Chapter 24: Something That Marquess Elex Never Talks About

*** WARNING: This chapter contains foul language, death talk, and violence.

***Alright Now Continuation Of Chapter 24...

'Clench'

'Grit'

Adelina clenched her teeth so hard it was surprising they did not fall.

Her clenched fist was trembling in fury as if those fists were trying their best to contain her anger and her expression had crumbled in disortment.

"That little bitch..." (Adelina, mumbled)

Adelina mumbled under her breath with a very hateful angry tone forgetting her surroundings.

"Who are you calling a bitch?" (Arian, asked)

'Startled'

'Look up'

That was till Adelina heard Arian's cold bothered voice.

She turned to look up at him who was tall surprised.

"Ah no I..." (Adelina, said)

She tried to pretend that she hadn't said the word bitch, that her nasty personality would be exposed especially now that Arian was starting to show a change of heart.

'Frown'

But Arian did not let it go.

"You called Aurora a bitch didn't you?" (Arian, asked)

He frowed more at her trying to act as if she hadn't cused Aurora.

His dark blue eyes were cold and his expression frowned in displeasement by what he heard.

'Sweat'

A swet started running down her cheek trying to appease Arian.

"No I wasn't trying to call sister like that I was referring to the monster husband of hers" (Adelina, said)

She tried to change stage as if she knew how to get to Arian.

'Halt'

Arian halted at the mention of Aurora's husband a man he simply disliked.

'Just look at him...if it was this easy to calm him down with those words maybe I will use it to my advantage' (Adelina's inner thoughts)

"Brother, he was very disrespectful to me...did you see how he rang the bell on my ear or called me reptilian how could I not be hurt and angry?" (Adelina, asked)

She asked as if she let out a pitiful wince cry.

"...." (Arian)

She who thought Arian would wipe her small tear, those expectations broke with his silence.

It was a face that he no longer willing to fall for her pitiful cries.

"You should have not been disrespectful to our sister then he wouldn't have been rude to you" (Arian, said)

He said with a warning tone as his face was somehow angry and displeased passing her.

'Widen'

"Brother...!"(Adelina, said)

Her eyes widen at his words.

That he called Aurora sister and sided with her although he hated that man clearly to the gut but when he had passed her it drew a sharp line.

Arian hated Dorion for a fact however that man was only defending Aurora and throwing insults in such a way because he was raised that way.

Habits like that tend to grow with you if you have those origins that's why Arian hated him too.

A monster who could do whatever he pleases and was the same monster in possession of his sister.

'I couldn't even speak to her after all of that...my words couldn't come out' (Arian's inner thoughts)

After his conversation with Aurora, what else could he say?

He had to figure out himself what he wanted.

But soon enough his father that never gave him a break had told him to take Adelina to the Holy Auction, although he wanted some time apart from Adelina to sort out his thoughts he had caught a glimpse of Holy Auciton tickets that Aurora would be attending so he did not deny the request.

Perhaps it was to see her again but when the man came alongside her he couldn't help but feel resentment and anger towards that man.

He wondered if it was to show off their relationship to the empire by buying a cheap neckless for a crazy amount of money.

The instant Adelina tried to bid higher had definitely raised suspicion to him.

Why did Aurora react like that the instant the neckless was showcased?

Arian had never parted his gaze from Aurora so he had realized it meanwhile Adelina who had only glanced with a proud expression suddenly wanted the neckless as looking at Aurora's expression.

'If that's not what you do to a sister then I don't know what it is' (Arian's inner thoughts)

'Halt'

He halted his steps and turned only the side of his face to look at Adelina.

"You already have that expensive looking neckless I don't know  what you're fighting for" (Arian, said)

He said with a scoff as if he was looking at a spoiled selfish brat before finally walking completely away.

'....' (Adelina)

Adelina's expression darkened at Arian's attitude towards her.

.......

-Inside Lepiliondel's main front entrance hall-

"Welcome Lady and young master" (Servants, said)

Both Arian and Adelina had entered the main front entrance hall with silent expressions as if they had had a fight while the same large formation of servants and maids they usually receive to greet them greeted them politely and bowing.

