Chapter 101: The End of a Festival (V).
Trigger Warning: This story contains mentions of suicide and themes of self-harm that may be distressing to some readers. Reader discretion is advised.
"Well... before I speak further about the past. [Obex Clastrum]." (Professor Fraeya) lifted a finger and quietly cast the spell. A faint ripple shimmered through the air before settling around the bed like invisible glass. The barrier sealed the space- no sound within would escape beyond it.
Satisfied, she hummed softly, tapping her cheek as she considered where to begin.
Of course... a story should start at the beginning.
"Once upon a time... well... almost four thousand years ago," she began quietly, "there lived a race who believed themselves superior to all others."
Professor Fraeya absentmindedly twirled a loose strand of her silver hair between her fingers, a faint smile touching her lips.
"They believed their knowledge and teachings placed them above the rest. Their magic was advanced, their traditions ancient... yet they hoarded everything they knew and laughed at those who did not understand what they did." Her eyes softened slightly. "It was a kingdom of elves. Ruled by a cautious and strict king who valued order and power above all."
She leaned back in the chair, her voice drifting into memory. "In that kingdom, appearance meant everything. Elves born with calm silver hair were considered royalty- blessed by the moon goddess, Lunae. She gifted them with wisdom and intelligence."
"Those blessed by the sun god Solis were born with bright golden hair. They excelled in warfare and were tasked with defending the kingdom. And those born with green hair carried the blessing of Solum, the spirit of fertile earth. They could sense rich soil and nurture plants to flourish. Because of them, the elven lands never experienced famine."
Professor Fraeya paused. "Humans... once lived in that same land before they created their own kingdoms, the ones you know now. But they lived as our slaves."
She looked down at Analissa for a moment before continuing. "There were not many of them. Just a small clan living quietly in the provinces."
Her voice carried a faint bitterness. "The elven princess would have done it sooner... if not for her father. Back then she wasn't even crown princess, she had only one pure brother and others were her half-siblings born out of the concubines he had."
She folded her hands together. "Eventually, the next generation of elves forgot about them entirely. Humans went on to build their own beliefs. Their church, their pastors... and the goddess they worship as the Goddess of Light."
Professor Fraeya smiled faintly. "The irony is that their goddess is the same one we revered, Lunae. The moon goddess and the goddess of light... are one and the same."
Her gaze drifted to Analissa; she remembers all the people she encountered with an abundance of talent for light magic and even a library dedicated to her studies... but it was all burned down to the ground by an unknown organization who believes in the demon king's will.
"The moon goddess Lunae blesses people with light magic regardless of race. If only you had seen those times... there were many like you and they loved the gift she bestowed. They lit the night roads for travelers... healed the wounded... guided lost souls home."
"There were hundreds... every generation." She leaned slightly closer. "But the goddess had a favorite."
Her voice softened.
"A human girl born into slavery... yet she believed she was free. She was the most beloved of Lunae's children." The elven professor exhaled slowly, she closed her eyes and tried to remember the human's face. "The elven princess first saw her from the palace balcony."
"It was the day a ship arrived carrying human slaves. One of them caught the princess' attention, born from curiosity and fascination. She had brown hair... and the brightest brown caramel eyes she had ever seen. Her name was Zohariel. She had no family name. Slaves weren't allowed such honors." (Professor Fraeya) chuckled softly at the memories of their youth, all these years she's been doing nothing but teaching in hopes she could continue to understand and protect humans in her stead.
"When we were children... I was like a moth drawn to her light. I knew humans were slaves. But to me..." She shook her head with a faint smile. "Did you know the first thing she ever said to me?"
Her expression warmed, slowly she forgot that she needed to talk in third person and slowly wanted to tell the story from her own point-of-view.
"She called me a stupid spoiled princess... and then ran away blowing raspberries." (Princess Fraeya) laughed quietly, finally stopping to tell the story in a third person's point of view.
"I suppose many people thought that about me behind my back. But she was the only one bold enough to say it to my face. That intrigued me. So I started behaving whenever she was nearby." She paused, thinking. "I don't remember exactly when it happened. But somewhere along the way... I fell in love with her."
