Bloodbound Codex: I Grow Stronger in Secret

Meanwhile, far from the Human continent, Back in Celestara - In the city of Solara.

Inside the villa where Atlas, Seraphiel and Dravenson had their meeting, inside one of its chambers which belonged to Seraphiel, she sat on the massive bed placed at the center of the spacious room. A small pillow remained in her embrace while she sat with her knees pulled closer, her head lowered as silence filled the room around her.

’He seems to not understand anything other than logical Mutual Exchange from me...he is very cautious as well.’

She slowly circled her index finger over the soft bedsheet while recalling everything that had happened since meeting Atlas. Her thoughts first drifted to the moment she had seen him confused after obtaining the Epic Rank Relic, then slowly moved through every conversation they had until finally reaching the events of today.

After thinking about everything once again, only one question remained inside her mind.

’It hasn’t even been more than a few days...why am I feeling attached to him?...I didn’t even interact with him that much, so how?’

She had already asked herself that same question countless times, yet every answer she came up with only created another question. She was one of the most renowned businesswomen among the noble households. Throughout her life she had negotiated with countless merchants, nobles and organizations, forming many relationships that benefited the Rosaria Household, but never once had she experienced anything similar toward any of them. Apart from her parents, no one had ever occupied her thoughts this frequently.

That alone made no sense to her.

Even after Atlas had already left, she still found herself recalling every conversation they had, every expression he had shown and every decision he had made. She tried analyzing those emotions just like she analyzed every important business proposal placed before her, but the more she attempted to understand them through logic, the less logical they became.

Just as she slowly turned her head toward the large window beside the room, a familiar voice came from behind.

”Seraphiel?”

Her thoughts immediately stopped as she turned around, ”Mother?...When did you arrive? And...you should knock before entering shouldn’t you? You were the one who taught me and yet...”

”I arrived Only a short while ago,” Marristella replied with a gentle smile, ”Well, i figured I would give you a surprise, I came to Solara and wanted to see you first, but you seemed completely absorbed in your own thoughts. I was about to leave you alone for a while but...I sensed some unfamiliar emotions coming from you.”

The moment those words reached her ears, Seraphiel’s eyes widened slightly. She was reminded once again that both of her parents possessed special Eyes. Although they had never explained those eyes in detail, they had always referred to them as Unique Abilities capable of sensing the emotions of others.

Before Seraphiel could gather her thoughts, Marristella spoke again, ”You seem conflicted from the inside, my little girl.” She smiled softly before asking, ”Is it Atlas...the one you can’t seem to understand, yet have started developing feelings for?”

Seraphiel’s eyebrows twitched slightly before she lowered her head again. Knowing her mother could already perceive her emotions, there was little point trying to deny them.

”M-Maybe...” she muttered quietly. ”I...I don’t understand what this feeling is, s-so I don’t know...”

She slowly tightened her grip around the fabric of her gown before shutting her eyes tightly.

Silence filled the room once again.

Marristella quietly looked at her daughter for several moments before nodding to herself. The next instant, her figure blurred before appearing beside Seraphiel on the bed.

”My sweet daughter...” she said gently. ”Why are you crying? Is it because you don’t understand this feeling?...Or is it because you think it will be difficult to make him understand it and agree to be with you?”

Seraphiel slowly opened her eyes and looked toward her mother sitting beside her. Hearing that question, she hesitated for several moments before replying in the same awkward tone.

”I-It’s both...”

The moment those words left her mouth, Marristella smiled slightly.

”Is that how it is?” she asked gently. ”I understand why you think it will be difficult to make Atlas understand your feelings because I have already seen with my own eyes how much negative emotions he carries inside him. Someone like him will naturally be much more difficult than ordinary people but...the former one, about you not understanding this feeling, is nothing more than you trying to refuse to believe it.”

Seraphiel frowned immediately.

She understood the first part because she herself had already realized how cautious Atlas was around everyone. Every action he took carried purpose, and he never seemed to trust anyone completely. However...the second statement only confused her even more.

”What do you mean...I am trying to refuse to believe it?” she asked while looking toward her mother’s smile once again. Seeing that same calm smile only made her confusion deepen, but before she could ask anything else, Marristella answered on her own.

”Huhu...it is nothing more than you trying to refuse to believe that you love him.”

”W-What?...L-Love?...W-What are you saying, Mother?” The moment that word entered her ears, warmth immediately rushed toward her cheeks.

She lowered her head once again while unconsciously tightening both hands around her gown. She wanted to deny those words immediately, yet strangely enough...she couldn’t.

”Hehe~, you know these eyes of mine can see the emotions inside your heart, right?” Marristella said without hesitation before smiling gently. ”Do you really think I would lie after seeing them with my own eyes? Besides...you are my daughter, so helping you understand yourself is also my responsibility, Seraphiel.”

Hearing that, Seraphiel remained silent.

She wanted to explain that perhaps this feeling was only curiosity because Atlas was unlike anyone she had ever met. Perhaps it was gratitude because he had trusted her enough to trade with her. Perhaps it was simply admiration toward someone so different from herself.

Yet...every explanation she came up with somehow felt less convincing than the previous one.

Seeing her daughter quietly lowering her head without saying another word, Marristella slowly stood up from the bed.

”Now, I will excuse myself.” She smiled warmly before continuing, ”Think everything through carefully, but don’t try to understand this only through logic. Try to feel your own emotions more and accept them. That is the only advice I can give my sweet daughter.”

She gently placed one hand on Seraphiel’s head before speaking one last time. ”If you still need help after that, you can ask me anytime, alright?”

Seraphiel simply nodded while keeping her head lowered. The next moment, Marristella disappeared from the room without making a sound.

Silence once again filled the room.

Seraphiel slowly turned her head toward the rain falling outside the large window, while only a single sentence continued echoing inside her mind.

Accept your own emotions.