I stared at Illaine.
She was sitting on the sofa, sipping tea, talking to Raine.
Let me rephrase that, Raine is sprawled on Illaine, while she is sipping tea.
I am sure Raine uttered 'fresh meat' somewhere, but let's not go there.
'Oh, there you are.'
My eyes widened—"Did you unlock your powers?"
In 'Love You', if that is the name, Illaine's powers were telepathy, is that not cool as hell!
"Love you? What's that?" Illaine asked, finishing her tea, and patting Raine.
"Can you read my thoughts, too?" That was awesome.
Wait.
No.
That was not awesome.
"Why not?" Illaine asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Long story, how are you?" I asked.
"Wondering why a certain plant has not written a letter to me in seven days." She smiled, but her eyes narrowed.
I looked at her.
Then at my feet.
Then went over to Illaine's other side and lay my head on her shoulder.
"A red goat and a blue tiger, I am starting an animal park!" Illaine snickered, patting my hair.
"Don't read my mind," I bit my lip, "Please."
"Then you tell me what's wrong," Illaine mumbled, "I'd believe you if you said you were from another world!"
And I did not speak.
But she squeezed my fingers.
And Raine bit my finger.
"What the mother—" I turned to Illaine, "—loving God was that for!"
"For not giving me goat meat!" Raine answered.
Shitty heroine.
"Miss Raine, you should not bite others' hands," Illaine said to the heroine.
Raine just hugged Illaine.
Why does that shitty heroine like Illaine more than me?
I looked at my finger. I feed her, and this is what I get.
"Where did you find this from?" Illaine pointed at Raine.
"In a trash can," I said.
"Really?" She asked, eyes widened,
"No."
She squeezed my fingers like she was trying to break them.
"Orphanage!" I yelled.
And she let go.
I caressed my dying fingers.
Why were all the women in my life so hateful of me?
Shitty women.
"Have you eaten any plants recently?" Illaine asked, and Raine looked at her, face scrunched.
"No, why?" I asked, grinning.
"I brought a few tasty-looking ones!" Illaine said, pointing to a basket.
"Grass!" I yelled.
"Roses!" She yelled at the same time.
"No roses are abusive?" I said.
"What?" She tilted her head.
"My wife would get jealous, she already scarred me once!" I showed Illaine my scar from my first night.
Illaine checked my temperature.
"I thought only Lucas was crazy, turns out Illaine is too." Raine got up and walked away.
"I'll buy you goat meat!" Illaine said, grabbing Raine by her hair.
"Please marry me!" Raine said with bright eyes.
"When we are older, maybe?" Illaine said, after thinking for a while.
"Yes!" Raine danced around and ran to Ella to tell her about her marriage prospects.
Who would marry Raine?
Ew.
"Lucas," Illaine leaned back into the sofa and sighed.
"Yes," I answered like the gentle knight I was.
"I got engaged to the crown prince." She said, looking at the ceiling.
"Is he blonde?" I asked, I needed to make sure my make-believe daughter has a good life.
"No, he has green hair?" Illaine raised an eyebrow.
"Then he probably would not cheat on you." I nodded, deeming him a good fit.
Then we were both silent.
She stared at me.
"I hope you hit your head and gain some common sense." Okay, rude, Illaine.
Then I thought for a second, and scrunched my face. "Wait, was this you confessing?"
"What? No?" She scowled like I said the most disgusting thing ever.
Ouch.
Thank God.
And then we were silent.
Illaine was silent more than she spoke, I knew that from the novel.
I knew that from meeting her.
But it is strange for a child.
A seven-year-old who holds her cheek back.
I turn to look at her. Her eyes were lost in something I cannot see.
"You act much older than you are…don't you?"
"Huh?"
"That day with…father, even now, and when we first met, you act like you are older than you are," I rambled.
"You don't have the right to say anything about that," Illaine chuckled.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
And she stared into my eyes.
Then realization hit me.
"But I am twenty inside so—"
Fuck.
"Yes, yes, and I am a one thousand-year-old goddess," She giggled.
"You definitely are not a goddess." I sighed.
"Do you want me to break your fingers?" she said, taking hold of my arm.
"No ma'am!" I shrieked, and she let go.
"Good!" She laughed.
And the door opened.
Raine came in with both her hands clasped.
She walked to Illaine and gave her a ring.
It was made of flowers.
"My sister taught me this before she died. I hope you like it!" She smiled so brightly, her heroine powers were activated.
Why is this brat speaking so nicely?
I won't let her marry my daughter.
And Illaine stared at her.
Then she wore the ring. A daisy sticking out on her ring finger.
Illaine looked ready to cry.
How childish!
I snickered.
Then Raine stared at me and ran away, and she came back by slamming the door.
She walked up to me.
And gave me a flower crown.
Made of daisies and tulips.
I stared at it.
Then I put it on my head.
I sniffled and gave her a thumbs up.
She gave me a gift!
And she smiled.
And I smiled.
And Illaine smiled.
None of us spoke.
We just stared at our gifts and each other.
"Raine," Illaine asked, and Raine's eyes sparkled.
"Yes, Miss Illaine?" Raine's voice was sincere.
Miss? Who the hell is this?
"Do you want to live with me, instead of Lucas?" Illaine asked, and my jaw dropped.
"Will I get goat meat?" Raine, you traitor!
"Sure!" Illaine smiled.
"Then–"
"No!" I yelled.
"Huh? Why?" Illaine questioned as though she did not understand.
This crappy kid!
"She is my maid!" I retorted.
"So? You can hire another!" Illaine fought back.
"So can you?" I mumbled.
"I want Raine!" Illaine scoffed.
"I want her too!" I stuck my tongue out at her.
"Can't we all three live together?" Raine cut both of us off.
"It would be fun if we could live in a house with us three!" She smiled, and Illaine looked at her, scrutinizing her.
"That would be fun?" I said.
"Why don't we go on an excursion, then?" Ilaine suggested with a smile.