I really shouldn't have listened.
Why did I listen to her?
"Hey. Who's this bitch?" Leah said, glaring daggers at the girl beside . Evelyn—or Eve, since it's shorter—was clinging to like a teenager who just t her first love.
"Uh, there's a special reason for this!" I said, my voice cracking slightly as Serena and the others gave looks that scread, Suspicious.
Let's rewind for a mont and recount how this ss happened.
---
After I managed to clear up the misunderstanding between and the duke's daughter, she explained her situation.
It turns out she's been searching for sothing and the only way to obtain it was to beco an adventurer. So, about a year ago, she registered as an adventurer and dove headfirst to accept missions like crazy. She ca across a goblin extermination about 2 months ago which was when we first t.
She said sothing about being the one she was looking for but that was it because afterwards I couldn't hear shit.
You see, I have never been in love and I developed a bit of fear when it cos to the thought of love, or soone showing affection towards .
That's why Fen and the others were so comforting for , because while I know they care but they also don't at the sa ti. They respect and treat as part of their pack but that was it.
As far as I could rember everyti the boundary I have with soone is crossed, I distance myself away from them to avoid getting hurt. My parents weren't exactly the best when it ca to showing the 'good' side in love.
Pretty sure that was why I was a recluse back on Earth and I'm fine with that!
Yet here was Eve, clinging to like a barnacle and dragging back to the inn. Did she foresaw trying to run? Probably, because her grip tightened the mont I even thought about it.
'Ha...' I sighed ntally, what do I do now?
*Present ti*
"Anyway, that's what happened. She probably mistook for soone." I said.
Truth be told, I don't dislike her touch as much as I thought I would which is already blaring up the alarms inside my head.
To be honest, I have no idea what to do.
'System, any idea?' I ask, wondering if it could give answers.
[System Response:
Just be responsible and make a choice. ]
The system's chanical voice carried a smug tone, and if it had a face, I was sure it'd be smirking.
'If I could make a choice, I wouldn't be asking you!' I said ntally.
[System Response:
Then learn. She's from a ducal house. If she wanted to, she could wipe out your village in an instant with their family's personal army. Didn't you say you'd step up as a leader? This is your chance. Use her resources. Open trade routes to your kingdom. Isn't that what you want? ]
While that is sothing I wanna do, I couldn't do it like that. I have rules. Using soone who isn't an enemy isn't how I operate.
I sighed feeling conflicted. Before I could dwell on it further, a small, childish voice pulled back to reality.
"Mama? What's wrong? I didn't even notice that I was now sitting on the chair while Leah, Eve and the other's were talking. Titan was there, holding Mika like how the monkey held simba. The kid's worried eyes made my tense heart a bit relieved. I guess this is why people like watching cute stuff whenever they're depressed, huh?
"It's nothing, Mika." I said, scooping the little girl into my arms, the kid wrapping her tiny little hands on my neck.
Titan sat on the chair my right, he's not saying anything, I an he can't but still I could feel the atmosphere around change from tense to relaxed at their company.
"Hehe~" Mika giggled. The kid's voice warming my heart.
"Aria? You okay?" I heard Eve's voice call out, looking up I saw that the other's were looking at as well. Their eyes a mix of worry and confusion.
Should I say it's nothing? Or should I tell the truth? But I feel like saying the truth will make lose sothing from myself, so do I lie?
But after lying what happens next? Will I be in a relationship with them? Would she be happy with ? What would happen in the future? She ranks so high up here in this world, I'm sure she can look for soone better. What happens if she gets disappointed? Actually why am I even thinking like I'm planning on agreeing?!
While I was stuck in my thoughts I saw Eve walking slowly towards , she knelt down on one knee as she held my hands holding Mika.
"I'm not forcing you on anything, okay? I apologize if it's too sudden, I got too excited. I haven't planned on being sothing with you yet, don't worry. Let's start out as friends?" She said, it felt more like a plea though. I didn't an for that to happen, It's just...
I sighed, again. This was annoying. But if running wasn't an option, and hurting her wasn't either, then...
"Okay. Let's start as friends," I said with as much conviction as I could muster but the conflicted feeling I have didn't disappear.
At that, Eve's face lit up like a sunbeam. I could tell she was genuinely happy.
"Hold up! If she's allowed to do that, then so am I!" Serena cut in and surprising , her voice brimming with determination and envy? Why would she be envious?
"Seriously? Riding that wave?" Levy sighed, shaking her head.
"Doesn't matter! At least I tried!" Serena shot back, her gaze locked on . Her ocean-blue eyes captivating and holding still. I never knew she could be so direct? Or did she always been that and I just failed to notice?
I heard Leah groan from the side but I was too preoccupied with all that I'm hearing right now.
What? What does that an? What does she an by her as well?
Serena and Eve were back to a fight with words again, this ti even Leah had a say.
'...System scratch that. I'm out.' I said.
Without another thought, I unconsciously used shadow magic after taking Titan and Mika with .
Before I knew it, we were already teleported to an alley near the library. Since it's dark out nobody seed to notice what just happened.
I didn't know I could travel like that?
Eve probably realized halfway through what I was doing—she might've even known exactly where I'd go. But it didn't matter. My priority was getting out of that madhouse.
If I had known I could travel in the shadows I could've just used it and be done with everything by now...
[System Response:
You can't. This travel only allows you to go towards a place you have been to. The host's mana must stay for atleast 2 days before you can travel on the location. ]
The system poured cold water on before I could've thought about my plan on where else I could go.
Well, if I really think about it, I guess it's just fair.
Anyway! Food!
Nothing beats eating when overwheld by emotions!
I'm not going back....at least until I understand, so I hope they'll let be just for an hour or so...
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