My Family in the Novel?

Chapter 69: Aria Tellus 3

Tristan's voice cut through the air, laced with genuine concern. "Adrian, where were you last time? You've been disappearing too frequently, you know. Is something wrong?" His inquiry hung in the air, reflecting the unease that had been growing amongst our group of friends.

As I met Tristan's eyes, I could see the sincerity in his gaze. He wasn't just casually asking; he was genuinely worried about my well-being. It was heartening to know that I had friends who cared about me.

'Ah, it truly is a blessing to befriend the protagonist'

Being close to Tristan had its advantages. Not only did I receive the warmth of his genuine concern for my well-being, but I also had a strong hunch that if I were to confide in him about the problems and challenges, I faced, he would undoubtedly extend his unwavering support.

'Too bad that I can't exactly ask him for help this time as these were problems that arose, as the story's narrative spiraled out of control, then again most of it were my fault'

However, his question did seem to draw the attention of the others. Alex and Louise were already interested in the matter to begin with, and even Aria turned her gaze in my direction.

Aria, in particular, seemed taken aback, learning about my sudden disappearances I don't know why she's making that fearful face while looking at me but I could understand her surprise. She was not a part of our usual friend group, and although we shared a sibling bond, we weren't particularly close.

A few moments passed but I still couldn't come up with an answer and it's not like I can just tell them

"Uhh yeah I just went to Kaksan Forest Last time to help the elves kill a monstrous beast designed to eradicate all living beings from the entire forest hahaha"

Seeing my troubled expression and the prolonged silence that followed, Tristan could only let out a resigned sigh. It was clear that he could sense something was amiss, something I couldn't easily put into words.

'Sorry, but if I were to start making excuses and fabricate lies now, I'm afraid it would only lead to another convoluted web of deceit. Even if I could conjure up the most believable lie at this very moment, I can't ignore the fact that if they eventually uncovered the truth, it would only further strain our current relationship'

Moreover, I couldn't afford to let that happen just yet. The future was riddled with uncertainties, and I had already exerted a significant influence on the events that were supposed to unfold in the novel.

Despite my initial intention to remain in the sidelines, these enigmatic missions had forcefully thrust me into the main scenarios, compelling me to play a central role.

I had even gone to great lengths to eliminate most of Tristan's adversaries, and it was clear that the relationships I had cultivated with these individuals were largely a result of my actions.

As the main cast of characters in the novel, I already know the pivotal role they played in shaping the narrative's direction.

Their growth and development were undeniably crucial to the unfolding of future scenarios.

As Tristan was still waiting for my response.

The best course of action, I realized, was to create a palpably awkward atmosphere, one that implied this was something I couldn't divulge to them.

While it might fuel their curiosity, it was a more controlled scenario than a cascading series of lies. I had to acknowledge that I couldn't readily reveal the truth to them, and this was the best way to navigate the situation without causing irreversible damage.

...

'Adrian kept disappearing lately?'

The truth was, I didn't have a clear understanding of what was happening, but a part of me couldn't help but connect Adrian's recent disappearances to the strange nightmares that had plagued my sleep. Those haunting visions had been filled with eerie, otherworldly landscapes and unsettling creatures that stirred an inexplicable dread within me.

As I reflected on those disturbing dreams, a shiver coursed through my spine, and the vivid memory of that fleshy, aberrant being walking toward my father surfaced in my mind.

The fire that had surrounded it, flickering with an eerie, malevolent light, seemed to carry with it a power that could induce madness in even the strongest of minds.

The recollection sent a cold shiver down my spine, and I couldn't shake the feeling that there was a connection between these strange occurrences, Adrian's disappearances, and the nightmarish visions that had been haunting my sleep.

As the conversation's atmosphere grew increasingly tense, Tristan eventually decided to let the matter drop.

Alex, on the other hand, responded with a dismissive scoff, his nonchalant demeanor suggesting he didn't care much, confident that Adrian would reveal the truth when he deemed it appropriate.

Louise, however, was noticeably upset, her frustration and curiosity regarding Adrian's mysterious absences etched on her face.

Watching this dynamic play out, I couldn't help but ponder the complexities of friendship. This was a realm I had yet to fully explore, as I had never experienced genuine concern from others about my well-being.

Most people had approached me due to my status as the daughter of a duke, and while I had encountered a few individuals who seemed to approach me genuinely, I remained wary of placing my complete trust

'How exactly did Adrian befriend these guys?'

…..

"Aria, are you free this afternoon?"

