My Family in the Novel?

Chapter 122: Yellow Cat VS White Cat

As the night deepened, our conversations in the room took a more probing turn. Elena, with a furrowed brow, repeatedly questioned me about where I had gone, seeking answers that I was not yet ready to divulge. Aria, who had already been given the same response, joined in, attempting to apply additional pressure in the hopes of coaxing a more truthful answer from me.

However, the truth was far too dangerous to share at this moment.

The situation had become more complicated than I initially planned, and revealing everything could jeopardize not only my own safety but also the safety of those around me.

The need for secrecy outweighed the desire for openness, and I found myself caught between the truth and the necessity of withholding it.

The weight of the unspoken truth hung in the air, and I could sense the frustration and confusion in their eyes. It was a delicate dance, a balancing act between loyalty and the protection of those I cared about.

'It was quite funny thinking on how the situation has gone like this…. It's only been a few months since I entered this world and now, I have these four beauties deeply enticed with me'

Sensing the need for honesty, I sincerely apologized to them, explaining that I couldn't provide a detailed answer at the moment.

Elena, with a hint of hurt in her eyes, seemed disappointed by my response.

Aria, on the other hand, sighed, having already been met with the same evasion from me before.

Louise, with a mixture of disappointment and curiosity in her expression, remained attentive, silently processing the situation.

As for Analise, her thoughts were inscrutable, and I couldn't discern her feelings.

I knew that I possessed the authority to delve into Analise's thoughts and understand her emotions at this moment.

However, it felt inherently wrong to employ such powers on a future family member.

My mother had instilled in me a set of strict rules that our family must adhere to, one of which expressly prohibited the use of our unique abilities on one another.

The unspoken understanding of these rules had always served as the foundation of trust and respect within our family.

It was a principle we held dear, reminding us that the bonds between family members should remain sacrosanct, untouched by the intrusion of our supernatural gifts.

As the ticking of the clocks resonated through the room, the night deepened, signaling that it was time for Elena to depart.

Despite the awareness that she needed to return to her own room to avoid complications and potential trouble, the reluctance painted across her face indicated a clear desire to stay.

"Ian, can't I stay here, please?" Elena pleaded, her gaze fixed directly on me, her eyes carrying a hint of longing and reluctance.

"You know you can't, right?" I responded, a slight sigh escaping me. The unspoken understanding passed between us, acknowledging the complexities and potential consequences of her staying.

While Elena comprehended the necessity of her departure, her reluctance suggested a deeper emotional attachment to our shared moments.

Though Elena herself grasped the reasoning behind my decision, I suspected that her hesitance to leave stemmed from the presence of Aria, who continued to smirk mischievously from the background.

Despite my discreet glances and silent warnings to Aria, her teasing only intensified, making it clear that she took a certain delight in provoking Elena's emotions.

As the night wore on, I contemplated the intricate web of relationships that surrounded us.

Plans regarding my complicated relationship with Elena lingered in the background, but I knew that those considerations would unfold much later—after the impending demon attack on the academy that my aunt planned.

For now, both Elena and I needed to find satisfaction in the clandestine nature of our connection.

As the saintess, any rumors regarding our relationship could prove catastrophic for her image, and discretion was paramount.

With a quiet goodbye, Elena slipped out of the room, leaving me to sigh as I watched her go. There was a certain heaviness in the air, a feeling that lingered as she departed, and I couldn't shake the sense that something was amiss.

Turning my attention to Aria, who had continued her playful teasing even after Elena's departure, I beckoned her over.

"Aria," I said, trying to infuse a bit of earnestness into my voice.

"What?" Aria responded, playing the innocent card with a playful tilt of her head, her eyes dancing with mischief.

"Just... be kind to her, you know what I mean, right?" I implored, hoping to convey the weight of my request.

"Hmph" Aria huffed, her reaction a mix of defiance and nonchalance.

I understood the dynamics at play. Aria's teasing of Elena was likely fueled by the amusement she found in Elena's reactions, especially when a hint of jealousy colored her expressions. While I appreciated the lighter moments and the genuine connection we shared, there was an unspoken line that Aria needed to respect.

The relationships with these two incredible women had evolved to a point where their roles as my future wives were pretty much set in stone. Navigating this delicate dance between them required finesse. I knew I had to find a way to keep both Elena and Aria content, creating an atmosphere where animosity wouldn't take root.

"Adrian!" Aria suddenly exclaimed, surprising me as she hugged me from behind. Glancing in the distance, I could see Elena visually stopping, her expression shifting as she processed the unexpected scene unfolding before her.

"What?" I responded, my confusion evident.

"As you know, you only have one bed, right?" Aria queried, her voice taking on a seductive tone.

"Yes?" I replied, unsure of where this was heading.

"Then can we sleep together~" Aria playfully suggested, her words dripping with mischief.

"NO!!" Elena's exclamation echoed, her eyes watery from tears as she rushed towards us. "You two can't just—"

"Aria!" I cut in, my tone serious as I warned her against pushing things too far. Exasperation filled me as I thought, 'Seriously, she's being so childish today.'

I made a decision and walked outside, closing the door behind me. Aria looked a bit surprised by my action, but understanding the consequences of her playful suggestion, she refrained from following me.

