A Distant Past [2]

The next day.

"Charlotte, let me refresh you."

"Yes?"

The two siblings were leisurely enjoying the evening outside of the mansion.

Teacups were set on the table in front of them, while the two were seated across each other.

Vanitas, reading a large book, couldn't help but notice the subtle glances Charlotte was giving him.

But he paid them no heed, and continued.

"Which empire lies to the north of us?"

She blinked her eyes, taken aback by the sudden question, and set her cup down. 

"That would be the Sanctis Concord."

"Yes."

Vanitas nodded. Charlotte was right.

"Now, moving east. Which empire do we find there?"

"The Celestine Hegemony," she answered.

"Now, the western empire?"

"Ah, that would be the Zyphran Dominion."

Vanitas nodded once more and flipped the page. These were general information he had already known about the game.

He probably knew more than Charlotte regarding the game's lore.

However, what he needed was practice to deliver his lectures properly.

"Now, moving south. Which empire resides there?"

"That would be the Umbral Coalition."

"Now, who's in the center of the continent?"

She didn't hesitate. "That would be Aetherion—our own empire."

"And our capital?" He asked.

"Valenora."

Just like the game, the main storyline took place in Valenora, the capital of Aetherion, the empire they resided in.

Vanitas leaned back. "Well done, Charlotte."

As Vanitas picked up the cup, about to drink it. Charlotte's gaze lingered on him for a few seconds, then returned to her own book.

A sudden notification appeared in his peripheral vision, just as he was about to take a sip.

———「Debuff」———

「Soulbane Toxin」

◆ Risk Level: Minimal. 

◆ A potent, purifying poison that seeps into the soul, weakening any dark energy within. Will not affect pure or non-demonic beings.

———

Vanitas's brows raised, intrigued, and took a sip.

It had been like this ever since he inhabited this body.

Any food and drink offered to him, the same notification would appear.

However, it had no effects on him since he was not a demon. Nor was he a dark mage.

So, he paid it no heed and accepted without questioning them.

'Soulbane Toxin, huh?'

He reminisced back during his gaming days.

It was a debuff effect that was used on low–high grade demonic entities or dark mages. Usually, in the form of a flask.

But from the notification, it was clear that it was poured on the tea.

"Charlotte."

Vanitas lifted his gaze from the book, and turned to Charlotte once more.

"Yes?"

"What about demons? Do you know how to exorcise them?"

"..."

Charlotte, who had been quite casual with him lately, showed a clear reaction for the first time, eyes widening.

Vanitas scanned her intently, noting every reaction. The subtle tremble in her hand, the flickering eyes, the cold sweat beading down.

The hint of fear, a prodigious actress like her, couldn't hide.

Charlotte took a slow breath, her fingers easing their grip on the book.

As if her mask returned, her face smoothed into an unreadable calm.

"Yes, I know the theory behind exorcising demonic energy."

She met Vanitas's gaze directly, but he noticed a flicker in her eyes.

"The Holy Church of Luminara trains specialists in cleansing arts. Sanctis Concord is known for its purifying practices. But, starting from the 17th century, their practices are being taught in academies all over the world."

It wasn't just the Sanctis Concord anymore. According to historians, magic was invented for humanity to combat demons.

However, the origin of magic was first reported in the Sanctis Concord.

But as magic became common practice, humanity began to deviate, ultimately establishing the empires known today.

The Empire of Aetherion.

The Zyphrian Dominion.

The Umbral Coalition.

The Celestine Hegemony.

And their progenitor, The Sanctis Concord.

"Why the sudden question?" Charlotte asked.

Vanitas turned the book around for Charlotte to see. The page's contents he was reading were about demons.

"Oh."

***

"I'll be going now, Father. Please, give me strength."

"..."

There was no response and Charlotte stepped out of her Father's bedroom.

The servants looked at her with concern, but Charlotte dismissed it, and asked.

"Where's Vanitas?"

Vanitas.

That name itself made her sick in the stomach.

"He's in the library again."

Just as Charlotte was about to head to the library, the servant added.

"But, Lady Astrea. Are you sure about this? I know you're powerful, but maybe we should request—"

"No."