'Glance'

Arian ignored them as he placed his robe resting over his shoulders as he grabbed onto it like a hook glancing at Marquess Elex who seemed to be speaking with the butler Estefano in a corner in the distance.

Marquess Elex seemed to be frowning bothered and displeased however when he heard the servants greet Adelina and Arian his attention turned with and eased up.

But contrary to what he expected their expressions to be they had looked like they had gotten in a fight.

Soon he too frowned.

'Step, Step, Step'

Walking.

'Halt'

Stop walking.

Marquess Elex made his way toward his children followed by the butler.

Marquess Elex stopped in front of them as he looked at Adelina who was looking down and Arian who was looking away avoiding his father's eye contact.

'Arian has been strange ever since he visited her' (Marquess Elex's inner thoughts)

'I've been quite busy so I didn't have an opportunity to speak to him about it since the business issues and my daughter requested a letter through the butler that she wanted to go with Arian to the holy auction event so I sent a letter through the butler...but what is this atmosphere?' (Marquess Elex's inner thoughts)

'Did my Adelina not get the necklace she wanted if not why are their expressions like this?' (Marquess Elex's inner thoughts)

"Arian" (Marquess Elex, said)

Marquess Elex called Arian with a strict tone.

'...' (Arian)

'Turn'

Arian turned with a reluctant face and looked at his father.

"Did your sister not get the neckless that I asked you to get no matter the price?" (Marquess Elex, asked)

'Glance'

At Marquess Elex's question Arian glanced at the luxurious obvious neckless box that Adelina had in her hands.

'Glance'

Then his eyes moved to look at Adelina who looked down in silence with a heartbroken expression as if she had been shun away.

'Turn'

Arian's eyes turned to look at Marquess Elex.

"No she got the neckless she wanted father but it seems that my sister wanted another she couldn't have" (Arian, said)

Arian said with a scoff tone and some annoyance.

"What?" (Marquess Elex, asked)

Marquess Elex frowned more at Arian's attitude that he was clearly acting somehow petty towards his sister.

And mad that he had not done what he was told.

"Arian I told you to get anything your sister wanted even if it meant paying for a higher price" (Marques Elex, said)

He raised his voice in anger.

'Roll'

"Ha" (Arian, said)

Arian rolled his eyes as he tilted his head and scoffed.

"If you're willing to pay 2,000 Million Gold for a thin silver neckless with a low small quality diamond that looks like trash then am I really in the wrong for not doing so?" (Arian, asked)

"..." (Marquess Elex)

'2000 Million Gold...who on earth would pay for such?' (Marquess Elex's inner thoughts)

"Even if I did bid for that crazy amount there was no way Adelina would get that neckless" (Arian, said)

'Tremble'

The moment Arian said those words Adelina's hands that held the large luxurious neckless box gripped it hard as her hands trembled in anger.

His words were not wrong that's what infuriated her.

"Who..who the hell bought the neckless?" (Marquess Elex, asked)

Seeing Adelina who her hands were shaking made the Marquess's anger sore since he had misunderstood that she was trembling in sadness rather than anger.

"Your son-in-law father" (Arian, said)

Arian's lips rose with a crumbled smile that hated spouting those words as his dark blue eyes looked at him clearly displeased.

"2,000 Million Gold...that monster....he bought the neckless...for what...for who?" (Marquess Elex, asked)

Marquess who couldn't understand why Dorion did it mumbled it in a way looking away from Arian as to think.

"Who else father, for Aurora" (Arian, said)

But the instant Arian mentioned the words Adelina dashed out of their sight in speed and grimping onto the luxurious neckless box in anger.

"Adelina! Wait-" (Marquess Elex, yelled)

Marquess Elex quickly turned to yell at Adelina who climbed the steps leaving while Arian had taken advantage and started to walk away.

"You wait there. Our conversation is not over" (Maruqess Elex, said)

He spoke strictly to Arian making him halt his steps.

'...' (Arian)

-Inside Marquess Elex office-

Marquess Elex sat in his office placing his elbows on his desk and resting his chin on his hands.

