Chapter 108 - The Temple Of Azraelle IV

Elliot's eyes flinched, and he clears his throat, "Can you repeat what you said again?" asked Elliot.

"Are you an idiot?" asked Emelia but this in a star tone. 

"Maybe. But I don't think so?" said Elliot unsure about his own answer. 

"Great because I think you are one," said Emelia as she continued, "I don't want to make the both of us uncomfortable when we see each other. I don't want to argue something over this small. It'll make us look like crazy people."

"And your point is?" asked Elliot, turning serious. 

"Tell me, why don't you want me to involve myself with the temple?" Emelia asked.

"It's simple. You have nothing to do with the temple. Why bother digging into a grave when you have no relationship with them?" 

"It doesn't mean I don't have anything to do with them. You would push me away," said Emelia cutting Elliot as she said, "Didn't you say I can do whatever I want to do now?" 

Elliot averted his eyes away as he pursed his lips. He wasn't going to deny what he said since it was true. "Yes, but ple-"

"Don't beg. You're the last person I want to see begging. Didn't I promise you that I'll be with you no matter what happens? I'm not the type of person to break promises that easily," Emelia said. 

"I give up," sighed Elliot as he sat beside Emelia and said, "I…just can't put you into danger. What if I lose you again?"

"And will you?" Emelia asked him who hesitantly nods his head and Emelia glares at him. "And why do you think I've been training myself with a sword again?" 

"You are?"

"Yes, I am. I don't like when I'm unable to protect myself," Emelia said. "It makes me look weak, and I at least want to wield the sword again."

During those days where she couldn't even hold a sword up Emelia felt it was the end of her. She felt hopeless and didn't know what to do about, especially when Henry came at her. She was as weak as a feather. That made her insecure. 

"But still, as much as possible, I don't want you to be involved with the temple. They are feisty humans," Elliot leaned on her shoulder.

"It sounds as if I never met one," chuckles Emelia. "Rather worrying about me. You should worry about yourself. Get some rest. I know you haven't."

"Isn't that the same as you? I entered your office at midnight, and you didn't hear the door opening. I even peaked by the door, and you didn't seem to notice me."

"Busy…I was busy," said Emelia. 

"Aren't you always? Why do I feel as we live in the same palace we don't see each other as much?" asked Elliot. "Should we a lot some time for us to meet every single day?"

"What are you saying?" asked Emelia. Their rooms are right beside each other, and they bump into each other once a while. They take their super in the dining hall together and together walks to their own offices.

"It's not enough," Elliot shuts his eyes. "I want to be with you every single second."

Emelia stayed quiet, and hearing him say that made her a bit embarrassed. If Air or a servant was in the room, she would have ran out of his office and not come back to him. 

"Elliot…I have been asking but did you have a younger twin brother?" Emelia asked though she knew the mood was going to break. 

"I did."

Elliot had one but never talks about him. Emelia wanted to know why but it wasn't her place to ask. 

"Do you want to know why I never mentioned about him?" Elliot asked Emelia who gulped softly.

"I do…But you don't have to force it. If you don't want to tell me you don't have to."

"It's alright if it's you," chuckles Elliot. "His name is Edward and he died along with my parents. He too was killed by her. I think they call it luck to be alive."

"Then why was your brother never mentioned in the records or amongst the nobles?" asked Emelia. 

"Rather than hiding my parents wanted to protect him because first, the word twins is not true. He isn't my twin brother, but they did say we look alike and we're around the same age. Second, he's not born with the blood of a royal."

The secret child that only the servants and the royal family knew about was Edward Renaud. A child born with a weak body and picked up by the late empress when she saw a resemblance between him and Elliot. 

The late empress felt pity towards Edward and brought him to live in the palace as the younger brother of Elliot and a new family member to the family. They kept Edward a secret because they knew how much pressure it would bring to him. 

That night Edward should have been alive but was killed by accident. 

"I was supposed to be dead that night. Not Edward. He was the first one to be killed by the wet nurse. She thought he was me. Edward didn't deserve to die like that. I can't give him a proper memorial because his body was missing."

The only person Emelia knew who would put so much pressure on himself was Elliot. Those shoulders she sees looked heavy and not even she could help him hold it up. Hearing this story, Emelia felt stupid for asking. But at the same time she felt good knowing about it. If not then she wouldn't learn more things about him.

"I even thought that he was alive after escaping the fire. It might be possible, but then no matter how hard we searched for him, he was nowhere to be found."

"What if he still is alive?" asked Emelia while Elliot shook his head. 

"I don't think he is. Again, he had a frail body. The smoke he inhaled in the fire might cause him to faint early. Like what I said. Edward has a frail body and to add he has asthma."

"You sound as if you regretted meeting him," said Emelia. 

"I did. If he wasn't brought into the palace. He still might be alive. Maybe even with a family now. I know the past can't be rewind but then I sometimes hope that he was still alive."

The lost of a loved one. Emelia knew how painful it is and didn't say anything to him. Comforting Elliot will only make him think about negative things. Which she didn't want him to. She stayed silent and let Elliot talk. 

The talk felt short, but they had already spent two hours together. Not caring about their unfinished works. 

"I should get back to work, and I assume I don't have to share you information about the temple anymore, right?" asked Elliot.

"No, just send it to me. I think there are some information I still do not know," Emelia said while Elliot stood up, walking to his desk. He sat on his desk, looking at Emelia she titled her head.

"What?" asked Emelia and he shook his head. 

"I was thinking. How nice it is to have someone by my side. There were some women who I was interested in, but they didn't really fit into my standards. The more you get to know them the more they become entitled they become. I like it when you don't act highly of yourself."

"Why do I have to? It's nothing but selfishness. Putting yourself at a higher position than others is not right at all. It makes them look bad," chuckles Emelia as she stood in front of the door. 

"Let's get some dessert after supper. Make sure your schedule for tonight is open. I won't forgive you if you don't."

"Don't worry. I'm planning to take an early rest today. As you know, I haven't slept."

Emelia walks back to her office, and after a few minutes, Air knocks on her door, holding papers in his arms. He places it on her table then leaves. He looked busy that Emelia didn't have time to ask him. 

"The Head Priest Trenor Autumn," Emelia reads out loud. 

It started with him, and it should end with him. As the year only has a month left the new victim will come soon. Not just that but the amount due Vanessa has to pay is coming up. If Emelia could find a way to get herself some money and lend it to Vanessa, then she would. 

But Vanessa wouldn't like it if Emelia helps her. Though she didn't seem like it, Vanessa didn't like others to help when it comes to money. She's a good girl but pushed herself too hard. Not just pushes herself but pressures herself. 

There are hundreds of believers from the temple and finding the new victim isn't going to be a hard task. That's if they are the ones to move first.