NOVEL NEXT Chapter 24: Choices
"I...I, I have some important matters that require my attention. I will come back later." The young girl left Elaine with those words and hurried away as though being chased by someone.
Is it that embarrassing? A perplexed Elaine looked on. Although she had a few boyfriends in her original world, her previous relationships never lasted long. Of course, Elaine liked her boyfriend, but the extent of her feeling stopped there. It never developed further. To her, they were more than acquaintances but less than lovers, merely fleeting phases of her life. Now that Elaine recollected her past, her previous boyfriends all mentioned a similar fatal flaw that killed their relationship.
"Did you even like me?" One boyfriend asked.
"I feel like I am the only one expressing my feeling. You never reciprocated." Another accused.
From her experiences, one could infer that Elaine was cold-hearted or that she never understood the concept of love.
Elaine again traced the wall to reach the table mid-tent. Though her legs remained weak, she arrived at her destination. After finishing her meal, Elaine returned to bed and rested.
Hopefully, Cecil can convince the Vice Commander to meet me today.
The blazing sun retired behind the sea of trees, and the skies, once filled with orange and yellow hues, were now embraced by a blanket of velvet darkness sprinkled with bright stars and warm moonlight.
Elaine opened her eyes, disturbed by the slight knocks at the tent entrance. "Who is it?" She sat up, fixing her hair and dress, then glanced outside. The sun had set. How long did I sleep?
"Milady, I brought the Vice Commander," Cecil answered.
"You may enter."
Cecil lifted the tent's cover and walked in. Behind him stood a young man aged about sixteen or seventeen. Black hair outlined his chiseled face and sharp jaw, while a pair of deep-set amethyst-colored eyes contained wisdom beyond their owner's age. Like a deep vortex, his eyes pierced through those daring to meet his gaze, absorbing their whole being.
Again. Black hair and amethyst eyes. Elaine slowly recovered her reasoning capacity as her pain eased little by little. Only one clan in this world contained these traces, a mysterious and powerful ancient tribe called the Wandering Wisemen. Strange, according to the book, the tribe had strict decrees against interacting with outsiders. But Elaine now met not one but two individuals from there.
Could it be?
"I heard you were looking for me. How can I be of service to you, miss noble lady?" The young man stepped forward.
"How did you know I was a noble?" Elaine inquired.
"Your magic fragments and this." He pulled out a transparent crystal. "Not even the richest merchant's daughter can obtain a crystal of this caliber, only a noble of high birth. Am I correct, miss high noble?" He leaned in, his eyes narrowed.
What an intimidating aura, as expected from a person who spends his life on the battlefield.
"You are very knowledgeable, Vice Commander." Elaine stood up and walked closer. However, her body remained fragile and could not withstand even the shortest distance without an object to lean on. Again, she fell over.
"Milady!" Cecil ran toward her. But before he could reach Elaine, another hand caught her waist.
Elaine held onto the young man's shoulder, attempting to regain her balance. Although the unexpected turnout surprised her, at least she confirmed her suspicion. Elaine finally knew, staring into the young man's deep crimson pupils tucked within brilliant violet irises.
He was Elias Francois d'Amboise, the sole heir to the Lévis dukedom, the main protagonist, and her mortal enemy.
Known for their distinctive red eyes, the house of d'Amboise deemed the trait a symbol of their heritage and the fire elemental magic source. However, because of the dominant lineage from his maternal side, the main protagonist inherited his mother's appearance. Though, if one looked closely, one could still see the fiery crimson hidden within the dignified amethyst.
Impossible! impossible! We are not yet supposed to meet. Elaine's back began drenching in cold sweats while her aches resurfaced. If the young man standing before her was Elias, then that young girl must be Clara, the female orphan he rescued, his closest confidant, and the origin of his intense hatred toward Estella.
Elaine pushed him away with all her strength, stumbling backward. Cecil caught her before she dropped to the floor. "Milady, are you alright? Should I summon the healer?" He sounded alarmed.
"I am fine. Please bring me to the table, Sir Ascania." Elaine reassured him, pressing down on her shaking hands, seeking to calm her nerves.
"As you wish, milady."
After she sat down and caught her breath, Elaine returned to Elias. "Vice Commander, please forgive my unsightly mannerism from earlier. As you have guessed, I am from the house of Croix, the Duke of Geris' daughter." Although, I bet you already figured out all this information. Discovering the Vice Commander's identity made Elaine reassess her plan. Even if the fateful event had not yet happened and they were now only strangers, their families were still rivals. Would he help her? Who else could she ask? The Commander? But time was of the essence, and Elaine was uncertain if she could meet the Commander before the deadline.
She gritted her teeth, then finally opened her mouth. "Vice Commander, first, I requested your presence tonight to express my genuine gratitude for your rescue. Second, I would like to offer you a proposal."