Professor Fraeya stared at her hands. "I promised I would make her my bride. I told her that I would change everything once I ruled, I would make humans free- break the chains my own people bestowed upon them and we would live together as Queens."
"I... was too naive. My father was furious and she took it out on Zohariel. I begged him to set her free in exchange I will fall in line, do everything he tells me to in exchange for her safety. And once she was..." The elven princess looked toward the sleeping Analissa.
"She devoted herself to helping people with her magic. She healed the sick. Fed the poor. Protected the weak. She helped so many people... that her body eventually failed her." Professor Fraeya's voice dropped, remembering that the nurse wanted to rush the young girl into doing the same thing, to serve her people at her age where she should be enjoying life making mistakes while she can and growing as an individual.
Zohariel didn't get to have that choice.
Silence filled the barrier for a moment.
"She took her own life." The eldest princess could recall everything that had happened, suicide was truly something fearful and an unexpected event.
"When humans learned of her death... they blamed me. They left the elven kingdom. They traveled across the world and built their own kingdoms." Her tone grew distant. "And that... is how the start of the human era began."
Another pause.
"When the goddess learned of the true reason for Zohariel's death, Lunae was so angry that for one whole century no light magic users appeared around the world. She has stopped giving her gifts... and instead was met with catastrophe. After a century of waiting, light magic users appeared again but only ten to thirty have been documented each century that passes."
"The goddess Lunae mourned her death." (Professor Fraeya) looked down at Analissa again feeling wistful. "I suppose hearing the happier version of that story now and then gives me a little hope... that maybe things could have been different."
She leaned back slightly, hearing the nurse tell the wonderful story of what could've been pains her in some way. "People often say the problem was her lifespan. That she should have lived longer so we could have been together. Humans and elves were considered... improper partners. The council called such relationships filthy. A threat to pure elven blood."
Professor Fraeya's eyes dimmed. "But after centuries of thinking... One thought finally broke me."
She whispered quietly. "Why was she the one who needed a longer life... just to stay with me? Why wasn't I born human...so I could have lived a shorter life beside her?"
Silence lingered.
"My brothers and sisters wanted alliances. The nobles wanted heirs. But I..." (Professor Fraeya) gave a sad smile. "I just wanted to be with her. I wanted to be with her till we were old and gray, we could've just stayed at a far away village living our lives in a small little cottage. If I was human then... it could've been possible."
"My apologies, I don't think I can continue any longer. I thought I had moved on after four thousand years, it seems the pain is still there." After a moment, she straightened slightly. "I've long abandoned my duties but I'm technically still the eldest princess of the elven kingdom. At the academy I simply claim to be a noble from a lesser house."
She brushed a strand of silver hair behind her ear. "I did consider dyeing my hair... to green. But in the end I couldn't bring myself to do it. She loved my hair the most."
Her expression softened again.
"My younger brother now stands next in line for the throne." She smiled faintly as she leaned back in the chair. "And here I am... telling ancient love stories to a sleeping student. I wonder if Zohariel would laugh at me for that."
For a while, she said nothing.
The only sounds were the soft crackle of lanterns and the steady rhythm of Analissa Blanchet's breathing. Professor Fraeya rested her elbow against the arm of the chair, her chin propped lightly on her hand as she studied the sleeping girl.
Even unconscious, Analissa seemed peaceful. The faint glow of lingering light magic still clung to her like the last traces of moonlight before dawn. The elven professor's green eyes softened.
"You remind me of her," she murmured quietly.
She leaned back again, letting the silence settle around them. It was not an uncomfortable silence. In fact, she had always found something comforting about quiet company- especially when it came from someone who didn't expect anything from her.
Elves grew used to long stretches of time like this.
Humans rarely did.
Her gaze drifted toward the door waiting for a certain someone to come back. "Your Lady Evelyn is quite something, I have seen many people devoted to others in my lifetime... but that one is especially stubborn."
A faint smile tugged at her lips.
"She threatened me, you know." (Professor Fraeya) tapped her cheek thoughtfully. "Well... politely threaten me. Not only that I recall her asking me for help for the oranges, she and her cousin are the same. They only come to me when they need something."
