my heart fast. I didn't expect Duke to have that kind of playboy.

What's he gonna do now?

Whatever the decision is, it'll only get me and Roanna hurt.

I didn't dream that Duke would leave Roanna for me, but if that really happened, I wouldn't accept it either. Roanna was always sniffy, and never being friendly with me, but that doesn't mean I'm gonna let her get hurt.

I'm not that low!

And if he really doesn't want to leave Roanna, the most appropriate attitude is to leave me alone and forget about last night, not fall asleep here.

His long legs bend, because the length of the sofa can not accommodate it.

That position was obviously uncomfortable, what made him stay here?

I can't guess the Duke's way of thinking, which I don't think makes sense.

As if hearing the anger in my mind, Duke suddenly opened his eyes and immediately looked right in my eyes.

I was stunned for a moment, but after my common sense returned, I turned my back on him.

I don't want to see him, not when he can see me too.

The Duke's footsteps approached, making my body stiffen with alarm. My bed moved slowly, a sign that the Duke was sitting next to me.

"Is it because of that actor you're acting like this?" duke's voice sounded trembling.

"You mean Zeno?! What does this have to do with all this?" I looked at him confused.

The Duke's face suddenly exuded an overwhelming sense of relief, but it didn't answer my question.

Whatdoes thatmean? Disappointed, I turned back to him.

"Bee, there's a big misunderstanding going on right now. You have to want to hear my full explanation" he said, softly.

My body trembled again as I felt the Duke's voice getting closer.

I shook my head "I understand enough, you don't need to explain anything, because whatever you want I will reject it!" answer me firmly - or try hard.

"Bee, you misunderstood. Me and Roan-"

"I'M COMING!!"

The door of the room opened abruptly, revealing Roanna who was smiling cheerfully while carrying a bag of groceries with countless numbers in her hands.

His smile instantly disappeared when he saw me and Duke.

Oh my God!. He must have misunderstood. Duke is sitting on my bed right now. He must be angry! I frantically sat down, and shifted slightly away from the Duke

Roanna walked in without saying anything. He put the shopping bag very carefully, which made me think, whatever he bought must be very valuable.

He then sat on the sofa that became Duke's bed, and looked at the two of us with a flat face.

"Roanna, I beg you not to misunderstand me, Duke just accompanied me because I passed out earlier, we-"

"Stop that!! Your explanation is ridiculous Bee, and you should have laughed by now!!"

Duke cut my words and pointed at Roan, who was now frowning confusedly.

A laugh?

Duke hopes Roanna will laugh, after seeing me and her in the same bed?!! Is he crazy?

Roanna widened her pretty eyes, signaling she was beginning to understand the situation between me and the Duke.

I close my eyes with resignation, I will accept whatever it is that he will make me.

"HAS.........HA.........HA...........HA-------!!"

Laughter broke out in my room.

I opened my eyes, and found Roanna laughing while holding her stomach, she even clapped excitedly.

I straightened up, and glanced at Duke, who was looking at Roanna with a face as confused as mine.

"Stop!! Your laughter makes me believe you have something to do with all these misunderstandings Roan!"

The duke rebuked Roanna, and she immediately stopped, while wiping away the tears that were dripping with laughter.

Roanna sat back on the sofa and calmed down. But I could see, his laughter was not a hundred percent bearable.

"I succeeded! I know I made it. Oh this is amazing" Roanna again said something that I could not understand at all.

"Roan.stop laughing! And explain what you mean! I don't like waiting" a furious tone sounded in Duke's voice.

"Oh alright-I might have done something to make Lui jealous of me" Roanna said casually, drinking the water that was on the table. Laughing made him out of breath.

She's what? I don't trust my ears. He intentionally made me jealous? Whatdoes thatmean?

"You did what?" The Duke stood up, looking at Roanna ferociously.

"Oh come on, Duke! Your relationship has made no progress. I just wanted to make Lui jealous and make her aware of how she feels about you. And seeing how you were when I came in, I made it, didn't I?"

A satisfied smile was engraved on Roanna's mouth.

"And how exactly did you do that?" The Duke growled furiously.

Roanna's eyes looked at the Duke in a slight panic now. As if aware that he had exceeded the Duke's patience limit.

"You don't remember? The hug and also the friendly words I gave you a few days ago? Euwww!! just remembering it makes me nauseous again. I had to hug you without a shirt at the time"

Roanna flicked her hand in disdain, as if releasing something that was still stuck there.

Duke frowned.

"When the hospital?" The Duke asked doubtfully.

