Stuck as a Villain!

Chapter Chapter120- We need to talk…

"How was your trip, son?"

Valarie greeted her child as she sensed him approaching.

Seth couldn't help but feel a little bad for his mother seeing her tired expression and exhausted spirit which stole away her natural vigor and even her voice seemed hoarse slightly.

"It was beneficial." fre(e)

Seth made his way up to his mother before standing behind her back. He led his hand toward the stiff shoulders of the Duchess before he began gently pressing them earning a soft sigh from the lady.

Valarie pushed away her work before she took out her glasses and leaned back on her chair to provide her son enough exposure and enjoy the blissful comfort as well. Her husband has massaged her various times in the past but nothing could beat those long fingers and firmness which Seth had.

The tension in her stiff muscles began to loosen up with his caress. It was such a delight to have a multi-talented and so caring son.

"Where is she, Mother?"

Valarie's expression stiffened a bit since she understood who Seth was talking about. Her muscles were still feeling the blissful sensation but the fact her expression so gravely shifted told Seth that his mother knows something.

"I sent her back to the academy since it was getting difficult keeping my hands away from her throat."

The slight murderous aura which enshrouded Valarie was enough to tell that Anabelle had a chat with the Duchess and the latter was far from pleased hearing Anabelle's words.

If not for Seth's promise, he knew his mother would have ended Anabelle right then and there but Seth couldn't allow it for some particular reasons.

"Are you planning to keep her, son?"

Valarie took hold of Seth's hand before urging him to take the seat near her. Seth obliged before he answered without contemplating much over his response.

"I need her."

Anabelle was a legendary healer and would become a figure who would hold platonic-level skills in the near future. She not only could become Seth's lifeline but also her connection with the divine tree was something Seth necessarily wanted.

There was his own personal attachment to the girl he once regarded as his little sister but Seth was more focused on the benefits Anabelle would bring to his side once this world would fall under chaos.

"Seth, I do not doubt your judgment but remember son if you forgive someone for betraying your trust once, then it would not only break your faith in them but also provide a sense of leeway for the person to further backstab you. I won't stop you from getting near to that girl even though I dearly wanted something else, but you have to be on guard since that girl is unstable in the head and can do anything to be with you, aloof of what her actions might bring consequences to you afterward."

The gleam in her eyes was of concern and Seth entirely understood the reason for it. Seth as well has recently found out how shaken up Anabelle has been, and she is until now.

She's the kind of girl who could light up the world if it leads her way beside Seth. It might be kind of romantic in someone's diary but Seth regarded such love as nothing less than an approaching disaster. Despite not wanting, Anabelle has pushed Arata to his awakening and now that guy was on his way to godhood.

Well in a way it would be a help since not everything Seth could do alone but the essence of the matter remains in the fact that Anabelle might have caused Seth his ultimate death if someday Arata decides to turn his sword toward his previous life rival. And even Seth knew he could grow exponentially from hereon, handling a demi-god was never an option for him.

In a way or another, Valarie was right but Seth knew how to control Anabelle. Until he shower her with affection and attention she would not do anything foolish and Seth has planned to do just that. Anabelle was important for various reasons and Seth by no means could lose her considering how this world might drop to scrap without her presence.

"Thanks, Mom. Thanks for everything you have been doing for me."

Feeling her son's warm hand over hers and the rare smile that Valarie was greeted with, eased all her stress at once before she replied with a chuckle.

"Nothing I do is for your gratitude son. You just be safe out there, that's all I could ask for."

*****

"Round four, Ciel Ionhart wins!!!"

A round of applause was followed by some energetic cheers for the consecutive winner of the selection rounds. Four days and Pristine Academy is already on the way to getting their second top ranker.

Ciel, not only by her ethereal beauty which takes people's breath away but her sword art was such an artistic piece for sore eyes that left the audience in awe, and once again they were reminded of whose daughter Ciel is.

She was not a brutal and heavy metal fighter like Arata but a graceful warrior who has refined her martial arts and sword arts through years and swung her blade countless times to gain such refined technique which took out her opponents within minutes.

Ciel has already cleared the fourth test and now only three were left before she could step on the stage and show the world that she was not born to just be a bride of some rich brat but have a future awaiting her as a swordsman.

'Isn't that... '

Ciel scrunched her eyes at a certain figure standing near the entrance who seemed oddly familiar. Ciel's eyes suddenly widened when realization dawned on her regarding the person's identity.

"Excuse me..."

She walked through the crowd which has formed around her, mainly congratulating her for the advancement. It was true that she appreciated people's support but right now Ciel could not think about anything other than to go talk to the person whom she saw dying a week ago.

"Anna?"

"Ciel...you can carry on. I can wait."

"What are you talking about, you idiot!" Ciel's eyes moistened slightly as she nearly jumped to hug her best friend who was trying to be modest after making Ciel dead worried for so many days.

Anabelle caught the girl with a small smile adorning her lips as her eyes also dampened a little. Despite her interest in the academy being attached to a single person, Anabelle could have never expected she could have made such a genuine friend when she first entered this place.

Both of them remained unmoving for a minute under varying gazes of the surroundings but no one came to tell them apart. While there were nobles who didn't want Ciel to mix up with a commoner, they didn't voice out their intention for fear of getting their tongue sliced.

In the brief minute, Ciel composed herself slightly before she separated herself from her friend, and with a heavy gaze, she didn't ask but commanded Anabelle.

"We need to talk."

******

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