Two days had passed since the chaos began. Vampires, wolves, serpent people, and other strange beings spread havoc across the world, with Selena's domain suffering particularly.
In Selena's office, she slammed her desk in frustration. "Why is this happening to us?! If monsters keep attacking, there will come a day when we can't fight them off anymore."
Almorante, with a grim expression, responded, "Our allied nations are facing the same situation, Duchess."
Rheuz added, "It's not just our allies; the entire world is in this predicament."
Alita spoke up, "The people are suffering even more now, and there's also a crisis with water and food, Duchess."
Selena let out an exasperated sigh. "Tsskkk!!! And why does that masked woman keep appearing? She always calls my name telepathically."
Selena remembered the Mysterious Woman's voice in her mind.
Mysterious Woman: "Selena, Selena... We need you... We need you... Selena... Selena... You are the key, the key... KEY!!!... Selena, come with me, with us... Selena De Lolce…"
Selena murmured to herself, "Key to what? What do they need from me?"
Almorante looked concerned. "Duchess, what's wrong?"
Rheuz asked, "Why are you muttering, Duchess?"
Selena shook her head. "Nothing, nothing! Almorante, assist the people with their needs."
Almorante bowed. "Understood, Duchess."
Selena turned to Alita. "Help organize the surroundings and repair the damaged structures."
Alita nodded and bowed. "Yes, Duchess," then left.
Selena addressed Rheuz. "And you, Rheuz, order others to protect our entire area and set up barriers at the gates. No one is to enter our stronghold, even if they are our allies."
Rheuz agreed. "Yes, Duchess."
Before leaving, Rheuz glanced back. "Duchess."
Selena looked at him. "?"
Rheuz continued, "I'm glad you didn't signal that you're dead and didn't use your powers or Lady Aerielle's to defeat the giants. I'm relieved that you three are safe and unharmed." He smiled.
Selena replied, "…Do what you need to do, Rheuz."
Rheuz bowed and left. "Yes!"
As Rheuz walked away, he thought, *Even if you don't show or express your true feelings, I know you're happy that your siblings and those who serve you are safe and alive.* He smiled.
Back to Selena…
**At the Dining Table**
Selena declared, "I will be traveling tomorrow with two of my soldiers to visit the countries we need to make allies."
Aerielle gasped in surprise. "!!!!"
Aella interjected, "But it's dangerous outside, and there are many…"
Before Aella could finish, Selena interrupted, "I am strong, Aella, and I will do this for the good of us all."
Aella looked saddened.
Selena thought, *I am also responsible for everything that's happened, so it's my duty to fix it.*
Aerielle said, "Be careful with your planned journey," and smiled faintly.
Selena replied, "…Aella, you will act as Duchess of the mansion while I'm away."
Aella nodded.
The next day…
Aella tearfully said, "Be careful, and eat plenty!"
Selena held Aella's hands. "I'm strong, Aella. You need to be careful because you're still recovering."
Aella chuckled lightly. "Hahaha!! You really… sighs!!"
Selena then went to her other sibling, who was bowing.
Selena embraced Aerielle.
Aerielle was startled. "!!!!"
Selena whispered to Aerielle, "What's happening now has no connection to what happened before, and it wasn't your fault. And don't worry about it, just follow your heart. That's all over now, Aerielle. Okay?" She smiled slightly.
Aerielle, tearful, said, "Sister…"
Selena held up Aerielle's necklace and examined it closely. "That's why I gave you this necklace on our eighteenth birthday," she whispered again.
Aerielle smiled faintly.
Soon, the ship Selena needed to board arrived.
Selena said, "Oh, it looks like I need to leave. Take care," and boarded the ship.
Aella waved and shouted, "Goodbye, Sis!!!!"
Selena nodded.
Aerielle thought, *Take good care, Selena,* and smiled at her.
Selena nodded again.
As the ship departed…
Aella took Aerielle's hand. "We need to leave now, Aerielle. We have more to do."
Aerielle nodded, though she felt uneasy. *But why can't I settle my mind?* She felt melancholy.
**In the De Lolce Garden**
While Aerielle was watering the plants, someone suddenly hugged her from behind.
Aerielle turned around in shock. "Almorante?!! How did you…"
Before she could finish her sentence, Almorante kissed her on the lips.
Aerielle flushed. "Almorante!"
Almorante smiled. "You know I've known you well since we were kids."
Aerielle pushed Almorante away. "Get a grip, Captain!"
Almorante protested, "Aerielle, just…"
As Aerielle walked away, Almorante suddenly embraced her again from behind.
Aerielle struggled in his embrace. "This is wrong, Almorante!"
Almorante shouted, "How long will you live in the past?!"
Aerielle cried, "hic-hoc!!!"
Almorante released her. "Can you turn around and face me?"
Aerielle turned to face him.
Almorante said, "Now, look into my eyes."
Aerielle met his gaze.
Almorante held her hands. "Now, tell me you don't love me anymore, so I can leave you alone and not bother you again."
Aerielle lowered her head. "I don't love you anymore."
Almorante urged, "Say it while looking into my eyes. Don't lower your head."
Aerielle lifted her head and stared into Almorante's eyes. "I d-don't n---- Tsk!!!!" She cried.
Almorante kissed her lips again.
Afterward…
Almorante wiped Aerielle's tears with his hand. "My relationship with your sister has been 'okay' for a long time, so why are you still worried she'll be hurt if we get together again?"
Aerielle stammered, "Well…"
Before we continue with the love story of Almorante and Aerielle, let's turn to Aella.
**At the Market**
Vendors shouted, "Buy here! Everything is cheap!"
Aella thought, *The market is so lively!* "Wow, the items here look delicious!"
She went to the fruit stand.
Aella picked up an apple. "I wonder how much this costs?" she muttered.
A vendor greeted her, "Good afternoon, miss. Are you going to buy that?"
Aella turned, stunned. *Wow, this vendor is handsome. His yellow eyes resemble the color of sunflower petals, his lips are as red as strawberries, and his smooth, pale skin and shiny, curly black hair make him striking, even as a vendor.*
Vendor: "Hello, miss?!"
Aella snapped back to reality. "Oh, yes!" She blushed slightly.
Vendor: "Wait, you seem familiar, hmm… Ah… Oh!" He snapped his fingers. "Are you Saint----, hmm??!!" He looked surprised.
Before he could finish, Aella covered his mouth with her hands. "Don't make a scene," she whispered. "Okay?"
The vendor nodded.
Aella removed her hands from his mouth.
Vendor: "But why are you here buying when you could have your servants do it for you?" he asked softly.
Aella explained, "Well, a student told me yesterday that it's fun and lively to shop at the market with your parents. And it seems to be true," she whispered.
Vendor: "Ah, okay."
Aella asked, "What's your name?"
Vendor: "Ryle Mañosola, miss."
Aella thought, *Even his name is nice.* She blushed.
Ryle noticed her reaction. "???"
Aella stammered, "Oh, um, how much is the apple?"
After shopping, Ryle decided to carry Aella's purchases and take them to the mansion.
An hour later…
Ryle handed the items to Aella. "Here you go, miss."
Aella said, "Thank you for bringing them," blushing slightly.
Ryle replied, "It's nothing, just for you, miss," and kissed her right hand.
Aella blushed. "O-oh, I-I'll go inside the mansion now!!!"
Ryle said, "Alright, miss."
After Aella entered and closed the gate…
Aella waved. "Goodbye!"
Ryle nodded and left.
As Ryle walked away…
Ryle thought, *The rumors are true. Saintess Aella is really beautiful and kind.* He smiled.