".... Ha"
John, Diana, and Ruslan looked at Aris, who buried her face in her hands and sighed. That's what she looked like right after she was seen Frax returning home with Asti.
That expression full of regret.
This part shows how much Aris cares about Frax's presence, and Aris' strong energy, which did not even blink at almost anything, softened when such a presence disappeared.
The reason they gathered like this now was to comfort Aris, who was very heartbroken.
From what happened this morning, they could see how much of a shock the noise around Aris had on her mind.
Originally, Aris would not have responded to the whispers around her, but unfortunately, she could not help but react hypersensitively to each sound.
"Don't worry too much, Aris. Those are just stories from people who really don't know anything."
"Okay, that's how all people are. When they hear a rumor, they don't even think about finding out if the rumor is true or not, and they just like talking about someone. That kind of thing… I think it's very mean."
Diana also supported Ruslan's words. While the two were talking, John, who was sitting next to them, remained awkwardly silent. Diana elbowed John in the side.
'Tell me!'
'Can I say anything in this situation that will help? If you have nothing to say, silence is the answer. 'They say that if you stay still, you'll always get halfway there!
'John, your friend is in trouble and you're going to keep doing that?'
'Even if you say something useless, Aris becomes more uncomfortable. I can express my gratitude and hope that you will not become an emperor. Isn't there any?'
'ha!'
"...Is that what it is?"
"It's not your fault. No, the guy who would rape you just because you gave him some slack in the first place is crazy. Don't forget. Frax cleverly framed you as the perpetrator, but in reality, you are the victim."
"But something still makes me feel uncomfortable."
"Shake it. He told you that too. From now on, let's not pretend to know anything. You can do the same. Whether you know it or not, you probably have a lot of regrets there too, right? What Frax did today was an obvious ploy to get attention by pretending that he wasn't interested in you."
As usual, Diana only told Aris what she wanted to hear. But she knew everyone in this room. This is just a momentary respite.
The relationship between the two is so complex that no one can delve into it.
Ruslan, who had a good relationship with Aris, felt the same way. And this fact caused Ruslan considerable discomfort.
It is clear that he intends to rape the woman he likes, and not only has he devastated her mind, but he is now planning to carry out his despicable tricks.
It was an act that could never be overlooked.
"Aris."
"... Well, Ruslan."
"There is no need to leave a complicated mind just because it is complicated. Just throw it away."
"Throw it? No. I can't."
Ruslan put his hand on her shoulder and said to Aris, who was shaking her head with tears in her eyes.
"No. Just as things that you thought were really important become unimportant when you realize they aren't, the same goes for emotions. I keep repeating to myself, Frax isn't important to me anymore."
Aris answered according to Ruslan's words.
"If it were easy, I wouldn't be doing this."
"The wounds that Frax left on you will continue to grow in the future. I know that the memories you made with that person are very precious memories that have made you who you are today... Remember, Aris. That we are by your side now. There is no need to embrace a past stained with hurt."
After hearing Ruslan's words, Aris nodded.
"You are right, Ruslan. thank you."
"It won't be easy, but I hope you get through it well. Because we will never betray you."
"... really?"
"sure. If I betray you, won't Deus strike me with lightning? Is there any way a priest can betray his friend?"
"By the way, how many times have you stabbed me in the back without me knowing, John? I hope you live up to that name."
Diana shot John sharply. In fact, John had a history of saying such things to Diana and causing her many embarrassing situations.
"Uh huh. What does it mean to be a good friend?"
"They say that friends only like friends when they really need them. If you do that one more time, I will send lightning in your face instead of Deus."
"Hey, can I take a look?"
"say."
Aris burst out laughing at their comical talk.
"Anyway, Aris."
"Yes, Diana."
"Ruslan is right. The more negative thoughts a person has, the deeper sleep he or she falls into. Let's shake it up and come out of that dark place."
"You're right!"
Aris smiled sweetly at them. Ruslan and other friends, including , smiled as if they were a little relieved.
But... will their words really be the answer?
Her confusion consumed her. It was as if she was being dragged into a deep sleep, and her foolish affection for Frax's presence took hold of her and would not let her go.
But she hated sitting like this even more. At that time, Aris recalled the expression on Asti's face, who was looking at her with a strange smile.
Why did Asti, who was always timid, laugh at her? The laugh was clearly mocking.
Have you ever done something so bad that someone laughed at you? Aris didn't think so.
At one point, Asti's mockery echoed in Aris' head. And the fact that Frax exchanged comfortable smiles with Asti.
She got angry without knowing why. Aris would have been the target of the laughter, but Aris felt a deeper anger rising at the thought of losing that spot.
She thought she had done nothing wrong. What is her fault for believing that immortal friendship exists? If there was any sin, it was Frax who broke the relationship and she tried to restore it.
Frax, who spoke of eternity, has changed. He asked her for a different kind of eternity. That alone made Aris innocent.
Obviously I am not guilty... Why is he like this and why are Frax and Asti so happy?
Perhaps this is what Asty's mockery means.
Your dearest friend is now mine.
The relationship you wanted to continue is now mine.
Roughly speaking, this is a mockery.
Aris' thoughts expanded like that. Her negative thoughts continued to pull her down. Into that deep, mean swamp.
And at the bottom of the swamp of meanness, there was pride that she had done nothing wrong.
The self-esteem built up from childhood continues to insist that one not laugh at oneself even in situations like this.
Her pride speaks to her too. Asti is the culprit of this whole situation. That sneer. It was a mocking smile commonly seen in people who like to wear masks and deceive others.
Aris soon turned her guess into certainty.
Asti broke down their relationship and caused it to fall apart. It is clear that Frax was incited by her to do such a thing.
Once her confidence reached that point, Aris felt defeated by Prah and Asti. Even at this moment her poor pride did not rejoice in her defeat.
She wanted a sincere apology from him and wanted to go back to their previous relationship. She wanted to win Frax and tie him to her again.
So how do you 'win'?
There was only one way. She had no choice but to clash with Frax, who was reluctant to face her. Clumsy strategies don't work in Frax. The only thing that works is sincerity.
And she had something that could help her.
Brooch of promise. One time, Frax gave her that brooch as a birthday present.
'Aris!'
'Why, Frax?'
'I might give you a hard time someday!'
'you? That's impossible!'
'no. People don't know what they're doing, right? So if I do, please show me this!
'Is this...a brooch?'
'yes. I'm embarrassed to say this, but let's call it a sign of promise!'
'A token of promise...!'
'Me too, you too... small twists and turns and misunderstandings may accumulate between us. In that case, please show me this token. At that time, I will let go of everything and tell only you from the bottom of my heart. Let's just say this is a promise between us!'
'It's a kind of conversation, right? Then I will give you the same thing right away!
'yes. However, in some cases it may not be of much use. Because I really value you!
'That goes for me too. Still... Thank you so much for the gift, Frax!
After saying that, the two people looked at each other and exchanged warm smiles. Memories of the past that she could not tell anyone about were still the driving force behind Aris.
If she had this, Frax would have listened to her story.
The story she had just heard from Ruslan and Diana had already disappeared from her mind.