"Just because I've been busy doesn't mean that I haven't noticed your disrespectful attitude, especially towards your sister" (Marquess Elex, said)

"I had to push the business problems to the side to take time to remind you to be nice to your sister do you think this does not add stress on me?" (Marquess Elex, asked)

He asked with a bothered displeased tone as he looked at Arian who stood in front of his desk with an annoyed expression.

"And whose fault is that father?" (Arian, asked)

"Do you think the business would be failing if Aurora wouldn't be here?" (Arian, asked)

Arian said with a scoff as if he was provoking his father who obviously fell for it.

"Arian...watch your words" (Marquess Elex, said)

Marquess Elex said as he raised his voice in anger.

This was the first time Arian had talked back to him after a very long time in this way beside the rebelion of marring Aurora.

Like always he always rebeled when it came to her.

"Why should I? It's the truth it's the same thing with the neckless" (Arian, said)

Arian continued to rebel.

'Slam'

"Don't talk back to me Arian! Do you think it's right for the next heir and as my son to talk to your father that way?!" (Marquess Elex, yelled)

Marquess Elex yelled as he slammed the desk in anger and got up from his seat.

"You should have done what I asked you, if your sister wanted that neckless all you had to do is speak to Aurora to give her sister the neckless just like I told you to go speak to her about the..." (Marquess Elex, said)

But as he got to the snake conversion he realized that Arian was looking away with a certain expression.

"You didn't do that either huh?" (Marquess Elex, said)

Marquess asked as if he was amazed with a scuff looking at Arian.

"..." (Arian)

'Halt'

But just as if he had realized something.

Marquess Elex's lips parted again.

"I should have known it was all that person's fault...like always she's feeding you with lies just like back then-" (Maquess Elex, said)

"Always! You're always blaming her for everything!" (Arian, yelled)

Arian yelled irritated at his father's tone as he clenched his fist.

This time he couldn't hear anymore.

"You, me, Adelina, and the whole empire!" (Arian, yelled)

'Shock'

"What..?" (Marquess Elex, asked)

He asked with a shocked expression.

He truly had never seen Arian like this.

"Blame her for every single thing, even if she breathes!" (Arian, yelled)

"..." (Marquess Elex)

'I...I am so mad...why do I feel this frustrated...I have been scared of standing up to him but...at what...cost?' (Arian's inner thoughts)

"She's your daughter whether you like it or not Father she's my sister too, not some illigimate daughter or a stranger without the Lepiliondel's blood running through her veins!" (Arian, yelled)

'Each time I look at her...my stomach twists...I don't deserve to be called brother...not after everything I have done to her' (Arian's inner thoughts)

"It's time you start accepting and ask her for forgiveness!" (Arian, yelled)

"Ha, forgiveness? What forgiveness? Why should I?" (Marquess Elex, asked)

He said with cold angry eyes.

"...." (Arian)

Arian paused for a moment to look down as he clenched his teeth.

'Look up'

He raised his face to look at his father.

"What would Mother say to us if she were alive? Do you think she would forgive us for treating her that way?" (Arian, asked)

'Flinch'

Oh, Arian definitely went there.

Because the instant the Marquess heard those words it was as his heart froze.

'She would be ashamed of me like Aurora said...I haven't been anything but a bad brother to her' (Arian's inner thoughts)

"From now on Father it's up to you if you want to speak to my sister but I have already made my decision" (Arian, said)

"I will ask for forgiveness to earn the right to be called brother again and-" (Arian, said)

Arian said with determination, however.

'SLAP'

Marquess Elex had slapped Arian's cheek harshly as his eyes widened at his father who had never hit him.

"Do you know why your mother died?" (Marquess Elex, asked)

He raised his voice coldly with anger.

"Childbirth. Aurora killed your mother." (Marquess Elex, asked)

"If a demon like her wasn't born just like the prophecy your mother would still be here!" (Marquess Elex, yelled)

Unlike just mad it was as if he was furious he had lost his wife because of Aurora.

"She sucked the lifeforce of your mother if it wasn't for Adelina who had divine energy in her body she would have died too!" (Marquess Elex, yelled)

"How can I call her a daughter to that murder demon?!" (Marquess Elex, yelled)

'Widen'

"What...did you just say?" (Arian, asked)

Arian had never heard of this before.