Her eyes moved back to Analissa.
"She said she would come looking for me if you disappeared. That girl is frighteningly serious about you." The elf folded her hands loosely in her lap, watching the rise and fall of Analissa's chest.
Evelyn Alarie had walked out with such determination, yet Professor Fraeya could almost imagine the girl pacing somewhere in the hallway, arguing with whoever had come to see her.
Or perhaps refusing to leave entirely.
"That girl..." (Profesor Fraeya) muttered softly. Her expression grew gentler. "She'll probably run straight back the moment she's done. And you'll wake up to find her sitting exactly where she was before."
She leaned back again, allowing the quiet to settle.
"Well," she said softly, looking down at Analissa, "until then... I suppose I'll keep you company."
The elf closed her eyes for a moment, listening to the calm rhythm of the infirmary and wondering just how long it would take before the stubborn Lady Evelyn Alarie returned through that door.
...
Step, step, step.
"Did your mistress come back to her dorm already?"
"Yes and she's incredibly tired, she wanted to take a bath before going to sleep and here I am... fetching water for her so late in the evening." The way to the dorm was far, it was already late in the evening and every student had now entered their rooms. A few maids were walking around doing their daily chores as always when suddenly-!
Step, step, step!
Heavy and fast paced footsteps could be heard. The villainess was walking so fast that they nearly bumped into her but thankfully they were quick to move out of their way.
The maids roaming around were looking at the villainess with curious eyes- the festival was over after all and it seems she didn't look fine.
"Isn't she Lady Evelyn Alarie? What happened, why is her clothes covered in burns and holes?"
"I heard from my mistress that this year's foundation festival was truly chaotic. The young lady punched her own fiancé, the crown prince that gravely injured her and then ran to carry a commoner girl out of the arena." The other girl from the dormitory couldn't believe all of that happened just today for their academy's foundation festival. "She's very well known, you know. The commoner girl from 1-A."
"Oh by the light! I can't believe she punched the crown prince. There's a lot more going on than it seems, I suspect that they're having a falling out or..." The maid pauses as she holds her chin thinking in deep thought.
The two maids continued to gossip as the villainess focused on her goal.
"I have to go back as soon as possible."
Clack.
When she arrives at her dorm room, she doesn't even bother knocking and just opens it.
"M-Milady." Standing inside was Melody, one of her maids.
And she was relieved to see their young lady safe after hearing the news of what happened to the other maids. They could only rely on the rumors and prayed that she was safe. "A-Are you alright? We heard from the other maids that you punched the crown prince in the face and that you've been burned badly."
It's already spread this much already.
Evelyn Alarie ignored her question and was hell bent focused on going back into the infirmary. "I need new clothes quickly. I have to depart as soon as I change. Tell your sister that she needs to be there with me to take care of Analissa Blanchet-"
"Milady." There stood the eldest sister Liara with a calm smile on her face. The air around all of her maids seemed off, they were too formal and unnatural. It reeked of fear. "Welcome home. Please, come in and mind your steps."
The villainess stiffened before looking back at Melody who nodded for confirmation, it was a code between all of them.
"...I see." The villainess began to take her clothes off and gave it to Liara. "Since when do I have to mind my steps?"
Liara replies with a hum as she takes the villainess' clothes full of holes from the flames of last match in her arms, "Hmm... I suppose when you are twenty minutes away from the dormitory you should mind your steps because it's already late at night, especially in the living room. A few floors are loose too."
"...good advice." The villainess heads inside, and by the warning of her servants two knights dawning on their family crest were guarding the man she didn't want to see.
The smell of cigar wafts over the air as she sees her father looking over a painting by the wall.
"Father." (Lady Evelyn) called out, she stood by the frame of the door and waited for his move.
"Evelyn." Duke Vernon Alarie sees his daughter and froze, beforehand he had prepared a speech. He wanted to trash that boy for hurting his only daughter, but after seeing her now all fine and with no scratch his anger faded away and was relieved to see her alright.