Roanna nodded "You didn't see it because you were facing me. But Lui was awake by then, wasn't she?"

Roanna turned her eyes to me, asking for approval with witty eyes. I of course nodded.

I was still confused by the direction of their conversation, but I did wake up when Roanna hugged Duke in the hospital.

The Duke looked at me, astonished.

"Oh. and also when we talk in the park. Do you remember when I put my arm around your shoulder?" Roanna added with a wink.

He looks too happy.

"What?! Bee couldn't have seen it! He's in the room, he can't even walk!" Duke denied.

"Stupid Wolf!! He was on the balcony and looking at us who were chatting downstairs. That's when I knew that if Lui still loved you, she looked at me with murderous eyes out of jealousy. The past ---"

"Rohan!!"

The Duke snapped while glaring at him, as if giving a warning for him not to finish his sentence.

Still been? What does it mean that I still love Duke?

The Duke's impact, made Roanna seem aware of something, but then quickly looked back in the face full of smiles.

I was eager to ask about that 'still' word, but I was reluctant to interrupt Duke's anger.

He still gave a fierce glaring look at Roanna at this moment.

"Well.i mean. I know he's jealous of me having a close conversation with you, Duke, isn't that so Lui?" Roanna looked back at me with a careless look.

I'm sure my face has turned red. Roanna read my heart with amazing precision.

I buried my face in my knees and pulled the blanket over my entire body, hiding a great shame.

"And you Duke, you're so worried that you can't see how the real Lui feels!! You're too afraid to take action, because--- um that thing" Roanna's voice pierced through my blanket.

What things? my inner.

But it's not important at the moment.

I calmed my breath for a moment and thought.

So between Roanna and Duke there's no connection whatsoever? I could feel all the cells in my brain dabbing *pas de quatre** happily.

My heart seems to want to explode with all the information that makes me float.

"Ahhhhhhhhhh.... "

The slow pull of my blanket made me scream in surprise. Duke forced me out of the blanket.

"You heard it was Bee, you have no reason to say you didn't enjoy my kiss last night"

Their triumphant smile revealed a row of Duke's white teeth. He sat back on the bed, leaning his body towards me.

"Eww.euww.at least wait until I get out" Roanna complained in disgust. He lifted the shopping bag carefully, then walked towards the door.

The Duke did not turn his head at all, as Roanna moved. He kept on filling me up without interruption.

I feel like a rabbit stuck in front of a wolf. I can neither run nor evade anymore.

"I'm not--" I tried to argue again and turned away avoiding Duke's eyes. But my voice was disappearing before I could finish my sentence. I can't give any other reasonable reason.

The duke grabbed my chin and twisted it, to face him.

But I still couldn't, my eyes dodged automatically out of embarrassment.

"Look at me in the eyes, Eluira" Duke's voice softly, but full of demanding tones, gave me no choice to refuse.

I rolled my gaze, and found the bright brown eyes that were now gleaming with determination.

"Is there anything you want to tell me?" he asked, with a hoarse voice as if holding back emotions.

I close my eyes and bite my lips nervously.

"Don't bite him like that or I'll take it as an invitation. And believe me for the second time, I'll add the duration of that kiss to a lot longer".

Duke's eyes blinked dangerously, looking fixedly at my lips,

I frantically closed my mouth with my hands. I was not ready to receive a second kiss. I might faint again.

"I apologize for the slap" I whispered, with the rest of the sound I could still produce.

"And-?" The Duke waited for my words, smiling broadly.

"And yes! I enjoyed that kiss too"

I can say it after a great deal of effort, putting away all the shame I have.

The Duke laughed softly in a triumphant tone. "Good girl" she said.

Our faces are now less than 3 cm away. But Duke's closing in, though,

All the scent of maples and forests poured out of his body, entering my sense of smell seductively. The Duke's hand was raised and gently raised my head.

I have no will and will to fight. My body obediently followed the Duke's wishes. The distance of our lips is now only as thin as paper.

BLAA!!!!!

The door of the room once again opened brutally, Myra, El and also Roanna were standing awkwardly there.

Climbing, I move away from Duke.

Duke sighed in a frustrated tone "You guys intentionally! you did it intentionally!!" The duke exclaimed in anger.

He got up and pointed at the three people who entered the room. Roanna stood behind Myra while giggling. Myra only smiled, but the El-faced was very serious.

"No!! This is important, the Elders are already waiting for you below" El explained as he cast regretful eyes at me as well as the Duke.

"Those---" Whatever word the Duke wanted to say in his mouth came back with great difficulty. He nodded with a face full of anger.

"What do they want?" The Duke asked while clenching his teeth.

