Saintess? Not Anymore! I'd Rather be a Destroyer-Chapter 40 - 27: Meeting Vatium
Following the rather tense breakfast dinner, which had been enveloped in an uncomfortable silence ever since Aurianna brutally killed the butler, a gradual exodus commenced as many began to leave the hall. A subtle unease and a touch of fear adorned the faces of the departing individuals, and no one dared to openly discuss the incident.
Ralph wasted no time in being among the first to make his exit, keenly avoiding any lingering eye contact with Aurianna, still harboring a lingering fear of her. Concubine Cecilia, accompanied by her child, swiftly followed suit, trailed by most of the other concubines. King Girsal, having merely nibbled at his meal, abruptly announced that he had pressing matters to attend to. Before departing, he tenderly patted Aurianna’s head, with Queen Amber lingering a step behind him. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖
Now, only Vatium, Concubine Momo, and Aurianna remained in the hall.
Vatium rose from his seat and addressed his mother with a respectful tone, "Mother, I’m going to head to the library."
She nodded in response, her affectionate yet concerned tone evident, "Alright, just make sure you don’t stay out too late, honey."
With a warm smile, Vatium pushed in his chair and strode purposefully toward the hall doors. Aurianna’s gaze fixated on him like that of an eagle upon its prey. Her curiosity about him remained unabated. As Eva had alluded, it appeared that her memories of him had been erased since his ascension to the position of Demon King. Were they once close? What was his true nature like? These were the mysteries she intended to find out.
In a swift motion, Aurianna hastily devoured the remaining morsels on her plate, her curiosity urging her to keep trail Vatium, who had just exited the dining hall. She stealthily trailed behind him, she observed numerous servants warmly greeting Vatium, to which he responded with kind smiles and even paused occasionally for brief conversations. Their exchanges revolved around mundane topics such as the state of the grounds or the well-being of their families.
From her vantage point, strategically positioned behind the safety of several pillars, Aurianna couldn’t help but notice Vatium’s amiable nature and the genuine fondness others held for him. His tranquil and approachable demeanor emitted an aura that drew people toward him naturally.
A puzzled expression crossed Aurianna’s face as she silently contemplated, "Didn’t he have golden eyes before?" Her recollection clashed with the sight before her, as Vatium’s eyes now shone with a vibrant green hue, reminiscent of the King himself. Clearly, he possessed the bloodline of royalty, despite not having a birthright or any claim to the throne just yet.
’I have to know more about him, and what led him to be a Demon King,’ Aurianna resolved, her gaze firm and unwavering as she continued shadowing him, employing every possible measure to remain hidden.
Lost in her thoughts, Aurianna became so absorbed that when she finally peeked around the pillar, the space Vatium had occupied moments ago was conspicuously empty. He had vanished without a trace!
Baffled, Aurianna cautiously emerged from her hiding spot behind the pillar, squinting ahead to get a clearer view. "Hmm, why is my little sister following me like an assassin?" A male voice pondered aloud. And Aurianna jumped back caught off guard by the sudden voice calling from behind. Swiftly turning around, she found herself face to face with a pair of mesmerizing emerald eyes.
There stood Vatium, arms crossed, sporting a blend of amusement and intense focus on his face. Aurianna couldn’t help but flash a nervous smirk. "Well, you see, it’s because I haven’t laid eyes on dear old brother Vatium for a while!" she hastily responded, trying to brush off any suspicion.
Vatium cast her a slightly skeptical look, and a profound silence settled between them. Undeterred, Aurianna continued to wear her cheeky smile, determined to lay on the charm and keep up appearances.
He let out a sigh, his warm smile breaking through. "If you say so. Well then, care to take a little walk with me?" Vatium extended his hand toward Aurianna, an invitation she couldn’t refuse.
"Sure," Aurianna agreed, her smile now tinged with artificiality. She reached out and firmly clasped his hand, and together they strolled through the majestic halls of the castle.
As they moved along, a couple of servants they encountered couldn’t help but sport awe-stricken expressions upon witnessing the sight of the two siblings together. To them, it must have been an absolutely adorable scene. Walking beside Vatium, it became evident that he held the role of the elder sibling. Aurianna’s head barely reached his shoulders, leaving her uncertain whether she was simply super short or if Vatium was exceptionally tall for his young age.
