My Family in the Novel?

Chapter 109: Louise Obelia

"Long time no see Aria how have you been?"

'Why is she asking a question she already know the answer of? Aren't you spying on me and Liam in the first place?'

"Yes…. I've been well elder sister"

Despite Lilliana's meticulous efforts to deploy experts and even some students who could seamlessly blend into the surroundings to spy on her siblings, these spies found it nearly impossible to elude Aria's naturally strong sense of awareness.

Aria's mana and magical resonance were off the charts for a normal student, enabling her to detect any suspicious presence or individuals observing her for extended periods.

Though Aria grew tired of constantly being watched and the persistent nagging of her heightened senses, she realized that defying or complaining about the situation would only lead to more problems.

Aria understood that, beyond personal interest, her elder sister Lilliana orchestrated this elaborate surveillance to provide comprehensive reports to their father about their situation and status in the academy.

However, she couldn't help but grumble slightly at how excessive Lilliana's monitoring had become over the past few months especially after her secret meeting with Adrian.

'Probably, only Adrian and I noticed people watching us all the time. Liam is a lost cause; he may be a bit above average in terms of martial arts, but that's only with his peers. He probably doesn't realize that elder sister is aware of all his secret fiascos'

'Father will probably call for him soon…'

Though Aria was quite surprised to see Lilliana visiting here so late, as Aria was quite aware of Lilliana's feelings towards Adrian that bordered on obsession.

'Is she also one of Adrian's secret lovers?'

"It's been a long time as well miss Louise…. I didn't know our prime suspect was hiding inside my brother's room…... it's quite perplexing don't you think?"

Although Aria raised an eyebrow finding it slightly funny how her sister could lie so confidently without stuttering,

"Yes? …...I mean yes long time no see, Lady Lilliana…... I mean no---"

Bewildered and at a loss for words, Louise struggled to find an appropriate response to Lilliana's unexpected confrontation.

In her mind, she toyed with the idea of explaining that she hadn't intentionally hidden in Adrian's room, but a sense of caution held her back. Louise feared that any attempt at clarification might only fuel Lilliana's suspicion further.

The intensity of Lilliana's gaze sent a chill down her spine. It was unnerving to think that someone as esteemed as Lilliana, often regarded as the epitome of grace and nobility in the empire, could harbor such animosity toward her.

Louise found herself trapped in a tense situation, caught in the scrutiny of the student council president, Lilliana. As the school's number one suspect in the recent events at the commercial district, Louise considered herself fortunate that Lilliana hadn't yet involved the authorities or taken matters into her own hands. Despite Louise's confidence in her own strength, she couldn't shake the feeling that a confrontation with Lilliana would be a losing battle.

Currently, the three ladies were gathered in a room, seated across from each other. Aria and Louise occupied one side, their heads slightly bowed, while Lilliana sat in front of them, her gaze piercing and intense.

'I knew Aria kept coming to Adrian's room ever since he disappeared, and some of my spies even told me they saw the saintess entering as well. But I didn't expect to see Louise here. Did Adrian plan this all along? I knew I should've come here much sooner. That damn principal passing most of her tasks to us!!! I knew we're the student council, but isn't she abusing her power too much?'

'And she even gave Aria permission to live here for the time being as Adrian's away'

As the tension escalated in the room, an inadvertent manifestation of Lilliana's emotional turmoil occurred. The couch she occupied was now enveloped in frost, a visual representation of the rapid fluctuations in her mana. Salik, ever loyal to Lilliana, voiced his concern, attempting to bring her attention to the consequences of her unbridled emotions.

"My lady!" Salik exclaimed, a note of urgency in his voice, as he sought to remind Lilliana of the magical aftermath she had caused.

In response to Salik's words, Lilliana, without offering any apologies to the two girls sitting before her, managed to rein in her emotions. It was as if she aimed to project an air of control and superiority, proving a point that her authority remained unchallenged.

Aria and Louise found themselves gripped by a chilling sense of unease as cold sweat trickled down their spines. The brief but potent fluctuation in Lilliana's mana left an indelible impression on them. Aria, who was already privy to her sister's formidable abilities, couldn't help but grudgingly admire her even more.

'If only I was blessed with this level of mana, then I could've—'

In that moment, the room seemed to crackle with an unspoken tension, the air heavy with the weight of their individual powers and the complex dynamics that governed their relationships.

