Chapter 192 - Responsibilities (3)

Ben didn't get the chance to answer as the kitten revealed herself standing on the windowsill. I couldn't stop myself from groaning as I hoped she wouldn't jump on one of the sculptures again. But when the tallest sculpture was about to shatter onto the floor from one of her powerful jumps right after my thought, it made almost every priceless piece collapse like a domino with it.

I covered my ears and squeezed my eyes, not wanting to watch my hard efforts wasted. Unfortunately, I could still feel Luke's hot blaming stare before I opened my eyes to see the members of the art club with their jaws dropped. Although I pitied the pure heartbreak in their eyes, I could predict the anger that would be directed towards us next.

If things couldn't get worse, the kitten jumped into my lap as it purred like it deserved a reward. It was obvious it appeared like I was the owner of this cat. I guessed this was the reason why pets weren't allowed in the school. I shot a blaming look towards Ben before he silently shot me back a look that I was the one who brought the cat inside the school in the first place.

"She's not my pet!" I shouted, feeling it was unfair.

Luke lightly pinched my arm to tell me to be quiet instead of making the situation worse. He rose from his spot and proceeded to explain the whole incident.

"This is a wild kitten as you see there's no mark indicating that it's tamed. When we came into the room, the kitten was already here from the opened window," Luke pointed out the small details.

We all nodded our heads to agree before Alex added to support Luke.

"We decided to go to the art room to grab some supplies and references for our next mission, but the kitten took a liking to Rika," Alex sighed.

"You know how it's hard to control wild creatures," Ben narrowed his eyes like it was a threat since he had a higher standing than them.

"We'll help you recover them!" I suggested as I had enough mana left.

It lifted the pressing atmosphere of the room as Alex comforted them by telling him he could recommend some of their artworks to the creative division of his family company. Meanwhile, the three of us managed to expend the remaining bits of our mana to put the room back to its glory after thirty minutes.

"The Roselia family also supports talented artists," Luke added after finishing repairing the last artwork while hiding his long breaths.

"And the Nuelle family isn't far behind as well," Ben smiled to warn them to keep their mouths shut for more potential recommendations.

When the four of us finally left the art room with the kitten in Alex's arms, we instantly relaxed after passing the incident. Who knew a tiny kitten would cause so much trouble? I braced myself for their lecturing once we returned to our dorms. For once, I didn't feel too bad as I knew Ben and I wouldn't be able to get out of that room unscathed without their help.

I stumbled a few steps back as my hands detached from my head. I was surprised at myself from being used to throwing most of my responsibility to Luke whenever I landed myself in trouble. When did I become like this? My eyes quivered from the thought and I rubbed my arms for comfort. Luke took my silence as agreement and continued.

"If you are, I am willing to consider acknowledging you as an equal." Luke gave the last blows.

When I didn't respond, Alex made direct eye contact with me, "Luke has taken responsibility for every one of your actions with me. Can you do the same?"

I clenched my fists as I knew I couldn't do the same. It was frustrating to admit, but I didn't know or have the ability to take responsibility the same way he did. But did I have to in the first place? Most of the responsibilities Alex was talking about was the duties I had to Luke as his fiancée.

"Luke didn't have to take responsibility for my actions, it was his choice. And plus, most of those responsibilities were his on the first place since my family is in the third district, having nothing to do with any of these politics." I squeaked out a weak argument.

"You know it's clearly your duty as Luke's fiancée," Alex repeated my thoughts.

"You know how I tried to break my engagement, but you guys were the ones that didn't let me," I complained.

"Do you think Luke had a choice in this too? You know how much effort Luke is putting in to try to make this work out with you. It's not only you in this situation," Alex pointed out.

When I opened my mouth to make a counter, I couldn't. It was exactly because I knew how everyone else in my school went through the same hopeless situation. I knew how both Shelly and Alex were forced together even though they were a horrible match. There wasn't a single day where Shelly didn't dread her engagement.

While I listened to her hopeless complaints, I was happy in denial I didn't come from the first district. It would be different for me since I came from the third district. I wouldn't have to go through the same things as her.

But maybe, somewhere deep inside, I knew I wasn't so different from her.