They continued their silent stroll, the absence of conversation not weighing down the atmosphere with awkwardness. Aurianna remained lost in her thoughts, her mind consumed by the mystery surrounding Vatium’s true identity.
As they ventured beyond the castle walls and entered the nearby garden, Aurianna decided it was finally time to break the lingering silence. She summoned her innocent little sister smile and inquired, "How old are you, brother?"
Vatium cast a gentle gaze upon her, his eyes meeting hers. "I suppose I’ll be thirteen this year, and you..." His voice trailed off, a pensive expression crossing his face as he looked away, fingers thoughtfully grazing his chin. "You’re seven, right?"
Aurianna’s face lit up with excitement. "Yes! I can’t wait to grow up," she exclaimed, a broad smile gracing her features.
Vatium nodded, a hint of satisfaction playing on his lips. He was pleased that he had recalled her age correctly. However, his smile gradually transformed into a worried frown as he stole a glance at her. "Let’s be frank, Aurianna. Why did you kill that butler? You knew he wasn’t responsible."
Aurianna’s demeanor shifted, her smile taking on a sinister edge. "I didn’t kill him because of Ralph, but rather because he had the audacity to look at me with disrespect! That disdainful gaze was intolerable, and it was only after his demise that I found a sense of peace," she revealed, a twisted satisfaction dancing in her eyes.
Vatium regarded her silently, his expression a mixture of emotions. Then, with a soft smile, he knelt down and embraced her, offering a comforting hug.
"While I can’t say I agree, I won’t judge you. We’re family, after all! By the way, I’ll be heading off to the Mystical Academy soon, so while I’m away, you’ll have to take care of yourself," Vatium spoke with a warm smile, releasing Aurianna from their embrace and affectionately patting her head.
"Brother Vatium," Aurianna called out.
"Yes?" he responded, attentive to her words.
"Don’t worry, when I grow up, I’m going to protect you," Aurianna declared, tugging at his sleeve.
"Shouldn’t it be the other way around?" Vatium chuckled, amused by her determination.
’Of course, I must protect you. You warned me, and though I didn’t listen, you’ll be a valuable asset in our quest to bring down the kingdom of Sandeph,’ Aurianna thought, a sinister grin briefly crossing her face before vanishing as Vatium met her gaze.
"Just focus on your studies and once you turn ten, you can ask Father to allow you to enroll in the Mystical Academy," Vatium encouraged her.
"Sure," Aurianna replied, a genuine smile adorning her face.
’The Mystical Academy—I’ve always been curious about that place. In my previous life, it was a school where anyone, regardless of their kingdom or race, could join. It wasn’t about who you were or how wealthy you were, but rather about your skills and intelligence. The best part was that fighting between different races was strictly forbidden, and anyone who broke the rules and took the life of someone from another race would face the same fate. That’s probably why most nobles despise the school, because even talented commoners have a chance to enter. And you know what? I actually like that. Once I achieve my goal of becoming the Saintess, I’ll make sure to enroll there,’ Aurianna thought, her mind filled with anticipation as she continued walking beside Vatium.
Suddenly, Vatium reached out and plucked a rose, gently placing it in Aurianna’s hair.
"Huh," Aurianna muttered, caught off guard by the unexpected gesture.
"Flowers look absolutely lovely on you," Vatium complimented, his smile warm and sincere.
"I suppose," Aurianna replied, averting her gaze, a hint of discomfort flickering across her face.
"You’re like a beautiful flower, you know?" Vatium continued, his voice gentle.
"Pffft," Aurianna stifled a dry giggle, finding it difficult to accept such a compliment.
"But you see, as beautiful as flowers are, they can be seen as weak. That’s why a flower like the rose protects itself with thorns, so it doesn’t get easily plucked. I too refuse to let myself be seen as a beautiful yet vulnerable flower," Aurianna stated, a sinister smile playing at the corners of her lips.
Vatium’s expression transformed from blank to a warm smile as he affectionately patted Aurianna’s head once more.
"Absolutely, my dear sister. You shouldn’t settle for being a mere weak flower, but flower that strikes fear into the hearts of others. A poisonous flower holds much more power," he remarked, his eyes sparkling with a mischievous glint.
