Chapter 301 Amael's Show [1]
"What was that, Duncan?" Claudia demanded as soon as the Olphean family left the hall. She struggled to contain her fury.
"I made the right decision, Claudia. I don't see the problem with them being engaged. They each gave their first time to each other," Duncan said, glancing at Elizabeth, who trembled in shame with her head lowered.
"This is not a reason to engage them! He doesn't deserve Elizabeth, and more importantly, he is Alea's son!" Claudia argued angrily.
"G-Grandfather?" Elizabeth looked at Duncan and Claudia with confusion. They had talked about Amael being Connor's brother and Alea Olphean's mother, but she had thought they were just close. However...
Duncan sighed and nodded at his granddaughter. "He is Alea's biological son and Connor Olphean's younger blood brother."
"..." Elizabeth and Selene fell speechless when Duncan confirmed.
"Due to certain circumstances, he was sent to the Celesta Kingdom when he was a still a child. He was adopted by Alea's elder sister, Oryanna. But ten years ago, Oryanna was killed," Duncan explained contemplatively. "Alea made several trips to replace Oryanna's place for Oryanna's daughter and her own son, Amael, but she stopped when her sister was killed. An orphan from his mother, just three months ago, he lost his adopted father and adopted sister in the great incident that occurred in the Capital of Dorian."
"You mean... with the Holy Garden?" Elizabeth asked.
"Yes," Duncan nodded and used a remote to show a projection. It displayed the Holy Garden of Eden floating above the destroyed ground of the Capital—a historical event that had reverberated throughout the world. Ante-Eden attacked the Holy Capital of the Kingdom of Celesta, a widely known event.
"That day he lost his remaining family with whom he grew up, and then, because of a royal crime, he was expelled from the Kingdom, and he joined your academy," Duncan added.
"Royal crime?" Selene asked, puzzled.
"Yes," Duncan smiled. After researching about Edward Falkrona, he knew that Amael was a tremendous talent. "He killed the King's younger brother."
Elizabeth and Selene couldn't hold back their shock.
"The only reason he is still alive is that he is Alea's son and also the grandson of the Supreme Head of the Falkrona House, Waylen Falkrona."
At the mention of Waylen Falkrona, another DemiGod, they fell into silence.
What about Earth? He's clearly a better match for Elizabeth than Alea's son!" Claudia insisted.
"Perhaps... but it's too late for that. Earth isn't here, and Elizabeth's first night has already occurred," Duncan shook his head.
Elizabeth could only bow her head in response.
"You don't understand, Duncan... I saw him," Claudia said with frustration. "I saw Alea's son in my dreams. He is dangerous-"
"Claudia," Duncan interrupted her. He was well aware of Claudia's prophecies about Edward. "He will take care of Elizabeth. To save his sister, he fought against Brandon Delavoic and even managed to kill him."
"Brandon Delavoic..." Selene muttered. She and Elizabeth, along with everyone else, knew who Brandon Delavoic was. He was the Leader of Ante-Eden until he was killed three months ago by the King, or so they said...
"It doesn't change what I said!" Claudia shot a glare at her husband and left angrily.
Duncan sighed and turned to Elizabeth. "Are you fine with it, Amaya?"
Elizabeth raised her empty gaze and let out a small laugh. "Do I even have a say in this matter, grandfather?" She said before leaving slowly, her expression shattered.
"I'm sorry, grandfather," Selene apologized after Elizabeth left.
"Dear, you should first apologize to your sister," Duncan advised her with an exasperated smile.
Selene lowered her head. "She doesn't want to hear me out."
Duncan sighed. "Your sister has been through a lot since last year."
He activated the remote again and showed pictures from the previous year.
A girl appeared on the screen.
Jet black hair cascaded gracefully over her shoulders without any ties. Her slit-crimson eyes held a chilling coldness that even Selene couldn't stare at for long. Her expression was colder and paler than any vampire should be. She wore a beautiful black and red dress, stained in blood. She was utterly mesmerizing, the epitome of cold beauty, yet she was equally admired and feared.
The girl on the projection was Elizabeth Amaya Tepes from the beginning until a year ago when she started to change, becoming more approachable after she met...
