Chapter 117 - Ara & Emi

"Does this mean I like Ryuu?"

With this, Ara's mind played each and every moment they had so far and ended up semi-hyperventilating.

KYAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Well, it's not hard to like him anyway, she reasoned to herself afterwards. Aside from being tall, handsome and rich, he was also extremely considerate, thoughtful and kind, although he could be so childish and petty at times. But, the latter attributes made him cute like a pup and not so irritating.

Ara reckoned if she asked around, she could easily discover more people who liked Homura Ryuu, albeit with different reasons. She wondered now in which way she liked him – not that she knew if she did. She'd just never liked a person before unless it's for friendship.

But she and Ryuu already established the fact they couldn't be friends. He said they were lovers – it's totally different.

So how would she know if she liked him?

With this, another memory back in Ritz popped in her head. It was of her and Alistair when she was a lot younger. She had asked her brother then what love was as she had heard about it from her nannies too often.

"Love? Well, it's a special feeling you have towards another that cannot be described in simple words," the king had answered her good-naturedly. "There are many different types of love little one. There is a person's love for God. If he loves God, then he strives to be a good man as his god wants him to be. There is one's love for country – it's when a person fights for his homeland's wellbeing. There's love for family – it's when you give respect and be filial. Then, there's eros…"

"Eros?"

"It's the kind of love you feel for someone – like your lover."

"Hmmmmnnn…Like the prince and princess in the story?"

Alistair chuckled. "Yes like the prince and princess in the story – I'm glad you at least listen to your brother when I tell you those stories huh?"

The king messed her hair. Alinea had never liked reading books but at least loved it when the king told her stories.

"Yes, but I feel they're idiots," she stated plainly which made the king interested.

"Why do you say so?"

"Because it just doesn't make sense. The prince and the princess just saw each other and they are in love? I just can't understand how that happens."

Alistair had laughed then. "Well, sometimes it just happens for some people."

"Then how would you know if you love someone?" was her next innocent question.

"Well… I guess you would only know when it's staring at you right on the face," was his enigmatic answer. 

Suzuki Ara snapped out of her reverie, her eyes moist from the sudden nostalgia. Again, she had recalled memories of her brother that showed how he cared about her in a way. He wouldn't patiently answer her stupid questions like that if he didn't at least care for her a bit.

But the answer he gave her back then was also useless.

"Urgh, I should have asked Lucius instead." The Casanova archer would have known more about it considering all the lovers he had.

With a sigh, Ara stood up from the futon. She had already recalled why she was here and even recalled the tarantula lounging on Gin's head.

She shuddered remembering the arachnid. It seemed harmless though. Normally Alinea back in Ritz wouldn't even react unless it came near her, but her heart just suddenly jumped out of her chest and she fainted upon seeing the spider.

"Maybe the doctor is right. My body remembers the scary things for it."

Even if her soul resided within it now, it retained the original's characteristics. She should be mindful of that in the future. But, come to think of it…

Didn't the original Suzuki Ara have a crush on Ryuu?

Realizing this, Ara got more confused. How would she know now if her feelings were hers or Ara's?

AAAAAAAAAAAARgh

It's better not to think about it then. But that's lying to herself of course. Her curious nature wouldn't let her forget.

She stretched and yawned as she wondered where she was – or rather which part of the house was she at. The Cedar Palace was so huge like she's at a real Japanese Palace. She wondered where she could find the others. Her brother and Gin were here earlier. She hoped they still hadn't left. She wanted to give them her souvenirs.

She stepped out of the corridor, wondering if she could find someone to ask when she spotted someone scrubbing the floor next door.

"Excuse me…" she called out, startling the person who turned to her in alarm.

But Ara was the one more surprised. In front of her was a very, very, very, cute girl. If she hadn't seen her cleaning the floor just now, she'd think she's a doll. Both Ara and Alinea had soft spot for cute girls, most especially the hamster types, which meant they're as harmless as they looked. She knew because she couldn't sense an ounce of malice coming out from her. She even had a clearer aura compared to either Rin or Midori who she already considered as good friends.

Sadly, with her clothes which looked bigger than her size and…

Ara's gaze went down to the girl's hand and her heart hurt seeing the cuts and abrasions there. Seeing where she was looking, the girl quickly hid her hands from behind her and gave her an apologetic look as if she felt bad for making Ara see something unsightly.

"You should have those cleaned and put some medications or your wounds would get infected," she advised, and the girl nodded and bowed clumsily.

"I-I will do it as soon as I finished my task, Miss Ara," the girl said shyly, and Ara was surprised.

"You know who I am?"

The girl nodded again. "Miss Ara's picture was shown to all the servants so we would recognize you immediately."

Oh…

So that's why Kazehaya Aoi and the others recognized her back in Hakone too.

That's nice… in a way.

At least she wouldn't have difficulty asking someone for directions later. Then again maybe this girl could bring her to where Ryuu was.

"What's your name?" she asked.

"This servant's name is Emi. Homura Emi," the girl answered, and Ara frowned.

Homura? And she's a servant?

"Are you Ryuu's cousin?"

The girl hesitated for a bit before answering. "Miss Ara, I am a very distant relative who just happened to bear the same surname as the Young Master."

"So, why are you a servant?"Ara couldn't help but ask. She was very curious like that. However, this made the girl very uncomfortable as if she had no idea how to answer her.

"Miss Ara, Miss Emi has nowhere to go and hates to freeload so she insisted she works here."

Ara turned to see a kind-looking elderly woman who looked regal in her kimono. She inclined her head as if waiting, and the elderly woman bowed.

"I apologize for the rude interruption of your conversation," she said. "But Miss Emi's so shy I felt I should help her out."

Ara shook her head. "No problem I was just curious."

"I am Yayoi, Miss Ara. I am the Head Housekeeper of the Cedar Palace," the elderly added before turning to Emi. "Miss Emi is not really a servant but insisted on doing chores so she would learn the ropes. She's my apprentice. She will be the new Head Housekeeper when I retire."

"Is that so?"

By this time, Ara was a bit suspicious. There wasn't anything so sinister in the air, so a bad plot never entered her mind. Still, there was something that told her that it wasn't the complete picture.

"Then she should take it easy – at least until her hands healed," Ara said afterwards.

If Emi had some other reasons why she had to stay here that they couldn't tell her yet, then it was fine.

A look of joy appeared on Yayoi's face as if she totally approved of what she said. "Miss Ara, you are very kind. I have been telling Miss Emi to do just that but this girl wouldn't listen and still continued to work."

Ara turned to Emi who was as red as a tomato. She really gave off an impression of a very shy hamster, and all suspicions fled from Ara's mind. "You're such a pretty girl Emi. You should take care of yourself more…"