Indignity

"Sis..." said Elyana.

I know my presence has them, or else Ethan wouldn't have stuffed that watch back into his pants.

"Oh, it's her.." says Aera.

"Who.?" asks Bruno.

"Didn't you hear Ely just called her sis. She is her sister and the next potential knight of this kingdom, as I mentioned earlier. —The Eleanor... " She smirks at me with both of her palms on her cheeks.

Is she looking down on me? I must not lose my calm, so I stood straight and responded.

"You seem to know quite a lot about me."

"Who Doesn't." She didn't even take a second to answer and continued to stare in the same position. She is picking up on me, for sure.

"Elyana told you? Or you were asking around.?"

"Does it matter.?"

"Not at all. It's just that I am feeling honored. Thanks for your approbation." I said.

She pauses her smirk to give a serious glare, then slowly releases her lips. 

"Hahaha, she is good. See, I told you guys."

Her attitude infuriates me. I don't want to drag this along, as I am not here to win any superiority over anyone.

"I wonder what's funny about that because you are the only one laughing in this room. You joke and laugh by yourself all the time.? Such self-clowning." Marie said as she stepped forward to align with me.

"Huh.?" Aera stopped laughing and gave a dreadful look to Marie. "What did you just say.?"

"Those ears are just for fashion, I guess, because they can't seem to be functioning properly." Marie propelled her words without stopping.

She is good at winning arguments and pissing people off with her words.

"Do you even know who you are talking to.?" says Aera as she stands in her place, leaving the table. Is she going to fight.?

"Oh, enlighten me." said Marie.

"Aera, stop." Ethan steps in, placing his hand ahead of Aera. "Calm down, please."

She stares at Ethan for a few seconds and lets out a big sigh*

"Alright. I am not saying anything." she says, walking back to her table.

"Thank you. I appreciate it." Ethan comfortably smiles at her.

Even though I don't like any of them, this Ethan guy seems benevolent towards everyon-

"You can really act so tender and thoughtful while hiding some nice dagger behind you. No.? Mr.Ethan." says Marie.

Dagger.? As soon as the word reached my ears, I felt a sudden jolt. My mind raced as I tried to anticipate their next move. I am preparing myself for any possible danger or threat.

"What dagger?" I asked.

"It seems like you didn't see it, Elea, earlier when he was removing that weird-looking watch from his back."

I remember when I was fascinated by that watch; she was sternly looking at Ethan.

"..." I looked at Ethan, gripping myself in alertness.

"Oh, you mean this.?" Ethan very casually takes out his dagger. It was covered in a black-coloured scabbard. "It's my infused weapon." says Etnan as he removes the blade from its shield.

Infused weapon.? So he has already graduated.? He must be on the knight level. Where is he from.? He looks around the same age as me.

The dagger he is holding. It's around 35–45 cm long, curved-shaped, with a dark azure blue blade and a golden handle that is striped black. It's not too long or too short. I've never seen a blade like this. Not even in the textbooks. Is it an unknown historic artifact? Or custom-made? Whatever it is, it's giving me ominous vibes.

"But you don't seem like a knight.? " I asked.

"You can tell.? " Ethan seems surprised.

"There's no badge on you."

"I see. That's why"

"Who taught you infusion.? No one outside the official academy should know how to do it."

"If you believe that, then you are living in a bubble."

"What.?"

"Well, I can't blame you. Anyway, this dagger is a gift from my mother. She gave it to me before she passed away. " said Ethan with a contended look on his face. "You guys don't have to get so alarmed. Relax. Will you?" Ethan said as he nonchalantly put it back inside the scabbard. "To be honest, I haven't even mastered it properly. Hehe"

His tone and way of talking are very convincing, and I don't feel like buying it.

"May I ask one more thing.?" I said.

"Sure, go on."

"Where are you guys from.?"

"...."

There was a long pause. No one was saying anything. Bruno and Ben were looking our way, and Aera was off in her zone, twigging her forehead flix, completely ignoring us.

"What Happened.? She asked you something." says Marie.

"I am sorry, but we can't tell you that." he said.

