Chapter 235 [Festival Of Love] [3] [Regret]
Chapter 235 [Festival Of Love] [3] [Regret]
n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
The laughter of students echoed within the open field.
The place, beautifully decorated with different ornaments, shined, giving a positive attitude to everyone.
Even after all that happened to them, the students still tried to be happy, some making new friends, some missing the old ones.
And within hundreds of them, a single boy stood alone on the side.
With a simple hoodie and jeans, he remained the oddity, different from all around him.
Aimar drank the wine arranged for the students without looking around.
His blank gaze stayed on the glass of wine in his hand.
A lot has happened to him, a lot has changed in him.
He does remember when he last laughed, when he was last happy, when he was... himself.
But the loss of one single person took everything away.
And now, nothing gives him the happiness he always took for granted.
Like how he always thought Oliver would be with him until the end.
"Aimar."
He turned around to look back as he heard someone calling him.
A handsome boy with brown hair stood there, his gray eyes looking at Aimar.
Aimar looked at him confusingly as he noticed a slight pain and regret in his eyes.
Ignoring it, he looked toward his side where another girl with dark chocolate brown hair stood close to him.
"What do you want, commoner?" Aimar asked, looking at Ethan.
"I am not a commoner now," Ethan replied, staring at him, "I am a noble of this empire—"
"What do you want?" Aimar cut in, giving him an annoyed look.
"...About Oliver," Ethan replied with a tired sigh, his voice remorseful, "I am sorry for what happened to him."
"....."
Aimar quietly looked at him. Even though he could sense his words were genuine, he couldn't help but feel angry at them.
"I don't need your pity," he snarled as he turned around. "You both can go fuck yourselves for all I care."
"Hey!" Ethan grabbed his shoulder, squeezing it tightly. "Take that back."
Aimar sighed as he yanked his hand away. Turning back, he looked at Ethan.
"Who do you think you are?" he said, his tone low. "Or has the little power you gained made you forget your origin, commoner?"
"Aimar, he is just trying to—"
"I am not talking to you," his head snapped as he glared at Ruby. "Keep your mouth shut."
"You are crossing the line," Ethan said as he stood in front of Ruby.
"I am just reminding you," he replied as he stepped closer, "....No matter how much power you hold, you will always belong to the streets like every other commoner."
Ethan stepped back as he took a battle stance, raising his hand to cover his face.
A group of students had already started to gather around them, looking at them curiously.
"...Isn't that Oliver's brother?"
"Yeah."
"Why is he fighting Ethan? Doesn't he know about the church protecting him?"
"Of course he does; at this point, who doesn't?"
Their mumbling voices echoed as more and more students started to gather around them.
"What is happening?" a voice echoed, and the crowd made way for a girl to walk.
Miley quickly rushed toward them as she noticed them.
"What are you guys doing?" she asked, glaring at Aimar.
Aimar just shrugged as he turned around to walk away.
"I need an apology," Ethan's firm voice echoed as he stared at Aimar's back.
Without looking back, Aimar replied, showing his middle finger, "Go fuck yourself."
"Aimar!" Miley shouted as she grabbed his hand. "If you are at fault, then just apologize."
Aimar sighed as he forcefully released his hand.
Even though he knew what she was doing might be something her father had asked,
even though he knew she was trying to get on the good side of the Avatar,
he was just too tired to listen to her demands.
Without looking back, he walked away from them.
There was still more than an hour for the festival to start in earnest, and he was already thinking of going back.
"....Hmm?"
But his steps halted as someone stood in his path.
He looked up at the beautiful girl with bright crimson eyes and silver hair that fell down her back.
"...You need something, Shyamal?" Aimar asked curiously as he looked at the girl.
"...Azariah," Shyamal whispered quietly. "Where is he?"
"He is with...."
His words trailed off as he looked at Shyamal.
She looked anxious, a sharp contrast to her usual self.
...And he could vaguely guess the reason.
"He is with his spirit," he replied, looking at her. "Don't worry; he will be here in an hour."
Shyamal quietly nodded, turning to walk away.
"All the best," Aimar said, looking at her departing figure.
...She needed it.
"Thank you," a soft whisper came back from her.
.....
.....
.....
"Haah."
I let out a tired sigh as I lay on the top of the hill I had climbed.
The stars filled the entire sky, a chilly wind hitting my face drenched with sweat.
"Well, you are a lot more capable than I thought," I turned my head to look at my side as Christina mumbled.
She lay right beside me, with her head resting on my arm.
"It wasn't that hard," I replied, not trying to show my fatigue.
It was hard to climb all the way, with gravity messing me up on every step.
...Makes me wonder how this even works, as the gravity only affected me, not the others.
"You did great," Christina complimented as she turned her body sideways.
I did the same, lying on my side, looking into her eyes.
"You worked hard," she whispered softly, raising her hand to gently touch my face.
"Well, I did," I replied, nodding my head.
"Do you want a reward?" she purred, shifting her body closer to mine, her distinct fragrance engulfing me.
"...And what are you going to reward me?" I asked, feigning calmness as I looked at her.
She didn't reply; instead, she closed her eyes while gently bringing her face close to mine.
Her rosy lips just inches away from mine.
"Have you guys forgotten about me?" a childlike voice echoed, destroying the mood.
"Why are you not going to sleep?" I groaned in frustration as I looked down.
Olivia sat between me and Christina, her crimson eyes looking at both of us weirdly.
"I don't feel like sleeping," she replied, looking at me.
I glanced at Christina, who had her eyes closed while she took deep breaths.
...She is beyond pissed.
"You are the smartest one, Olivia," I sighed as I lay down on my back. "....Why are you acting like this?"
"Can't I be with you, Father?" she replied, her voice emotional.
"That's not what—"
"It's fine, Az," Christina cut in as she stood back up, dusting her clothes. "We should go now."
"...Right," I replied as I stood up and scooped up Olivia in my arms. "Wait, how are we supposed to get down?"
"Don't worry, they already turned off the runes," Christina replied as she stepped down on the stairs without any problem.
I nodded my head as we walked down.
"Just to be sure," I turned to look at Christina as she mumbled, her voice uncertain. "....Can you guess my dress, or should I tell you now?"
"First, that's cheating," I replied, gently hitting her head, "and second, I already know what you are going to wear."
"Really?" she asked, her voice doubtful.
"Really," I replied with a light smile as we skipped steps to move down.
And in just a few minutes, we were already on the ground.
"I will see you soon," Christina said with a smile as she stretched her hands toward Olivia. "Let's go."
"Wait, where are you going?" I asked as Olivia didn't resist and moved into her arms.
"I have someone I want to meet," she replied with a light smile.
"...Okay," I replied, nodding in response.
She smiled as she walked closer, placing a gentle kiss on my cheek.
"Be ready," she smiled brightly as she walked into the crowd.
[Are you ready?]
'Why do you sound happy?'
I grumbled as I walked toward the academic festival grounds.
[No, I am just curious how you are going to handle the situation.]
'Given my track record, I will handle it badly.'
I sighed tiredly as I entered the open field again.
Most of the students had already sat down on the chairs placed for them, while an anchor stood on the stage.
I quickly found Aimar as I walked toward him.
....Guess your love...
....is about to begin.