Chapter 8

3rd Person POV

"Let us play a game!" Said a cheerful Viola as she stood infront of the three boys. The three sons of the four dukes of the kingdom of Lev stared at the only daughter of The Duke of the North in confusion. "W-what type of game?" Asked James bravely, still weary of the girl. "Hmmmm... Ah! I know. Perhaps we could play a game of hide and go seek?" Asked Viola excitedly.

"And why should we play such  children's game?" Asked a slightly annoyed Edmund. "Well, for one, Lord Raymond's estate is the most appropriate estate for the game I am currently suggesting. Therefore, would it not be common instinct to suggest such a game?" Said Viola with a cheekily smirk. Edmund however, didn't seem pleased with her demeanor as his mouth twitched into a slight scowl for a split second before looking away with a neutral expression, clearly exasperated, yet still trying to hide that fact.

"U-um... So, who is counting?" Asked Raymond with a nervous smile as he tried to break the tension between the two young noble children. "I shall count first if everyone agrees with such a suggestion." Says Viola with a friendly smile.

Time Skip

Viola walks around the small forest surrounding the Genie estate. Knowing there is a gate that surrounds the estate, Viola concentrates in looking carefully through every corner, seeing as they could not have gone far, even if the forest is big regardless. 'Hmmmm. I have found Lord Raymond. However, where could Lord James and Lord Edmund be?' Wondered Viola as she searched. That is, until she caught movement from the corner of her eyes.

Viola tensed suddenly as her senses heightened in concentration and her heartbeat quickened. Viola now fully alert, tries to pinpoint where the movement she had seen came from exactly. As her eyes pierced the bushes, eyes rapidly darting from place to place, she finally caught an ever so slight twitch from a bush located infront of a maple tree.

At first glance, the bush seems to be right at the base of the tree. But upon further inspection, Viola deduced that there could be a possible gap between the tree's trunk and the bush, one where a small child could fit in.

With that assumption, Viola proceeded to sharply turn to the left of the bush, as if she had suddenly heard something from that direction. She then slowly walked towards that direction discreetly as if she was creeping up on someone.

Seeing this, the person hiding behind the bush felt relief wash over him. He didn't make a sound however, as he kept his guard up while Viola was still in the vicinity. Although, what he had not expected was for Viola to yell "Found you!" From right behind him in an excited tone of voice just as he had sighed a breath of relief when he saw her walk past his bush.

Edmund screeched terrified as he almost had a heart attack out of pure fright. Hearing his screech, Viola desperately tried to hold back her giggles so as to give the poor boy at least a bit of the dignity he had lost, but alas she seemed to be far too amused. Meanwhile, Edmund was too busy trying to calm his quickened heartbeat and to hide his slight trembling. "W-w-what was the purpose of that?!" Asked Edmund indignantly, voice slightly shaky. "Purpose? Why dear Lord Edmund, my sole purpose is to enjoy the game to the fullest of it's potential" Stated Viola smugly while feigning ignorance as to why he was so worked up. Hearing this, Edmund huffed with a shaky breath and stood up with a slightly flushed face, having been humiliated.

Viola, seeing his blushing face couldn't help but giggle slightly, until she caught his shaky hands that he was trying to hide and smiled softly. "Apologies, I will not do this again if it has frightened you this much." Said Viola, feeling slightly guilty for spooking the uptight and prideful boy.

Edmund only blushed more as he tried to recollect himself and his dignity. "I-it did not startle me in the slightest. It was simply an attack when my back was turned." Said Edmund, blush finally fading as his prideful expression returned to his arrogant face. "Yes, yes. Of course. Now, if you would excuse me, I shall now begin my search for Lord James." Said Viola while re-entering hunting mode.

Time Skip

Viola had searched almost the whole forest while looking for James. As she stood, still searching for him, she slowly walked closer to a particular tree until she stood right under it. Above it, sat James with his hands covering his mouth so as to not make noise. As James's heartbeat hit his chest like a hammer, he tried his best to sit still as Viola was pretty scary when in hunter mode. Viola had not noticed him though. She began to walk away from the tree seeing no movement in her surroundings and not hearing a single sound.