'Calm down Cecilia! Tulan!'

Louise urgently communicated through telepathy, seeking to pacify her two fiercely protective high-ranking spirits, Cecilia and Tulan, who was about to attack Lilliana.

Despite Louise appearing seemingly defenseless, the room was filled with an array of spirits—ranging from low-ranking to dozens of mid-ranking entities, alongside the two formidable high-ranking spirits.

Louise found herself in a challenging situation, struggling to focus on Lilliana's words amidst the cacophony of spirits chattering and criticizing Lilliana.

The saving grace was that only Louise could perceive and interact with these spirits, sparing others from the supernatural discourse occurring around her.

Observing Louise's expression, which appeared both perplexed and distracted, Lilliana inquired

"Are your spirits around?"

"…. Yes"

Louise nodded in confirmation, and Lilliana responded with a simple, "I see."

However, this time, Lilliana discreetly reinforced a mana barrier around herself, an invisible shield meant to be prepared in case the situation took an unfavorable turn.

Despite Lilliana harboring suspicions regarding Louise's involvement in the events at the commercial district, she chose to approach the situation with caution.

The seemingly cute and innocent girl before her did not alter the fact that Louise was the academy's most wanted terrorist and a notorious murderer, responsible for the deaths of numerous individuals on that fateful day.

Lilliana, sharp and perceptive, understood that there had to be a purpose behind Adrian bringing Louise here.

Assessing the unfolding scenario, she swiftly grasped the reasons behind Louise's presence and her sudden disappearance. Lilliana lacked details on how Adrian managed to conceal Louise without anyone noticing, but an intuition nagged at her, warning that harming Louise might incur Adrian's wrath. She couldn't shake the feeling that Adrian had a plan or reasons for orchestrating this situation.

'He must have his reasons, but I can't help but be annoyed by it, what is up with this girl that he's wiling to protect her to this extent?'

'And does he have a thing for blonde hairs?'

Lilliana internally grumbled while looking at the two blonde beauties in front of her.

Despite Lilliana's meticulous efforts to conceal the mana barrier enveloping her body, Aria detected it almost immediately.

While Louise and her spirits remained oblivious to this hidden layer of defense, Aria's heightened awareness picked up on the subtle traces of magic weaving around Lilliana.

'Why did she cast a barrier? Is she preparing for a fight?'

The tension in the room escalated as Aria, perceptive as always, questioned the sudden appearance of a protective barrier.

Suspicion lingered in the air, prompting Aria to ready a defensive spell, anticipating a potential conflict.

The silence that enveloped the room was finally shattered when the intense gaze in Lilliana's eyes softened and her countenance shifted.

Lilliana's gaze shifted between Louise and Aria, and with a sense of formality, she extended a key toward Aria.

"Here"

"Elder sister this is?"

Aria, puzzled by this unexpected gesture, inquired about the purpose of the key.

"It's the key to a currently vacant room here at Lucian Hall. You may keep the room; I've already asked the school head for permission, so feel free to use it" Lilliana explained, her tone carrying a mix of politeness and calculated intent.

Aria, while appreciative of the offered accommodation, couldn't help but feel a tinge of discontent. She quickly realized that this was, in essence, Lilliana's way of orchestrating her departure from Adrian's room.

"Elder sister, I appreciate your gift, but as you already know, the principal assigned and gave me the privilege to use this room as Adrian is still away. Besides, it may not look like it, but Louise needs me right now" Aria asserted, her voice holding a firm yet respectful tone. She directed a meaningful look at Louise, prompting her to nod in agreement.

"T-that's right, Lady Lilliana. Aria has been a great help, and I feel safer with her around" Louise added, her words expressing gratitude for Aria's support.

"And besides—"

But Louise couldn't finish her words as she saw a green-haired woman with emerald eyes floating in mid-air. Their eyes locked, and the green-haired woman smiled at her. Louise could sense that the beautiful woman in front of her wasn't human but a very powerful high-ranking spirit.

"Are you Louise?"

"Y-yes?"

"Louise?" called out Aria.

Aria and Lilliana looked at Louise as if she was crazy. Louise suddenly looked up mid-sentence and seemingly talked into thin air. Although they were aware of Louise's special gift of seeing and hearing spirits, they still found it weird seeing someone suddenly talking to nothing.