And this was because one of the priests that was present had told the Marquess Elex before he was killed.

"That stormy night when your mother gave birth to two daughters your mother hand died after giving birth to that demon" (Marquess Elex, said)

"But miraculously she came to life and gave birth to Adelina before dying again" (Marquess Elex, said)

"That demon put herself first before your mother and Adelina, it was the divine power that saved Adelina and why she is here" (Marquess Elex, said)

"...." (Arian)

He was speechless as his eyes that were widened remained in complete shock of the words.

"I couldn't understand what had happened until the priest told me those words and left" (Marquess Elex, said)

"Then I began to cried holding my two baby girls" (Marquess Elex, said)

"How could I have believed that it was one of my daughters who had done it? I didn't know which daughter had done it since he had not named one but when I watched them cry I couldn't bring myself to hate them" (Marquess Elex, said)

This time he had calmed down completely and looked away with a heartbroken expression and bitter sadness.

"Your mother had birthed your two sisters giving her life, so I ignored the priest's words and decided to raise both of your sisters as a caring father but as time went on I began to have nightmares..." (Marquess Elex, said)

"There has not been a single night where I don't dream of that child in the darkness standing over your mother's dead body smiling" (Marquess Elex, said)

"I tried to ignore those nightmares each time I saw her for years, how could such a lovely child be a demon but as more as I tried to ignore them the nightmares only worsened" (Marquess Elex, said)

"I even secretly tried to get a blessing bath to wash my mind but nothing helped. Instead it seemed that everything I did not hope for would happen" (Marquess Elex, said)

"Aurora began to show strange patterns blaming you little sister for everything a child who never appeared in my dreams on mind." (Marquess Elex, said)

"My mind became conflicted but Aurora's actions only worsened with time...she had blamed the Empress for being the fake Empress the maid she said. You saw, she sneaked out to watch the execution of the maid" (Marquess Elex, said)

"If you had only seen her at the scene she was incredibly uncontrollable, she began to bite me and hit me like a wild animal begging me to save that maid being executedI had never seen your sister react" (Marquess Elex, said)

"It was like she was a completely different person, how could I even reconise her, she was just 6 years old" (Marquess Elex, said)

"I tried to overlook her behavior even if it sparjed doubts but when I brought her to the palace  she acted like that even in the presence of the Empress I had to ground her for her to understand and behave" (Marquess Elex, said)

"She almost ripped the empress hair, do you realized they could have beheaded us if it wasn't for the empress who let it go, so yes I did ground her she seemed to reflect on her actions and perhaps I thought that she wouldn't act like that again but when we were called to the imperial palace she displayed the same behavior with the empress especially when Adelina's power manifested I realized her attitude had not change" (Marquess Elex, said)

"Then that prophecy came..." (Marquess Elex, said)

He said with a hearbroken resentful tone as he tried not to feel regret yet he held anger.

Arian's lips had finally parted.

"Father..." (Arian, said)

His tone eased up too

'Turn'

Marquess Elex turned to look at him.

"How could she not be the demon they were talking about? How could I forgive her for running your mother's sacred place?" (Marquess Elex, asked)

"How could I forgive the one that killed your mother?" (Marquess Elex, asked)

"I tried Arian, but these nightmares don't let me, I tried forgiving but I can't" (Marquess Elex, asked)

"I can't considere her our family, I can't consider a demon part of our family not after all the damage she has cause" (Marquess Elex, said)

"She took away my wife, your mother Arian" (Marquess Elex, said)

His tone that had eased up somehow but still had a resentment tone.

"..." (Arian)

Arian stood there in silence.

This time his lips parted with hesitance.

"When Aurora left...why did you look back with a sad expression?" (Arian, asked)

"Did you feel regret or you simply realized that you'd miss her?" (Arian, asked)

"Why have you entered my sistsers room when no one would notice?" (Arian, asked)

Arian said with a very aching expression ans slow question as he added on the last one, the one he really wanted to ask.

"Father" (Arian, said)

Somehow his voice had an expectanc and a sincer tone to it.

