Chapter 171: Cutting Ties Part-2
Aurelia Scarlet’s POV
‘…..’ I am not sure how to respond to our current predicament. The tension hanging in the air is almost palpable, and I can’t help but feel a knot forming in my stomach.
I, Selene, and….. Aqualina sat together on one side of the table while Kai and Leon occupied the opposite side. We waited in strained silence for the food to be served to us.
Being from the Elite Class afforded us certain privileges, such as not having to stand in line and wait for our food like the others. It was a small comfort, given the current situation.
I was taken aback when Aqualina decided to tag along with us. Kai had reluctantly agreed to her joining our group.
An awkward silence had ensued since then.
To be honest, my initial anger towards Aqualina had faded. I later realized that what I told her that day was harsh and unreasonable. Any sane person would react violently if someone interrupted their engagement day and challenged them to a duel over who was going to be his first.
Sigh… So, I was not really angry at her anymore.
However, I was furious about one thing!
The memory of her impaling me against the wall still burned in my mind. It was a total disgrace, not only for me but also for my family. That humiliation was something I couldn’t forgive easily, and since then, I have harboured a desire for revenge.
Sensing the awkwardness, Aqualina suddenly spoke up, breaking the silence, “Come on now, there’s no need to be so serious… feel free to speak,” she said with a disarming smile. Then she turned to me and extended her hand for a handshake, “Hello, it’s been a long time since we saw each other.”
“Yes…” I forced a smile, trying to mask my true feelings, and gave her a handshake.
“Oh! You guys knew each other even before the Academy?” Leon interjected, his eyes wide with curiosity.
Aqualina nodded, “Yes, though we didn’t spend much time together. Just a few hours, really…” She looked at me, her gaze steady and unwavering, “Let’s get to know each other very well hereafter.”
Hearing that, my lips twitched in annoyance. Her empty smile only served to irritate me further. Before I could formulate a response, Kai shouted in happiness, “That would be a good idea!”
Both Aqualina’s and my eyes twitched as we shared a mutual understanding of Kai’s obliviousness. We could already see what he was imagining, but neither of us said anything.
As the food arrived, everyone started to eat. The tension eased slightly as the focus shifted to the meal. Selene, however, was being interrogated by Leon, with Kai eagerly assisting him.
‘It seems Leon is interested in her, and Kai is helping his friend… sigh, I can see what he is planning,’ I sighed inwardly. I wanted to intervene, but I knew better than to interfere in what could be considered a family matter.
Unless Selene asked for my help, I would stay out of it. However,
“Mr. Leon,” Aqualina called out, her voice icy and authoritative, “It seems like you guys are trying to force her to speak… don’t you think that’s unsightly for a nobleman like you? Especially you, Kai. Can’t you see your sister is uncomfortable?” Her words cut through the air like a knife.
Both Leon and Kai flinched, exchanging guilty glances before nodding in agreement. They decided to take a step back and approach the situation more cautiously.
Selene glanced at Aqualina, Aqualina just smiled at her and returned to eating her remaining food, her demeanour calm and composed.
‘I wonder why she helped her…’
Soon, everyone finished lunch. However, Kai hesitated to move, as if he were waiting for something. The anticipation in his eyes made me uneasy.
Aqualina sighed and said, “We will be leaving.” She then called Selene and Leon, who obediently followed her, leaving Kai and me alone.
‘She is really considerate… ah,’ I thought, somewhat surprised by Aqualina’s actions. I had expected her to be bitchy, especially with Kai coming after me, but it seemed she genuinely considered his feelings. Maybe she wasn’t so bad after all.
“Lia…” Kai called out to me, his voice tinged with a mix of hesitation and hope.
“Yes?” I replied, my tone devoid of emotion.
Kai frowned for a second before continuing, “How are you? It’s been a long time since we last saw each other… You know, it feels like we’re back to when we were seven years old…” He started to reminisce, digging up the past with a nostalgic yet cautious air.
I sighed inwardly. I knew my past well enough; there was no need for him to recount it now. But I chose to stay silent, letting him finish. His words floated around me, recounting joyful memories that now felt tainted.
After he finished recounting our shared history, he placed a small box before me.
‘Hmm?’ I frowned, eyeing the box suspiciously.
Then he opened it there was a ring in it and…
“I know I wasn’t there when you needed me, and I was really worried. I couldn’t do anything…” He continued, his voice filled with regret, but my mind went blank at the words ‘I wasn’t there when you needed me.’
‘W-What is he talking about? He wasn’t there?…’
“YOU WERE FUCKING THERE, YOU BASTARD!!” I shouted, something snapping inside me. I had planned to handle this calmly and collectedly, but his words unleashed a flood of pent-up anger I could no longer contain.
Others in the dining hall were startled but wisely chose to mind their own business.
“L-Lia…” Kai stammered, clearly taken aback. He had expected a different reaction, perhaps one where I threw myself into his arms after receiving the gift. Instead, my anger shocked him.
He reached out to touch my hand, likely in an attempt to calm me down, but it only made things worse.
“Don’t you dare touch me!!!” I hissed, my voice furious yet controlled. I didn’t want to make a scene, but my restraint was slipping.
Kai gulped, his confidence faltering. “Lia, please calm down and believe–”
But I cut him off, my voice seething, “You were fucking there when I was stabbed against the wall…”
Kai lowered his head, the weight of his guilt evident. He had no choice but to accept my words in silence.
I gritted my teeth, seeing him sitting there in his guilt-ridden silence.
“Kai, you know how much I loved you before…” I began, my voice shaking with the effort to contain my emotions, “When we got into a fight, I was always the one who apologized first, the one who mended our relationship.
Have you ever apologized for your mistakes? It was always me who came after you!”
Kai’s eyes lowered for a moment before he said, “D-Didn’t I come now?” His voice was serious, almost defensive.
I… I was really taken aback when he said that.
‘Is he for real?’ I thought, incredulous. I asked him the only question that mattered at that moment, “Did you even apologize to me now?”
The truth hit me hard. Even now, he hadn’t apologized. He had merely recollected past memories and expressed his concerns. Nothing more.
‘Why did I even love him?’ I wondered, my heart heavy with disillusionment. The man standing before me was a stranger, one who didn’t understand the depth of my pain or the magnitude of his mistakes. Now, more than ever, I questioned the love I had once felt for him.
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