My Family in the Novel?

Chapter 98: The Sister the Saint and the Spirit Princess

As Tristan and Alex retreated from the scene, Aria and Analise breathed sighs of relief. Aria, turning her attention to the corner where Louise was hiding, couldn't suppress a chuckle at the unfolding events.

"Everything's alright now," Aria assured, her eyes glancing behind her to ensure their unwanted visitors had left.

"Are they gone now?" Louise inquired nervously, still taken aback by the unexpected arrival of Tristan and Alex. Her earlier plans had not accounted for the possibility of their interference. While she had anticipated their curiosity about her sudden disappearance, she had not considered the absence of Adrian, adding an unforeseen layer of complexity to the situation.

Analise nodded in confirmation, "Yes, they've left. You can come out now, Louise."

Louise cautiously emerged from her hiding spot, still visibly on edge. The unexpected encounter had left her shaken, realizing the need to adjust her plans to accommodate the presence of worried friends. Aria, observing Louise's discomfort, couldn't help but find amusement in the spirit princess's predicament.

"Next time, be more careful, Louise, even Analise might ran out of answers if they asked more complicated stuff" Aria advised with a teasing smile, "Adrian wouldn't want you getting caught in a web of your own making."

"Yes, but just where is Adrian?" Louise mumbled softly, a hint of concern in her voice. Aria, sensing her worry, offered a reassuring smile.

"Don't worry, he'll come back soon."

"How do you know, even? The principal wasn't sure where he went, right?"

"Just a feeling," Aria replied cryptically. Louise sighed, accepting Aria's response, realizing there was no use dwelling on Adrian's whereabouts at the moment. If he said he would return soon, he probably would. However, considering Adrian's tendency to break promises, Louise couldn't help but feel a twinge of frustration, her cheeks puffing in response.

"Anyway, I'm gonna go now. I have a class ahead. Analise, stay here and take care of her."

"Yes, take care, young lady."

"Bye, Louise."

"Goodbye, Aria." Louise waved slightly as Aria left the room, her thoughts still lingering on Adrian's mysterious departure.

'Haah....'

Sighing once again, Louise approached the sofa and sank into its cushions. The weight of uncertainty pressed on her, and she pondered how long she would have to remain in Adrian's room. He had instructed her to stay until his return, and despite the unease, she decided to trust him.

To compound her troubles, the news of the incident had likely spread throughout the empire. The death of an important figure due to her actions meant that the duke's forces, along with the aid of the royal family, were probably searching for her. Louise feared that she might not even get a fair trial, as all the evidence seemed to point towards her, leaving her in a perilous position that hinted at potential execution.

In an attempt to offer solace, Analise approached with a tray bearing a warm cup of tea.

"Miss Louise, here is some tea to calm your nerves."

Aria and Elena locked eyes on Louise, scrutinizing every detail from top to bottom. In response to their smirks, Louise found herself growing increasingly irritated, now caught in the midst of three crackling currents of invisible tension.

Witnessing the brewing rivalry, Analise couldn't help but chuckle slightly. With a touch of mischief, she handed each of the three girls a cup of tea.

The delight on Analise's face grew as she observed the varied expressions that flickered across Elena's and Louise's faces. Positioning herself behind Aria's chair, Analise silently waited for the palpable tension to subside.

"So, what are you two doing here?" Aria inquired, directing her question at Louise and Elena.

"L-like I said, due to certain circumstances, I can't tell you. But Adrian was the one who brought me here, okay, and I just kinda fell asleep along the way," Louise attempted to explain.

Her situation seemed more suspicious than the others, given that she had been in Adrian's room since morning.

Elena, on the other hand, had her own peculiar reason for being there in the middle of the night, which was also kind of suspicious in the first place.

Aria, being Adrian's sister, had a somewhat reasonable excuse – returning Analise – although she could have done so in the morning.

"Wait, you slept here?" Elena asked in shock.

"Y-yes," Louise replied immediately. Although she was trying to hold it in, her fangirl side almost broke free the moment the saintess Elena entered the room. The prospect of getting an autograph or, better yet, a blessing from Elena seemed like a dream come true for Louise. Her excitement was palpable, despite the tension lingering in the air.

"What about you? Why are you here, Saintess?" asked Aria.

"Please call me Elena, and as for my reason... Well, is it not okay for a girlfriend to visit her boyfriend privately?" Elena replied with a mischievous smile.

Aria made a shocked face as she heard Elena's bold confession. Despite being somewhat aware of their relationship as Adrian never told her directly, Aria was taken aback by Elena's openness, especially in Adrian's room. Louise's entire body stopped moving upon hearing Elena's words, and even Analise, usually composed, displayed a subtle expression of surprise.

Elena blushed, realizing what she had revealed. Their relationship was supposed to be kept a secret due to various complications, including Elena being a saintess—an incarnation of the goddess herself, with a body that was considered sacred and untainted according to their doctrines. However, in the heat of the moment, Elena's emotions had taken over, and she had uttered something she wasn't supposed to disclose.

Aria, recovering from her initial shock, couldn't help but chuckle. "Well, I suppose it's about time Adrian's love life became less secretive."

Elena giggled, seemingly pleased with the reaction she had elicited. "I thought it would be more convenient for everyone if we're more open about it. Besides, hiding it just makes it more exciting, don't you think?"

Aria couldn't deny the truth in Elena's words. The complexity of Adrian's relationships had always been a source of intrigue and speculation among those close to him.

"Excuse me... Senior Elena, did you really mean what you said?" Louise asked again in confusion.

Elena, with a bashful smile, replied, "Yes..."