29 Elara's Decision.

"Y-Young Master Vaan…?"

Elara, who finally raised her head, glanced at Vaan with a surprised look on her face.

Vaan who was looking at Elara taken aback,

Elara was beautiful.

She had a fair skin tone, silky red hair that flows down her face, those captivating red eyes that exude innocence, brilliance, and confusion, a slight blush on her cheek since she was embarrassed about being late, the elegant gown that amplified her beauty and stressed on her curves,

Elara was far more beautiful than any girl Vaan had ever seen, in both his lives.

'Vaan you bastard, I can't believe you lived your life the way you lived.'

Vaan cursed in his head again.

The second time was purely because he was jealous of the previous Vaan.

If only he could punch that bastard.

"Y-Young Master Vaan, why are you here?

D-Do you need some money? I-I apologize but I have just recently bought some Elemental Stones so I do not have any. Would it be alright if I gave you the Elemental Stones instead? O-Or if you can wait, I'll exchange the Elemental Stones with Gold Coins and give them to you."

Elara spoke.

From her tone, she sounded careful, it was as if she was afraid of disappointing Vaan.

"N-No, I am not here for money."

Vaan quickly shook his head.

"T-Then did you do something and need my help? I-I can take care of it, Lady Astra would go easy on me…" Astra spoke as she lowered her voice.

Astra had ordered her many times not to take the blame for Vaan's mistake, however, she cannot help herself. In her mind, she thought that if she continues to help Vaan… then maybe…

Maybe…

"No, I haven't done anything wrong either, Elara.

I am here to use this room to practice magic."

Vaan spoke.

"W-What?" Elara was taken aback.

She did hear from her teacher that Young Master Vaan had changed. However, to think he would actually come to the Magic Training Room. Elara couldn't believe it but she was extremely happy about it.

"That is gre-"

She wanted to cheer him up, but then suddenly, Vaan grabbed her hands.

"Elara."

He called out.

"W-W-What is it, Young Master Vaan?" Elara stuttered as her blush deepened.

"Are you free right now?" Vaan questioned.

"Y-Yes, I am f-free."

"Then could you please teach me Magic Release?"

Vaan questioned.

"H-Huh?"

Elara was taken aback.

"Can you not?" Vaan questioned with an innocent pout.

"A-Are you really sure you w-want me to teach you?"

Elara questioned.

She had tried to teach Vaan many times before, she even spent hours oversimplifying her notes so she could teach Vaan, however, every time she tried to talk about magic, Vaan always lashed out at her and pushed her away.

One time, she even left her notes in Vaan's room, hoping he would study them however, the next day, Vaan burned those notes right in front of her and all the servants before walking away in anger.

Now the same Vaan is asking her to teach him magic…

Was it some kind of prank?

Elara wasn't sure.

"Hmm? Of course! You are the genius whose talent even surpasses that of the Mother, who can be more qualified than you?

Not to mention you are also my Fiancé."

"Huh…?"

Elara's eyes widened in surprise.

This was the first time Vaan had ever called her 'fiancé'.

Different feelings welled up in her heart, the second strongest out of all was happiness, and as for the strongest…

It was fear.

She was scared that all of this is just a dirty joke played by Vaan. A new way to abuse her, this time, mentally.

Playing with her feelings like that… even Elara, who had endured all this abuse silently for all these years wasn't sure if she could endure this type of abuse.

"What do you say, Elara? Would you please help your foolish Fiancé out?" Vaan questioned with a smile on his face.

Elara looked into Vaan's eyes, trying to find the usual contempt and annoyance he had when he looked at her before, however, when she looked into Vaan's golden eyes,

Her eyes widened in surprise.

Those eyes…

She had seen those before…

Her most precious memory played out in her mind,

The memory of a 4-year-old, purple-haired, golden-eyed boy, extending his arm toward her,

"Are you the girl mother took in as her pupil? That's so cool! Mother even said that you are my Fiance! Does that mean we are best friends? Hahaha~ I can finally have a friend now! Oh! I am sorry, I didn't introduce myself! I am Vaan! Mother's son!

Nice to meet you, Fiance!"

Those kind and bright eyes that didn't look down on her just because she wasn't a Vesta like all others did…

That hand that was extended towards her when all others avoided her.

For a 5-year-old Elara, who had left her family and was brought to a completely new place where everyone seemed to avoid and hate her.

Vaan's action was like a ray of light in a dark place.

Without thinking any further, little Elara grabbed little Vaan's hand, and their friendship started.

Elara was a bright child who understood complex magic theories even though she was only 5. Of course, her body wasn't strong enough to gather Mana, so she couldn't use it, however, she still continued to study magic theories under Astra's guidance.

In her free time, she played together with Vaan.

Others avoiding her didn't matter to her anymore.

She was happy with just studying Magic Theories and spending time with Vaan.

She thought that things would stay the same for the rest of her life, however,

When she turned 12 and her body finally became strong enough to absorb Mana,

Everything changed.

Her shocking talent was revealed to the world.

People who avoided her and looked down on her started praising her, it was a good thing, however,

The hands that were extended towards her when she was at her lowest…

They started moving away…

Jealous of all the praises Elara received and angered by how people compared him with her,

Vaan distanced himself from Elara.

Elara tried to hide her skills, she even went as far as not studying magic, choosing Vaan over magic, hoping that he would return, however, that never happened.

Then a year later,

She appeared.

Seraphina Stormweaver,

The girl Vaan fell in love with.

With her appearance, Vaan completely forgot about Elara, no, it could be said that their relationship took a turn for the worse. From distancing himself to straight up bullying her...

Vaan changed...

And now...

Vaan seemed to have changed again...

Elara glanced at Vaan's hands that were holding her hands just like all those years ago and this scared her,

Should she reciprocate?

What if…

These hands move away again?

Was she ready to go through all that pain again?

All those questions popped up in Elara's mind,

She then looked into Vaan's golden eyes, the eyes of the current Vaan and the child Vaan who had extended his arm towards her superimposed,

Elara made her decision.

"I-I will help you."