It's been a long time since I last saw this expression on someone's face. In fact, I used to be frequently met with this kind of expression... And no matter how much time passes, I still remember very well how I felt each time I was the target of it.
As if a void were consuming me from the inside... Guilty and disappointed with oneself... I felt horrible.
Even this tone of voice is something I had already gotten used to... I mean, after a while, you get used to anything, even if it's not good. That doesn't mean you should get used to feeling like trash every day.
But Mom isn't someone like I used to be; I think she's exactly the kind of person who has been admired and praised all her life... Someone with a bright future and many people to support her.
It must be for this reason that Mom lowered her head, and I felt some tremors with every word Nala said. Mom isn't the type of person who is a source of disappointment for someone; she doesn't know how it feels like I used to feel...
"We had high hopes for your future, girl. We were hoping you would ascend to our level even younger than the Great Thanax... But all of this was wasted, no, all of this was torn up and thrown in the trash because of ONE CHILDISH DECISION..."
Mom doesn't seem to want to refute, on the contrary, these words made her shrink and lower her head even more. From my position on her lap, I can see that her eyes are closed, as if trying not to hear the words being said.
By now, I think it's a good idea to try to understand and learn more about Mom. Earlier, she seemed so confident, so bright, so... Proud. Now, only a sad, beaten, and fearful woman remains.
"Why, Inessa? Why didn't you accept help? Gao Huo sent several letters, Lord Akachi came here several times trying to help you... Because of this, you ruined your future and also threw our support and friendship in the trash."
This conversation doesn't make sense anymore... Now it's just Nala venting the frustrations she has on Mom. Mom is not in a position to defend herself, which is making Nala even more dissatisfied.
If this continues, we'll remain in this vicious cycle for some time. It won't solve anything and will leave both of them more hurt. I should do something since the other people around us are unconscious.
That's right, I'll do something. I may be a baby, but there's still a lot I can do. Yes, just think a bit and decide what to do...
What am I going to do?? I have no idea what to do... AAAAAHHHHH... A baby just cries and sleeps... Oh, I know what to do.
"You have no idea what..."
*GRRRGRRRAAAAAHHHAHHHHHHHHHH*
Before Nala could continue her venting monologue, I screamed as much as I could and did my best to make an angry expression. That's it; I may be a baby, but I know very well how to look mean.
It was a gamble; it could work and draw their attention to end the conversation, or they would simply ignore me, and Nala would continue talking. Fortunately, it seems to have worked since Nala stopped talking, and now both of them are looking at me.
Mom opened her eyes and looked at me with a bit of joy. But Nala seemed to be trying to understand what had just happened. She was staring right into my eyes.
And now? I think I should try to stare at Nala and keep making the angry face. Let's hope it works.
"... ..." Nala looks at me.
"... ..." I stare at Nala.
"... ..." Nala continues to look at me.
"..." I continue to stare at Nala... Is this really a good idea? I'm starting to break out in a cold sweat.
I think it's good to remember that the woman in front of me can kill everyone here or at least leave us with permanent problems, all effortlessly, I think. I hope I'm doing the right thing. Please, God, don't let me die so young in this life, thank you.
"... ..." Nala looks at me.
"... ..." I stare at Nala.
"Haha... hahaha... HAAHAHAHAHA, Incredible, simply incredible. Look at this boy; he dared to stare at me."
You know, when we're in dangerous situations, our bodies react in a very strange way. Some become paralyzed, others become energetic, among other reactions. In my case, I've always been very energetic because of adrenaline.
I remember once I was hunting in Canada when suddenly a moose found me. It was mating season, and I was apparently in the middle of its territory.
It didn't take long for an animal over 2 meters tall and almost half a ton to be running after me. From a hunter, I became the hunted just like that. And believe me, this was one of the worst adventures I've ever had, one of almost dying too...
My heart was racing, my muscles were full of strength, my eyes were moving non-stop in all directions, and my mind was sharper than at any other time in my life. I still remember exactly how I felt at that time. I felt alive... And I felt even more alive after managing to escape the moose.
Here there's no moose at the moment, but my body, all of a sudden, started informing me that I just went through something unbelievable...
Why? Simply because, one minute I'm staring at Nala, who is about 2 meters away from Mom. Suddenly, my entire vision becomes blurry, and I start feeling dizzy.
The next second, my point of view changes, and suddenly I'm being held by Nala and looking directly into her eyes up close.
My body is reacting the same way it did in the situation with the moose. Did I just go through a life-or-death situation because of the blur? Or is the life-or-death situation because of the top-tier predator looking at me?
"Look at you... Bold, brave, cheeky... Still a baby, but already so much attitude and personality. Will you stay like this when you grow up? I hope so... hahahaha."
What kind of supernatural speed is this? Is this even possible? Or was it some kind of space-time magic?
She took me from Mom's arms and returned to her place in milliseconds. It was as if she had never moved. One second I was with Mom, the next I was with Nala. My god...
Fortunately, Nala isn't looking at me like prey or as a threat... Which is good, but my body continues to shiver because of her gaze and that lunatic Yandere smile on her face.
"You will certainly be a first-rate Statera, no, you will be a perfect Statera, the best in recent times. But for that, you must not be neglected and will need all the necessary training and education for you to reach the peak..."
Nala seemed to be thinking about something related to my future. From her expression, she's already analyzing me and trying to make some plans. Whatever she's thinking, she's very focused on it to even think about something else.
So I think my plan worked, but in the wrong way. However, the ends justify the means, and if the price to end any animosity between these women is to keep her busy with something else, fine.
"Humm... Already connected to Inessa but still very sensitive to aura... Has a high resistance to aura pressure; this means... uhhumm, eyes show no signs of contamination to any degree... Great, very good..."
Nala continues to examine and analyze me deeply; she seems to like the results, and her smile continues. Occasionally she says things I don't understand, and sometimes she gives me compliments and lets out a little laugh.
Anyway, Nala continued examining me for a good few minutes. Meanwhile, Abigail began to wake up, and Mom helped her stand up and compose herself. Soon, she noticed my situation and was a bit surprised but didn't say anything.
Both Mom and Abigail were just watching and waiting for Nala to finish her examination. And when that happened, the first thing Nala said was:
"Inessa, what was your plan in starting a Nexum with him? Wouldn't it be enough to just bond with him... Did you have to put him in such danger? I don't need to say how much this can harm Apollo in the future, do I?"
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I hope you can help me correct any spelling errors in the chapters.
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