NOVEL NEXT Chapter 21 - Floria
Floria
It’s a common story. The story of Floria Endelson.
Currently, the Endelson family is a fallen noble house,
One of many houses that fell victim to the war between the Empire and demon race decades ago.
In the war, the demon side was led by 13 houses, with the Asphodel family among them.
The Endelson family, which originally produced ordinary magicians, was completely ruined by vampires.
From then on, the Endelson family harbored a one-sided grudge against the Asphodel family.
But could this small family find a way to take revenge against such a powerful demon house?
Unfortunately, there was none.
Even the prestigious Serius family, who had long opposed the Asphodel family, couldn’t take any meaningful action.
Moreover, time passed and a peace treaty was signed between the demon race and the Empire.
In this flow of events, Floria received a request from her grandfather.
‘Take revenge on the Asphodel family and restore the glory of the Endelson family…’
What a hollow dying wish.
It’s all in the past now. The hostility wouldn’t resonate much with Floria, who was born much later.
However, those around her wouldn’t leave the newborn girl alone.
The Endelson family invested everything in her, as she showed some magical talent.
Floria’s parents put aside their dignity for revenge, forgetting their memories of prosperous times long ago.
They earned wages doing menial work for others, desperately saving money for revenge.
The noble couple’s once-delicate fingertips cracked, and calluses formed on their hands. Their bodies ached constantly from hard labor.
Yet they educated Floria like a high noble, instilling dignity in her and instructing her to maintain a beautiful appearance.
Thus, Floria was raised solely for the Endelson family’s revenge.
Fortunately, an opportunity came not too far off.
Three years ago, news spread that the sixth daughter of the Asphodel family would inspect the Festival of the Full Moon.
Arein S. Asphodel, the most promising sixth daughter among the vampire families.
The Endelson family thought this was their realistic chance.
However, Floria, the doll created for this moment, could do nothing on the decisive day.
The magical power of the demons accompanying Arein was too strong. It was impossible to win.
Moreover, since it was under the banner of peace, the Empire was focusing all its attention on this.
Just when everything was about to become meaningless as she couldn’t do anything.
‘Found you.’
She could find Lee Ha-yu, a servant of the Asphodel family.
The unique barrier deployed by the Endelson clan could barely hide this one boy from vampire eyes.
He wasn’t just an ordinary blood bag. If they killed him, wouldn’t it bring at least some satisfaction?
What if this incident sparked another war with the demon race? Wouldn’t someone fight on their behalf?
Floria’s family already knew they would never regain their family’s glory.
What remained was merely directionless anger over wasted time.
‘I can’t do it…’
After contemplating dozens of times, Floria ultimately couldn’t kill Ha-yu.
He was human. Moreover, he was someone who had lived as pitifully as her, taken in by the demon race.
And so, a part of Ha-yu’s memories was erased.
.
.
.
As time passed, Floria entered Lachesis Academy to seek better opportunities.
And then her first meeting with Arein. When Floria first introduced herself to Arein at the entrance ceremony,
‘Ah, Lady Arein, pleased to meet you! I am Floria, the eldest daughter of the Endelson family.’
Cruelly, Arein paid no attention to who Floria was.
There wasn’t even a hint of surprise. Just a gaze as if looking at a mere creation that needed to be treated well.
Floria wanted to give up everything.
To the Asphodel family, the Endelsons were simply something beneath their notice.
‘Huh?’
However, in that situation, Floria noticed something.
‘Hmm… Could there be such a reason between a man and a woman? Our eyes met perfectly on the deck.’
‘Ha-yu is Lady Arein’s servant. Of course, I have no intentions now.’
‘Oh? Unfortunately, I’m in the third class, so I share the same dormitory direction as Ha-yu. We can go back together, Ha-yu!’
She noticed how Arein’s gaze would waver whenever she clung to Ha-yu.
And that perhaps this could be used for proper revenge.
* * *
‘Bang. Pop.’
As if the festival had reached its highlight, magic fireworks kept exploding.
My answer, ‘I’m sorry, but that would be difficult,’ was delivered to her, hidden by these sounds.
‘Sob. Hiccup.’
She was looking down below the bridge, crying sorrowfully.
‘Would you die for me?’
With her request for me to die, the final puzzle piece of my memory fell into place.
At the Full Moon Festival three years ago, she had said the exact same thing to me.
Asking me to die.
The only difference from now was that back then, I had accepted.
Floria asked me while dropping tears,
‘Why did you agree to die for me back then….’
‘…Because I was too tired.’
I had suffered in the Asphodel mansion for seven years. And then, just once, I went out into the outside world.
Wearing a mask and spending the whole day with Floria, the Full Moon Festival, where there were no watching eyes of the household, was truly enjoyable.
The emotions that had become dull and weathered from abuse began to pour out again.
So I was so happy that I wished time would stop right there.
Just a little more. Just a little more. I wanted to enjoy it.
And right before parting, Floria confessed to me.
‘That was fun, wasn’t it?’
‘Yes. Really…’
“But, I might hurt you today.”
“…Gladly.”
……
Those words spoken awkwardly, as if she had been waiting. Gladly.
She asked me to die for the revenge of House Asphodel.
I accepted without hesitation.
But Floria couldn’t take my life.