However his own daughter didn't have the patience, time or interest to entertain his father because someone more important was waiting for her in the infirmary. She already wasted enough of her time being forced to compete, she doesn't want to talk to her own father right now.
"Have you come here to lecture me? I must apologize but it seems that your daughter is not enough to win against a cunning prince. I understand and I will accept any punishment you will give me as long as you do it quickly." (Lady Evelyn) wanted him out of her room.
Duke Vernon said nothing but only flicked his cigar, letting the ashes at the edge of the tip fall down before taking one last puff and putting it out. He eyes his daughter before gesturing to the seat in front of her, "Sit down."
The villainess says nothing at first but she shakes her head seeing that her clothes needed a bit of change, "At least let me change my clothes father, I'm not sure if you've noticed but your daughter has been burned near death by her own fiancé."
That stopped the Duke in his tracks, "...I-I uh... cough. You change your clothes and then you can sit down. We need to talk."
Liara lowers her head and leads the villainess away, "This way milady. My sisters will serve tea for the Duke, Melody and Nayeli. I will leave it to you."
The two could only nod and follow orders, they went into the kitchen to serve tea to the villainess' father.
===
Lady Evelyn was accompanied by Liara to her room, she puts the burnt coat over by the side and helps her change clothes.
"What the hell is he doing here?" She paced around the corner of the room, a bit bothered how his father had the balls to visit the girl's dormitory just like that. "What a bother."
Her maid takes a new blouse for her to wear and lifts it, the whole family is truly a worry. "We have heard of what happened from the other maids about an hour ago and then confirmed the rumors once Duke Vernon came looking a bit worried."
"Worried? Hmph, is he worried about his own daughter or the Alarie family's reputation? I doubt he came here to check how I'm doing." She finishes changing clothes and almost slammed the door on the way out of her bedroom.
Thud!
"..."
Liara overlooks the now closed door, her smile fading. "Things are going to be a lot harder for us, isn't it?"
===
"Your match with the crown prince... It needed a lot of work and improvement. We all know he doesn't have a chance with you, that girl from the other class was skills ahead- It could've gone better." She just sat down but immediately a barrage of complaints came from the one and only war headed Duke Vernon Alarie.
"..."
Every move you make will be judged, criticized and sometimes be humiliated even for losing in battle. All that Duke Vernon wants is to ensure that the Alarie name will not be tainted and will not be seen as weak.
"You've gotten soft on your days at the academy. After your exams you'll be doing nothing but military camp for your spring break to make sure you stay ahead against everyone else." He suggested and Lady Evelyn lowered her head to hide the frown forming in her face and her dissatisfaction.
Military summer camp by the province... It was dreadful.
She was already planning to ask Analissa if she wants to go somewhere during spring break. It was the promise she offered, spring break happens after exams... but now she has no choice but to go to a military camp?!
"Father... I... I don't think I want to-" The villainess gathers her courage to tell him that she doesn't desire to be stuck in camp all spring break!
She wants to be with the person she likes! Go on dates, invite her out after work or at least make some progress on their current relationship!
Those will be wasted two weeks of spring break!
Duke Vernon already knows what her usual puppy eyes are asking for, "You. Cannot. Refuse."
He reminds her that she is part of a powerful family that is well known to have the betterment of their time. "You are an Alarie, my father always put me in military camps during spring break and summer when I was your age. Everyone in the family did, I see my flaws. It seems they were right. I have gotten soft on you."
The moment he says that, the villainess' head lowers even more.
"..." (Duke Vernon) jolts, knowing that this shouldn't be too much for her.
In this kingdom women were known to have the 'lesser roles', a housewife, cook, cleaner etc. The noble house Alarie doesn't see that misogynistic view, for in a fight no one will be spared be it man or woman.
Men and women in the noble family Alarie were trained equally- physically and mentally.
If the lower branch notices that the main branch of the family doesn't send the current heiress onto the camp, what would they all say?
'My daughter is not weak... but am I being soft on her?' (Duke Vernon) was conflicted inside his mind. He kept talking to himself over and over. 'She is already eighteen. I know I have raised my daughter to be strong, to prepare for the hardships ahead. I would have failed as a father if I did not push her to achieve greatness.'
