Forbidden Flower of Moriarty || Moriarty the Patriot Fanfiction ||

Chapter 12: I'm sorry

It wasn't until only a few years later after their times in their boarding school that Elise had suspicions about William's feelings.

For one thing, William is extremely good in hiding what he really feels and it took her a few months before she can somehow look through him. She somehow had an inkling (and secretly hoped) that William loves her like lovers do.

The way he would look at her, his gentle yet somehow slightly intimate actions, the double meaning behind his words... could it be that William loves her the way she loves him?

However, she didn't want their relationship to go awry just because her guess was wrong. Fred may have a point regarding her good judgment of a character but... what if William is just like that because she's the only woman in their family?

"Nothing good will come out if I keep thinking like this..."

Elise found her eldest brother by his room sitting on his chair as he was reading a newspaper. Good. She could probably use a bit of distraction and maybe ask some advice from him.

"Albert-nii-sama?"

He noticed her presence and smiled at her. "Ah, Elise, I'm glad you're better now."

She sat next to him. "Thank you, onii-sama. But... don't you have any work today?"

"There's no new missions as of now so, I'm taking it easy. And besides..." He patted her head before making a worried look. "I worry for you. I know that your illness is a little better compared from back then but... as your older brother, I cannot help but be concerned."

Elise let out a small giggle. "You are very kind, Albert-onii-sama. Yes, compared to when I was child, my current one is more manageable and less troubling. But... William-nii-sama and the others tend to worry a little too much."

"Of course. It's because we are all worried and your illness is something not to be taken lightly, Elise." He told her. "And aside from me, it is William who is the most worried."

"I-I see..." She rubbed her hands subconsciously. "I cannot let William-nii-sama worry too much about me since... his main goal is to destroy the unfair treatment because of the social caste... I... I shouldn't impose myself..."

"Elise." Albert called her out after seeing the troubled look on her face. "Are you worried about something?"

Her lips let out a sigh as she faced the elder. "Albert-nii-sama... you know that I... I love William-nii-sama, right?"

"Yes. What's the matter?"

She folded her hands and placed them on her lap. "He's a kind person... very kind and caring... but... I've been thinking that if I ever tell him how I feel... won't I just get in the way of his vision and ideals?"

Albert seemed to see her point. "I see. So you were worried about that..."

"Hai... And I also thought that... William-nii-sama only sees me as a younger sister... but... I can't help but wonder about his actions and the double-meaning behind his words. Do they mean something or are they just merely his concerns as the older brother...?"

"If you are worried, why not ask him directly?"

She blinked. "Pardon?"

He chuckled in amusement upon seeing her reaction. "I cannot answer to your worries, dear sister, but, the person in concern is the one who can answer to that. William's a smart man, as well as someone who understands. If it's you, I'm sure you'll have an answer to your worries and doubts."

"Albert-onii-sama... are you implying that I... I should confess my true feelings to him?"

He only gave out a smile. "It's worth trying, at least. For your feelings to get across him."