Now, only Elena and I stood outside the dimly lit atmosphere of Lucian Hall. The air felt charged with tension as the two of us locked eyes for a moment. Elena looked down, covering slight sniffs.

I couldn't help but chuckle at the absurdity of the situation.

"Haha"

"S-stop laughing" Elena protested.

I gently stroked her cheek, wiping away the tears. Cupping her face, I looked directly into her eyes, a mixture of amusement and sincerity in my gaze.

"You know Aria doesn't mean that, right?" I offered reassurance, sensing Elena's unease.

"I know... I-I just feel uneasy..." Elena grumbled, her demeanor a mix of vulnerability and adorable uncertainty.

My first thought was how cute she looked, grumbling and wrestling with her emotions. Chuckling once more, I couldn't help but admire her candidness.

That's when it happened—Elena delivered a punch to my stomach. It was more of a playful gesture, but to my surprise, it packed a punch beyond its physical appearance.

Despite its seemingly harmless nature, I found myself kneeling to the ground, gasping for breath. Elena had infused her attack with some of her divine aura, a technique she had learned from her templar.

The golden glow emanating from her hands showcased the divine aspect of her newfound skill.

Although similar to aura amplification, the divine quality rendered the attack more potent, ensuring that the intended target experienced genuine harm.

"Surprised? I specifically told my templar to teach me some stuff that a cheating man deserved, so she taught me this!"

Elena explained, a mischievous glint in her eyes as she reveled in her newfound ability.

The realization hit me—she had intentionally targeted my insides, a level of cruelty that left me both impressed and astonished.

'The Elena I remembered before wouldn't even try to intentionally harm criminals'

"My templar told me to specifically hit the balls... But you still need those for our future children, so... This is all the punishment you get for now, for openly cheating and being away without reason" Elena declared, a proud expression on her face.

I couldn't help but chuckle at the seemingly barbaric punishment she had chosen. Despite the playfulness in her demeanor, I knew I deserved the retribution.

However, a fleeting thought crossed my mind—what sort of punishment would I face if she were to learn about my intentions concerning Louise?

The mere idea made me gulp, envisioning a scenario where more sensitive areas might be targeted.

The potential consequences loomed in my thoughts, creating a sense of trepidation that I couldn't easily shake.

Elena's approach to justice, while unconventional, reflected the intricate dynamics and humor that defined our relationship.

Haah.... trying to find a way to reassure her, an idea came up, although it was a bit too early, I knew for sure this would calm her down for now.

Although her position as my first wife is a fact, it seems she's still worried about her position getting taken.

Prompting myself to kneel properly, I accessed my sister's domain. A shadow-like portal materialized within my palms, and from it emerged a ring with a pristine white color and a blue frost crystal at its center.

Seizing the moment, I gently grabbed Elena's hands.

She looked slightly confused at first, but as my other hand moved to place the ring on the ring finger of her left hand, surprise flashed across her face.

"I-Ian, this is?" she stammered, seeking clarification.

I responded with a smile as I stood up, aware that the gesture conveyed more than words could express. However, I refrained from outright saying.

"Will you marry me?" I wanted to make that declaration when no one else could question our relationship. It felt a bit greedy, downright selfish and arrogant even, to offer her a ring with a clear intention.

"H-huh???" she said as she was still processing the information.

"Do you accept?" I asked instead.

"Yes!" she exclaimed happily, wrapping her arms around me in a warm embrace.

As she let go, tears welled up in her eyes, and she looked at the ring with a sense of heaviness.

"It's beautiful," she said, her voice filled with genuine admiration.

The moment felt significant, a quiet promise exchanged between us amidst the intricacies of our evolving relationship.

The ring became a symbol of the connection we shared, a tangible representation of the love and commitment that grew between us.

As well as the sign of my family's acceptance and protection for her.

'Congratulations I guess?' my sisters telepathic voice, came in. although the way she said it made her seem a bit reluctant in our relationship?

'Sis?'

But no reply came back.

Anyways I couldn't help but smile as I looked at Elena, a warmth lingering in the air after our shared moment.

Closing the distance between us, I planted a gentle kiss on her forehead.

"You should go now; it's getting late" I suggested, aware of the passing time.

"Ok..." Elena responded sluggishly, her steps becoming slow as she made her way away from the room. I opened the door back to my room, only to find Aria emerging, ready to pounce.

"Let's sleep together~" Aria declared, her voice a touch louder this time, seemingly aiming to tease Elena who was still in the vicinity.

Elena glanced back, offering a smirk in response. She casually pushed back a strand of hair, drawing attention to the shimmering white ring on her left finger. With that, Elena continued her departure.

Suddenly, Aria's grip on me tightened.

I refrained from screaming as she pinched both sides of my stomach, the playful act threatening to escalate.

However, given the lateness of the hour, I couldn't afford to awaken the dorm master or the guards who roamed the perimeter.

I looked at Aria, meeting her gaze dead in the eyes, and couldn't help but shiver. Her red, ruby-like eyes deepened into a darker shade of red, signaling a shift in her mood.

"Adrian... Mind explaining?"

She questioned, her tone carrying a mix of curiosity and a hint of playfulness, but above it all was 'BLOOD LUST!' Cold sweat trickled down my spine.