Cassien's smile fades as he looks directly at me.
Silence settles between us.
'It came from me? Is he for real.'
"No way, that's impossible." I wave my hand in disbelief, letting out an awkward laugh.
'There was never any mention of Velora having a light element in the story to begin with.'
Cassien slowly lowers his gaze toward the faint glow lingering around me.
"A child with a dark element possessing traces of light..."
His eyes narrow slightly before averting elsewhere.
"It is said to be a myth, so it must've been a perhaps or a maybe."
"Eh? …What do you mean?" I lean closer toward him.
Cassien immediately takes a step back before forcing a polite smile.
'Why did he step back?'
"Before that, change into clean clothes and complete your punishment."
I slowly try to approach him, he steps away.
I raise my hand, he flinches.
I move a little closer, he goes back.
What is he, some sort of clean freak?'
I glance down at the floor and notice Cassien somehow managed to avoid every speck of dirt.
I stare at him blankly.
'Ehh.'
—Few minutes later—
I change into fresh clothes while the priestess helps me prepare.
Out of curiosity, several acolytes peek into the room.
The priestess immediately raises her voice.
"What are you kids doing here!? Get out!"
Yet somehow, they still manage to slip past her and get close around me.
"Are you devoting yourself to the church?"
"Are you close with the Oracle?"
"She probably isn't. She's dressed just like us."
"Look, she's even wearing cleaning clothes."
'I can't exactly tell them I received divine punishment, from the High Priest himself.'
"Ahahaha…" I force out a stiff smile.
—Few hours later—
I carry stacks of books, dust shelves, and organize his belongings.
I neatly arrange the scattered papers and move them away from the bed so he can finally sleep properly like a civilized human being.
'There. He better not complain anymore since I'm voluntarily doing extra work now.'
"…"
"I should leave notes…" I mumble quietly.
I place little notes around the room just in case he misunderstands where things were moved.
'There!'
I proudly look around the spotless room.
Not a single speck of dust remains within his chamber.
'This really is his room, right?'
As soon as I left the room, Cassien is already waiting. standing outside.
Without a word, smiles while pointing toward the dirty floor.
I stare at him as my eyebrow twitches.
Then I silently begin scrubbing and mopping the floor.
—Few minutes later—
I collapse dramatically onto the grass.
'AAAAAAA I'm dead tired!'
Lifting my head slightly, I spot Cassien sitting beneath the shade, elegantly reading a book.
'Look at him acting all noble while not lifting a single finger.'
"Are you tired, Lady Velora?" Cassien smiles brightly while pointing toward a tiny patch of dirt on the tiles.
"I think you missed a spot."
"Tsk."
"Are you complaining?"
I slowly stand again, grabbing the brush.
"A. HA. HA. HA."
"Me? Complaining? I would never."
I aggressively scrub the floor.
"I should be grateful my sins are being atoned for by the High Priest himself!"
I scrub even more aggressively.
'AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA.'
—Few minutes later—
The entire hall gleams spotless.
I wipe the sweat from my forehead before letting out a relieved sigh.
Turning around proudly, I look toward Cassien.
"There, all done!"
Cassien's eyes wander around the hall.
"Hm."
He closes his book.
Staring at me and he slightly make a disgust face but forcibly forcing a smile.
'Did he just look at me like some kind of turd!?'
"Go take a bath. A priestess will escort you."
—Few minutes later, bath chamber—
'At this point, I'm already used to random people helping me bathe.'
I lift water into my hand, staring at it quietly.
After finishing my bath, I notice my dress is already clean and dry.
"Eh? How?"
'Ah, right…'
'Isnt this priestess a wind element?'
'I forgot abilities exist in this world. It's probably the same ability Erisa uses.'
—Velora's imagination—
A priestess violently blowing air at the dress to dry it.
"Kame-Hame-ha!"
—poof—
'Thank God I'm only wearing a simple dress without all the puffiness. Otherwise both me and the priestess would have a hard time dressing me up.'
—Few minutes later, Hallway near Cassien's chamber—
Freshly cleaned and without makeup, I step into the hallway.
"Ah, Lady Velora, you look beautiful once properly cleaned."
Cassien smiles while placing a hand over his chest.
'Is he asking for a fight?'
I cross my arms angrily.
"Can I leave now?"
"Not yet. You still need to complete your confession."
"Also, worry not. I already informed the Rosethorne family that you are safe and well."
'This guy… what exactly does he want?'
"What am I supposed to do next?"
"Well then, follow me."
Cassien walks ahead while I trail behind him.
—Few minutes later—
Cassien opens a door.
Inside are two chairs separated by a large wall.
"A confessional room?"
"Yes."
Cassien gestures for me to enter.
'What exactly does he expect me to confess? I don't even understand what light element he's talking about.'
We both take our seats.
"Your abilities appear unstable and imbalanced, Lady Velora."
My eyes widen.
'How does he know? Why was this never mentioned in the story?'
"Believe me, I mean no harm. My curiosity simply wishes to help."
"But I cannot deny the truth. You do possess traces of a light element, though your dark element overwhelmingly suppresses it."
"So may I ask if you've already known what abilities you possess?"
I remain silent.
'I can't exactly tell him I turn flowers poisonous.'
