The soft clicked of the closed-door can be heard. It echoed in my ears, however quiet that is, it sounded loud to me. If it were before, I would have found it bizarre.

Nadia, when she does not get what she wants, throws tantrums. And it's not pretty. Her tantrums were always severe and obnoxious. She would slam doors, break things, and raise her voice. She was like a madwoman and not a lady from a noble house. I hated it. I hated her.

I hated every single thing she does.

She never did any of those today.. Even though she was truly angry, she was... calm. This wasn't the first time that we had bickered. We had fought before from the dumbest and smallest things, and it was awful. She was awful. There were even times that I wish she weren't my sister. Or she was, but better. Like the Nadia I knew.

But now, she was calm...

It was very different than before, but I don't find it weird. It was so like her and not her at the same time.

"Nathan," Ezekiel called.

I did not turn to him and continued staring at the door where Nadia left. Unbending.

Should I follow her? What would I say to her then? I...

"You shouldn't. Let her be for now," Ezekiel says as if he knows what I was going to do.

I frowned and look at him, wondering what he meant by that. If she's mad, then shouldn't I go and fix it? That's basic knowledge. Why is he saying that to me?

The others were looking at me as well, Conrad was even shaking his head.

"Man, why did you say that? She would obviously get mad you know," Conrad uttered and sighed.

Why is it me? I am just worried about her. Why would it be my fault? Nadia doesn't know how dangerous it will be. It's The Hunt, an accident could happen any time. Wild beasts are everywhere either, and not just any normal beasts. There are still monsters that lurked somewhere.

They might have read the confusion in my head and shook their heads even more.

"She seems very eager to go," that Noah guy mumbled.

Tch. This guy. I still find him annoying. How can he be so comfortable around my sister? Getting even too close to her... Tch.

Eon saw my glowering expression and scratched his head.

"C'mon Nathan, they're just friends."

Friends? A male friend? That doesn't sound right, does it?

Friend or not, he shouldn't casually hold someone's belongings. And he shouldn't hang around her like some annoying fly. I don't trust him one bit.

Noah sensed my gaze and paled.

See? He can't even stand up to me. If he wants to be my sister's friend, he should not be a wimp.

"Aw, man..." Luther muttered at the side.

Ezekiel glances at them before staring at me. When he's being like this, I know what would happen next. He's going to preach again...

"Nadia is part of the council. She may be your sister, but she has her duties as well. You can be protective of her all you want, but at least respect her decisions."

My forehead creased together, and he saw that. What is he saying now?

"I know you are worried about her, but I think you're being overprotective. She is a strong lady and we all know what she's capable of," he added and hinted a smile.

The others nodded their heads in agreement.

"Right, she's awesome," Eon declares while grinning.

"She can even kick asses," Conrad seconded and then lets out a chuckle. "Ah, I really can't forget that cafeteria incident huh."

"She's headstrong too and stands to her ground," Noah joins.

Luther nods, "Quiet charming."

Tch. Of course, she is. She is all that. I know that.

I am her brother, of course, I would know how she is. She's headstrong, alright, but she has a weak side too. I discovered that when she can't even properly lift my sword when she asked me to teach her. This is why I am worried about her.

If she gets into trouble while I'm not around, how can she defend herself?

Ezekiel painted his usual smile, "You all heard them. That's why you should not patronize her too much. She can handle herself just fine. You can protect her on the sidelines without hindering her."

Damn him. Flashing that smile while saying those words. He really knows what to say. Tch.

I thought back to what happened earlier and grimaced. I might have said too much, which angered her. So her anger was my fault? Why did she get angry about that? I was just saying the truth.

Girls are delicate beings, what's more, they have skinny figures. She isn't fit for vigorous activities.

"Nathan, I know you're confused. Can't help it, you're dense sometimes," Eon voiced out and shrugged.

One of my brows raised.

Dense?

Conrad and the others turned to him and were giving him the eyes, but he just kept mouthing off.

"But yes, it is all your fault. You should be atoning now. She might not talk to you again and that is all on you." He finished.

I want to sew that mouth shut.

His words made me stop and my blood ran cold.

Nadia won't talk to me again? She won't? Because I said that?

...?

Ezekiel's smile wavered and side-eyed Eon, who was feeling proud at the moment. Conrad shakes his head and hit him.

"Ow! What?!" Eon cried out and rubbed the part of his head.

"Do not listen to Eon. He is an idiot," Ezekiel stated.

"Idi-- what did I do?! Why are all of you so mean to me?" Eon exclaims as he looked at everyone, feeling betrayed.

"Wow. They surely are siblings..." Noah mumbles.

Won't talk to me again...?

Ezekiel assured me, "Nadia was just frustrated today, that's all. You should just let her be for now and apologize later."

Apologize? Right... I should apologize. But how? Did I ever say sorry before? I can't remember.

Sorry... Such a foreign word.

Ah. Now that I think of it, I did say that she never changed and is still the same as before. Lies. That's all lies.

Why did I say that? She had changed. She was not the same as the past anymore. She's better. I like her just like this.

Then why did I say that? Of course, that would upset her. I... I am an idiot huh?

I really said something I shouldn't have...

"How do I fix it..."

I didn't realize that I have said it out loud, not after they started suggesting things.

"As Ezekiel said, let her calm down first. She may not want to--" clearing his throat "-I mean, reminded about it right now," Conrad remarked.

He's not addressing Ezekiel as Prince as usual. If anyone from the palace would hear this, he would surely get in trouble.

"Buy her things. Jewels, dresses... Girls like those expensive kinds of stuff," Luther noted, acting nonchalant.

Girls? I don't think Nadia can be lumped with them. The current her that is...

She might like it before but not now anymore. Simple things bring a genuine smile to her face now.

Just like that time when I gave her the lone red apple that I found hanging on the apple tree from the courtyard. It was her favorite color, so I plucked it.

Ah, jewels. I remembered something again. That time where I broke her necklace in the hallway. She had looked very shocked then and speechless. She even cried days later, I guess. And holed herself up in her room for almost a week.

Was it also my fault? But, I was mad because of her ridiculous spending. But maybe... maybe I shouldn't have done it. She might have really liked that necklace and bought it.

I don't know...

I must do something about that as well. Yes. I must.

Ezekiel clapped his hands together, getting our attention.

"For now, let's just proceed to the meeting without Nadia while Nathaniel calms himself. Shall we?"

I just noticed how chaotic my mind and feelings are being. If not for Ezekiel's remark, I wouldn't have known how mixed my emotions are.

Right. Calm down and think...

Let's fix this tomorrow.