Evelyn should not be seen as incapable. Everyone knows she is capable of being the new Queen, this would be a great power and position for anyone to have.
'But after what that royal pain in the ass did to my daughter, I'm rethinking everything the crown has to offer.' He sighs, taking another puff. "If I receive a splendid report on your time in camp in your first week, I will reconsider letting you go the rest of your remaining days. You can do whatever you like, I don't care."
"Really?!" Hearing her father say that was already a miracle. She was about to jump for joy but maintained her composure forgetting that her father was literally right in front of her, "I mean, thank you father."
Duke Vernon looks away, feeling a little happy of his daughter's thanks.
It is not easy being a parent.
"Are you... you're... you can still walk right? You look fine."
But one can only try their best.
"Having no wand, people might say its near suicide but what my grandfather tells us its a weapon for those who doesn't know how to control their magic. You did well but don't get ahead of yourself-" He simply wanted to ask if his daughter was alright, while watching the match he almost committed treason to the crown by killing the heir to the throne but thankfully Evelyn is alright.
Though his face remained impassive, and his steps deliberate and cold, a trace of something unspoken lingered in the set of his shoulders- a flicker of pride buried beneath the veneer of duty. His daughter had acted boldly, and only he knew the weight of that accomplishment.
The royal family will not get away easily with their excuses for this one.
Lady Evelyn could feel his awkwardness from over where she was sitting but relieved that her father... cared. Even if it was just a little... but still her anger was there. She didn't even want to join the duel competition, yet he forced her to for the sake of the Alarie family's reputation.
"Yes, father, I can still walk. I owe it all to Analissa Blanchet, she saved me. It's thanks to her that I'm alive." The fondness in her eyes was clear. "She's currently in the infirmary, unconscious. I want to go to her immediately... to make sure she's okay. My duties over at the student council will be taken care of next week and I made sure to finish my work regarding the lower branch estate."
Duke Vernon took another slow puff from his cigar, studying his daughter with a calculating eye.
"I see... so this Analissa Blanchet saved you. The commoner girl with light magic." His tone carried both curiosity and a faint skepticism. Another light magic user trying to get into the good graces of an Alarie. "You must be close for her to risk her life on your behalf."
"Yes, Father. We're good friends," (Lady Evelyn) replied calmly, but with a firmness that left no room for doubt.
Duke Vernon's lips curved slightly. "An Alarie's duty is to repay those who save them. I will send my thanks to her personally but tread carefully, you shouldn't get too close. Remember what happened to your cousin. She died... because of a light magic user. I would not want you to go on the same path."
Lady Evelyn lowers her head, wanting to tell him that he was wrong. Olivia Charlotte Alarie is alive and she has proof, she has proof... that she's married and with a child with her lover.
But for her cousin's sake... It's best to respect her wishes to not be dragged back into the pits of hell.
"...she saved me, father, please do not compare her to a woman from the past. Analissa Blanchet is more than meets the eye but I thank you for your advice." (Lady Evelyn) hesitated for a moment, looking over to her father to see his reaction.
Duke Vernon finished his cigar with a measured inhale and set it carefully in the ashtray, the smoke curling lazily upward. His expression was calm, almost detached. "I taught you to have good judgement, you are an Alarie. Then before I leave I want to ask you one last thing."
His sharp eyes flicked to Evelyn, a subtle glimmer of amusement hidden beneath his usual cold composure. "Did he bleed when you punched him in the face?"
Lady Evelyn scoffed, a small but confident smile tugging at her lips. "He did."
Duke Vernon's lips curved ever so slightly- just enough to betray the faintest trace of pride but his eyes remained calculating, always measuring, always evaluating. "Good... good."
He straightened, the chill of authority settling back over his features. "I'll tell your mother what happened. When she hears that you punched the crown prince, things will not go well."
He paused, and for the briefest instant, the sharp edges of his demeanor softened.
"I will get going then," he continued, voice steady. "I'll be speaking with the academy director to conduct a proper investigation but we both know where it will lead, a mere slap on the wrist."
