Saintess? Not Anymore! I'd Rather be a Destroyer-Chapter 117 - 103: Church day 3

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Curiosity got the better of Russel, and she nervously addressed Aurianna, unable to hide the sinister smile that crept onto her face. "Princess Aurianna, may I inquire as to what I’ve done to earn such an intense glare from you?"

Russel’s mind raced with envy and frustration , ’To think the princess is as beautiful as the rumors say. It’s so unfair, I hate it. Everyone’s attention is supposed to be on me, yet when the Vanluad girls are around no one even notices my presence, I might as well be invisible to them. How utterly distasteful. Also, I heard this princess Aurianna is giving my darling Ralph a hard time. Well, if I don’t teach her a lesson today, my name isn’t Russell!’ Russel thought inwardly.

Aurianna paid no heed to Russel’s former words and simply strode up to her, gripping her face tightly. Despite their equal height, their eyes locked with intensity. Russel’s brown eyes trembled as they met Aurianna’s enraged blue eyes.

"Princess, you’re hurting me!" Russel cried out, attempting to free herself from Aurianna’s grip, but to no avail. Her struggle proved futile, leaving her trapped in Aurianna’s firm grasp.

"Aurianna, that’s enough!" Ralph exclaimed, firmly smacking Aurianna’s hands away from Russel’s face. Witnessing Ralph’s bold act of protection, Russel blushed like a smitten maiden and instantly sought solace in his embrace, seeking comfort and security.

As Aurianna’s gaze shifted to Russel finding refuge behind Ralph, a surge of frustration coursed through her, causing more veins to pop up on her face, further contorting her expression.

"She’s mad," Hawke observed the intensifying situation, feeling his nerves jangling as he sensed Aurianna’s mounting anger. The atmosphere grew heavy as a tremendous pressure seemed to suffocate the entire area, catching the attention of the adults in the vicinity.

Suddenly, the children found it difficult to catch their breaths, their bodies trembling with fear under the weight of the oppressive aura emanating from Aurianna.

The oppressive aura dissipated as quickly as it had appeared, and Aurianna’s countenance transformed, unveiling a bright, warm smile that contrasted sharply with the lingering tension, "I apologize for my rude behavior earlier. My jealousy got the best of me. Your striking features bear a resemblance to Paige, and it made me envious."

"Hah, hah, that’s something I hear quite often, princess," Russel responded nervously, yet when her eyes met Aurianna’s gaze, a mixture of nervousness and fear washed over her. However, Aurianna’s seemingly innocent smile only intensified her unease, causing her cheeks to flush with an uneasy blush.

Blade, her voice quivering, interjected with an air of discomfort, "I was afraid for a second there that she had a deadly killing intent directed at Russel, and it felt suffocating. However, it disappeared in an instant!" Blade exclaimed.

Freed nodded in agreement, his expression relieved. "Indeed, it was quite a jolt, but I’m glad the tension dissipated just as quickly."

Before the group could fully process the situation, a teenage girl eagerly rushed to Russel’s side, her eyes brimming with excitement and anticipation, "Russell, let’s invite Aurianna to our little tea party!" The spirited teenage girl piped up.

"What?" Russel gasped, caught off guard by the girl’s sudden suggestion. The idea of including Aurianna in their gathering left her an uneasy feeling.

Nervously stealing glances at Aurianna, who effortlessly commanded the attention of those around her with her enchanting smile, Russel mustered the courage to extend an invitation.

"Well princess, here is an invitation card to my tea party. Please do attend. We’d be thrilled if you could make it. The girls and I would love to have you join us," Russell said as she reluctantly handed over to Aurianna a gray card adorned with a delicate flower in the center.

Aurianna accepted the card, her eyes gleaming with an inscrutable darkness as she examined it. With a polite smile, she replied, "Thank you, Russel. I’ll take it into consideration." Her response evoked a flurry of blushing cheeks among the boys and girls present. The children exchanged excited glances, their previous conflicts fading into the background as they united in anticipation of a joyful gathering.

Meanwhile, her own family, particularly Queen Amber, stared at her in astonishment. Queen Amber’s heart soared with hope, "Did my daughter finally have a change of heart and is making friends? Thank you, thank you, merciful goddess of beauty, for answering my prayers." Queen Amber whispered with gratitude.

Queen Amber’s ecstatic tears clashed with Aurianna’s features, twisting her expression into a grotesque mask of disdain and bitterness.