Whoa! I didn't expect Alex to ask Aria out right on the get go, even Tristan and Louise were in shock.

lunch already ended and I was already preparing to say my goodbyes as I'm about to go to Euphemia's private lab to help out with her experiments.

"No," Aria responded with nonchalance, leaving Alex momentarily disheartened.

"I-I see," he stammered, his hopes dashed in an instant. It was as if Aria had shut him down without a second thought. I'm pretty that Aria was fully aware of Alex's feelings but had chosen to ignore it, poor guy you can't even see that this bitch is just using you.

Aria's gaze suddenly shifted towards me, and she uttered, "Adrian, can we have a conversation... privately?"

'Hmm? what does she want now?'

"Sure"

…..

As our group's lunch came to a close, everyone scattered in their respective directions. Aria and I walked together towards Euphemia's private laboratory, and I suggested that we discuss whatever was on her mind as we walked. However, Aria hesitated, explaining that what she was about to share was something she couldn't say in a public setting.

'This bitch has shame? Well, that's new' I'm not entirely certain what Aria was planning to discuss but prepared to give her the benefit of the doubt. It had piqued my curiosity, and I hoped that whatever it was, it would prove to be significant and not just some trivial matter.

Soon, we found ourselves inside a private training room. Aria seemed visibly nervous, and I noticed the fear and nervousness in her eyes as she prepared to speak.

"Seriously, what's wrong with this bitch now?" I couldn't help but think as I observed Aria's behavior, puzzled by her erratic and seemingly erratic actions.

Then, her voice broke, and she pleaded, "A-Adrian, please make it stop!"

"Huh?" I responded, perplexed by her cryptic request.

"My nightmares... please make it stop," Aria implored, sinking to her knees right in front of me. Her desperation was palpable, and she was begging me to put an end to the torment of a nightmare I knew nothing about.

"P-please make him stop visiting me"

"Wh-what being?" I inquired, struggling to comprehend the situation.

Suddenly, without warning, Aria rose to her feet and lunged at me. She grabbed my collar, holding it tightly, her fingers clenching my clothes in place of my weight.

Her tear-filled eyes gazed at me, a whirlwind of emotions playing across her beautiful face. She seemed to be torn between anger, fear, and nervousness, creating a turbulent mix of feelings that left me in a state of profound confusion and concern.

"Don't lie to me! I know you're the cause of all this!" Aria shouted, her grip on my collar tightening even further. Her anger and fear had seemingly escalated, and her accusations left me stunned.

"Back at the mansion, I know you did something, and just moments ago, your friends were talking about you disappearing quite often. That weird energy I felt last time was your, right?" Aria's accusations kept pouring out, each one more shocking than the last.

"What did you do to me?" she screamed, her hands now clutching her hair in a state of madness. It was clear that something had deeply disturbed her, and her emotional turmoil was undeniable. This was far more serious than I had initially anticipated.

Aria's unexpected behavior had taken a disconcerting turn, I thought his bitch just wanted to do her usual bitchy things like bullying me or something, but it seems that her motivations were far from what I had initially presumed.

In an attempt to calm her down, I gently placed my hand on her shoulder, hoping to ease her intense emotions. However, my efforts took an unexpected turn as Aria's reaction escalated.

In an instant, she gripped my neck and forcefully pushed me against the room door, creating a loud slam as my back collided with the solid surface. Surprisingly, the impact didn't faze me much, given my physical strength compared to hers.

Aria's grip on my neck remained tight for a moment, her rage palpable. Then, she abruptly released her hold, and her body contorted in pain as she clutched her head, letting out an agonized cry, "Aghh!"

I watched, perplexed, as she appeared to have a sudden realization. Her tear-filled crimson eyes locked onto mine, her disheveled hair framing her face, giving her a somewhat disoriented and wild appearance. It was as if a storm of emotions had taken hold of her, and the turmoil within her seemed to be reaching a climax.

"Dad," Aria began, addressing me with a term that sent a shiver down my spine. I could hardly believe my ears, given the context of our conversation.

"Why are you calling me dad now? Did you really become crazy?" I asked, my voice trembling with disbelief.

But Aria persisted, her voice desperate and pleading. "That being you call dad, please... make his nightmares stop... please!" Her words hung in the air, heavy with urgency.

I was left in complete shock, my mind racing to make sense of the situation. It was as though the ground had shifted beneath me, and I was grappling with a reality that I had never expected.

'How the heck did this happen? How did this bitch get her memories back?' I thought, unable to fathom the sudden and inexplicable turn of events.