My Family in the Novel?

Chapter 119: Coming back 3

"Break up with him! You know what would happen if you keep being stubborn like this, right?"

The bishop's stern words echoed in Elena's mind, a relentless reminder of the conflicting demands placed upon her.

She understood the weight of those words, comprehending the expectations and responsibilities that came with her role as the saintess of the Church of Light.

Elena was well aware of the unspoken rules that dictated her life.

The people of the continent saw her as the very incarnation of the goddess, a symbol of holiness, beauty, and unattainability.

As the chosen one, she was meant to embody these qualities, fulfilling a role that went beyond the boundaries of mortal love and connection.

Deep down, she grasped the sacrifices she was expected to make for the greater good.

Despite the clarity of her understanding, Elena couldn't bring herself to accept the harsh reality that clashed with her heart's desires.

Love for Adrian, a feeling that defied the prescribed boundaries, had taken root within her.

It was a conflict that stirred within her soul, torn between duty and the yearnings of her heart.

Unable to suppress these thoughts any longer, Elena rose from her bed, a determined expression on her face.

The internal struggle urged her to confront the conflicted emotions head-on.

With a resolute step, she left her room, seeking a resolution to the turmoil that raged within her heart.

'I should distract myself; I wonder if Louise and the others are asleep yet?'

As Elena pushed open the door, the vigilant templar assigned to guard her couldn't help but address her. "Saintess, are you going into that room again?"

The inquiry held a tone of concern, acknowledging the repetitive nature of Elena's visits.

With a mischievous glint in her eyes, Elena replied, "Yes, well, will you let me?"

The templar knight let out a weary sigh, recognizing the futility of preventing the determined saintess. "Will you even listen to me if I prevented you?" she queried, already sensing Elena's response.

"No!" Elena declared with a smile, her resolute answer showcasing the spirited defiance she held against the restrictions imposed upon her.

Sighing once more, the templar knight regarded Elena with a tired expression, then turned around, gesturing for her to proceed. "I haven't seen anything," she quipped, feigning ignorance to the saintess's antics.

Elena chuckled at the templar's reaction and expressed her gratitude, "Thank you, Beca. I promise to make it quick." With that, she dashed off toward Adrian's room, leaving the templar behind with a mix of exasperation and amusement.

"Haah, youth. I wonder what I should tell the bishop for the daily report" Beca mused, her fatigue apparent. The contemplation in her eyes betrayed a hint of uncertainty.

"Should I quit?" she pondered, caught between duty and the weariness that came with guarding the spirited saintess.

Elena navigated the dimly lit hallways of Lucian Hall, her footsteps echoing against the walls as she descended the stairs. Being a third-year student, it was natural for her destination—Adrian's room—to be situated two floors below.

This spatial arrangement subtly reminded her of the age difference between them, a realization that sparked a moment of contemplation about her impending graduation from the academy.

The weight of time pressed upon Elena as she considered the finite duration of her remaining years at the academy.

The transient nature of her student life made her ponder the future, especially with Adrian, a first-year student, by her side.

The passing of time would inevitably lead to her graduation before his.

As these thoughts swirled in her mind, an unwelcome image flashed before her eyes—Aria tightly hugging Adrian, their lips locked in a passionate kiss. Adrian, with an icy gaze, coldly instructing Elena to break up with him. Aria, lurking in the background with a sly smirk. The vivid scenario sent shivers down Elena's spine, and her steps quickened as an urgent need to discuss this troubling vision with Aria took hold of her.

Elena was well aware of the blossoming relationship between Adrian and Aria, a knowledge that added an extra layer of complexity to her emotions.

The realization struck her that Aria would inevitably spend more time with Adrian at the academy, leaving Elena feeling left behind.

An unfounded worry crept into her thoughts, fueled by insecurities that gnawed at her sense of belonging.

Navigating the staircases with a sense of urgency, Elena walked through the tapestries that adorned the walls, a silent witness to the grandeur of the noble dorms.

Meticulously avoiding the gazes of servants from various noble families, who were bustling about after serving their masters, Elena pressed on, each step carrying her closer to the focal point of her concerns.

As if on autopilot, she found herself standing in front of Adrian's room. The polished door, marked with his name, presented a threshold she hesitated to cross.

The faint murmurings of her conflicted emotions echoed in her mind, urging her to confront the uncertainties and insecurities that had taken root within her heart.

'I'm pretty sure I've already established my position on Adrian's life…. But I can't be too careful right?'

Elena, after a gentle knock, slowly pushed open the door, expecting to find Analise or perhaps Aria to greet her first like usual. However, the sight that greeted her was entirely unexpected—Louise stood before her, looking like a disappointed puppy caught in the act.

