That voice was a heartbeat away from tears.


    Looking at her, all vulnerable and small, Ronald couldn''t help but chuckle. "You really don''t remember?"


    "Huh?"


    Ste''s eyes, clouded with confusion, stared nkly at Ronald.


    Remember what?


    Ronald gently took her hand and pressed it to his lips. "Right here, where you bit me."


    Ste was at a loss for words.


    What?


    Wait, she bit him?


    Ronald prodded, "Really don''t remember?"


    Ste''s mind buzzed, her cheeks flushing a deep shade of crimson in an instant.


    No way, she genuinely didn''t remember! She bit him?


    "I didn''t."


    She defended herself reflexively.


    Was it really her? But she couldn''t recall anything. Was Ronald pulling her leg?


    When Ronald pinched her lip, Ste couldn''t help but open her mouth in protest. "Hey, what are you doing?"


    Ronald teased, "Just checking for that little fang."


    Ste quickly wriggled free and mped her mouth shut.


    Looking at Ronald incredulously, she asked, "Did I really bite you?"


    "Who else could it have been?"


    Who knows?


    She hadn''t been by Ronald''s side for years, only catching glimpses of his life in Ferrond and the odd feats he''d aplished. As for romantic liaisons or personal scandals, no one dared spread rumors about him. Swallowing hard, Ste felt her face burning up.


    Ronald decided to change the subject. "Come on, let''s get something to eat."


    He didn''t borate. And Ste didn''t dare ask further.


    ...


    The air in Spring Hill was refreshing.


    Ronald led Ste to a diner, where they were the only customers left. It waste, but if Ste wanted to eat, Ronald would ensure she got whatever she desired.


    Ste nced at him, her gazending on the mark on his lip.


    What on earth had she done?


    Had she really bitten him?


    Or worse, had she made a bold move?


    nove


    With this thought, Ste began to scrutinize Ronald more closely, trying to gauge his mood.


    "What are you looking at?"


    Ronald''s question snapped Ste out of her thoughts.


    She fumbled with her words. "I was wondering if you''re mad."


    Had she just ruined their sibling-like bond? She had managed to keep her


    feelings for Ronald a secretKeep her years, and now, it seemed shovel.


    had


    tainted everything.


    Ste couldn''t bear to think further and mentally scolded herself.


    Ronald took a sip of water, his voice deep and unreadable, "Do you think I should be mad, Star?"


    Ste was a mess. "I... I didn''t mean to. It''s just that..."


    She couldn''t finish her sentence, noticing a coldness in Ronald''s eyes.


    Where did she go wrong? Tears welled up in her eyes. "I really didn''t mean to..."


    Ronald chuckled, setting down his cup. "So, Star, how do you propose we handle this?" Ste froze.


    So, it wasn''t just a bite. She had kissed him? How did a little alcohol lead to this? Things she had never dared to do suddenly happened.


    Facing Ronald''s prating gaze, Ste was overwhelmed, unable to decipher the emotions swirling in his eyes.


    Feeling guilty, she looked down. "What do you think we should do, Ronald?"


    Their rtionship, it seemed, was no longer innocent.