Undine’s sharp eyes caught the movement of her brother’s lips; he looked like he was about to spill the beans. Her eyes widened in a warning glare. Releasing one hand from around Estelle, she made a swift, threatening gesture behind her back: If you dare say a word, you’re dead.

  Eros curled his lip in disdain, then opened his mouth wider, feigning an immediate confession.

  Panicked, Undine shook her head frantically and mouthed a desperate plea: "Don't tell! If you keep quiet, I'll do anything!"

  Eros’s eyebrows shot up. A mischievous smirk played on his lips as he mouthed back: "Then call me 'Big Brother' a few times, and my lips are sealed."

  Undine was livid, but trapped. In the end, she gritted her teeth and signaled her surrender.

  Sensing the silent skirmish behind her, Estelle turned around suspiciously. "Do either of you know anything about my necklace?"

  Eros played his part perfectly, putting on a look of mild confusion and shaking his head. "I’ve never seen it."

  Estelle shifted her gaze to her daughter. Undine gave a strained, dry laugh. "Me neither!"

  Though her daughter’s expression was undeniably twitchy, Estelle didn't press the matter. "Well, I suppose I should go pack my things as well," she said, turning to leave.

  The moment the hall was empty, Undine lunged at Eros, locking him in a playful chokehold. Eros coughed, "Hey, I didn't say anything, did I?"

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  Undine huffed, checked the room to ensure no one was lurking, and then—face set in a rigid pout—whispered in a voice as soft as a mosquito’s buzz: "...Brother."

  "I did what I promised," she snapped.

  Eros looked unimpressed. "That’s it? That’s all? I didn't hear a thing!"

  Blushing with fury, Undine moved to tighten her grip, but Eros scrambled backward out of reach. "Fine, fine! I’ll count that as a success."

  Once he reached a safe distance, however, his tone shifted into a teasing lilt. "By the way, those elders didn't exactly mention you going along for the ride. Looks like you’re staying home after all."

  Undine froze. She stood there like a statue, the light slowly draining from her beautiful eyes until they looked hollow and vacant.

  Seeing her look so genuinely crushed, Eros cleared his throat. "Of course, if I were to put in a good word..." He let the sentence hang, winking suggestively.

  The light flooded back into Undine’s eyes. She instantly charged forward, clinging to Eros’s arm and shaking it vigorously. "My dear, sweet brother! You have to help me! I want to go see the world too!"

  Eros gave a loud, pointed cough. Undine understood immediately. A deep crimson flush crept over her face. She bit her lip, her eyes shimmering with a mix of embarrassment and resolve as she whispered:

  "I... I’ll do it. But only tonight, when we're alone."

  That night, a profoundly reluctant Undine stood in his room and shouted in a loud, monotone voice:

  "THANK YOU, BIG BROTHER!"

  The words were devoid of any warmth, but her face was as red as a beet. She gave a sharp huff of indignation.

  "Yikes! Zero emotion, zero sincerity!" Eros critiqued.

  Undine exploded in rage, but Eros ignored her entirely. He turned over, closed his eyes, and promptly dove into his soul world to continue his lessons with Barbara.

  Ah, Barbara really is the cute one, he thought.

  A few days later, once everything was prepared, a servant arrived to announce that the carriage was ready. Eros felt a surge of genuine excitement. He was finally going to see the vast continent of this world. He wondered how much it differed from the 18th-century Earth he remembered.

  Beside him, Undine was practically vibrating with joy. Together, they followed the servant to a massive, open clearing in the back of the Duke’s estate.