50 Love And Hate

Arnacia, dressed as Archie, walked with quick and bold steps. She had long noticed that someone was following her. In fact, one might say this stalker took no precautions to hide its trail, instead walked with loud and moody footsteps.

At this rate, they would reach the market in the middle of the village any time soon. There was no doubt that this stalker was following her, despite claiming otherwise. Thus, she decided to confront for the second time.

"I know your house is in the East," Arnacia said. She looked around, hoping no stranger from the village would interrupt this.

"You are still dressed as Archie," Naomi pouted, and massaged her face with both hands. Her cheeks weren't made to pout, she knew it, but didn't know what else to do.

Arnacia was also in a similar spot. Helpless after trying many soft and hard tactics to dissuade Naomi's advances. Even though they weren't really childhood friends, they were childhood friends. She wasn't cold enough to ignore this fact.

Plus, that was this mystical dream that let Arnacia experience how she met this childhood friend. She was caught between a soft and fluffy place. Can't give up Naomi, at the same time, not interested in flirting.

"What do you want?" Arnacia asked in a straightforward manner.

"Let's go to my house to change your clothes." Naomi's eyes lit up.

Arnacia felt like repeatedly smashing her forehead on a wall. She remembered the embarrassing incident from earlier when Naomi felt her sizes. It was the most awkward experience after the ones with Isabelle. The universe was really pushing her limits.

And this perverted childhood friend was the complete opposite of modesty. She thrived when Arnacia showed a weak side. It was just like a fox ready to pounce and take every advantage she could.

'I am not ready is not going to cut it.' Arnacia pushed this issue to the top of her priority list. If nothing was done, then she could totally imagine waking up naked with Naomi by her side. Now that they were home, getting invaded by Naomi during the bath was also a big possibility.

"Naomi, we need to talk for a bit." Arnacia said. She had no roads left to walk on.

***

Naomi ran her hands through Arancia's hair. She was on a chair while Arnacia sat on the edge of the veranda. The braids were now undone. Thus, she gently began combing the hair while talking random stuff about the village.

Under the dim lighting of the backyard, Arnacia looked like a prince with long hair. Of course, her bangs spoiled the fun, but Naomi brushed them towards the side. It was already dark now and she was clueless when her family had dinner. She wasn't going to get a chance to help her mother with cooking tonight.

"What do you think my father is like?" Arnacia asked.

"You told me he is a very cautious man. I do not know much, as he barely stays at home. But I know he loves you very much."

"Family," Arnacia faked a sigh. "You are going to become a maid now, have you thought about marriage?"

"Of course, I am going to marry you." Naomi smugly said.

"Isn't it time to grow up? You act like a child who wants to marry her mom or dad when she grows up."

"But I really want to marry you." Naomi lovingly wrapped her arms around Arnacia's neck.

"You can't marry a girl in this kingdom." Arnacia held Naomi's arm with one hand.

"Then we will run away." Naomi bent down to rest her head on Arnacia's head.

"Stop with your childhood fantasies." Arnacia tried to lift Naomi's arm. She was more or less sure that this girl wouldn't listen, but she tried anyway. "Do you know Knights will execute you and me if they saw us like this in Lanceworth?"

"It is you who wanted to go there. I am pretty fine with us living here for the rest of our lives." Naomi closed her eyes while her forehead still rested on Arnacia's head.

'So it is my fault?' Arnacia did not know what to say. Well, it was truly her bad luck to wake up in Arnacia's body. No money, no future, no prince to save her, instead a sleeping beauty and a princess who wanted to take her purity.

You could live life in many ways. And Arnacia's choice? She was the type that built a wall when water rose. In her previous life, she chose to stay with her dad to save the bankrupt company instead of contacting her mother.

There had been many hiccups in her decision to take all responsibilities of the real Arnacia. And probably there would be many more. Rejecting was way easier than accepting something. For love to bloom took a painful amount of time than hate to brew.

"Naomi, I have a lot going on. I do not know if we can marry anybody in this life, but I promise to marry you if I ever get a chance." Arnacia couldn't believe that she was saying this. Marrying a girl was the last thing she thought she would ever do. But at the same time, she had no boyfriends or romantic interests in her last life and was always surrounded by girls.

She did not know romantic love. If she had to put it into words. She didn't really love Isabelle or Naomi, but accepting either meant accepting both. Note, her concept of love came from King Nicolas, who married every woman he liked.

Naomi, however, stayed quiet. A smile was on her face as she believed Arnacia's memory was slowly returning. She was content for today, but definitely wasn't going to give up on the big reward.

"It's time for you to change your clothes." Naomi teased. "You can take a bath. It's been a long day and you have all makeup on your face."

"No, I need to go now, it's pretty late." Arnacia suddenly turned attentive. "I can change at home." She insisted. Whatever love was, she didn't wish to find it this soon.

"Hmm?" Naomi felt Arnacia raise head a little and let go. "I will come visit you tomorrow."

"Sure sure," Arnacia awkwardly got up and turned to walk away.

"Be careful. Your dad might suspect something is wrong with you." Naomi smiled. She liked when Arnacia acted vulnerable.

"Yes, good night." Arnacia couldn't believe she got away from Naomi's house just like that. Guess Naomi wasn't as perverted as she thought. She looked back again and saw the green-haired girl waving goodbye.

Arnacia slapped her face between her palms just as she left the Eeich household. It was time to focus again. Her long hair moved with the wind as she walked towards her house. Slowly her expression turned melancholy as she thought about her previous life. Dad, what would be her dad like in this life?