Chapter 101 El's Promise.
"... Azariah."
As soon as I walked out of the principal's office, a familiar voice called my name, making me look at her.
Wearing the academic uniform—a plain white shirt with a navy blue blazer and an abalone-colored skirt.
My sister stood in front of me with a bouquet of flowers in her hand.
"... Anything I can help you with?" I asked sternly, walking closer to her.
"...I am sorry." She apologized, her purple eyes softening as she passed the bouquet to me.
"...Why this?" I asked, looking at the tricolored bouquet she tried to pass to me.
"...You like them, don't you?" She inquired, her eyes blinking in confusion.
"...Right." I mumbled, taking the bouquet from her, "...If that's all then I will see you later."
"...Wait! Azariah." Grabbing my hand, she exclaimed, making me halt my steps.
"...What?" I asked, not trying to hide my annoyance.
"...Can we talk?" She whispered softly, her voice close to pleading.
"...There is nothing to talk about between us, sister." Jerking my hand away, I rebuked, stepping back.
"...Azariah!" She exclaimed, walking slowly and grabbing my hand again, "...Please, just five minutes."
Massaging my brows, I let out a tired sigh as I looked at her upset face.
....I don't want to talk to her.
...I really don't.
The more distance she keeps from me, the better it will be for her.
But...
"...Fine." I conceded, walking towards the garden within the main building, "...Come with me."
"...Yes." She smiled gently, walking beside me.
"...What did you want to talk about?" After a brief silence, I asked, looking around the garden.
It was filled with different types of plants arranged all around the place, the layer of different colored flowers creating a calming atmosphere.
"...Are you alright?" I looked at her, dumbfounded, as she asked an unexpected question.
"...I am fine." Shrugging nonchalantly, I replied, "...It's not like anything can happen to me."
"...Then what about your hand?" Nodding softly, glancing at my left hand, she whispered softly, "...How is it?"
Wow, she didn't even try to ask twice.
[...It's your own behavior, you act like nothing happened to you.]
"It works properly." Clenching and unclenching my hand, I showed her, "...I don't have any problem."
"...I see." She mumbled, letting out a sigh of relief.
"...How are aunty and grandmother doing?" I questioned, looking at her.
....My mother's side's family members.
I know about them but never saw them... neither did they try to contact me, not even once.
Honestly, I don't even know much about them.
....It's like they have abandoned me...like they don't see me as a part of their family.
....From the game, I do know that they have their own problems as well.
....But that didn't stop them from taking care of my sister.
...Come to think of it...I have never gotten proper familial love.
....Never.
"...They are doing great." She replied, smiling happily, her purple hair bouncing around, "...Aunty talks a lot, like a lot; once she starts, there is no stopping her."
"...What about grandma?" I questioned, walking around the place.
"...She is fine right now." She mumbled, her voice tinged with sadness, "...But things don't look good about her health."
"...Right." I mumbled, nodding my head in response.
"...You know brother Killian always took care of me when I was there." She informed, glancing at me.
"..."
I remained silent, not answering her words but just looking at her.
"...He is kind and dependable." Smiling sweetly, she mumbled, "...You will like him as well."
"...I will see you later." Halting my movements, I informed, looking at her.
"...What happened?" She asked, frowning her brows.
"...You know what, Avril." The clear annoyance in my voice startled both of us, but I continued nonetheless, "...Just stay away from me."
Ignoring her crumbling expression, I walked away without looking back.
[...What happened?]
'...Nothing.'
[...Why the anger then?]
'...I am not angry.'
[...You didn't like being compared, do yo—.]
'El, please just leave me alone.'
[.....]
Finding a bench in the shade of a tree, I sat down, leaning back.
....Only then did my gaze fall on the bouquet of flowers in my hand.
It was filled with three colors of roses—blue, black, and white.
[...You like all three of them?]
'...I don't like roses.'
....None of them are my favorites.
But...
....Blue rose is Arianell's favorite, black rose is Shyamal's, and white rose is Christina's favorite.
....Everyone saw me with these flowers so many times that they thought I liked them.
But in reality, I don't even have a favorite.
Sighing, I placed the bouquet to my side while placing my hands over my eyes, shielding them from the gentle sunlight.
[...Something bothering you?]
'...[Exiled Prince].'
...I don't feel good about this.
...Someone who can kill Children of Gods.
...And not to mention how everything points to the fact that I may be the [Exiled Prince].
Someone that wasn't mentioned in the game.
'...Ragnar's mother is also keeping an eye on me because of this.'
[...Who are the children of Gods anyway?]
'...The ones blessed by the three main gods.'
[....The protagonist?]
'...Yeah...and one heroine from every game.'
[....And they are important, right?]
'...Yeah...when all of them come together, only then the seal works.'