Charlotte shook her head. Even if, hypothetically, she wanted to, it wasn't possible.

She had no access to the family funds. To request aid from the Crusade Department, she'd have to use all the pocket money she had saved up.

Step—

Just like that, Charlotte continued walking and entered the estate library.

The smell of old books mixed with dust registered.

There, on the table, Vanitas was buried deep in books.

Charlotte found it odd.

The entire arrangement was odd.

He could've left. Of course, Charlotte would prevent that at all cost. But nonetheless, Vanitas never insisted on stepping outside the estate either.

"Charlotte?"

Charlotte froze the moment their eyes met. But quickly, she composed herself.

His eyes.

They felt nostalgic.

A memory buried deep within Charlotte's heart.

'Please, stop looking at me with those eyes.

'I've already accepted it. So, please, stop pretending.'

'Stop pretending to be him.'

'I hate you.'

'I've always hated you.'

What made her stomach twist even more was the fact, the more she looked at him, the more the past overlapped.

Back when her Mother was still alive.

"Charlotte?"

"Ah, sorry. I forgot what I was here for."

"Okay."

Charlotte left the library, and immediately rushed to her room and took out her diary.

During her younger days, she would often see her Brother write in a diary. Charlotte picked up this habit from him.

However, she was embarrassed to let him know she was copying him. So, she hid it where Vanitas would never find it.

It was covered in dust. Charlotte hadn't used it for a long time.

—Mother, Father, and Brother came to watch my school play today. They said I was really good at acting. Mother and Father always say nice things, so I wasn't sure if they meant it. But Brother looked so proud of me. Maybe I really am good at acting.

"Tsk."

—Brother helped me learn a new magic today! My brother is so smart. I want to be just like him. I love my brother.

Flip— Flip— Flip—

—I don't understand anything. But it really hurts. Why was Mother in a big box? Why did they putting her under the dirt? I don't understand. But my heart hurts so much. It hurts. Why did you leave me, Mother?

Charlotte's grip trembled. But she persisted, flipping onto the next set of pages.

—Brother changed. He stopped smiling for me. Father said it'll take time for Brother to be nice again.

"I hate you."

She muttered, scrunching her brows.

—Today was my graduation. But Brother didn't come. It's okay, at least he didn't scold me today. I was happy about that, even if he wasn't there.

"Idiot."

—Brother yelled at me again today. I don't know what I did wrong, but his face was so angry. I tried to say sorry, but he wouldn't listen. I just don't understand. I miss how he used to be.

"I hate you, I hate you."

Her vision started to blur. But Charlotte kept reading anyway.

—Sometimes I think maybe if I get better at magic, he'll like me again. Maybe he'll be proud of me. I practiced all afternoon until my hands hurt, but he didn't even notice.

"...Why was I such an idiot?"

—I'm trying to be strong. I really am. But it hurts. I wish he could see that I just want him to be happy again.

Drip…!

A small, dark spot spread across the page, smudging the ink.

Charlotte could practically recall Vanitas's tormenting. 

She had only borrowed a fountain pen for a bit to finish her assignment. When he found out, he was furious.

'Don't touch my things without permission!' He said.

It was ridiculous. The entire ordeal led to Vanitas cutting her allowance off for two months.

Due to that, Charlotte couldn't buy the newly issued textbooks. She had to borrow from the little amount of friends she had.

But still, it cost her grades to drop. Ever since that day, Charlotte started working part–time jobs, pretending to be a commoner just so they would hire her.

"..."

Charlotte's fingers tightened around the edges, her grip trembling.

Her chest felt heavy, and her shoulders rose and fell continuously.

"Hic..."

She blinked quickly, but another drop followed, trailing down onto the words.

Drip. Drip…

The room was quiet, save for the faint sound of her breath catching, and the occasional sounds of whimpers.

She knew her Brother was gone.

No—the sweet brother she remembered from long ago had always been gone.

But the recent events had cemented that loss, making it painfully real.

It felt as if she had lost him twice.

This family had shattered long ago.

"Hic… Hic…"

Charlotte stayed in that position for a while, unable to hold back the quiet stream of tears.