"She has lost Connor after all."
…
…
After returning to my Kingdom, I immediately headed to the afternoon class. Staying home would only lead to dwelling on what had transpired, and honestly, I needed a break from it all.
I couldn't blame my mom for accepting the engagement. Given the circumstances and the personalities involved, especially considering Elizabeth's position as a Princess of the Tepes House, our Houses' pride and image were at stake.
Engaged to another girl. The thought was absurd, and I had always believed Miranda would eventually forgive me and become my second fiancée.
The situation was beyond my control.
Now, here I was, caught in this mess. I had a clear understanding of the situation, but Elizabeth was dragged into her sister's mess and became the victim.
Mother assured me that we could break off the engagement if Elizabeth found someone more suitable. She promised to convince Duncan in that case. The ideal scenario would be Elizabeth falling in love with Victor.
Whatever.
I was frustrated.
What irritated me the most were Duncan Tepes and that persistent granny putting the blame on me!
Coward?
Me?
I had been indirectly trying to save their granddaughter.
Clicking my tongue, I entered the academy, and as soon as I stepped into the classroom, everyone turned their gaze toward me. Fortunately, it seemed they were still unaware of the recent engagement.
They were all there, eagerly waiting for the professor to arrive.
"Hey, dude, where were you? We were worried, you know?" Victor approached me, expressing concern.
"Oh, right…I was sick," I threw a random lie as I took my seat in the last and highest row of the lecture hall.
"You could have at least answered our messages…Even John was worried, y'know?" Victor said with a grin.
"No way he was," I laughed with a smile.
"I swear, but you know as usual he didn't show it and kept his face while saying: 'Where that bastard is huh?'" Victor said, perfectly imitating John.
I laughed and nodded. "Told you. John is just a tsundere."
As we spoke, my gaze inadvertently fell on Celeste, who was engaged in conversation with Cylien since Selene wasn't present. Feeling my gaze, she looked at me for a moment before averting her eyes and resuming her conversation happily with Cylien.
She sure hates me now.
How many girls did I antagonize in a few days?
Alvara, Celeste, Alicia, and recently even Elizabeth.
After a bit more conversation, Victor returned to his seat as Cylien called out to him.
I found myself alone on the last row, with others scattered in the rows in front.
I kept receiving curious gazes because of my choice of seating, but I ignored them. Despite the annoyances of school, it was a good spot to relax and think about other things.
I needed to think about the recent events and what I should do about the next ones since the plot might slightly altered now.
"Oh my, look who's back?"
Unfortunately, my solitude didn't last long.
From the entrance, a group of elves appeared, led by Allen Teraquin, Alvara's younger brother.
"Allen, all the first years have craftsmanship class. It's not here," Roda Moonfang, who was also with them, entered and warned Allen, who took a seat on the large desk.
"Come on, Roda," Allen winked at her before settling in.
"What are you doing, Allen?" Celeste asked, exasperated.
"I'm only looking at my seniors, Celeste," Allen replied with a mischievous smile.
"You should leave. The teacher is coming," Cylien said with furrowed brows.
What was he even doing here, really?
As Allen entered, it was obvious he was aiming at me, but I had doubts…
"No. I sent the teacher away, don't worry," Allen said with a smirk. "A little gratitude wouldn't hurt, you know?"
"Why did you do that?" Victor asked, bewildered.
Allen's gaze shifted to Victor with disdain. "I don't answer Halves."
"Allen!" Celeste stood up angrily.
"Let's calm down, I'm not here for you," Allen said before finally looking directly at me.
Everyone followed Allen's line of sight, and it easily landed on me, seated high at the back of the lecture hall.
I met Allen's gaze with composure.
Allen scowled before smirking and redirecting his attention to Jiren. "Bring him here. He needs to greet his new master from now on."
Jiren and his friends looked almost startled by the command, frozen in place.
An awkward silence filled the room as confusion spread among everyone.
Seeing Allen frown, I couldn't help but let a visible smirk slip onto my lips.
[<I knew it wouldn't last long...>]
Updated from fr𝒆ewebnov𝒆l.(c)om