Kiss Me Not

Like what she had promised, Kimmy answered every question her mother asked.

"You brat, I had you learn all kinds of self-defense to make sure you know how to protect yourself.  Being a part of the Royal Family is not easy and we often face danger in our lives so I made you learn it to keep you safe. How dare you apply it to protect others and endanger your life for someone else?! You are a Princess for God's sake!"

Kimmy helplessly looked at Brione and said, "See? This is why I was avoiding Mom. My ears always hurt because of her constant nagging."

"I'm here and I can hear you!" Leila burst before drinking another glass of wine in one shot.

Kimmy poured her more wine while giggling and said, "Drink more so that you will have a good undisturbed sleep, mom."

Brione smiled and slightly felt envious watching the mother and daughter banter. She grew up without a mother. She was glad she had a stepmother who treated her nicely but that was only until she found out that that woman was the reason her mother died. She sighed because it was already in the past but Kimmy was still lucky to have her mother alive and showing her love and care for her.

"You two look wonderful," she could not help but comment. Then she added, "I wish I had a mother too…"

"Dear, how about I become your mother and you become my daughter? I should kick out this brat from our family for always giving me a headache." Leila commented, taking Brione's hand and lightly squeezing it.

"That hurts mom!! Why kick me out when it's better to have two daughters. The more the merrier," Kimmy commented laughing and Brione joined the laughter. Soon Cedric joined them and noticed how flushed his Aunt Leila was so he said, "That's enough drinking for today Auntie. I will ask your driver to send you home. Come, let's go to your car."

Then Cedric looked at Kimmy and asked, "What about you?"

"Nah, I'll stay longer and talk to Brione," Kimmy answered with a smile. Cedric nodded and helped his Aunt Leila walk out of the palace.

"Are you going to talk to Cain?" Brione asked her.

"Yeah, I plan to. I will ask him to drive me home so we can have a serious talk. I figured Mom is right. I just hope Cain is someone who does not hold grudges for too long. After I left, I really did not hear any news of what happened afterward. I intentionally did not bother to look back nor ask about things here, instead I simply informed them that I am doing good once in a while.

I've been to different countries to make sure they won't be able to trace me… Well, that was before I came to country D and decided to stay there longer. I liked the people there and I found real friends who consider me as their family. 

I know what I did was a very selfish move but I just wanted to live a carefree life, unlike my mother who must always be prim and proper. Even if she's hurting, she cannot cry, she just has to suck it up and smile like everything's fine"

The two women were interrupted when Cain approached them and told Brione, "I will leave first. Please tell Cedric that I left already."

Brione nodded. Kimmy suddenly grabbed her bag and stood up.

"Me too, I will leave now. Please tell Big Bro Cedric that Cain will drive me home," Kimmy said to Brione and waved.

Cain seemed to be taken aback that he did not budge from his position.

"Is it alright? I mean if you don't want to, then I can just ask Will. I wanted to go with you because I need to talk to you about something," Kimmy commented.

Cain, who finally managed to digest what was happening, sighed and said, "I don't mind. Let's go."

Brione looked at the two who left together before looking at Will who was near the bar with his head down on the table.

"He's so drunk," Brione shook her head. She looked at her watch. It was past eight-thirty in the evening. She sighed and waited for Cedric to return. She was still drinking when Cedric arrived.

"Everybody's gone?" he asked and she nodded. She also pointed her chin in WIll's direction but Cedric suddenly leaned and gave her a sounding kiss.

"Hey…" she whisper-yelled in surprise.

"Oh, weren't you asking for a smacking kiss?" Cedric naively commented as he sat beside her.

"No, I was pointing towards Will. Look at him, he's so drunk. I think he passed out," Brione murmured as she hid the blushing of her face.

"How about you? Are you drunk Sweetheart?" Cedric asked.

"No, I just had two glasses." She answered simply. Cedric grabbed his phone and called Will's father, Sean.

"Let's go back inside. Uncle Sean will take care of Will."

Cedric held her hand and they walked towards his wing. When they were about to pass the inner courtyard which she loved, Brione pulled him there instead so they could look at the night sky.

"Look!! There are so many stars and they're so pretty," she said excitedly while looking up at the sky. Cedric, who was also looking up, tilted his head down to stare at her instead.

"Yeah, so many pretty stars, and yet one star outshines them all in my eyes," he whispered.

"Huh? Which one?" Brione asked as she searched the sky to see if there was a particular star that was shining better than the rest or in many ways bigger and more distinct.

"You, Brione Yu. In my eyes, you're the star that shines the brightest, giving light to my dark and boring life," Cedric whispered, not moving his loving gaze from Brione.

Brione swallowed and turned her head to look at him.

"Will you keep that light shining in my life for a lifetime Bri?" Cedric whispered.

Brione opened her mouth to speak but no words came out. She scolded herself to answer! She knew in her heart that she should answer but she wasn't able to answer with words so she stepped forward and encircled her arms on Cedric's neck.

"I-I… I don't know what to say," she whispered.

Cedric smiled and pecked her nose saying, "You don't have to answer me if you're not ready to answer. Just kissing me will do Sweetheart."

And that was exactly what Brione did. She kissed him lovingly and passionately under the bright stars.