The air was tense but unspoken between them; the chill of his usual presence filled the room, but there was warmth buried deep in that glimmer of pride, hidden under decades of control and expectation.
He stood up smoothly, his movements precise and measured, leaving no trace of hesitation. Without a glance at the tea that had been carefully prepared for him, he turned on his heel and exited the room.
Lady Evelyn inclined her head. "Farewell, Father."
The soft click of the door closing behind him echoed through the space, leaving only the faint scent of cigar smoke lingering in the air.
"Milady, it seems that they have left completely," (Nayeli) announced softly.
"Good. I don't want to see him for a while," (Lady Evelyn) replied, her voice firm. "I want you all to come with me to the infirmary, to take care of Analissa Blanchet."
The servants nodded obediently, hearing the rumors from the other maids they knew the gist of what happened they didn't hesitate to help.
"Yes, Milady," came the quiet response, and the group began to move.
===
Academy Infirmary
===
Knock! Knock! Knock!
A sudden, firm knock at the door broke the quiet. The nurse froze for a moment, her heart skipping a beat in the stillness of the late night.
Opening the door, she found Lady Evelyn standing there, flanked by her three maids. Their arms were laden with bundles: fresh blankets folded neatly, steaming bowls of soup carefully wrapped to preserve their heat, bottles of herbal tonics, and other small comforts meant to help a patient recover.
"It's late, you should be back in your dorm resting." The nurse said softly, surprised, coloring her tone.
Lady Evelyn stepped inside, her steps calm but purposeful, the maids following close behind.
"Is Professor Fraeya still here?" She asked, while the three maids got inside placing the blankets gently on the bed and setting down the soup and tonics. "I brought everything she might need to be comfortable and heal properly."
The nurse watched in quiet awe. Even in the stillness of night, Lady Evelyn's presence carried warmth and determination. Despite the hour, despite the empty halls, she had come for one purpose: to care for her good friend.
"It's nice that you really care for your friend, however students at this hour shouldn't be allowed-" The old nurse who wasn't finished scolding the young lady simply ignored her and got inside where she knew the professor was taking care of Analissa Blanchet who was quietly sleeping. "Youngsters these days- how rude. I can't believe I'm letting her slide but only because she's the daughter of a scary man."
...
Professor Fraeya chuckles seeing maids already running around and making themselves at home, "Welcome, I thought you weren't coming back. You were gone for quite a while. I already finished telling her my story."
The villainess took a chair and quietly sat beside her, glancing down at the sleeping heroine. "How is she?"
Professor Fraeya's gaze lingered on Analissa, still resting peacefully despite the dark truths she had now glimpsed of her past.
"Still the same," (Professor Fraeya) replied softly. "I only hope she finds some comfort in my company. Are you sure you need all of these maids to tend to her?"
Lady Evelyn's eyes swept over Liara, Melody, and Nayeli, who had come to a stop whatever they were doing in the narrow space of the infirmary.
"I... needed help carrying a few things," she admitted, her tone calm but firm. "You said we don't know when she'll wake up. I made sure to bring everything she might need."
"The nurse will handle most of it from here," (Professor Fraeya) said, her voice gentle, "but it is... admirable to see how deeply you care. Her parents will be informed of what happened, though it may take a while for their reply to arrive."
Lady Evelyn leaned forward slightly, curiosity mingling with concern. "Professor... What story did you tell her?"
Professor Fraeya's green eyes softened as they drifted to the sleeping girl. "The tale of Zohariel."
"Zohariel? Isn't that... the woman from the legend of the first Saintess?" (Lady Evelyn) asked, surprised. "I love that story and I... ahem my friend used to have a very limited children's book of it."
"My, your good friend has taste." (Professor Fraeya) nodded. "Four thousand years have passed, yet I cannot forget her face. The first Saintess of humankind was my... We were close. Much like you two."
'The professor is close with the first saintess?' (Lady Evelyn) calculated how many years it would've taken for them to meet. "You've met her?"