"Do you really hold no love for Aurora?" (Arian, asked)

'Widen'

Marquess Elex's eyes widened for a moment but before he could say anything a knock came on his office door.

'Knock, Knock'

A knock came to the door.

"Father, brother it's me Adelina" (Adelina, said)

Adelina's voice came outside the door making them turn.

"Come in" (Marquess Elex, said)

The Marquess called Adelina to come in with a slow voice still unfocused.

'Creak'

Adelina had entered the Marquess's office however her steps stopped and looked at Arian who had the red slap check on his smark.

"Ah! Brother are you ok-" (Adelina, said)

But without giving her the chance Arian had passed her and slammed the door behind as if she had interupted something.

"Leave him Adelina" (Maquess Elex, said)

Marquess Elex said as he looked at the slam door.

The words that Arian had told him stuck to his mind.

He had given up on Aurora, he had treated her baldly and confined her.

But was it due to Adelina who had convinced him that it was best to keep Aurora safe from the world?

Because no one else would find fault if she was out of the walls and caused worry amongst the nobles because of the prophecy?

The last love he held for that child was to keep her inside away from others for both their sakes but how could he call that protection when he had been so cruel to his own daughter in these walls that he put himself?

Was it self-hate that things had turned out this way?

Was it the thought of hating and resenting his own daughter be it a demon or not born from his wife that he couldn't have a happy family with his wife?

Was it the nightmares that kept him out at night each time he looked at her?

His hate grew, and his anger couldn't stand the sight of her reminding him of the miserable life it had become.

He wanted nothing to do with her, he wanted to escape reality and isolate the person who made him unhappy excluding the one person who always ride at the back and call of him.

The child he called a demon, the bad prophecy child he hated.

His son didn't want anything to do with her existence.

Perhaps it was the last sense that helped him move on and cut ties with that broken darkness that encouraged him for every feeling any pity for her.

Not even his younger daughter that felt pity for her eldest sister had moved his heart.

Adelina's nature had just been as kind as his wife, someone who wouldn't have cared if their daughter was a demon but he and his son were not the same as them.

Every time he looked at her it was as if his heart had eased and healed the happiness he had hoped for but his other daughter had become the darkness that shattered it each time they met eye to eye.

But when Arian, his son who had broken away from the darkness had wanted to approach the dark again trying to find a little light inside that dark place made his heart was confused and moved.

Some regret and reflection began to paint his face.

It was his fault he had given up and treated her like that.

His son's words were not wrong from what his wife would have said.

But how can those nightmares be meaningless after all Aurora had been the one to destroy her mother's sacred place something that he spent countless of knights decorating, organizing, and cleaning himself.

A place that was the only place in the world where he felt that he could speak to his wife.

He could not forget those actions no matter what.

He was simply not going to break from this happiness he was unwilling to let go.

'...' (Adelina)

Adelina's face darkened as she looked at Marquess Elex face.

'Turn'

And at that moment the Marquess Elex turned to look at her and Adelina who smiled sadly just as if she had changed her expression.

"Father I brought you a cup of hot cocoa, I know you haven't been in a good mood and I have made your mood worsen" (Adelina, said)

"I apologize for making a fuss about the neckless but...in truth that neckless means very much to me it's something I lost a long time ago" (Adelina, said)

She said sadly.

"I never found it, I had searched everywhere and there was just no trace till I heard a rumor that neckless was going to be there" (Adelina, said)

'Drop, Drop'

Tears began to fall from her eyes.

"Hic...my only mistake was...liking the purchased neckless...I should have traded it with sister for the neckless I really wanted" (Adelina, said)

"Daddy it...hic..means a lot to me...hic...please help me...hic...get it back" (Adelina, said)

She cried sadly and desperately.

"..." (Marquess Elex)

'Extend'

'Grab'

Marquess Elex extended his hand and grabbed her into a hug as to pacify her.

"I will get it back so don't cry anymore" (Marquess Elex, said)

"Thank you Daddy" (Adelina, said)

Adelina pretended to stop crying as she hugged her father hiding her sly smirk.

'You heard you bitch, my Father will get whatever I want' (Adelina's inner thoughts)