Chapter 280 Aljanah Highbloods
Chapter 280 Aljanah Highbloods
She was a tall lady who looked like she was in her mid-thirties, with long ombre blonde hair and hazel-green eyes that sparkled with genuine happiness.
She wore a vintage gown that loosely clung to her body.
A [Main Heroine] of the prequel game and...
...my uncle\'s wife, Tyshara.
\'Looks like some things remained the same from the prequel game.\'
I looked at her in amusement as she pushed Killian aside with an annoyed look, as he kept blocking her path.
Avril gently parted from me as she looked back at them.
Her expression softened as her gaze landed on... her new family.
"Come here," she urged our aunt, who quickly skipped stairs to arrive in front of me.
Tyshara\'s gaze softened as she gently smiled.
"She is—"
"Our aunt," I cut into her words, glancing at her. "Right?"
"R-right," Avril stuttered, nodding her head hesitantly.
What\'s with her?
"I believe it\'s the first time we meet," I said, smiling awkwardly as I looked at her.
"What are you talking about?" Tyshara said, tilting her head in confusion. "We have met before."
Surprised, I asked, "Really?"
"Yes," she replied, nodding her head.
Using both her hands, she made a half-meter or so sign and smiled. "You were this much at that time."
I awkwardly rubbed my cheek. "...I was quite small."
"You were," she nodded, a mischievous smile on her face. "But unlike your age, you were quite a charmer."
I tilted my head in confusion. "Was I?"
"Of course," she replied, ruffling my hair. "I still remember how much headache you caused by proposing to the Elven Queen."
I froze at her words, trying to make sense of it.
Wait, what the fuck?
Why would I do that?
"I did what?" I asked, my brows knitting together.
"You don\'t remember?" she asked.
"Are you guys going to talk about everything right now?" A voice cut into her reply.
We both looked at the woman walking toward her.
She looked in her mid-fifties had purple hair and eyes—a signature look of the Aljanahs.
Her every step was graceful, while her lips curled up in a small smile.
She walked toward me, extending her hand, and gently touched my face.
"You have grown a lot," she whispered, her voice filled with emotion. "How have you been?"
I smiled awkwardly as I whispered, "Trying to be better."
"I am sorry," she softly mumbled, her gaze lowering. "Avril told us about your life."
My eye shifted toward Avril, who averted her gaze, unable to look at me.
\'What did she tell them?\' I wondered.
She herself doesn\'t know much about what happened to me.
All she knows is that Esmeray treated me a lot worse than she did her.
"I am sorry, I couldn\'t keep my child in control," she whispered, looking at me. "I am sorry you had to go through all that."
I smiled, shaking my head. "Don\'t worry, it wasn\'t that bad."
[<...Qais—>]
\'I don\'t want to share what happened to me, Inna.\'
I interrupted her words, already knowing what she wanted to say.
I don\'t want to share what I experienced.
Whatever I have been through is not something that I want to share with strangers.
[<They are your family.>]
\'Whom I met today.\'
[<.....>]
I know why she wants me to do that.
So, I don\'t become a cold-hearted person without empathy.
A being who is living just for the sake of living.
Honestly, even I don\'t want to be a person like my mother.
But...
\'...I would rather keep my past trauma to myself.\'
"Why are you guys so emotional all of a sudden?"
A deep voice echoed from behind my grandmother.
A boy with purple hair walked toward me, his height almost the same as mine.
He walked until he stopped in front of me.
Avril quickly arrived between us. "Brother Killian, he is Az—"
"Himmel," I cut into her words, extending my hand. "That\'s my name now."
"Killian," he replied with a smile, shaking my hand. "Heir of the Aljanah family."
"...Nice to meet you, Killian," I replied as I tried to retract my hand.
But he tightened his grip, refusing to let go.
"That\'s big brother Killian for you," he said, his lips curling up in a cheeky smile.
I tilted my head. "What?"
"Big bro—"
A slap on the back of his head made him abruptly stop.
"Who are you trying to intimidate?" Tyshara growled, pinching his ear and pushing him back.
Killian glared at her as he rebuked, "You are ruining my image, Tysh."
"What image?" she asked, slapping his head once again. "He is your brother, stupid. Don\'t try to act like a jerk."
"Argh, fine," he forcefully released himself, glaring at his mother. "I see your favorite child has changed."
