"All it took was a month before you tried acting behind my back," Celine sighed, covering her naked body with a blanket, as they entered the balcony accessible only from their room. "Tell me, Sophie, besides what Blanc already told me, what were your plans really?"
But Sophie remained silent, sitting on one of the chairs on the balcony overlooking the mountain range in the distance.
"Were you listening to us?" Celine asked, looking at her sister, "Or better yet, were you watching?"
No answer came to those questions either.
But for Celine, silence was not denial, "Since when?"
No answer.
"Was it just curiosity or interest?"
No answer.
"What were you hoping to achieve tonight?"
No answer.
"Were you trying to seduce my husband? Your Brother-in-Law?"
No answer.
"Are you aware of how many issues that would cause if word got out?"
No answer.
"You know…" Celine sighed, taking a seat near her sister, "I knew for a long time that such a thing would happen, because I understand how you think, how you feel, and how competitive you are."
But Sophie only looked at the mountains, as they spanned beyond her yellow eyes.
"But what you did not take into consideration was Blanc and how he is, despite being a man," Celine continued, not minding the lack of a reply. "If not for my acting upon it, he would not have taken Miyanna as his second wife. He was satisfied with only having me, did you know that?"
A sudden flicker in Sophie's eyes, turning and looking for the slightest moment in Celine's direction. A sign she was listening.
"But you know me, and what I like most," Celine giggled, as she played with her stomach, "And now look at us, being exactly what we all want, a loving husband and both Miyanna and me with a baby on the way, isn't it wonderful?"
Still no answer, but Celine knew one was soon arriving.
"And I think there will be more of us as time passes," Celine said, "Even if Blanc does not really wish for it. After all, it's not his right to deny what he needs to do for the Blood."
"But you surely wish for it," Sophie finally replied.
Which sent Celine grinning, before replying, "Of course I do, as long as the woman is deserving, that is. Deserving of Miyanna, deserving of me, and of course, deserving of Blanc."
"Deserving?" Sophie looked her way, sarcasm on her tongue, "Tell me, sister, what makes one deserving of such an honor?"
"Surely not looking into one's bedroom and trying to seduce one's husband with 'playing some game and having fun'... What are you? A child?" Celine shook her head.
"I never said I did those-"
"Look me in my eyes and tell me the truth, Sophie," Celine interrupted, her voice louder, sharper than before.
But Sophie did not, only exhaling sharply as a response.
"My point exactly," Celine muttered, "And you think you are deserving with such weak will as to not even act upon your will and tell the truth. Do you know what Miyanna did in the past? When Blanc was harvesting Raw Vita, while unconscious, she went in and kissed him, and, a minute later, when she realized I was there and knew, she did not deny it, nor try to twist the truth; she looked straight in my eyes and did not even apologize for doing it. That, my dear sister, is how someone who is deserving acts, someone who does not deny their attempts at something, someone who does not hide their shame, anger, and frustration behind silence as you do."
"Are you telling me to assault your husband?" Sophie whispered, loud enough for Celine to hear.
"Nonsense," Celine sighed, "It was not about the kissing, but the place, the when. Miyanna could have escaped at the time. She was our hostage, yet, despite probably managing to escape, she chose her heart over her survival, clinging to hope for something more than what her life was before. That was what made her deserving to stand in front of me and tell the truth she felt. Do you think trying to seduce my husband without even understanding who and what he is will make you feel better by getting one over me? This is not that type of marriage, sister. There is no competition to be had when people love each other."
"I do not understand all that nonsense you are trying to tell me," Sophie shook her head.
"You are an adult, Sophie." Celine gave up, "All I am letting you know is that you are not deserving of Blanc, and will not succeed, no matter what you try to do, especially with the lack of understanding you hold for human emotions."
"I know what they me-"
"Knowing and acting what they are, and being capable of having them are two distinct things, sister," Celine interrupted, "But I will give you an opportunity to at least be honest. Tell me, do you hold any feelings for my husband, or were you trying to prove something to yourself and me?"
Sophie stood silent, lost in thought at Celine's question.
Did she have feelings for Blanc?
No, not really. Well, he was handsome, and she liked him, grateful for all he did for her older sister, keeping her safe, bringing her back, and loving her properly. But that was it, nothing more than that, really.
As for the second part of Celine's question, that was more difficult. And no matter how long she thought about it, she managed to come up with no answer of her own.
"My point exactly," Celine sighed after ten minutes of silence, "I think it's time for you to go, sister. Try again when you can manage your own emotions and desires."
She did not fight Celine's proposal; in fact, she was glad this attempt at scolding was over. So, she got up, bid her sister good night, and left both the balcony and the room in quick succession, moving slowly so as not to disturb Miyanna.
But as she walked through the dim hallway, a swiftly growing smile appeared on Sophie's face. She never planned to give up. No… she only started thinking of a proper plan, one that might work.
She only hoped that Celine, who could stop her, would be too busy with her pregnancy not to notice her.