Startled, I run toward the entrance of the manor, since that is where the explosion originates.
When I arrive, I find Cassien engaging someone.
Light element energy glistens white across the sky, while violet scatters around it.
That means—
"A dark element?"
Cassien and the archbishop are surrounded by a shield resembling transparent glass, while the archbishop stands in front of him protectively.
'Don't tell me Duke Lucien attacked the High Priest!?'
As I draw closer, I catch sight of the person fighting Cassien.
A nobleman dressed in black, violet, and white stands before them.
He has short, layered hair with long bangs brushing near his eyes. The sides frame his face in a slightly disheveled yet elegant manner. His hair is black, his eyes are violet, and an earring hangs from his left ear.
'Who is that?'
Another character I do not recognize has appeared.
The nobleman smiles.
"Ha. Has the Rosethorne family finally developed a soft side?"
"For them to ask a mere Aether's children?"
'Why in the world is he fighting the High Priest? Is the Church not supposed to be on our side since they help us awaken?'
The nobleman tilts his head.
"Or are you trying to climb your way back to the top, Spirit Oracle? The Church's lapdog. Or should I address you as High Priest Cassien now?"
I lower my head as my eyesight darken in exhaustion.
'Woah...'
In all my life within that old manor, things have never been this chaotic.
During those 11 months, everything is just peaceful.
'Boring, its just boring.'
I watch squirrels in the trees, birds soaring through the sky, do random exercises, play hide-and-seek with Kel, and even play hide-and-seek with Cassien.
But the moment I leave that old manor, my world suddenly becomes chaotic.
It is as though the story has gone through a timeskip and finally resumed on the climax. *Spot on.*
Cyril suddenly emerges from the shadows and restrains the man.
"Unhand me! Who are you?"
Cyril holds him firmly.
At that moment, Duke Lucien steps out.
Cyril finally releases him and bows as he disappears once again in the shadow and stand behind Duke Lucien.
"If you didn't arrive uninvited, we won't able to leave you waiting outside, soon-to-be Grand Duke Nylis Dahlveth."
Cassien face has few scratches on his face. It appears he was attacked out of nowhere while unguarded.
The High Priest lets out a breath and stands up while the archbishop are in panic while protecting him.
"Ha…"
He straightens himself.
For the first time, I see the High Priest furious.
'Did Cassien cast that shield?'
'So he has shields, surveillance, and flash light skills. He really ought to work as a night guard.'
"1.... 2.... 3...."
'That means 1 more to discover what his other skill is.'
'But it seems like the archbishop was the one who cast the shield.'
As I stare further from the distance.
Lucien looks at Cassien.
"High Priest, if you permit it, I will compensate you for the damages. If possible, I hope you will view this matter differently."
Cassien wave his hand.
"My, my. Do not worry. I should have expected such poor manners from a young man like him. May blessings be upon your household, but I have another matter that requires my attention."
"Then we shall discuss this again soon."
Duke Lucien bows deeply.
Cassien nods and walks away while the archbishop hurriedly follows after him.
Nylis lets out a tsk.
Suddenly, the Nylis guy notices me.
His expression softens, and he smiles.
His violet eyes shine brighter than the sunset behind him.
"Velora!"
'Huh? Is he talking to me?'
I point at myself.
—Few minutes later—
We parted ways in the hallway, Nylis glanced back at me with a smile, still speaking to Duke Lucien as he did.
Nylis mumbles.
"I'll see you later."
Duke Lucien and the psycho went into the office together, the door closing behind them as their conversation continued.
I blink as I point at myself.
'Who.... me...?'
—Velora's room—
"Kel, who was that?"
"I actually do not know, but…" Kel paused, deep in thought.
"The crest he carried was Dahlveth. That is the crest of the dark element family. Since Duke Lucien refer him as the Soon-to-be Grandduke, means he's the next in line."
"Isn't that a bit exaggerated?" I frown.
"Why on earth would a member of the dark element family be here?"
'I heard not even a relation of dark element even in the original story.'
I let out a sigh.
'I feel like the original story is practically useless at this point.'
