Chapter 304: Charlotte [2]
Standing in front of the mirror, water droplets still clung to his dark hair as Brandon rubbed it dry with a towel.
He is now wearing a simple black t-shirt and black shorts.
The fabric absorbed the dampness from his skin, and as he adjusted the hem of his shirt, he exhaled, trying to calm the remnants of what happened today.
He shook his head slightly, as if to dismiss the heaviness of his thoughts.
Taking one last glance at himself, he turned and padded quietly down the hallway toward Eira’s room.
Brandon pushed the door open gently.
Inside, Eira was lying on the bed with one arm draped loosely over her side.
Beside her, Yverine and Dhayun sat up and their eyes fluttered open as the door clicked softly behind him.
Looking at him, both of them smiled softly and their eyes were still heavy with sleep but lit by affection.
Brandon’s heart warmed at the sight and the tension he had been carrying began to melt away.
Quietly, so as not to wake Eira, he walked toward the bed and slid between Yverine and Dhayun, and with a soft smile, he pulled them both into a hug.
They leaned into him instantly, their sleepy eyes softening further as the comfort of his touch enveloped them.
Yverine let out a quiet breath of contentment, while Dhayun’s fingers traced the fabric of his shirt absentmindedly.
He whispered softly, "Stay here... take care of her. I’ll be back later."
Yverine smiled softly in her sleep, while Dhayun nodded and closed her eyes again.
Then, with a small squeeze, he let go and stood up slowly.
He looked once more at Eira, her face still resting against the pillow, before he turned toward the door.
---
The cool air of the hallway brushed against his damp skin as he walked down the stairs.
There he saw Elize and Charlotte sitting on the couch.
Charlotte had a distant look in her eyes as she sat there silently.
Her fingers absently toyed with the hem of her tank top, twisting the fabric in small, nervous motions.
Elize’s eyes softened as she turned to see Brandon and a gentle smile spread across her lips.
Without hesitation, she patted her lap "Come here, dear," she murmured softly.
Brandon smiled back at her and walked over and sat down on her lap.
Elize’s arms wrapped around him from behind, pulling him close.
Hugging him, she gently pressed a kiss to his neck "Dear..." she whispered, her lips brushing his skin with tenderness.
For a brief moment, Brandon closed his eyes, letting the comfort of her embrace wash over him.
He opened his eyes and glanced at her, catching the hollow look in hers... a look filled with sorrow, regret, and confusion.
Brandon’s gaze narrowed, his body half-turned toward her "Charlotte... Elize... Tell me... what’s going on? What exactly is happening?"
Elize’s fingers slipped slowly beneath the hem of his t-shirt and she squeezed his waist gently, her eyes softening.
"It’s... complicated, dear," she murmured, brushing a strand of wet hair from his neck.
Brandon’s eyes condensed, "It’s okay... I need to know."
Elize let out a breath and shifted slightly, pulling his back against her chest as she cradled him with quiet care.
Then, with a glance toward Charlotte, Elize spoke softly, "The Charlotte you see now... this is the real Charlotte, my little sister."
Brandon’s eyes flicked toward Charlotte before returning to Elize’s face. "Real...?"
Elize gave a faint nod, "Yes. She’s always been that way. But..." Her fingers, still resting against his skin, began to drift again, tracing delicate lines along his waist before resting briefly at the edge of his navel.
"There are two more Charlottes inside her."
Huh? Brandon blinked in utter confusion "Like... split personalities? Or... two souls sorta thing?"
Elize’s lips curved into a small smile as if she had expected the question.
She tapped his side lightly, drawing his attention back to her as her fingers slipped once more beneath the hem of his shirt, brushing the sensitive skin there "Personalities. Two... different personalities. They’re also ’Charlotte’."
Brandon’s gaze narrowed further "So... the one who tried to kill the Eira is one of the two other personalities of Charlotte?"
Elize, still holding him gently, lowered her eyes for a brief moment before meeting his gaze again. "Yeah. They’re... fragments of her mind, shaped by past experiences and emotions." she explained.
"Sometimes one takes over... sometimes another..."
Brandon’s eyes flicked toward Charlotte, who sat silently by the couch’s edge, staring at the floor, "So... one of the personalities is hostile toward me?"
At his question, Charlotte’s cheeks flushed slightly, and her fingers instinctively clenched together in her lap.
Hate? If anything, its...
Elize, noticing the sudden blush and her sister’s flustered reaction, let out a giggle and nuzzled closer to Brandon’s neck, "No, Kael... all three of her personalities love you dearly. Like... a Big Sister."
Charlotte glanced at Elize in embarrassment "Sister..."
The sight only made Elize smile wider, and without thinking, she pulled Brandon closer, wrapping her arms around his waist.
Her lips brushed softly against his cheek as she hushed, "No need to worry, darling. All of them love you... just in their own way."
Brandon’s gaze narrowed further "Then... one of the personalities hates Eira? Why?"
Charlotte’s gaze wavered, and she pressed her lips together, clearly struggling with embarrassment as she glanced away.
Elize gently tightened her hold on Brandon, "Because... her second personality loves you very much... and thinks you’re her lover."
HUH? Brandon’s eyes widened in shock and he turned toward Charlotte.
Elize, catching his reaction, chuckled quietly and continued with a wink, "So... she thinks Eira’s trying to steal you from her, and she’s... very possessive."
Charlotte sat frozen and the blush spread like wildfire across her cheeks.
Her eyes remained lowered, the tips of her ears reddening visibly as she hugged her knees subtly closer to herself.
Her lips quivered, and she bit the inside of her cheek to suppress her reaction.
Brandon’s eyes were filled with disbelief as he looked at her.
The sight of Charlotte, usually composed and restrained, now looking like a flustered mess and sitting silently with cheeks burning, was more telling than any words could be.
"...Sister Charlotte loves me?"
Charlotte glanced at him and muttered "I... don’t love you in that way, it’s just ’her’ I am fond of you like a little brother though"
Elize nodded her head and muttered "Our Charlotte is not the one to blame; it’s just her other personalities..."