"I’ll definitely keep that in mind," Aurianna replied, her voice filled with determination. "By the way, could you please escort me to my room in father’s mansion, dear brother?" she asked sweetly, looking up at Vatium with innocent eyes.
"Why not?" Vatium chuckled playfully. He turned around and crouched low, gesturing for Aurianna to climb onto his back.
Aurianna’s confusion quickly turned into understanding as she realized his intentions. With a mix of excitement and curiosity, she carefully climbed onto his back. As Vatium stood up, a gust of wind brushed against her face, and she found herself perched on his strong shoulders. It was a sensation that brought back memories of carefree childhood adventures, evoking a sense of wonder and innocent excitement that she hadn’t experienced in her previous life. Aurianna’s face lit up with an ear-to-ear grin.
Inside the castle once again, Vatium led the way towards Aurianna’s room, striding with confident steps.
"Aurianna, as someone with magical abilities, it’s wise not to reveal the full extent of your powers. Unleashing all your skills can arouse curiosity and even breed envy among others," Vatium cautioned, his concerned gaze fixed upon Aurianna.
"Don’t worry, dear brother. I will be careful," Aurianna assured him, her voice filled with a sense of maturity beyond her years.
Upon reaching Aurianna’s room, Vatium gently lowered her to the ground.
"Well, here we are!" Vatium announced with a touch of excitement in his voice.
Aurianna smiled gratefully. "Thank you, big brother."
"No problem. I guess I won’t be able to see you anytime soon, though," Vatium said, his tone tinged with a hint of sadness.
As she stepped into her room, Aurianna turned around and waved. "I’ll still see you again. Thanks again, big brother Vatium."
Vatium returned her gesture with a warm smile and a wave before the doors closed, leaving Aurianna alone in her room.
Almost instantly, Eva materialized, floating in the air.
"Aurianna, there’s something about that boy that feels off," Eva expressed her concern, her face filled with worry.
"Was he reborn?" Aurianna asked, absentmindedly wandering around the room, inspecting her belongings. She checked her bed and opened her closet, revealing a collection of numerous clothes.
Eva followed Aurianna closely, her gaze fixed on her. "Yes, he definitely was, but I can’t figure out how it happened. I didn’t interfere, yet there’s an inexplicable sensation I get from him. It’s both familiar and unfamiliar at the same time..."
Aurianna shrugged, her expression nonchalant. "Maybe you’re just overthinking it, Eva."
Despite Aurianna’s casual dismissal, Eva couldn’t shake off her lingering unease.
After voicing her opinion, Aurianna flopped onto her bed, utterly exhausted. The plush mattress enveloped her like a fluffy cloud, providing a blissful sense of comfort.
Meanwhile, Eva, deep in thought, began to spin in a small circle in the air, her finger tapping against her chin. "Maybe you’re right," she conceded, "Being cautious is never a bad thing. In fact, not thinking enough can be worse." She fixed Aurianna with a meaningful look before sighing softly. "Besides, there are beings out there who possess even greater power than me."
Aurianna, oblivious to Eva’s subtle dig at her intellect, met her gaze with determination. "Well, regardless," she asserted, "the maids seem to think I’ll be in my room all day. So wouldn’t it be better if you taught me something instead?"
Eva let out a faint chuckle. "Oh, yes, I remember now. Academics aren’t exactly your forte."
Aurianna’s brows furrowed, her expression defiant. "So what?" she growled, shuffling on the bed until she found herself sitting cross-legged. "That’s precisely why you’re here—to teach me."
She flashed Eva a mischievous grin, her eyes gleaming with anticipation.
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In a different location, a mysterious voice whispered. "A new fruit is growing, and it will be so much sweeter once it ripens. I shall patiently wait for that newborn fruit to reach its full potential, ready to devour it with relish." The voice emanated from an individual peering into a crystal screen, an image of Aurianna in her room appearing before them.
A dark, sinister smile spread across their face, and their eyes, a mesmerizing blend of golden and rainbow hues, glittered with an unsettling intensity. "Oh, how I can’t wait for you to grow and ripen, Aurianna."