"I'm not entirely sure yet, maybe because my element only surfaced recently."
"I also notice you still have no fairy contracted to you."
Cassien smiles faintly.
"Do not be discouraged. Your awakening is still recent. Your brothers were simply fortunate."
'Does he know about older brother Lucien's abilities too?'
"I see… then that is all."
Cassien suddenly stands.
'Already!?'
"Am I free to leave now?"
"Yes…"
Cassien slowly walks away.
"For now."
He pauses briefly.
"You may return here whenever you seek refuge. After all, the church's secret now rests upon your shoulders as well, Hence, it is now a burden you must carry for the rest of your life."
A cold shiver crawls down my spine.
"Tell no one what you witnessed within this peaceful place, and you shall continue to live peacefully as well."
Cassien turns slightly toward me.
"And next time, do not reveal your abilities so carelessly."
His smile slowly returns.
"They are both your greatest strength and your greatest weakness."
—Outside the Cathedral—
As we step outside, a Rosethorne carriage already waits nearby.
"May your life be filled with blessings."
Cassien places a hand over his chest.
"I shall visit you again soon, Lady Velora Rosethorne, only daughter of the Rosethorne family."
Cassien bows elegantly.
'What does he mean by visit…?'
—Rosethorne Estate, entrance of the manor—
The moment I step down from the carriage, Erisa and Kel quietly bow.
"Duke Lucien wishes to see you in his office."
Kel whispers nervously.
"We'll wait outside for you, Lady Velora."
Erisa gently squeezes my hand as if comforting me.
—Duke's Office—
"Older brother… were you looking for me?"
Lucien remains silent, calmly flipping through documents.
"I heard what happened in the carriage from Rey."
He slowly lifts his eyes toward me.
"To think the daughter of Rosethorne would run through the streets with the discipline of a stray hound."
"Even a dog knows how to heel when commanded."
Every word sends chills down my spine.
The quiet atmosphere mixed with the soft rustling of paper feels suffocating.
The entire office feels dark and heavy.
'Is it because it's night time… or is it Duke Lucien's dark element making the atmosphere feel heavy?'
Lucien slowly approaches me.
"Do not become foolish like mother."
He places a hand against my shoulder.
The weight of it feels unbearably heavy.
Cold and eerie.
"May this be your final chance to correct yourself."
—Velora's room—
Kel closes the door behind me the moment I enter.
'Holy shit… I thought I peed myself.'
Suddenly somebody stomping loudly, then forcefully open the door.
—BAM—
"Velora!!" Rey forcefully throws open the door before frantically rushing toward me.
"I... I'm sorry." Tears immediately well up in my eyes.
'He's going to scold me.'
Scared, I squeeze my eyes shut tightly.
—bonk—
Rey flicks my forehead hard enough for me to clutch it with both hands.
"Ow!"
He suddenly hugs me, very tightly.
In daze, his voice trembles.
"Don't ever run away like that again, I can't lose you too."
Stunned, I slowly hesitate before gently patting his back.
"Sorry…" I softly laugh before patting his head.
—Few days later, afternoon—
I lay lifelessly across my bed.
'Brother Lucien told me not to do it again and confined me for an unknown amount of time.'
'So basically… I'm under house arrest.'
"You can still go outside."
"Yeah, within the estate."
I suddenly sit up.
"Wait, why are you in my room!?"
"Rey!"
Rey casually sips tea while reading a book beside the table.
"Well, I'm here to comfort my little sister who currently has nothing to do."
"I'm leaving."
"Have fun."
As I left the room.
'Weird he didn't follow me, I guess he has those days he doesn't cling onto me.'
—Outside the manor—
I wander aimlessly around the estate.
'I'm bored.'
Recently, Ethan's punishment has eased slightly, allowing him to accompany me again.
'Though… he's still following me everywhere.'
I glance behind me.
Four knights trail behind alongside Joe, Erisa, Kel, and Ethan.
'Whenever I see him, I feel bad for running away like a child.'
Guilt slowly sinks in.
I wave Ethan over.
"Come here."
"Yes?"
I lean closer and whisper quietly into his ear.
"I'm sorry…"
Ethan becomes visibly flustered before chuckling softly.
"It's alright, Lady Velora."
'This kid… forgiving me so easily.'
A tiny tear escapes me in relief.
I gently pat his head.
"I'm glad you're alright now."
Ethan pauses slightly before smiling warmly.
"…?"
—Velora's room, Few minutes later—
As Kel and Erisa open the door for me.
I see Rey still sitting, looks at me smiling.
'This brother— knew I'll come back instantly...'
—Velora's room, Next day—
I bury my face into the pillow.
"Ahmf bwurf."
'I'm bored.'
"Urghhhhh…"
—knock, knock, knock—
"Lady Velora, you have letters."
"Come in. Leave them beside the bed."
I sit up and begin sorting through them.
I sit up and begin sorting through them.
"Letter from Elie… Elie… Elie… Elie…"
I suddenly frown.
"Why are there so many letters from Elie!?"
Kel raises six fingers calmly.
"Six, my lady."
"Hm?"
One particular letter catches my attention.
"Why is this envelope brown with a green seal?"
I open it, slowly reading it...
"…HA!?!"
I immediately stand up on the bed.
"MARRIAGE PROPOSAL!?"