'Random bull let's go!!!' as I punch the air up high.
Still, it was already getting late, and I needed to sleep early.
"It is impossible that he will come here, right?"
I start to lay down softly in bed.
—BAM—
The door flew open.
Nylis burst into the room with both hands raised.
"Velora!"
A disturbingly cheerful smile spread across his face.
I stared at him in disbelief, wondering why Kel had not stopped him.
I mean what exactly could Kel do when this lunatic is apparently the son of the Grand Duke of Darkness?
As I start to get out of bed in order to greet him, Nylis immediately stopped me.
"Ah, no. You do not have to do that."
Instead, he snapped his fingers.
Two servants stepped forward.
I blinked.
Then, without warning, he started changing clothes.
Five servants rushed into action. Two held up a cloth to shield him while the other three helped him change.
Fifteen seconds later, he was completely dressed, in night gown.
'What the hell did I just witness?'
I sat there, utterly dumbfounded.
'Is this the power of wealth?'
Or was he simply showing off the fact that he had more servants than me?
Nylis looked incredibly satisfied with himself.
Then he suddenly jumped onto my bed.
'What the?'
Internally, I look at him confused and disgust.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Kel being gently ushered away by the servants. She and the others bowed before leaving.
'Kel, where are you going? Do not leave me.'
I reached out desperately, but Nylis had already trapped me on the bed.
The door closed.
'Kel really left.'
Nylis adjusted my position as though it were the most natural thing in the world before casually lying down beside me.
Resting his cheek against one hand, he smiled.
'Should I kick him in the nuts or in that stupid grinning face?'
I glared at him.
'Is this even allowed?'
My eyebrows pull closer and closer together until my forehead begins to hurt.
Just as I prepare to kick him off the bed, he speaks.
"Does this not bring back memories, Velora?"
'Excuse me. You are lying beside an old man who does not even know who you are.'
Then again, he must have been close to the original Velora.
But the fact that he attacks the High Priest with that much power means one thing.
'He is dangerous.'
I weigh my choices.
'Kick him out and possibly die?'
'Or preserve my life?'
I slowly rise from the bed.
Nylis looks at me in confusion.
I walk toward the door and reach for the handle.
A heavy dark presence suddenly spreads throughout the room.
The light begins to dim.
An ominous pressure settles against my back.
I pull the handle.
Nothing happens.
'What the…?'
'It is locked?'
I glance behind me.
For a brief moment, Nylis stares at me with a cold, deadly expression.
The instant our eyes meet, his mood changes completely.
He flashes me a bright smile and pats the empty space beside him.
I stare at him as I have no choice but to be stuck with him.
I slowly get close and grab a pillow.
Nylis's smile brightens.
I walk past the bed and lie down directly on the floor.
His smile disappears.
"Ehh, Velora!?"
'Let us simply sleep and ignore him.'
"Why are you sleeping on the floor? It is dirty!"
Nylis leans down and reaches for my hand, visibly concerned by my behavior.
I smack his hand away.
"Ouch."
He finally lets go and looks at me dejected.
For a moment, the room became silent.
"Velora…"
I close my eyes.
"So unfair…"
I turn my back toward him and make myself comfortable on the floor.
Nylis continues staring down at me.
"Sleep… bed..."
I open one eye as Nylis continous to mumble..
"What?"
He grips the blanket in frustration.
"I said, sleep on the bed! I will sleep on the floor!"
I answer so quickly that he freezes.
"Okay."
Before he has time to reconsider, I push him out the bed, I grab a pillow and give it to him with an additional blanket, pat his back and climb onto the bed to pull the blanket over myself.
'This is my bed in the first place.'
Nylis remains standing beside it, speechless.
He looks at the floor.
He looks at me.
He looks back at the floor.
I close my eyes.
'You offered.'
Eventually, I fall asleep.
Once Nylis realizes that I am completely asleep, his expression slowly changes.
He quietly rises from the floor and approaches the bed.
Leaning closer, he gently presses a kiss against my hair.
He starts to mumble.
"Tell me, Velora…"
"Does this not bring back memories?"
His expression softens as an old memory resurfaces.