С𝐨𝚖𝐦𝚘𝐭𝚒𝐨𝚗
This scene suddenly came to mind, and of course I dropped everything else and wrote it. Nothing new... Roger and his poitions... but it's rather cute. Irina is crazy about Alfons no matter what.
From the 3rd person POV. Irina/Roger/Alfons/Victor Around 1360 words.
Irina: You promised!
Roger: I don’t remember that.
Roger still couldn't believe he had made that mistake. He had been distracted for a few seconds and nodded to some of her requests. It was only when she started demanding he give it to her that he realised his mistake. But he couldn't take it back — she simply wouldn't let him. So the only thing he could come up with was to deny it had ever happened. Very childish, he admitted, but… he was dealing with a child in the first place.
Irina: Hey, not fair…
Roger desperately tried to run away from the furious girl, but she stubbornly continued following him. They already made a few runs around the castle and caught the attention of every inhabitant. But no one said a word, no one even tried to interfere. It had become the norm…
Roger: I said, I don't remember. Maybe you saw it in a dream.
Irina: How could you…
The girl was on the verge of tears, which made Roger feel a slight pang of guilt. But… the moment was gone and he turned away.
Roger: Go find someone else to entertain you.
Irina: I will use the “Victor” card.
Roger: Really, now?
Irina: You're bullying me. He said if someone bullies me, I should tell him about it.
Roger looked pointedly at the girl and crossed his arms.
Roger: Do it. I don’t care.
Irina's eyes widened in shock. She was dubious for a moment. He wasn't afraid? No… he was bluffing. So she screamed at the top of her voice:
Irina: VICTOR! ROGER IS BULLYING ME!!!
Roger grimaced and covered his ears. The girl was extremely loud. He had siblings, but neither of them was as noisy as this one. He should have expected that, since she was the same when she got older… but it still was an unpleasant surprise.
Alfons: Well, well, well, well… you don't learn at all, do you?
Roger: Take her away…
Alfons: Why should I?
Roger: She’s your…
Roger stopped and looked at the little girl, who mentally sent curses in his direction. At other times he would have been fascinated by how easy it was to read her, but not now. He had a lot of work to do and she… just wouldn't let him.
Alfons: What was it? What did you want to say?
One unlucky day, Irina had accidentally drunk one of Roger's experimental potions and… turned into an eight-year-old girl with no memory of her grown-up self. They had decided not to talk to her about her adult self, since it could be too shocking for such a young girl. They had all agreed on that. It was a week ago, but it felt like years. This girl was simply insufferable. And for some reason she always managed to annoy Roger the most… Alfons once said it was karma.
Alfons smiled like a Cheshire cat, extremely pleased to see how much Roger was struggling.
Roger: Could you just, for one day, pretend that you are a normal human being?
Irina: Don’t insult him!
Oh, no, not again… She was not just insufferable, nosy and loud… she was fiercely protective of Alfons. It was really odd how her personality hadn't changed one bit, but she still didn't remember anything.
Roger sighed and entered his laboratory. There was no way she would let him go, so he might at least try to do something. As if on cue, Victor flew into the laboratory and worriedly rushed to the little girl.
Victor: Irina… are you hurt? Did someone bite you? Or… scratch? Did you fall and bleed? Don’t tell me one of them dropped you...
Alfons: It’s just Roger… again.
Victor sighed, relieved. That wasn't as bad as he had imagined.
Victor: What happened this time?
Irina: He promised to give me a potion… and now he says he never did.
Alfons: What potion?
Irina looked away sheepishly. That didn’t look like her at all. Alfons grew extremely curious. What could it be?...
Roger: You don’t want to tell them what it was?
Roger was obviously challenging her. She angrily looked at him and huffed. She wouldn't back down… unlike someone.
Irina: A love potion.
A very odd sound, like a barely contained chuckle, was the answer. Irina looked at Victor, her eyes sad… betrayed. She hadn't expected Victor of all people to laugh at her. Alfons crouched down beside her, looking her in the eyes.
Alfons: Why do you need a love potion?
Irina: I…
Her cheeks were burning, but she refused to turn away.
Irina: I… I want you to love me.
Alfons' eyes widened in shock. As if he didn't already love her. But she didn't remember that.
Irina: You are always so busy… don’t talk to me, don’t even look at me…
She had tried everything. She followed him around, asked him questions, tugged him by the sleeve. He only joked and always managed to somehow slip away. She could get anyone's attention… even Jude talked to her and even read her a book once. It was a very strange book, she hadn't understood a word, but he had at least tried. But Alfons… for some reason avoided her like the plague. And the more he avoided her, the more she wanted to spend time with him.
Alfons: But you have so many big brothers around…
Irina: I don’t care. I want you to love me.
Alfons' heart clenched painfully. The intensity of her gaze, the power of her feelings… was the same… overwhelming to the point he could barely breathe… He wanted to be with her all the time, but he had no idea how to deal with this little version of her. What would she like to do? What would be normal to do? With any other child, he never had such a problem, but with Irina… he was at a loss.
Victor and Roger exchanged glances. They felt extremely uncomfortable, as if they had witnessed something they shouldn't have.
Alfons: You are only eight.
Irina: But… I'll grow up. And if someone doesn't give me a potion before that…
She turned her burning gaze to Roger. The hint was so clear that Alfons barely held back his laugh. She turned her serious eyes on Alfons again, and took his hand.
Irina: I will make you fall in love with me… I will never stop until I do.
That sounded like a declaration of war. Alfons knew all too well how stubborn she was, and knew how serious she was about promises. Happiness filled his whole body. Even without memories, even starting over again… she still wanted to be with him… and would continue to fight for it until she succeeded. She was still his feisty kitten.
Alfons: Roger, make this damn potion already.
Roger: Love potion?
Alfons looked at Roger as if he were an idiot.
Alfons: No… the other one.
Roger: It’s not that easy…
Alfons: What do you need? I will help.
Victor: Me too… All of the Crown will help if necessary.
Irina looked from one man to another in utter shock. What were they talking about? Why wouldn't they explain anything to her? She was about to start asking questions, but suddenly Alfons lifted her into his arms. He intended to sit her on the sofa, but she wrapped her arms and legs around him like a little monkey, giggling in delight. Alfons just laughed.
Alfons: And how am I supposed to help Roger if you cling to me like that?
Irina: You said yourself… there are a lot of big brothers. You didn’t pay me attention for too long… You have to make up for it.
William dressed her up like a doll, Victor braided and decorated her hair, Liam and Ellis brought toys and played with her. Elbert spoon-fed her and gave her any sweets she wanted. Harrison read fairy tales to her before bed. Jude and Roger answered all her questions. But it still wasn't what she wanted. What an insufferable little girl! Alfons smiled happily.
Alfons: Oh, poor me.
Victor and Roger exchanged glances and smiled. These two would never change.
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