CH.74 Talking with Christina

CH.74 Talking with Christina

Dinner was awkward, again. Alice was eating with no regard for her usual manors and just looked like she was on the verge of tears for the entire meal. She did not take my rejection well. I guess it would have been her first one, so it does hit a little harder.

After she had finished her meal, Alice left the room immediately. This isn’t what usually happened, as this far we had all left the table at the same time. Except after the dungeon day when Alice escaped as well.

“Brian, did something happen?” Christina asked after Alice left the room.

“Yeah, she asked me to be her boyfriend and I said no.” I admitted.

“And she didn’t take it well. May I ask why you turned her down? From my point of view you two were getting along well. Did she do something?”

“She didn’t, but... it’s complicated.”

“If you don’t want to talk about it, you don’t have to. You have done so much for us already.” Christina said.

“Have I? Have I really? I feel like I’ve done nothing. The wyverns aside, I really feel like I’ve ruined this family. Internally I mean.” I told her.

“Ruined us? What do you mean by that?”

“It’s just... I turned Alice against both you and Brandon. Brandon even more so. I’ve broken things that cannot be fixed and now, I even broke Alice’s heart.” I admitted. I know the relationship between Alice and her father wasn’t the best even before I came along, but I feel like it’s just gotten worse.

“I don’t think that’s true at all.” Christina said to me. “Come with me.”

Christina got up from the table and I followed her lead. I have no right to refuse at this moment, so let’s just do it.

Christina led me to the master bedroom. Not to get into bed with her. She ordered me to sit down on one of the two sofas that were facing each other with a small table in between.

I did as told and after a minute, she came back with two glasses and a bottle of something. Is she going to get me drunk so I’ll sleep with Alice? That won’t end well.

“If you are trying to get me drunk so I’ll do a something stupid, it won’t work.” I told her.

“Why wouldn't it?” She asked in a teasing tone.

“I’ll just go mad when I learn about what I did and destroy everything with my summons.” I told her.

“No you won’t.” Christina countered. “I know you wouldn’t do something like that.

“Do you know me? Or do you know the me I have been showing to you.” I asked.

“If you were just acting, you wouldn’t have done what you did to Alice. You don’t just hand out power like that.” Christina argued.

... Well, I guess that makes sense. You don’t want possible adversaries.

“...” I didn’t respond. I don’t know what to do.

“That’s what I meant when I said you wouldn’t understand me. I shouldn’t be here. And I don’t mean in this room. Or in this house. I shouldn’t be in this world.” I let it out.

“This world? What do you mean by that?” Christina asked.

“I’m not from this world.” I told her.

“What do you mean ‘you are not from this world’? Then where are you from?” She asked.

“I mean I wasn’t born here, I wasn’t raised here, I mean I’m not from here. I’m not from a place that exists here.” I told her. “I came here from another world. From one vastly different from this one. One with no magic, no monsters, one where the cards I now use to summon monsters were just a game.”

The room was silent.

I guess after learning of something that shatters reality, even Christina would go silent like that.

“May I ask you something?” She said.

“...go for it.” I said as I grabbed the bottle and poured myself a second drink.

“How long have you been in this world?” She asked.

“...I came here on the day I eliminated the dungeon. I think it was seven days ago.” I told her.

“I... I see. So everything is new to you. That would explain some things.” Christina said.

“Yeah.” I responded as I emptied my second portion. That didn’t last long.

“Let me tell you this, you are free to stay here as long as you need. Neither I nor my husband will ever kick you out and you are free to come back here if you want.” Christina offered. “You might not have a home in this world, but I can offer you mine.”

“...thank you.” I said quietly while clearing the tears on my face. I really shouldn’t be crying like this.

“I think we should call it a night. You clearly need rest.” She told me. “And if you can’t sleep because you are lonely, I have a spot open next to me.” She teased.

“Well at least I now know where Alice gets it from.” I responded as I got up.

“What do you mean by that?” She asked before I could leave.

“You didn’t know? She snuck into my room and slept next to me after our trip to the dungeon.” I told Christina as I left the room.

“What do you mean ‘slept next to you’?” She called out behind me. I didn’t stop. I’ll break down into tears again if we continue. I’ll need a day to recover before that.

I made my way through the manor. Luckily Laura could tell me the way.

On the way I ran into Nicole, who asked me if I needed anything, but I just said no. I don’t really feel like anything except bed at this moment. When I made it into my room and entered the bathroom, I noticed they had a bath ready for me. I guess it would be a waste not to use it, so I stripped and took a quick dip in the bath, clearing away the rest of my tears and the grimes of the day.

I dressed in my borrowed PJs and went to bed.