A Villain's Way of Taming Heroines

Chapter 340: An Entreaty from a Mother - II

Even without harboring any significant resentment towards Ravenna, Ansel reflected on the past and conceded that his failures were not solely due to her aloofness but also his own arrogance.

He had arrogantly believed that sheer emotion could subdue a woman who had dedicated her life to her ideals, thinking he could shatter the chains binding her and replace them with his own. He thought he had succeeded, but in the end, it was nothing more than wishful thinking.

After observing Ravenna's expressions, Ansel stood up with a serene tone, "Rest assured, I won't be upset. I've long since stopped caring."

He candidly shared his thoughts, "The events from three years ago were a result of my arrogance and one-sided desires. Looking back now, it wasn't wrong for you, Venna, to adhere to your ideals, was it?"

From an objective standpoint, devoid of any bias, if two individuals united by a common goal part ways due to one's betrayal, the fault should not lie with the one who chose to remain steadfast.

Of course, this is merely a perspective "untainted by any factors."

The rift between them existed, but what if the person hurt by this rift wasn't just Ravenna? What if the other party's wounds were… deeper, more painful, and irreparable?

And now, as he tells you, "The fault is not yours," the overwhelming guilt that sweeps in is like a roaring tide and a collapsing sky, an oppressive force that stifles breath, making it impossible to even lift one's head or dare to meet his gaze.

The attitude that seemed so forgetful and indifferent was yet another sharp and cold blade, constantly slicing at Ravenna's soul.

Ravenna had thought that when confronting Ansel, she could muster sufficient reason and courage.

But now she realized that if she truly possessed the reason and courage to stand against Ansel, how could she… have hesitated for so long, treating Marlina's words as a nightmare?

— From the beginning, she had believed what Marlina said, but she couldn't face her own mistakes, nor could she face the fact that Ansel had chosen to abandon her because of them.

"An...sel. Three years ago, we—"

"Ah, Ans!"

Just as Ravenna began to speak, a voice filled with surprise echoed from the end of the great hall.

A beautiful woman in a lavish gown waved cheerfully at Ansel, "What brings you aboard the Nostrom? Where's little Seraphina? Aren't you accompanying her?"

Ansel's expression darkened imperceptibly as he watched Annelisa appear. After a moment of silence, he calmly replied:

"Seraphina has gone back to the village to visit her parents. I'm not suited to go there; she'll return tonight."

"Oh... I see."

Annelisa, with her hands clasped behind her back, bounced over to Ansel's side. She glanced at him and then at the silent doll-like miss behind him, tilting her head slightly, "So, Ans, what brings you and little Ziegler here?"

"Just borrowing one of father's alchemy workshops."

"Hmm..."

The sophisticated and intellectual Lady Hydral appeared to be deep in thought, her gaze lingering on the two individuals for a considerable time before her face suddenly brightened with a smile:

"Ans, are you in a hurry?"

"...What?"

"I mean, is there an urgency to use Mel's workshop?"

Ansel paused for a moment, then shook his head, "No, not at all."

"Then come with me!"

Annelisa joyfully took Ansel's hand, seemingly eager to lead him somewhere.

The woman tugged at him, but Ansel remained stationary.

"Where do you wish to go, Mother?" he inquired.

"A delightful place. Little Seraphina has finally freed up your schedule, so is it not permissible for you to spend some time with me?"

Annelisa asserted with righteous indignation, "Mel even planned to take me to the Lost Sea for a respite this evening. We've specifically cleared our evening for you, and now you can't spare a moment to accompany me?"

"Father is quite willing to do so."

"He spends no shortage of time with me," Lady Annelisa pouted, "unlike you, who are either busy with something or doting on little Seraphina, bustling about every day..."

Listening to his mother's prattle, Ansel ultimately sighed and acquiesced to her wishes, "I understand, Mother. Let's go."

"Hehe, that's more like it, good Ans!" Annelisa's eyes curved into a smile as she affectionately tousled his hair, "Come with me, it's been a long time since you've been there—ah, right, little Ziegler, you should come too."

Ravenna looked at Annelisa somewhat bewilderedly, "...Me?"

"Of course, you're Ansel's guest, after all. How could we neglect you?"

The woman turned her head, presenting Ravenna with a radiant and tender smile:

"Ans wouldn't bring strangers aboard the Nostrom, you know."

"Mother," Ansel called out to Annelisa in a grave tone.

"Cough, well, never mind that, just... come with me first."

Holding Ansel's hand, Annelisa hummed a tune, her steps light as she headed towards a passageway in the grand, interconnected hall.

Ravenna watched the retreating figures of Ansel and Annelisa, and it wasn't until they had gone a considerable distance that she snapped back to reality and hurried after them.

Ansel wouldn't bring outsiders aboard the Nostrom... would he?

Navigating through the twists and turns within the Nostrom, Annelisa soon led them to a very ordinary-looking door, her face alight with joy as she turned to Ansel, "Ans, you open—"

"I shall not proceed, Mother."

Without warning, Ansel uttered such a statement.

He withdrew his hand from Annelisa's grasp, his handsome countenance seemingly striving to maintain a certain... composure.

—If Ansel were to feign any emotion, it would be impossible for it to appear forced, Ravenna was well aware of this.

Therefore, as she watched Ansel, she felt somewhat bewildered. If Ansel's pretense seemed deliberate, it indicated... that he was somewhat unable to control his emotions.

What in the world could cause Ansel to lose such control? What could possibly lie beyond that door? Judging by madam's demeanor, it shouldn't be anything harmful to Ansel, so why would he—

"How is it that you no longer wish to go?"

Annalisa spoke with discontent: "Didn't we agree to spend some time together? This sudden change—'"

Young Hydral, with a downcast gaze, interrupted Annalisa: "I am somewhat tired, Mother."

"I apologize for breaking my word, but now, please allow me to rest for a while."

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