’Ugh, these brats aren’t my friends,’ she seethed silently, a dark resolve hardening within her. ’But who thought that today, right here, I crossed paths with Russel. An eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth. Vengeance knows no boundaries, regardless of age,’ she whispered, a chilling smile curling upon her lips, devoid of warmth or humanity.

"Princess, it’s a pleasure to meet you! I am..." the girl began, but before she could introduce herself, Aurianna swiftly raised her hand, and stopped her. "Hold on a sec," she groaned dramatically, clutching her head. "I’ve got a massive headache, like a stampede of elephants tap-dancing in my brain. I need to consult the priest and get a diagnosis as swiftly as I can. So, if you’ll kindly excuse me," Aurianna declared before bolting off like a startled rabbit.

"I had no idea the princess was feeling unwell," the girl said, her voice laced with genuine concern.

’Trust me, she just didn’t want to chat with you,’ Nigie, Yogi, and Hawke thought in unison. They exchanged knowing glances and sighed, their telepathic connection on full display.

Meanwhile, Aurianna reveled in her successful escape. "Phew, I dodged that conversation bullet," she exhaled with relief. "There’s no way I’m subjecting myself to their mind-numbing chatter. I mean no offense, but it’s like watching paint dry." Aurianna continued her solitary stroll down the church’s halls, reveling in the blissful silence and savoring her escape from what she deemed as the land of snooze-inducing discussions.

"Pssst!" Aurianna’s steps came to a sudden halt as she caught wind of a hushed voice. She swiveled her head, spotting a little boy peeking out from behind a pillar. With a mix of curiosity and suspicion, Aurianna approached him, eyeing him cautiously.

"What’s up?" Aurianna inquired, her gaze fixed on the young lad. Before her stood a slightly plump boy, around seven years old, boasting a unique style. His dark blue hair sported vibrant orange stripes, and his mesmerizing yellow eyes twinkled mischievously. To top it off, he rocked a pink shirt and trousers combo.

The boy’s grin widened, his voice dropping to a low whisper. "You want some more cake?" he teased, his words hanging tantalizingly in the air.

Aurianna’s interest piqued instantly, and she leaned in, closing the distance between them. The allure of cake had successfully captured her attention, temporarily casting aside any doubts or reservations she had.

Aurianna’s light blue eyes locked onto the boy’s mesmerizing yellow eyes, their intensity matching her burning desire for more cake. "Okay, spill the beans! How do I get my hands on that sweet, sweet cake?" she inquired eagerly, leaning in as if sharing a top-secret plan.

The boy let out an exasperated huff, his youthful indignation clear. "Listen, I’ve cracked the confectionery code. The leftover cake stash? It’s being held captive by those stingy adults, hoarding it for their own sneaky indulgences for later," he grumbled, his frustration palpable. Then, he straightened himself up, trying to appear composed. "But fear not, fair pastry seeker! I’ve got a cunning plan. I just need someone strong enough to open the door," he explained, his voice brimming with mischief and adventure.

Aurianna raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms skeptically. "Why not ask a deacon or someone trustworthy?" she proposed, the voice of reason surfacing.

The boy shook his head fervently, his messy hair bouncing in protest. "Nah, ah! Those folks would rain on my dessert parade, lecturing me about being greedy and gluttonous. No fun, I tell ya," he sighed in shared disappointment, and Aurianna couldn’t help but join in with a matching sigh.

"Hey, the feeling’s mutual, kid," Aurianna responded, empathizing with his cake-related struggles. "But out of all the cake enthusiasts out there, why did you choose me?"

The boy’s eyes gleamed with a mischievous spark as he spilled the beans. "I chose you because I see you always come to church and fight with priest Hotron. Plus, you’re notorious for bringing numerous gifts for the church members. Despite your intimidating aura, deep down, you’re actually a pretty nice person," he confessed, causing Aurianna to let out an exasperated sigh.

"Alright, alright, I’ll lend you a hand in ’having’ an extra portion of cake, since the deacon forgot to give us our cakes," Aurianna declared with a wink and the boy understanding her motion grinned mischievously.

"Oh, and by the way, what’s your name?" Aurianna inquired, curious to know the moniker of her newfound partner-in-crime.

"The name’s Kaede," he chirped proudly, and Aurianna’s eyes widened in shock. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

"Wait, wait, wait! Your full name?" she exclaimed, her hands gripping his shoulders in anticipation.

"Kaede Beechsong," he replied nervously, unsure of why Aurianna’s reaction seemed so intense. Before he could ask, he saw tears streaming down her face. Aurianna quickly wiped away her tears, leaving Kaede utterly puzzled by her sudden outburst.