Instead, she manipulated my memories to leave only pleasant ones. Perhaps she even felt guilty about it.
-Tap.
As if knowing I had recalled all my memories, Floria tapped my chest.
“How can a person, a human being be like that! Have you ever thought about yourself even a little?”
“……”
“Would you really have died if I asked you to? Why did you do that?”
“……”
“But now! Why are you saying you can’t die now……”
“…That’s.”
Maybe that’s how I was back then.
The thought that I wished someone would kill me.
The hope that perhaps I could naturally return to my original world.
Since I didn’t have the courage to take my own life, I thought I might as well help with Floria’s revenge.
If I died… would Arein be even a little sad? Who knows.
But now I can control my emotions. Because there are things I need to do.
Floria spoke to me with a voice mixed with tears.
“It’s still the same! Always being forced into self-sacrifice like this.”
“Lady Floria.”
“It’s really irritating! Smiling like a pushover, like a fool even when being insulted. Do you know how frustrating it is to watch…”
“Ria.”
“…?”
Finally, she looks at me. Her eyes reflect me.
-Splash splash.
This time, I asked her.
“Is your revenge still ongoing?”
“…I don’t know.”
Then words flowed from my mouth, matching the atmosphere.
“Then I’ll do it for you.”
“……”
-Splash splash splash.
-Ding.
[Seven Virtues for ‘Floria Endelson’: Benevolence increases by 1]
[Achieved Affection Level 3 with ‘Floria Endelson’]
She stares at me intently.
Her eyes are filled with melancholy. A crying woman is quite pretty.
-Ting.
Huh?
At Floria’s gesture, her unique barrier with her color is created.
And it approaches me.
The mana barrier completely envelops us.
The pink world containing the dark night sky was beautifully sad.
And when I closed my eyes, this visual harmony immediately transformed into taste.
?!
The taste of purple grapes.
Our lips had overlapped.
-……
Instinctively, I move one hand to her slender waist and the other to the base of her neck.
My left hand feels warm softness, while my right hand twitches slightly as if reading a pulse.
As if she would break if I applied even a little force. So delicate.
Ah…
…?!
Perhaps due to the moisture, I can feel the taut line of her undergarments through her clothes.
Surprised, I slightly pulled my hands away, but she burrowed even deeper into me.
‘Mmph!’
Maybe because we’re in a space just for the two of us, the sensation feels more intimate, making the stimulation stronger than expected.
I feel completely immersed in the pleasant scent and warmth.
Hah…
Floria and I savored this emotion for a while.
.
.
.
-Ting.
The unique barrier dissolves.
We distance ourselves instantly like dueling swordsmen.
-……
And maintain silence for a while.
What did we just do?
‘Are we filming a drama or something?’
My whole body burns with embarrassment at our recent actions and words.
I thought this kind of mood only existed in movies. I never knew I had such girlish sensibilities.
Glancing at Floria, I see her head lowered, touching her lips with her thumb and index finger.
I should… probably handle this situation.
‘Um, it’s late, shall we go?’
“Lee Ha-yu… delicious…”
I didn’t mishear it. For a moment, I saw it. The sight of her slightly flicking her tongue.
“…Lady Floria?? Are you leaving first??”
“Huh?”
She follows me with a bright smile as if nothing happened.
* * *
.
.
.
We came straight back and stood at the fork between the Third Class and Quarter Class dormitories.
It feels more like we went on a date rather than doing an assignment…
“Ha-yu. I want to give you this.”
“?”
She took off the pendant from her neck and put it around mine.
“Why are you giving this to me…”
It’s a beautiful pendant with a pink tourmaline embedded in it.
They did say you could get items helpful for progression if you raise your favorability…
“It’s something I inherited from my grandfather.”
“Then I definitely can’t accept it.”
“…You agreed to do it in my place.”
While the atmosphere might have something to do with it, I’ve now taken on her revenge as well.
Floria probably wanted to be free from the burden of her grandfather and her guilt towards me, even more than revenge against the Asphodel family.
“So, Ha-yu will need this more than I do.”
“…Thank you.”
She gave me a shy smile.
“Perhaps it will protect you in times of danger.”
“That’s reassuring.”
“And as a bonus, please think of me too.”
Suddenly, the events at the bridge come flooding back.
Perhaps thinking the same thing, Floria said with slightly reddened cheeks,
“I won’t feel sorry anymore.”
“Yes. That’s good.”
“Then… we’re back to being classmates now, right?”
“…Let’s do that.”
Floria nodded a few times with an enigmatic expression before turning towards the dormitory.
“I’m going. Don’t try to stop me.”
“Okay.”
She walked more slowly and gracefully than usual.
.
.
“Phew…”
No rest days. To receive both a confession and a murder confession at the same time.
Somehow I ended up conquering Floria.
‘Hmm…’
My body feels languid and my head is dizzy as if I’ve been dreaming.
-Flutter.
Huh? I felt something bright flash by.
‘Maybe I’m seeing things from watching too many fireworks…’
-Ding
[Gained 2 points of Seven Deadly Sins: Envy from ‘Arein S. Asphodel’]
[Gained 3 points of Seven Deadly Sins: Wrath from ‘Arein S. Asphodel’]
“……”
Why do I feel… so screwed?