Esme was completely stunned at his words. He had gone from being cruel and dismissing her to loving her. She had thought it was just the love of a brother and sister, but it seemed to be more now. How was she supposed to answer him? She didn't want to upset him, but she also wasn't sure how she felt. She loved him yes, but she wasn't sure if she loved him the way he seemed to love her.
But one thing was certain.
"I want your love and approval," Esme confessed, hugging him and laying her head on his shoulder. "I'll do whatever you wish of me my brother."
And really that was all that mattered, wasn't it? If he was happy, then she was happy.
Plus he was the first man to ever say she was beautiful, to ever kiss her and hold her, to express any interest in her as a woman. Perhaps this was meant to be.

She smiled. "I hope everyone else likes me. I wouldn't want to cause problems between you and your family. I can't wait to meet-" she was cut off by a scream of agony. She winced, closing her eyes tightly until the scream faded. She had to get used to hearing things like that from now on. As long as she wasn't the one harming them, why should she care?
"What will be my role in the carnival?" she asked. "I want to be useful and make you proud Hag."