"Scheduling out the Alpha coronation and also the uh-completeness" El looked at me strangely as he said it.

"I'm trying to complete it!" The Duke said while pointing at me.

Me? What's my connection to the Alpha coronation?

"Duke, meet them. Give the most reasonable explanation. Tell me you need a little more time. And after that tell Abel, the meeting will be a little delayed"

Myra approached the Duke and stroked his back to let Duke's anger subside.

"Calm down, you still have plenty of time with Lui after this" Myra turned to me while winking one eye.

No doubt, my face is warming. No doubt, Myra knows everything that happened between me and the Duke.

"Bee, we're not done yet..." The Duke suddenly turned and said in a slightly loud voice to me. But the corners of her lips lifted into a small smile.

Not waiting for my reaction, she turned to Myra.

"Thanks Mom, please take care of him for me" the Duke clasped Myra's hand, which had been stroking her back. Myra nodded with a smile.

"AAHhhh-!!"

A new understanding struck me like a flash of lightning. The memory of the moment before I fainted earlier floated down.

And it made me scream in panic.

"What's? What's up?" The duke who was halfway to the door stopped and turned to look at me worriedly, because of my shout earlier.

"You call him Mom!" I pointed at Myra with trembling hands.

Duke shakes his head in wonder "Of course, she's my mom. What do I call him?" tanyakanya.

Wait!..what??-- What?? Myras..Myra's?

"You-you, I mean you..." I was too surprised to put words together properly.

"Duke, Elle. You guys head down. I'll explain later" Myra looked at me and once again winked mischievously.

The duke shrugged and walked out of the room followed by El. While Roanna and Myra came up to me and sat sweetly in bed.

"Well, Lui, we have to talk about a lot of things, but first shut your mouth, you look like a fish that's short of breath when it's pecking like that" Myra laughed, and clenched my mouth with her hands.

"You-you..." My words were again swallowed by panic.

"She's cute Auntie, you're right" this time Roanna spoke. His face was full of big smiles. I've never seen him with this face.

"Lui, I'd be very sad if you started calling me 'you' or any other polite call. I want you to keep calling me Myra" She took my nose slowly.

I still didn't blink because of this surprise.

It was never imagined in the slightest, if Myra was the Mother of the Duke. Especially since Myra doesn't look old enough to be her mother.

I now try to remember everything I ever said and did to Myra.

Ohh--I hope there's nothing embarrassing I told her.

And it's worth Myra crying tears when talking about Duke's father, he's his wife!!!

"You never say---" my protest, slowly.

At least I'd be more polite if I knew.

"Hmmm-- At first, that fact was indeed a secret. Because I have to make you understand that you don't have to be afraid of Duke. By telling you if I was his mother, it certainly wouldn't help my mission. But once you get used to all of us, I forget. I didn't realize you didn't know about it" Myra explained, stroking my hair gently.

"I'm sorry, if this surprises you. But I hope nothing changes in our relationship. I really enjoyed your presence here Lui. And I totally agree with Duke's choice. You're such a sweet girl, I can understand why Duke is crazy about you" she added, with a soft laugh.

"She's not--" my face couldn't help but the embarrassment that was engulfing.

I closed it with my hands. I wanted to pinch myself to make sure that this wasn't a dream.

"To be honest, I didn't expect Duke to drop a choice on a very innocent girl like you Lui, I hope that she falls in love with the colonial girl who will make her suffer" This time Roanna spoke out, saying, with a disappointed tone.

He casually laid himself on the bed, parallel to the direction I was sitting.

Because of that comment, Myra gave a slow flick on her forehead. "Aww. auntie" Roanna sulked furiously while pouting at Myra.

"Your mouth must learn to sort out Roan's words!"  myra's Reprimand.

"Don't listen to him Lui, Roan's mouth does not have adequate filter" Myra looked at me with regretful eyes.

"I'm fine"

I won't be offended by Roanna's words. I'm used to hearing such remarks from Jovi, although not this frontal.

"And now we'll have lunch!! I'm sorry your breakfast had to end up on the floor, so now we're going downstairs for lunch. Hows it? Agreed?" Myra got up and extended her hand to me.

Myra's attitude has not changed at all, as if a few minutes ago nothing happened between me and the Duke.

I'm relieved. I honestly don't know what to behave like if I meet the Duke's parents in the usual way. I'm not good at this kind of thing.

*Pas de Quatre: Quartet ballet dance created by Jules Perrot in 1845, using musical compositions from Cesare Pugni. Have a cheerful rhythm with lots of jumps and turns.