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"First it was you, and then it was Elias…" Adeline released a shaky breath, her eyes trembling at the realization.

So many people had tempered with her thoughts, her sanity, and her rationality. Now, she was beginning to question the people in her life. Was this reality? Was her perception of this world warped as well? Did Elias warp her thoughts so that she\'d fall for him?

Adeline staggered backwards, her face pale with the truth. She didn\'t know what to say or how to react to something like this. 

Things turned out for the best though, right? In the end, she was sane and safe. In the end, she was exactly what they wanted her to be—alive.

But at what cost? Why were so many people deciding her life for her? She understood where her parents were coming from, but Elias? Why did he wipe the bad memories from her mind?

Adeline had never contemplated that question until now. What was his ulterior motive? Did he think erasing the memories of the cause of her parents\' death would be beneficial to her?

"But I was not the only one," Asher murmured. "In this dark cell, where I can do nothing but meditate and get lost in my thoughts, I recalled something so peculiar."

Asher leaned forward, his lips twisted eagerly. His eyes flashed with hunger and thirst. "There was a third person that had a hand in twisting your mind."

Adeline stepped backwards, careful to not let herself be grabbed by Asher. She waited for his response. He was telling her everything for free, so why would she open her mouth and interrupt his rant?

"But, it\'s at a price," Asher murmured. "If you want to know who, all I need is a small payment."

Adeline swallowed. "No. I know what you want, and you\'ll never get it."

Asher released a small sigh of disappointment. "All I wanted was the food that had fallen onto the ground." He pointed towards the floor, where the neatly wrapped sandwiches laid. The saran wrap was still around it, meaning the food was edible.

"I\'m not stupid, Asher, and you know that as well," Adeline whispered. "Father thought you were an uneducated beast, so you always accompanied my tutoring sessions. I remember it well. The tutors were meant to teach me, but ended up teaching both of us." 

Asher\'s face softened. "Yes, your Father was a heartless man for experimenting on children, though I suppose your Uncle had the biggest influence."

Adeline gritted her teeth. She refused to believe her father and mother would do such a thing. She had faith in her parents, who loved her dearly and did everything they could to protect her. She couldn\'t find it in herself to blame her parents and the dead.

"Now, can you pass me the food and drinks? I am quite hungry and thirsty after telling you the grand tale."

Adeline could not fathom how cold and heartless Asher\'s voice sounded. It was completely unlike him. He didn\'t regard or treat her as an older brother. She was not used to his iciness.

"Do… do you remember anything about me?" Adeline asked, whilst staying away.

"I remember a little girl in my childhood, but no more than that."

Adeline\'s heart sunk. Was that why he looked at her like a stranger? His gaze had never looked so bored and irritated. Holding back a sigh, she bent down and tucked the fallen food back into the basket.

"I know you\'ll grab my hand and try to take a bite when I offer the food to you," Adeline murmured. She didn\'t want to kick the basket towards his cell, it was unethical and rude. 

Asher let out a small laugh. It was cruel and cunning, piercing right through her heart. He tilted his head and touched his chest. "You\'re a smart one, but a selfish one. I wonder why my heart aches and beats for you."

Adeline forced a smile. "Because you regarded me as your spoiled little sister, and I viewed you as my protective older brother."

Asher paused for a split second. He gazed up at the young woman, her expression was difficult to read. He saw the earnesty in her features, the pain, her smile, and the grimace of her face. 

Asher knew for certain that he did not view her as a younger sister. "Just pass the food to your older brother. You wouldn\'t want him to starve, do you?"

Adeline glared at him. "Will you bite the hand that feeds you?"

Asher barked a loud laugh. Now, that was where he saw the spoiledness in her. What a haughty pair of eyes she had, like a thick vine of leaves strangling a person to death.

"Unfortunately, I will not," Asher said.

Adeline narrowed her eyes at him. She opened the basket\'s lid and placed the object directly in front of the cell. If he can reach out to grab her, he can reach out to grab the food in the basket.

"I have one last question for you," Adeline said, just as Asher retrieved a sandwich from the basket. He tore through the wrap, hungrily chomping down on the food. He ate like a starved man and that only broke her heart even more.

"What is it?" Asher swallowed the sandwich and reached for another. This time, he paused to study it. The first was a pork sandwich, this one was a medium rare steak, with the blood still dripping. 

"Why didn\'t you ever tell me of your condition?" Adeline inquired. "I-I could\'ve—"

"What could you have done for me, if I told you? You would\'ve been burdened with a secret that wasn\'t yours. Besides, why should I tell you my secrets? Just because we were friends?"

"Yes, because that\'s what friends are for. We share our burdens, to lessen the weight on our shoulders," Adeline vehemently argued.

Asher let out a small sigh. "What a pretty world you grew up in, Princess, to believe in such a thing. You must\'ve not meant a lot to me if I couldn\'t even tell you my deepest, darkest secrets."

Adeline\'s heart felt like it was trampled on and grounded to dust. The sight of his irritated gaze, sharpened and strict, hurt her more than she wanted to admit. In the end, this was how they were going to part ways.

"Goodbye Asher," Adeline muttered, turning her back to him and storming off. Then, she paused, realizing he hadn\'t answered the first question. 

Who was the third person involved in altering her memories? And why did they do it?

Before Adeline could think of a proper answer, her vision grew blurry. She didn\'t know why, but she suddenly felt nauseous and had the urge to vomit. Quickly, she dashed out of the hallways, stumbling over her footing and grabbing onto the railing for support.

Adeline exhaled shakily, her vision becoming darker and darker with each step. She could see it, the top of the staircase, but it looked so far away. Before Adeline knew it, her legs nearly gave out. 

Nonetheless, she climbed onwards, holding onto the railing tightly. But it was growing difficult and she wanted to throw up. 

"Adeline!" Elias sharply called from the top of the staircase. "And here I thought you had obediently gone to our room."

Adeline had never felt more relieved to see Elias. She groaned quietly just as he stomped down the staircase. She was unable to read his expression, but judging by how quickly he came to her, she knew he was not pleased.

"What\'s wrong?" Elias softly murmured, grabbing her upper arms. He hoisted her body onto his, allowing her to balance her weight against him.

"I-I don\'t feel so good," Adeline groaned, squeezing her eyes shut.

"Well, let\'s take you to bed then—"

Adeline threw up. All over Elias. A rainbow spewed from her mouth, as she heaved all the contents of the little food she ate. And then, she collapsed in his arms, leaving the King standing in a pile of vomit, with stained clothes, and a horrid stench.

"I swear," he sighed. "You\'re the only one who has the guts to treat me like this." 

It was the last thing she heard before falling unconscious for a while.