"If you know your sorry, then don't do that again," Adriana broke the silence.
"I'm sorry," apologized Raven.
"Yes, you should be," Adriana patted Raven's head, trying to comfort the boy who looked on the verge of crying.
"I shouldn't have done that. I was just doing that because I don't want to lose you," trembled Raven, who hid his face under the blanket.
"And in exchange, I'm going to lose you?" Questioned Adriana, who pulled down the blanket, seeing a messy face. Adriana gently said, "If you were to die. I'll be alone, and I don't want that."
"Sister, until now, I don't understand."
"Understand what?" Adriana asked Raven, who seemed hesitant to ask.
"We live in a family. Where one does not care and love for each other. Yet you still love and care for me. Why? You don't have to," answered Raven, whose hands were tightly clenched onto the blanket.
So this was bothering him. What a silly question. Adriana chuckled and pulled his cheeks until they turned red.
"Yes, which is why all the more I should shower you with love."
"Is it because you made a promise with my mother?" Raven asked at the same time, feeling frightened to hear her answer.
"Yes," blurted Adriana, who saw Raven frown more. "And no, because I think when it comes to change. It starts from the younger generation."
The word change blew onto his face. He never knew Adriana had this kind of mind. To change the family for the better. But the younger generation? He pointed to himself and wondered why it had to be him.
"You see, Raven. I want you to grow into someone who can trust and have loyal friends. To be able to love others back."
"Then what about you?" Raven asked Adriana, who seemed to be a bit surprised.
"Well, I'm doing what I can to have a better future," Adriana laughs it off. "While you need to promise me to survive and not die before me. You have to promise me you'll grow into a fine man."
Those words Adriana told him Raven kept into the heart. The strong heart he thought he had, trembled like never before. It filled with warmth that softened him ever since.
"I promise. I won't do that again," promised Raven, who lowered his head, not wanting to show Adriana his tears. "But you have to promise me. You cannot die. If you die, I'll be alone."
"But one day, if I were to die. You still cannot forget my words," Adriana smiled with a heavy heart. She knew that keeping this promise was impossible.
And Raven knew Adriana wouldn't keep it but stayed quiet. He believed that Adriana was about to do something that would change the world. So even if she were to disappear one day. He will keep believing Adriana is his one and only family.
"Go back to sleep. Tomorrow will be a long day for you," Adriana covered his eyes, and Raven drifted into the dark.
Adriana heard a snore from Raven and removed her hand from his eyes. She gazes at Raven, who is sleeping well.
Starting tomorrow, she will be alone in the mansion. As Raven will be going back to the academy. Time flew so fast that Adriana felt that it was just yesterday when she saw a newborn being held by Elphina.
"Elphina, are you proud of me? He's safe within my arms. So you can rest now," Adriana smiled at the portrait of a black-haired woman who had light brown eyes.
The following day arrived, and Adriana had sent Raven off. But before entering the carriage. Raven ran back to Adriana and jumped to hug her.
"Please don't be sick. I will be writing to you. So make sure to reply to them," said Raven.
"Don't worry. I will," smiled Adriana.
Raven took a step back before stepping into the carriage. He gazed at Adriana for the last time. The next time they will see each other would be in two years. By then, he would be eighteen.
In the past, Adriana did send Raven off, but it did not feel like this. Raven did not jump and give her a hug. It seemed like they were a lot closer now.
After the carriage was no longer seen. Adriana walked back into the mansion. Now she thinks about it. Things are going to be quiet for a while.
"Raven is off to the academy?" asked Ebony, who appeared out of nowhere. "How boring. I thought something would happen since I felt something coming from his room."
But first, Adriana had to deal with Ebony. The most likely to persuade Raven to summon that demon would be her.
"So you did have something to do with him," smirked Adriana, who placed her hand on her cheek.
"What do you mean?" Asked Ebony, who pulled her fan out and continued, "I only gave some advice since you were sick."
"Thank you for your concern, but we do not need it."
"We? You two are sure close," Ebony awkwardly laughed while fanning herself.
"Why do you sound flustered?" Adriana asked Ebony, who stopped smiling. "Is it because your plans had failed?"
"Failed?" Questioned Ebony while Adriana walked closer to her. When they were one meter away, Ebony started to feel wary.
"Yes, how you wanted to destroy our relationship," Adriana whispered into her ears, sending chills down her spine. "How about I destroy you first?"
Before Ebony could blink, Yashiro had been summoned out. A demon whose size was twice as big as her stood beside Adriana.
One must never forget that Adriana still is one of the most powerful members of the family. Even if Ebony is the wife of the family head. Her stance in the family was nothing to Adriana.
"You forgot who is at the top, Madam Ebony," Adriana walked past Ebony. After a few seconds Ebony screamed out loud, begging for help.
Ebony was laid flat on the ground while she begged for help. Her arms were burnt, which no one dared to look at. Ebony saw Adriana walking back to her, and she crouched.
"Did I forget to tell you that Yashiro is special?" Adriana pondered as her index finger touched her chin. "Hmm, it seemed like it," smiled Adriana, who stood up and pressed the edge of her heels onto her.
Ebony yelled out loud in pain that the other servants had witnessed everything. While Ebony was asking for help. None of them dared to help since Adriana was still there.
"Does it hurt? Of course, it does," chuckled Adriana, whose smile faded. "Next time, don't do things as you wish. You have a brain, but sadly it's not that intelligent."
Ebony watched Adriana until she was no longer seen. She pulled her hair in anger and, at the same time, pushed away the maids who were trying to help her.
Her skin was burnt, and it looked ugly. Ebony turned, scared if Vayne would see this. She will no longer be appreciated.
The name Adriana kept repeating in her head that it made her grow mad. Ebony gritted her teeth and screamed out loud.
While on the other hand, Adriana had rushed to the underground prison as it was about to begin again.
Astell woke up when the door banged and saw Adriana fall onto the ground, trying to push herself up. His eyes grew wide when he saw black blood dripping from her mouth.
"You…what happened," Astell got off the bed and reached his hand out. But because of the chains, he was unable to reach her.
On the other hand, Adriana was trying to catch her breath but couldn't as the throbbing in her chest grew. Astell saw a black mist slowly engulfing them, which did not feel right.
Astell looked down back at Adriana, who was starting to lose control.
"You, get a hold of yourself!" Astell called, fighting the chains tied to his ankle.
Astell used all his might to pull the magic chains hoping they would break. There was another way to remove the chains, and that was by using great force with magic.
It takes vast amounts of mana for someone to break the chains. And it is almost impossible for one to break it.
But Astell Skydane was different. Which made him known in Arabella. The young heir of the Skydane family. Who possessed mana greater than a great mage.
For the last time, Astell gathered his mana and pulled it, breaking it into pieces.
Astell rushed to her side and pulled her into his arms. He looked at her complexion, and she looked a bit worse than he had seen her that night.
Astell gulped, knowing he did not have any other choice but to use that. A kiss on the forehead to suppress.
"Please excuse me," Astell leaned closer to her face and planted a kiss on her forehead.
A bright light surrounded the two, but only Astell witnessed everything. At the same time. That day Adriana had a dream. A dream she hoped to never end.