Chapter 126: Louise's heart 2

As I gazed up at the stars in the night sky, a sudden warmth enveloped my shoulders, and a familiar voice called out from behind.

"Can't sleep?" I turned to see Adrian, his jet-black hair and ashen gray eyes holding a gaze filled with kindness and concern.

There was a complexity to my feelings for him, a mixture of emotions that left me somewhat unsettled.

"Yeah... I just had something on my mind lately" I replied, feeling a slight stutter in my words as my heart quickened its rhythmic pace.

"Is that so..."

Adrian responded, settling down next to me. The two of us were perched on the top roof of Lucian Hall, a castle-like dormitory that offered a panoramic view of the vast academy and its bustling districts.

The myriad lights below illuminated the liveliness of the surroundings, even though the night had yet to relinquish its hold.

It was a breathtaking sight, one that captivated not only my gaze on the night sky but also the sprawling expanse of the academy and its diverse districts.

As I alternated my attention between the stars above and Adrian beside me, a wish formed within me—an earnest desire that these moments could stretch into eternity.

"You know it's dangerous for you to go out like this, right?" he asked, genuine concern etched across his face.

"Mm, I know... I just want to take my mind off of something, you see," I replied, crafting whatever excuse I could to prolong this moment. The truth was, staying in his room any longer, watching him fall asleep with Aria in his arms, had become too much for my heart to bear.

"I'm sorry...." he said, his gaze fixed on the sky. "It took me longer than expected, but... I promise, I'll help you get out of this situation" he added, suddenly turning to me with a warm smile.

Badump!

Badump!

Badump!

My heart echoed in my ears without reason. He had merely uttered some simple words, a promise he made, so why did I feel so happy?

Why was I so overwhelmed?

And, most perplexing of all, why was he even helping me in the first place?

He never even questions my actions....

The night air seemed to thicken with unspoken emotions as we sat together, him looking at the starry sky and me wrestling with the swirl of thoughts inside my head. The warmth from his smile lingered, and the promise he had just made hung in the air like a delicate melody.

It was a promise that unfolded against the backdrop of the starry night, casting a soothing spell over the charged atmosphere.

"W-why? Are you helping me?" I asked, my voice tinged with the vulnerability that welled up in my eyes.

He appeared genuinely taken aback by my reaction, looking at me as if my question were the most obvious thing in the world. "Because you're my friend," he replied casually, a gentle smile gracing his face.

'Friend'

The word echoed in my mind. Yes, that's right—I'm his friend.

"Hahaha" I chuckled through the tears, realizing the simple yet profound truth. How could I forget? He was undeniably kind for no reason, even though my actions teetered on the brink of being a crime. I couldn't help but think that others might not see things the same way he did.

The weight of the word 'friend' had always carried a twinge of pain, a reminder of my past and the fear of becoming a burden. Yet, in that moment, a strange relief washed over me. I had spent the past week wondering if I was imposing on him, but here he was, helping me out of genuine kindness.

As the realization sank in, the night seemed to wrap around us like a comforting embrace.

As the night gradually yielded to the approach of morning, I noticed the weariness settling over Louise. Exhausted, she eventually succumbed to sleep by my side.

A soft smile graced her face in the serenity of slumber, revealing a vulnerability that contrasted with the guarded exterior she often presented.

Gently, I scooped her up, cradling her in my arms, and carried her back to my room. The weight of her slumbering form felt surprisingly light, a contrast to the emotional weight she seemed to bear when awake.

The quiet act of carrying her, the stillness of the night, and the shared silence between us added an unspoken layer to our connection.

As I laid her down, I couldn't help but wonder about the intricacies of Louise's thoughts.

The fluctuations in Louise's mental state, picked up by my ability, didn't necessarily grant me insight into the depths of her heart.

It was a peculiar dance of emotions that eluded easy interpretation. Despite having a glimpse into her thoughts, the intricacies of her feelings remained veiled.

A soft chuckle escaped my lips as I observed the scene unfolding before me.

Louise found herself sandwiched between Aria and Analise on the bed, the two of them vying to envelop her in the tightest embrace possible.

It seemed Analise, too, was quite the hugger, as evidenced by the enthusiastic display of affection.

Glancing at the time, the impending dawn signaled the need for me to regroup with Schwi a week later.

However, I faced the challenge of crafting a convincing excuse for Tristan and Alex later, who were likely growing suspicious due to my prolonged absence.

As I pondered the fabrication of a plausible story, the idea of revealing Louise's continued existence crossed my mind. The truth held the potential to alleviate their concerns, but sharing it at this juncture might complicate the intricacies of the plan in motion.

While I possessed the capability to forcefully assert my will with my sister's authority, unleashing supernatural powers upon the entire student body seemed like a risky move.

Such an audacious display might incur the wrath of the goddess, an outcome not entirely unwelcome, but a grand confrontation wasn't the optimal course of action at the moment.

For now, I better go to the principal's office, Victoria's probably back.

'I wonder if Loki got what they wanted from the demon king. However, considering the offers my aunt and Loki were making, I doubt the demon king would have denied giving him that stone'

....

The morning sun cast its gentle glow over the academy grounds as Tristan stirred from sleep, the weight of recent events weighing on his mind.

Despite the brevity of their interaction the day before, Adrian had promised to share the details later, leaving Tristan with a sense of anticipation.

Determined to clear his thoughts, he decided to engage in some early training at Cleave Hall, a favored spot for moments of solitude and self-reflection.

As he quietly made his way towards Cleave Hall, Tristan wrestled with the idea of going directly to Adrian's room.

However, a sense of courtesy held him back; he didn't want to intrude on Adrian's rest just to seek answers to the questions buzzing in his mind.

The tranquility of the morning was interrupted by a familiar voice calling out to him, pulling him from his contemplative thoughts.

"Yo! Tristan, long time no see, right?" The voice was accompanied by the lively presence of a woman who embodied both strength and beauty.

"Master?" Tristan exclaimed, a mix of surprise and recognition coloring his expression.

The woman before him, a mentor figure who had guided him through many challenges, stood with a confident aura that resonated with experience.

A smile played on her lips as she observed Tristan's reaction.

"Been a while, hasn't it? I heard you're in quite the whirlwind of events lately. Let's catch up, shall we?" said Siena in a tone both excited and threatening.