"... Azariah."
As soon as I walked out of the principal's office, a familiar voice called my na, making 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 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 .
"...Why this?" I asked, looking at the tricolored bouquet she tried to pass to .
"...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 exclaid, making 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 exclaid, 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 , the better it will be for her.
But...
"...Fine." I conceded, walking towards the garden within the main building, "...Co with ."
"...Yes." She smiled gently, walking beside .
"...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 ."
"...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 mbers.
I know about them but never saw them... neither did they try to contact , not even once.
Honestly, I don't even know much about them.
....It's like they have abandoned ...like they don't see as a part of their family.
....From the ga, I do know that they have their own problems as well.
....But that didn't stop them from taking care of my sister.
...Co 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 when I was there." She inford, glancing at .
"..."
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 movents, I inford, 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 ."
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 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 with these flowers so many tis 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.
[...Sothing bothering you?]
'...[Exiled Prince].'
...I don't feel good about this.
...Soone who can kill Children of Gods.
...And not to ntion how everything points to the fact that I may be the [Exiled Prince].
Soone that wasn't ntioned in the ga.
'...Ragnar's mother is also keeping an eye on 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 ga.'
[....And they are important, right?]
'...Yeah...when all of them co 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 ga...I have no idea what will happen after that.
Will my mother let be free?
....I don't think so.
Even if I prove myself to her...I don't see her leaving alone ever.
'...Mariam....I don't want to get involved with her.'
....She isn't soone 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 , El.'
...It doesn't feel right.
....I have always been alone, but I don't know why now this loneliness is eating 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 with you.]
'...Why?'
Why are you saying this?
....Haven't I told you before what happens to those who stand with ?
...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 down.
...Protecting from the sunlight, she stood in front of , her hands clasped behind her back as she looked at curiously.
...Why does it feel like everyti I see her, she becos more beautiful?
"...Nothing." I replied, coming out of my daze as she took a seat beside while tucking her hair behind her ears.
"...So, Avril talked with you?" Glancing at , she asked softly.
"...Yeah." I replied, glancing away.
"...And from the look on your face, I assu she ssed 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 tis.
"...You said you wanted to talk with 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 , "...Help arrange for his birthday, please."
"..."
....I remained silent, looking at her as sothing clicked in my mind.
A scene from the ga...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 .
...I just don't want her to die, nor do I want her to hate .
...I-I don't know—
"...Qais?"
My eyes blinked softly as I ca out of my daze, her hand was close to my eye, rubbing it.
"Your eyes are red." She whispered softly, smiling gently at , "...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 , 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 ti, 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 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 exclaid, standing up as I glared at the group of students listening to our conversation.
"...The only reason I am keeping this engagent," With a haughty expression, she continued, ignoring , "...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 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 sll engulfed entirely as she hugged tightly.
Placing her head over my shoulder, she whispered softly in my ear, "...Co back to should you require another."
"..."
She tightened her grip around 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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