"Oh, it's just you, Saintess," Louise said, hastily fanning her face as if trying to mask her excitement.

"Louise, what are you doing?" Elena inquired, still perplexed by the unexpected encounter.

"U-uhm, waiting?" Louise stammered, her enthusiasm palpable.

"I can understand that, but what's with your outfit?" Elena questioned, noticing the unusual attire Louise had donned.

"Eh? Is something wrong with it?" Louise responded innocently, glancing down at herself. The dress she wore was one of the nicest ones Aria had given her during her stay at the academy. While it might have seemed a bit revealing to some, Louise wore it with pride and confidence, having been assisted in dressing up by Analise.

Elena arched an eyebrow at Louise's response. "No, there's nothing wrong with it; it's just that... it doesn't fit your image?" she commented, a hint of confusion in her voice. As her gaze swept the room, Elena noticed Analise tidying up in the corner, but there was no sign of the mischievous blonde-haired Aria.

"Why are you getting dressed up in the first place? Did Aria make you do something ridiculous again?" Elena inquired; her curiosity piqued.

"W-well, it's because... he's back," Louise hesitated before uttering those words.

"Pardon?" Elena sought clarification, but before Louise could respond, a surge of excitement overtook Elena as she grasped the meaning behind Louise's words.

"Adrian, He's back!"

….

"So, where were you?" Aria and I were making our way back to my room when she asked me with a serious tone. Sensing that I couldn't provide an immediate answer, Aria stopped walking and fixed me with a stern look, making it clear she wouldn't accept a vague or evasive response.

"Well, it's a bit complicated, so I can't really tell you—" I began, attempting to explain the situation.

"I see..." Aria's expression shifted to one of slight sadness, and she managed a bitter smile upon hearing my response.

While I wished to share everything with her, the timing wasn't ideal. I wanted our relationship to develop further before introducing her to the complexities of my family.

Although Aria loved me, I wasn't entirely certain if she would be willing to accept the intricacies of my familial ties. The same concern lingered for all the other girls in my life.

"Well, who cares? You'll tell me everything about you someday, right?" Aria said, attempting to downplay my lack of trust in her.

"After all, you aren't really Adrian, are you?"

'Huh?'

"H-how?" I stammered, genuinely surprised.

"What's with the surprised face? Did you really think I wouldn't notice? I've probably spent my whole childhood bullying you—well, at least my real brother, that is. So, noticing wasn't really a big deal" Aria stated nonchalantly.

Though all she had were suspicions, her observation skills seemed to have picked up on the differences. Based on my reaction, she felt her theory had been confirmed.

I was left in shock by her revelation.

'Since when did she notice I wasn't really Adrian?'

As I struggled to find words to respond, Aria happily hugged my arms again, playfully dragging me back to my room.

"Let's go; everyone's waiting," she said, her smile widening as she playfully dragged me along, her giggles echoing in the hallway.

….

In a hidden cell underneath the academy, a young-looking woman wearing a maid uniform that was in tatters sat alone, nibbling on a piece of mossy bread.

Despite its unappealing nature, she needed to consume it to sustain herself.

She had already accepted the grim fate that awaited her in this cell, but every time the guards tossed food at her, her innate survival instincts kicked in.

She grappled with the internal struggle between ending her suffering and the persistent desire to cling to life.

As she chewed on the meager sustenance, she murmured to herself, "I'll meet you soon, Lady Schwi..." Her voice echoed in the dimly lit and dank cell, filled with a mix of resignation and a glimmer of hope for an end to her captivity.

Suddenly, a shadow loomed over her face, and when she looked up, her eyes widened in disbelief at the person standing before her.

"Y-young lady?" she stammered, her voice a feeble whisper.

Schwi looked at her young maid in a pitiful state. Although she understood that the school had likely tortured her for answers, she didn't expect it would be to this degree.

Schwi came here on a whim, fully expecting her personal maid to be nothing more than rotten bones, yet somehow, she had managed to survive.

"You haven't even realized you were abandoned, seeing as how you're almost nothing but bones now, the academy really didn't hold back" said Schwi as she looked at her maid with pitiable gaze.

Schwi's red crimson eyes locked onto her maid. "How unsightly" she said coldly, and with a swift movement, she sank her fangs into the maid's neck.

The room echoed with the faint sound of the maid's feeble protests, swallowed by the darkness of the hidden cell.

Darkness swept up and cocooned her maid, enveloping her in a shroud of shadows.

"I'll see you again in three days" said Schwi with an eerie calmness as she vanished from the cell.

'Lady Charlotte did tell me to increase my subordinates if possible, so she won't be mad for me doing this on my own right?'