However, James could no longer hold his breath and decided to slowly exhale so as to not make noise and alert Viola. That in turn backfired since after he inhaled once more, a leaf had drifted into what was only supposed to be oxygen, resulting in James choking on a leaf.

The noise caught Viola's attention immediately as she pinpointed the location of the noise to be above her in the tree. Viola hurriedly looked up, only to find that James has lost his balance from choking on the leaf and was now falling from the tree branch. On instinct, Viola hastily positioned herself to try and catch him, this resulting in James falling onto Viola's arms... And both of them falling on the ground.

As James slowly opened his eyes, he realized he was laying on top of Viola. Their eyes met for a split second as they gazed at each other. Until James spotted Viola's slight blush and realized he was still on top of her. James hastily sprung up to his feet as a million questions ran through his head. 'FRICKFRICKFRICK! SHE'S GONNA KILL ME! I JUST FELL ON TOP OF HER! THIS GIRL CAN BARELY STAND BEING TOUCHED WITHOUT HER PERMISSION IN THE GAME! MUCH LESS HAVING SOMEONE SQUASH HER LIKE A PANCAKE!!! AND THE BLUSH! IT'S NOT LIKE THAT!!! I'M NOT A PERV I SWEAR!!! I DON'T EVEN LIKE GIRLS!!!' Thought James while internally panicking and hyperventilating as he feared for the worst. His chest felt heavy as he was filled with fear and dread from what's to come.

Meanwhile, Viola stood up with her head lowered, her bangs hiding her eyes as she slowly walked towards James. Confident strides emphasizing her prideful posture as she approached him. Getting closer... Closer... Closer... Closer.

Until finally. Viola raised her hand as James flinched and closed his eyes in fear. Only to feel something on his shoulder. He fearfully opened his eyes to see Viola's concerned violet ones staring right at him, her hand resting gently on his shoulder trying to comfort his shaking form. "Are you hurt?" She asked, searching his eyes for a sign of pain.

At this, James froze from shock. His mind shut down as he couldn't process what just happened. "... What?" He asked incredulously with a blank stare. "Did you get hurt from the fall?" Asked Viola once more in concern.

James was flabbergasted to say the least. This girl, whom he had been so weary of, was asking him if he was hurt. With genuine concern on top of it all. James being left speechless could only shake his head no. "Are you sure? That was a nasty fall." Asked Viola as she proceeded to gently poke his arms and head as well as slightly patting his back to see if he had gotten hurt.

At this, James could only blush and hold back the urge to cry. 'She's worried. Concerned... Over me? No, wait. I might be misunderstanding here. As a duke's daughter she needs to get along with the other noble children. It's all always only in her best interest after all.' Thought James. Yet he somehow didn't fully believe his doubts. Viola's eyes that held slight worry and concern could not be overlooked after all.

Either way, James gave Viola a soft smile as he held her hand and stated "I'm fine. Really. What about you? Are you ok?" He asked her. He had landed on top of her of course so it was only natural to ask her. "I'm fine." Said Viola with a relieved smile as well, along with a slight blush as she glanced at their hands. Viola cleared her throat. "Shall we return to Lord Raymond and Lord Edmund then?" She asked as James nodded at her and they both made their way towards the mansion.

'I had been so worried this whole time. Thinking that she finally started to turn into her in-game self, that sour and sly character that could destroy you with simple idle chatter or a glance. But, she's still the same... I'm not so sure anymore... She's been acting weird lately, so why does it seem like she's still the same as always... I don't know... I don't even know her that well... All we ever do is play together with the rest of the noble children... We chat about meaningless things... We're still children after all... Right... She's still a child... But even then...' Thinks James, not sure if he should be weary. But while remembering all of the times she's shown him kindness, although he doesn't trust her just yet, he wants to befriend her still.

The two children head to the manor, both pensive, both walking side by side. One with a warm heart and newfound hope for friendship. And the other with a fluttering heart and new developing feelings, unknown by both parties.

What will the future hold for these two in this world of love and pain.

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I feel like I need to put this reminder. This IS a BL, you are not in the wrong story. Just bare with it, I know you want some Boy x Boy action, but the plot needs to reach... Well the plot.