"Mm, She feared that I would forget what she looked like. Elves... have different lifespans compared to humans after all. I've lost all of her portraits, my father destroyed them all. Humans offered their own illustrations, imagining what she looked like, an image lost after a few thousand of years. A few kingdoms of the past entailed her blonde or even black haired with green eyes or blue."
Professor Fraeya's voice softened, tinged with quiet sorrow. "Their depictions were far from the truth, she had lovely brown hair and caramel eyes and a smile so bright... I remember when she was with me her light glowed a faint color of green, sometimes even yellow or blue."
Lady Evelyn sank back slightly, listening as Professor Fraeya continued to speak.
"I called her my firefly, because she reminded me of its light being so bright in the night but I regretted calling her that for such insects only lived a short while. She met the same fate." The elven professor rambled on about the past, about the first Saintess and the people who had shaped history.
Though there was one thing she didn't understand from the story... It was a happy ending, it made no sense for Zohariel to live a short life.
"Didn't she marry a prince in the end? And have children, live a full life?" (Lady Evelyn) asked innocently.
"...Ah! Yes, indeed," (Professor Fraeya) replied, a faint edge of sarcasm slipping into her voice, as if remembering only now that she only confided in the sleeping heroine. "My apologies. I seem to have forgotten that my good friend Zohariel was married to a human prince and had many children. Did I ruin the story for you?"
"N-No... you didn't, Professor," (Lady Evelyn) replied softly, sitting in silence. Her thoughts wandered, not just to the story, but to Professor Fraeya herself- how ancient she was, yet how much depth and weight lay behind her calm exterior.
The words Fraeya had spoken earlier struck her again. "The first Saintess of humankind... she was my... we were close. Much like you two."
The villainess hesitated, then decided to take a risk. "Did you... perhaps love her?"
"What?" Professor Fraeya's voice caught her off guard. She blinked, incredulous, needing to make sure she'd heard correctly.
Lady Evelyn pressed gently, "Did you love the first saintess?"
Did the elven professor love the first saintess?
Professor Fraeya stood up, not wanting to answer that question. "Humans... you live a short life. You should think of your future more carefully and pick a path where you'll be content and happy. Your cousin did it... I'd like to hope you'll find the right path for yourself, Lady Evelyn Alarie."
The villainess' thoughts flicked briefly to her cousin, Olivia Charlotte Alarie who was deemed dead after finding her body wanted to reach out after all of this time. She badly wanted to know how she's been... and write back a response. 'Right my cousin... the letter is still in my inventory. I forgot about her because of my worry for Miss Blanchet.'
"I'll open it when she wakes up. I want to read it with peace of mind... I'm just happy to know my cousin is alive and from what you've told me she's settling down peacefully in her new life."
Professor Fraeya's gaze softened slightly, "I need to go now. I'll visit when I can, the academy director might visit tomorrow after our meeting in the morning so best be prepared and make sure to get some sleep."
"Yes, professor."
Professor Fraeya gave a faint wave, a hint of a smile tugging at her lips, before turning toward the door.
...
Lady Evelyn's purple eyes shifted back toward the bed, where Analissa was still sleeping so softly. 'She has done so much for me, my heart could only feel pain seeing her like this.'
"Milady... should we go back?"
"I want to stay with Miss Blanchet. I don't want to leave her side, what if she wakes up and... I'm not there." The villainess sank slightly into her chair, letting in the warmth of the room, the soft breathing of the girl on the bed, and the quiet presence of her maids with a huge grin on their faces hearing their young lady's wish.
"Maybe we should leave the two of them alone for now." (Liara) suggested softly to the others.
"Nn, I hope they sleep well." (Melody) added, adjusting the blankets nearby.
"And I hope we get overtime pay from this," (Nayeli) complained, earning a light smack on the back of the head from the eldest before they all quietly excused themselves and left the infirmary.
===
Meanwhile, outside the infirmary...
"The festival has ended," (Professor Fraeya) murmured, gazing toward the distant city lights. Her silver hair caught the moonlight as a faint smile appeared on her lips. "Young people have it rough. I suppose I should take the chance for a drink while I can."
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Griffin
Bakachu
DevilWithoutDetails
Couch_Potato
Cage Bloodrun
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