Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Her power is supposed to be Ricardo’s. It was only natural that she would be hated for taking it away.

Despite knowing this, it still made her heart sink whenever she received their cold stares.

After her awakening, Diego would often vent his anger at Hilise, while Ricardo would stare at her as if he’s staring at the crumbs on his fingertips.

Gabrielle thought that Hilise was taking the attention of her brother and father away from her, so she raised the degree of being mean to Hilise.

It was impossible to find a way to transfer Hilise’s power to Ricardo.

As time passed without finding a way to transfer it, Diego and Ricardo became more anxious.

Moreover, to acquire more information, they had to reveal to the Parvenons that it was Hilise who had the Inoaden’s power.

It was Diego who ran out of patience first.

Eventually, he announced to the outside world that Ricardo had an awakening and made Hilise his shadow.

In rare cases, Hilise would be allowed to go outside to show the Inoaden’s power as one of the four special-blooded families.

Of course, each time she had to hide herself from the public’s eyes.

However, Diego’s punishments would follow soon after Hilise makes a mistake in using her powers.

CHASSAK!

“Ah……!”

As soon as he entered the room, he slapped Hilise, who yelped and fell on the floor.

“What’s with that act earlier? The execution of your abilities looked like they were losing energy midway, but you knew that already, didn’t you?”

A part of her inner lip must’ve burst from the slap earlier since she could taste the metallic taste of blood.

Around this time, it was not uncommon for Diego to raise his hand on Hilise.

The maids are originally ordered to flog her, but when Diego can’t stand it and wants to express his anger, he would hit Hilise.

“You know that people laughed at Ricardo earlier! Are you saying it’s alright to humiliate Ricardo because of you? You’re useless!”

Hilise crouched and hurriedly apologized in fear of being slapped again by Diego.

“I-I’m really sorry. I was trying to concentrate, but I suddenly felt dizzy that I couldn’t even stand up……”

“Don’t give me that lame excuse!”

Every fall, a harvest festival, which is organized by the four families, is held.

This time, Inoaden got the majority vote.

That’s why, after the opening speech, the Inoaden’s power was supposed to be shown to everyone to officially begin the festival. However, Hilise made a mistake because she was not accustomed to using her powers yet, so Ricardo was humiliated.

“Father, it seems like Hilise is already reflecting on her slip up, so you should stop there.”

Ricardo, who was standing quietly behind Diego, dissuaded him.

“Ricardo, isn’t she constantly making mistakes because you always let her off the hook so easily?”

Hilise’s eyes that stared at them were welling with tears.

Ricardo stared at Hilise with his usual cold eyes.

But Hilise was still grateful to Ricardo for defending her even though she humiliated him.

“Don’t give her a drink until I allow it.”

In the end, he did as Ricardo asked him to. He did not scold Hilise anymore and left the room.

Ricardo followed suit without a word. After that, Hilise studied the function of her powers by herself.

Diego told her that he will not tolerate mistakes, so she had to study alone everyday.

‘I have to work hard so that Brother won’t get humiliated because of me again.’

After some time, Hilise was able to use her powers skillfully.

On the contrary, Ricardo’s enmity towards Hilise grew.

He never did any physical harm towards Hilise like Diego.

However, Ricardo would sometimes stare at her as if he saw the thief who stole something of his.

“Haah, seriously. It’s so suffocating whenever I come home these days. What’s with this dreary atmosphere?”

Gabrielle complained that the ambiance in the family had become very strange lately.

“Hilise, can you please stay in your room for as long as you can? I noticed that whenever Father and Brother see you these days, their temper always goes bad.”

“Ah…… okay. I’ll do as you say. I’m sorry.”

Hilise became increasingly daunted and worn out by her family’s cold treatment.

Then one day, Ricardo returned home late and drunk for the first time.

“Brother, where have you been?”

Hilise was anxiously waiting alone until late at night, knowing that Ricardo has not yet returned to the mansion.

It was the first time that Ricardo, who had always been strict with himself, had returned late at night and smelled like alcohol.

Ricardo glanced at Hilise with his cold eyes and continued walking without answering.

Hilise hesitated before chasing after him.

“Brother…… don’t worry too much.”

She knows what was bothering Ricardo these days.

So she wanted to comfort him, not to make matters worse.

“Father is working hard to find a way to return this power to you, so it will be fine soon.”

She wanted to explain her mind properly so that he won’t misunderstand her intentions.

“Brother, I…… I never wanted anything like this before. You know that right? This is something that you’re supposed to have.”

Hilise never coveted this power.

She grew up thinking that Ricardo is the Inoaden’s successor, and until now, her opinion does not change.

So she doesn’t want Ricardo to misunderstand and hate her.

At that very moment, Ricardo, who was walking ahead of her, halted.

Then he turned to face Hilise and pierced her with his frosty eyes.

“That’s right. You never wanted that power. Yet the power that was supposed to become mine, chose you, not me. Like a dog chasing a chicken.”

Hilise caught her breath and swallowed.

“Did you wait for me to tell me that?”

“Tha-That’s not it……”

“Are you making fun of me? Do you find this funny? Were you actually such a nasty person?”

Hilise was flustered because she did not expect Ricardo to take her words that way.

Hilise hurriedly opened her mouth to apologize.

“I’m sorry. I never meant that. I just wanted you to feel at ease, even if just a little bit……”

“Get lost. I’m not in the mood to see your face right now.”

“Brother……”

“Move.”

Ricardo shoved the crestfallen Hilise away.

He was only going to push her lightly, but he couldn’t control his strength because of the alcohol’s influence.

POK!

“Ah!”

After being roughly pushed by Ricardo, Hilise lost her balance and stumbled.

However, the place where they are currently at is the stairway on the second floor.

Ricardo witnessed Hilise’s body tilting dangerously backwards.

His hand reached out for Hilise.

Hilise also reflexively reached out towards Ricardo.

Fortunately, their hands touched each other.

But the next moment……

Hilise’s hand that momentarily touched Ricardo’s had slipped out of his loosened grip.

Her body continued to tilt backwards once again.

Hilise’s eyes opened wide.

Her hand that touched Ricardo felt cold.

Ricardo’s hand, which gripped Hilise’s moments ago, was frozen in the air.

He was nailed to his spot as he stared at the falling Hilise with stiff eyes.

‘Why……?’

Hilise thought blankly why she’s falling.

Is it because it happened in an instant?

Or is it because she didn’t fully understand the situation until now?

Or……

Is it because she believed Ricardo would help her?

In that critical moment, Hilise’s power did not protect her.

POKKK!

Red blood splashed and covered her field of vision.

After falling helplessly, she landed on the floor headfirst.

A terrible pain struck her as if her bones were broken and her limbs twisted.

Even a small scream could not manage to escape from her mouth.

At last, Hilise was like a broken doll that laid on the ground floor.

Around her was a pool of blood that flowed from her head.

Ricardo, who stood motionless at the top of the stairs as if time had stopped, stared quietly at Hilise’s convulsing body.

That was the last scene Hilise could remember in her first life.