Chapter 158 - She Knows What They Don't
Chapter 158 – She Knows What They Don’t
"Rinnie~!"
I took a step back to keep myself from falling. Sally leaped towards me as soon as I hitched outside the carriage upon reaching the palace. I giggled, holding her in my arms.
"I miss you very much!" Sally's embrace tightened before she loosened it when Hugo's annoyed voice tickled our ears.
"Sally, how can you miss my wife and not me?" Hugo tilted his head to the side, hands on his hips. Sally jumped back and scrunched her nose in disdain.
"Brother Hugo, how can you hold a wedding without us?"
"What? How was it my fault that you can't make it?"
"How can we make it if the invitation arrived a few days before the wedding?!"
I laughed as the two bantered like usual. Sally was fuming, biting her brother's arm like a dog. Meanwhile, Hugo flailed his arms to get rid of her. But even when Sally's entire small body was swinging in the air, she didn't let go.
"Kids." I snapped my eyes and peeled them away from those two to Cora. "My dearest sister-in-law. I am so happy to see you back in here."
Cora spread her arms to embrace me. "Congratulation on your wedding. It's a shame that you have to rush back here instead of going on a honeymoon vacation."
"It's alright. We didn't have anything to do before the wedding anyway, so we had spent a lot of time together." I smiled as she released me from her embrace. My eyes then shifted to Teresa, who was standing behind Cora.
"Teresa, it's so nice to see you again."
Her face brightened up, and she walked closer. "Me too, Rinnie. I really miss you! Priscilla was being punished and had to stay behind to finish her study. She said she will rush to you once she was done."
Teresa explained as she also gave me a warm and tight hug. When we let go, my lips stretched broader, and looked around.
"Looking for Alice?" Cora cast me a knowing look.
"Yes. I know she is busy, but I thought she'd be here."
"Oh, don't worry. Alice is currently with her husband — probably arguing." She rolled her eyes, hands on her hips. "Don't worry about it. That's just how those two show their affection."
"I see…" came out an awkward reply as I rocked my head.
Deep down, I felt bad for Alice. Back then, I simply felt scared that what happened to her would also happen to me and Hugo. But now, all I could feel was a pang of guilt.
"Ah! Percival, where's Dan?" I shifted my attention to Hugo. Sally was still biting his arm, but it seemed he was already used to her bite. His eyes were on Percival and Tomas, who came with their sisters to welcome our arrival.
"Oh! I think he is — "
"Do you miss me that much, brother? I didn't know you'd look for me the moment you arrive." My breath hitched as soon as I heard Daniel's voice interrupting Percival's sentence.
"Ahh… I was just worried. On the way, I heard you haven't been yourself lately." Hugo laughed.
"And who said that I haven't been myself lately?" In a short time, Daniel's voice felt closer while I kept my gaze on the ground.
"Sally."
"Hey! I didn't –"
"Got you, you little rascal!"
I glanced at Hugo and he was already holding up Sally's back collar as if she was a sack. As expected, the little Sally threw a huge fit, but his devious brother laughed.
"Oh, Dan. It's probably Alice. She's been very worried about you lately."
"It's probably to distract herself from her husband's return," Tomas snorted.
As usual, the Tempest siblings were as lively and as close as ever. I slowly raised my eyes and snuck Daniel a look. To my surprise, the second I glanced at him, he also casts me a look. But instead of eyes full of contempt, they squinted into mere slits as he smiled.
"Good to see you again, sister," he greeted with his usual kind tone. "Congratulation on your marriage. Forgive us if we cannot attend your wedding, but we prepared gifts in advance."
"That's alright, Your Highness. Your blessing is more than enough." I also sported a kind smile as I tilted my head down.
"Haha! Hugh, your wife is still as shy as ever. I am deeply disheartened that you got married in Belcoot instead of holding a ceremony in here." Daniel laughed, poking Hugo's abdomen lightly.
"Why? So you lot can object?"
"Yes! I will surely object!" Sally yelled. "My poor Rinnie will only suffer in a barbaric brother like you."
"Huh? Say that again and I will squish you until you're only three feet tall." She screamed her lungs out when Hugo pinched her cheek. "What did you call your handsome brother?"
"Handsome! ahh!! Handsome brother!!!"
Cora also raised her hand indifferently. "I would've objected. Count Alice too, since we're still doubtful of your intention to Rinnie. Just look at her! She became even skinnier!"
"I will also object… although I don't think this still matters." Teresa also raised a hand.
"Oh, come on!" Hugo gasped in disbelief, looking at his sisters in dismay.
"Don't be too hard on Hugh. I'm sure Rinnie doesn't regret her decision." Daniel cast me a smile briefly before shifting his attention to his siblings. "Let's head inside first. We prepared a simple dinner banquet for you. Father is also excited to see you."
"Excited." Hugo clicked his tongue before tossing Sally to Tomas as if she was a doll. "If I know, my sisters already fed him lies, and he is full of it!"
"Hey! How can you throw a living being like that, huh?!"
Hugo ignored Sally as he extended his hand to me. "Rinrin, let's go inside."
"Yes." I smiled as I skipped to him after casting Cora and Teresa a smile. They followed us as we took the step-ups, chatting on my side while Hugo held my hand. He was also chatting with his brothers.
When I subconsciously glanced in their direction, I caught Daniel looking at me for a second. His expression remained the same as he continued to chat with Hugo and his brothers.
'He is angry,' I thought, smiling at Cora, Teresa, and Sally on my side.. 'He is definitely disgruntled.'