[....And if any one of them dies—]
'...One of them is already dead.'
[...Then, how?]
Instead of replying, I just let out a tired sigh.
[...What?]
'...Yeah...Adon's Avatar is already 'dead''
[...Then, how?]
Instead of replying, I just let out a tired sigh.
Things will be hectic as years pass.
....Even if I survive the first game...I have no idea what will happen after that.
Will my mother let me be free?
....I don't think so.
Even if I prove myself to her...I don't see her leaving me alone ever.
'...Mariam....I don't want to get involved with her.'
....She isn't someone who can be taken lightly...not only is she absurdly powerful, but she is also the one that leads the elves.
'..Slowly it feels like everyone is against me, El.'
...It doesn't feel right.
....I have always been alone, but I don't know why now this loneliness is eating me from the inside.
[...You are not alone.]
'...Hmm?'
[...Until the day I can wield a weapon... I promise I won't let your mind get corrupted...Stand in the frontline of wars or in the smallest things in life... You will always find me with you.]
'...Why?'
Why are you saying this?
....Haven't I told you before what happens to those who stand with me?
...They don't make it out alive!!
...They fucking die.
[...You are forgetting, Azariah...I am within you... everything that's mine is yours...your enemies are my enemies, and your friends are my friends...You are the mortal, and I am your 'guardian'.]
'....But that doesn't change how everyone is turning against m—'
[....Then everyone will lose.]
'.....'
...I wanted to rebuke his words, but why does he sound so convincing?
"...What are you doing here?"
My eyes fluttered open as I heard a soothing voice calming me down.
...Protecting me from the sunlight, she stood in front of me, her hands clasped behind her back as she looked at me curiously.
...Why does it feel like everytime I see her, she becomes more beautiful?
"...Nothing." I replied, coming out of my daze as she took a seat beside me while tucking her hair behind her ears.
"...So, Avril talked with you?" Glancing at me, she asked softly.
"...Yeah." I replied, glancing away.
"...And from the look on your face, I assume she messed up, right?" She probed, squinting her eyes.
"....."
"...I see."
We sat quietly, looking at the passing students; they glanced at us as they moved.
And even if they tried to hide it, their curiosity reflected on how they walked past us multiple times.
"...You said you wanted to talk with me this morning." Breaking the ice, I questioned, looking at her curiously, "....What was that about?"
"...Oh right, Alen's birthday is coming soon, so I needed help." She replied, her voice filled with enthusiasm as she shifted close to me, "...Help me arrange for his birthday, please."
"..."
....I remained silent, looking at her as something clicked in my mind.
A scene from the game...Where she was crying, holding her brother's dead body, and I stood there...covered in her brother's blood... holding back my tears while continuously mocking her...
[...When did this happen?]
'...Next event...I killed her brother during the clubhouse competition.'
...I still don't know what I should do to make her leave me.
...I just don't want her to die, nor do I want her to hate me.
...I-I don't know—
"...Qais?"
My eyes blinked softly as I came out of my daze, her hand was close to my eye, rubbing it.
"Your eyes are red." She whispered softly, smiling gently at me, "...Are you alright?"
"...Yeah." I replied, removing her hands away from my face.
"...Sigh." Sighing heavily, she stood up from her seat, walking in front of me, opening her arms wide, "...I need a hug."
"...No." I replied, annoyance clear in my voice.
She blinked innocently, her arms still wide open, "...I didn't notice it last time, but why are you not acting like a lecher now?"
"...I don't act like a lecher." I rebuked, glaring at her.
She looked at me for a while before folding her hands, straightening her back, and standing straight while tapping the ground with one foot.
....Hmm?
Why does this posture feel familiar?
Wait, that's how I act—
"...Oye Christina, who do you think you are?" Grinning widely, she said like I used to, "...I grace my presence to a lowly being like you just because I like your body—."
"I never said that!!" I exclaimed, standing up as I glared at the group of students listening to our conversation.
"...The only reason I am keeping this engagement," With a haughty expression, she continued, ignoring me, "...Is because of those child-bearing hips and those big breas—."
"Okay, shut up now." Covering her mouth with my hand, I ordered her while my entire face started to heat up.
"....."
She looked at me silently before opening her arms again while I lowered my hand, "...Don't be a coward, Az."
[...Don't be a tsundere.]
"...Sigh..Fine."
I sighed, walking closer to her and hugging her softly.
Her distinct cherry-like smell engulfed me entirely as she hugged me tightly.
Placing her head over my shoulder, she whispered softly in my ear, "...Come back to me should you require another."
"..."
She tightened her grip around me as she continued, "Az...I will hold you in my arms as often as you need."
"...You are the one who wanted the hug."
"...Was I?" Tightening the hug, she whispered.
....I just closed my eyes, not replying.
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