9 Sister-in-law

Knock! Knock!

A sudden knock at the door disrupted Victor's train of thought. With a sense of caution nipping at his heels, he approached the door.

As he drew it open, he was greeted by the sight of a woman of astonishing beauty, cradling a food box in her arms.

Victor's eyes widened in surprise, his mind desperately trying to dredge up a memory of her from the mists of forgotten recollections. Yet, the memory remained stubbornly elusive.

"Victor, are you planning on becoming a statue?" The woman's playful chide snapped him back to reality.

"Please, come in," Victor responded, stepping aside to allow her passage.

"Excuse me," she murmured, her steps soft as she navigated past him towards the dining room.

Victor trailed behind her, taking a seat opposite once they reached their destination.

He found his gaze ensnared by her enchanting presence yet again. Was it even possible for every woman in this world to be this striking?

Her beauty was truly remarkable, with luscious black hair that cascaded down her shoulders, framing a face of such exquisite beauty that it took his breath away. Even in her casual attire, she radiated an aura of effortless elegance.

As Victor studied her, a hologram flickered into existence before him, unveiling her identity.

[Name: Helen Celestia]

[Age: 25 years old]

[Race: Human]

[Attribute: Unknown]

Helen Celestia, his sister-in-law, the wife of his estranged brother.

"Victor, could you stop staring me and start eating before the food turns cold?" Helen's voice broke through his reverie.

Snapping back to reality, he responded, "Of course, sorry about that. Thank you for the meal, Helen."

He started to eat, each bite revealing the depth of flavor Helen had managed to infuse into the dishes. Pasta, beef, an assortment of vegetables, and meat—all executed to perfection.

Helen watched him with a warm smile, pleased to see him relishing her cooking.

She saw Victor as her own brother, often preparing meals for him as an expression of her affection.

"How does it taste? Is it good?" Helen asked, her eyes reflecting her anticipation.

"It's good, as always," Victor answered, nodded.

Her face lit up with pride at his praise. "Good to hear," she said.

"But Helen, you shouldn't go to the trouble of bringing me food. I'm on the brink of graduation, and it's about time I learned to fend for myself," Victor lightly suggested.

Helen responded with a gentle smile, "I know, but it's no burden at all. I simply want to take care of you. There's no need to worry."

Victor fell silent upon hearing her words, deeply touched by Helen's sincerity. After a moment, he reciprocated her smile, "Thank you, Helen."

"Victor, we're family. There's no need to thank me," Helen replied warmly, reaching across the table to take Victor's hand in hers.

Victor held Helen's hand in return, a playful smirk crossing his face, "It wouldn't be so bad to have a wife," he mused.

Helen chuckled lightly. "Then you should set your sights on a girl even better than me," she teased.

"Better than you? That's impossible. I might as well give up now," he retorted jovially.

"You're such a flatterer," she said, though her amused smile showed she was far from annoyed.

Victor's smirk widened into a full-blown grin. "Oh, I'm better than that," he declared confidently.

Their banter continued, the room filled with their shared laughter and light-hearted conversation, a testament to their deep bond.

******

"So, how's school going?" Helen inquired.

"Everything is under control. The ability awakening is just 20 days away, and I have no doubt that I'll awaken a unique power," Victor replied, the self-assurance resonating in his voice.

The system he'd acquired had instilled in him an unwavering confidence. Even if he didn't awaken any other powers, he possessed the ability to manipulate gravity—a rare and formidable ability in itself.

"If you do awaken any superpower, it might align with the fire element, just like your brother's," Helen suggested, her tone speculative.

"That could be," Victor conceded, giving a nod of agreement.

"Then, you should..." Helen's voice trailed off mid-sentence, a sudden realization sparking in her eyes.

With a furrowed brow, she rose from her seat and approached Victor.

"What's wrong?" Victor questioned, a hint of confusion clouding his features.

Helen didn't respond immediately. Instead, her fingers reached out, gently brushing against his forehead.

"Victor, I need you to be forthright with me. Did you engage in a fight at school?" she asked, her expression one of stern concern.

Victor instinctively reached up to touch the fading scar on his forehead. "This? No fight. Just a minor mishap on the road," he explained dismissively.

"Are you telling the truth?" Helen probed further, her eyes piercing into his. Clearly skeptical of his claim.

"Absolutely. If I had been in a fight, I would've admitted it because I would've come out on top," Victor retorted confidently.

Helen exhaled a soft sigh, a mixture of amusement and exasperation. "Alright, then. Stand up," she instructed, her fingers gently guiding his chin upward.

Victor obeyed, rising to his feet. As he did so, Helen's face drew close to his, causing a flicker of embarrassment to spark within him.

Her warm fingers lingered on his forehead, and he could feel the stinging sensation gradually receding, the scar fading away under her touch.

Helen withdrew her hand, a satisfied smile playing on her lips. "How does it feel?" she inquired.

"Much better," Victor acknowledged, nodding his appreciation.

Helen's smile softened as she cupped his cheek, placing a tender kiss on his newly healed forehead. "Promise me, Victor. Don't put yourself in harm's way. I can't bear the thought," she implored in a hushed, anxious tone.

Victor's heart fluttered at the palpable concern in her voice. Pulled her into an embrace, "I won't give you any reason to worry," he assured her.

The warmth of their embrace lingered, a silent testament to their bond.

Victor closed his eyes, savoring the serenity of the moment. Time seemed to slow to a halt as they stood there, absorbed in each other's presence.

After what felt like an eternity, Helen gently disentangled herself from their embrace, shattering the tranquil silence. "I have to leave now," she said, a warm smile touching her lips.

Victor opened his eyes, a silent nod indicating his understanding. "Take care," he replied.

Helen responded with a reassuring pat on his cheek, her smile warm and comforting.

Then she turned around to leave. The echo of her departure filled the room, leaving Victor alone once more in the grand house.