" Huh.? Excuse you." says Marie, infuriated.

"And why you can't te- " 

"For god's sake, Sis, stop it!!"

Before I could complete my sentence, Elyana snapped at me.

"...."

I was appalled and couldn't say anything. She impulsively says things at home. But outside, she never raised her voice like that towards me.

"Where am I...with whom am I..what I am doing...why you and Mom just mind your own business.?" 

"I- W-We ask you because we get worried about you."

"Stop that. I am not a child anymore. I don't need you to meddle in everything I do."

I lowered my gaze.

"Calm down, Elyana. You don't have to talk like that to your sister." says Ethan.

"I had it enough. She has made my life a walking prison."

I am feeling more and more ashamed. I cannot bear it anymore. If I want, I can reply, but my eyes have almost started to fill up. Now I know what she thinks of us and me in general. If I stay here any longer, I might lose it. I gave Elyana a dejected, hopeless look before I turned around and darted away.

"Elea, wait." says Marie, chasing after me.

"Pfft..Haha!!" Aera laughs in the back. "Did you all see that."

"Aera..." says Ethan.

I trot straight away from this place. Coming here was a waste of time. She is right. Why should I even care or be bothered by what she is doing? Mom and Dad will take care of it.

I kept my head down and walked at a fast pace, grabbing myself from both sides. I was so occupied by my thoughts that I forgot that Marie was calling me.

"Elea... Wait, you don't have to run." says Marie as she holds me by my shoulders. "Calm down."

We stopped on our toes.

"Are you OK?" Marie asked.

"I am fine, Marie. Let's go home now.? Ok?"

She pauses and looks me in the eye. She knows I am on the verge of crying.

"Alright." 

It has gotten completely dark now. The road is a little slippery due to the snow, so we slowed down our pace. White street lights glimmer, directing our path from the sides as we walk in the middle.

"I know your intention isn't wrong, but you know what.? Let her be. Let her fall and learn on her own. You only say right.? Every person is different. She is too. She is dumb and stupid." Marie said.

She's right. I am getting worked up for no reason.

"Thank you, Marie. I am glad to have a person like you beside me."

She blushes and loses her words.

"Wh-ha.. Why do you say things like that all of a sudden with a straight face.? I was just saying the obvious."

"Sometimes obvious things are not so obvious when you are caught up in your emotional dilemma." I said.

"Well, okay..you're welcome, I guess." She said, facing the other way. She gets embarrassed quite fast.

"And I am sorry for wasting your time. There was no point in coming here."

"It's okay. Forget it now. I wanted to do something out of the box myself."

"I see."

"You better not forget the deal. We are going to the Asura Carnival this weekend."

"Yes, yes, I remember, and I won't forget. You, me, and Yui, we'll go together."

"Hell yeah." Marie said while punching in the air.

And so we said goodbye to each other and parted ways towards our home. People are active on the streets; I see lots of new faces from other towns as well, maybe because of the Carnival happening near.

I unlocked the door to my house with the key.

"I am back."

I bent down to remove my shoes, and not until I was pushing my shoe out did I see a silhouette of the woman standing in front of me with her arms folded and a very piqued face.

Ahh- today I am dead. for sure.

"First Elyana, then your dad went somewhere, and now you are coming home late. Everyone just does whatever comes to their mind at this point."

"It's not like that..I- I was with Marie. She said she wanted to see if the Asura carnival was happening or not this time. We even made plans to take Yui along with us this weekend."

Damn, she isn't even flinching. I guess it was a bad excuse to give.

"Really.?"

"Yes.!"

My mom stared at my scared face, which was making a very forceful, innocent smile, until she felt pity and gave in.

*Sigh** Then, at least, relay a message if you are coming late or going somewhere. I was worried, you know."

She lets go of her folded arms and calms down as she walks inside.

"I am sorry." I bowed and said.

"It's okay now. Wash yourself. I am setting up the dinner."

"Yes."

Walking behind her, I realise that my mom is beautiful from the back too. I always adore her hair and how she keeps that pony on one side of her chest, leaving her neck slightly exposed. The only thing that scares me is her anger. Phew*