Tyshara ignored his comment as she smiled toward me. "Take a seat. Do you want something to eat?"
I hastily shook my head in response. "I am in a little hurr—"
"Bring us some food," she ignored my words as she looked back at the maid.
"....."
Why ask when you were going to bring it anyway?
An elbow to my ribs made my head snap to my side.
"Why did you bring me here?" Aimar groaned, glaring at me. "I feel like—"
"You are?" Aunt asked.
"Aimar," he replied with a light smile. "Himmel\'s friend."
She smiled back. "Make yourself at home."
Aimar nodded awkwardly, averting his gaze.
"What do you plan to do next, son?" Grandma asked softly, taking a seat in front of us.
"We will be joining the academy," I replied. "Second-year students."
"Oh, which class?" Killian asked as he sat on the longer sofa along with his mother.
I shrugged. "Mariam is the headmaster, so whichever class I like."
"I see," he nodded while taking out his phone. "I will be your senior, so just call me if you need anything."
I nonchalantly nodded my head.
A maid quickly brought us some food, arranging it in front of us.
"Are you going to be alright?" she asked while I picked up some fruit. "I don\'t think the elves will welcome you."
"I will be fine," I replied with a light smile.
Her gaze turned toward her son, as if trying to say something.
But her expression turned furious as she looked at Killian smiling at his phone.
"Who are you talking with?" she asked, snatching his phone away.
"Tysh!" he exclaimed, trying to snatch his phone back. "Give me that!"
"Hm?" Aunt looked at his phone while keeping him at bay with her other hand. "Who is she?"
"Cecily," Killian said, snatching his phone back.
"Why are you destroying her life?" Aunt grumbled, slapping his face gently.
\'...\'
So he is close with her, huh?
I rubbed my chin as I looked at him.
[<Who is she?>]
\'Arianell\'s older sister,\' I replied as I munched on the fruit.
\'....Tasteless.\'
I mentally sighed.
Even after bathing in that, I still can\'t taste food.
That\'s a letdown.
"Elijah is also in his second year," Avril commented, standing up from her seat. "He should also meet with Az—"
"Avril," Tyshara whispered, stopping her in her tracks. Unlike before, her voice wasn\'t gentle but filled with hatred. "Only family members are allowed here."
"B-but—"
"Take your seat," she ordered, looking into her eyes.
Avril reluctantly took her seat back with a tired look.
I shifted my gaze as I observed other people\'s expressions.
Tyshara rubbed her eyes to calm herself, while both Killian and Grandma didn\'t show much reaction.
...As if it\'s something they experience daily.
I mentally took note of it as I noticed Tyshara looking at me.
"I heard about your fiancée," she said, her eyes softening a little. "I am sorry you had to lose someone so precious."
"It\'s fine," I replied with a light smile. "I haven\'t lost her. She is always with me."
"..."
A suffocating silence lingered between us.
They all looked at me with sadness and pity.
Avril slowly stood up from her seat as she walked toward me.
She grabbed my hand, making me stand up.
"I am sorry," she whispered, hugging me. "...I am sorry I wasn\'t there when you needed me."
"It\'s fine," I replied, patting her head. "You are worrying too much."
And it\'s not like anything would have changed if you were there.
Her grip tightened around me as she whispered, "You do know that Christina is gone forever."
"..."
I quietly patted her head, unable to reply.
I just can\'t say that I plan to bring her back.
[<They will think you have gone mad.>]
\'I know,\' I replied, gently stepping away from her hug.
She looked up at me, concern etched on her entire face.
"Az—"
"You should tell him, Avril," Killian interrupted her words. "Don\'t hide the truth from him."
I tilted my head in confusion.
"Not now—"
"You should, Avril," Tyshara added, looking at both of us. "It\'s better to inform him before he accidentally finds out."
"What are you talking about?" I asked, letting out a dry chuckle.
...This doesn\'t seem right.
I turned to look at Avril. "What truth?"
She sighed and gently guided me to sit on the sofa before settling down beside me.
"Promise me, you won\'t get mad," she whispered, staring at me with trembling eyes.
"Why—?"
"Please," she pleaded. "Promise me."
I hesitated for a moment before slightly nodding. "I promise."
She drew in a deep breath, her lips parting slowly.
"I am not your sister."