Chapter 172

Chapter 172

An awkward atmosphere soon began to rush over them from all sides. Most everyone was busy chattering away about Nix. There were those who were keeping their conversations to their small groups, while members of the Black clan were simply speaking under their breaths about how the strange culprit reminded them each of someone.

The blond doll was furious with himself for having acted so rashly but had to accept that the deed had already been done. Roxana’s expression suddenly became apologetic and somewhat guilty. It was partially an act, but also partially sincere. She bowed her head slightly in a gracious manner, then addressed those surrounding her.

“The Black Agrece are also partially responsible for this indecent disturbance, and therefore on behalf of my clan I would like to personally extend my sincerest apologies.”

Those who understood her position remained silent, while others looked on in confusion while trying to work out why she would take it upon herself to apologize. She then turned to express her remorse for the affront to Sylvia since the Blue Princess had been directly affected by the Vertium doll’s actions.

“I am terribly sorry you were put in harm’s way, Lady Sylvia.”

“No, no! There’s no need to be! I’m truly quite all right.” The young Pedelian began to flail about frantically as the woman she admired most bowed her head to her in sorrow. She turned her golden gaze toward her father and brother as if begging them to help her by speaking up.

“She’s right, Miss Agrece. There is no need for you to apologize. You are the last person who should be held responsible for the actions of this puppet.”

While Roussel spoke to reassure Roxana, Cassis took the opportunity to address the curious crowd. “That’s right. After all, the one responsible for this creature’s very existence is none other than Noel Vertium.”

As he expected, the crowd was all in a tizzy after hearing the blunt revelation.

“None of the current Black clan members have anything to do with the fact that this Vertium doll also happens to be using their late brother’s corpse.”

Upon hearing that additional information, the congregation became a full-blown frenzy. No one could believe what they had just heard. The fact that it was the Blue Heir of all people saying such incredibly unimaginable things made the entire situation that much more incomprehensible.

“That is why they are all essentially victims as well. Please rest assured that none of the other clan representatives would find fault with you Agreces for what transpired here today.”

And sure enough, none of the other clan masters spoke out against them once word of the incident finally reached them. On top of that, the Gold Master’s impending trial was fast approaching. Although they hadn’t yet decided whether or not to disclose Nix’s existence to the minor clan members, the puppet’s sudden appearance that day had made it public knowledge to enough of them that the ensuing rumors would require informing the remaining members about him as well.

In the midst of everyone’s renewed gossiping and audible astonishment, Roxana’s gaze fell off to the side and stopped to take in the blond teen whose nose had been bleeding all that while. It was then that the Agrece woman’s face was filled with an emotion so pitiable that it melted the hearts of everyone able to lay eyes on her preciously fragile figure.

Those who were first to witness the shift in her disposition couldn’t seem to keep their mouths from falling open as they attempted to combat the inexplicably suffocating feeling of wanting to rush forward to console her, yet still fearing the crushing magnitude of her beauty. Even Nix flinched when his blue eye met her red gaze and stopped struggling against Cassis’ grip for a moment.

Roxana’s ruby lips quivered a few times before her voice finally made its way out of them. “May I... wipe off some of that blood on him before you take him away?”

The Blue Heir’s golden eyes hardened for a split second before he nodded his assent ever so slightly. After receiving his approval, she approached the puppet while slowly reaching out to him. Even that simple movement appeared so frail that the teenage creation could only stare at her.

He seemed to forget all the harshness she had shown him even days prior to this unexpected encounter. And for some reason, he began to get the strange notion that if her hand were to touch him at that moment, a very critical part of him would change permanently. Then, as if to cement the uneasiness mounting within himself, her solemn lips uttered the one name he couldn’t accept.

“Achille...”

The puppet became so stiff that he stopped breathing as the very sound of the name seemed to strike him like lightning. The Agrece siblings who had been clamoring around the scene soon appeared to group together to murmur amongst themselves about what they were witnessing.

Exasperated, Nix reflexively swatted the slender, pale hand away from his view.

Yank!

Cassis seized a more stable hold of the puppet’s neck, then applied even more pressure than he had used initially.

“Xana!”

Jeremy arrived just in time to break the intriguingly tense atmosphere. He ran toward his sister while his black hair wafted to and fro in the wind. Following behind him were Badrisha and Luzark Castro, as well as Jeanne Pedelian. To the puppet’s increasing misfortune, the young Black Master had managed to arrive in time to witness the thoughtless slap directed at Roxana’s delicate hand.

“Hey! What the hell do you think you’re doing to my sister?!”

The young leader growled menacingly as he wrapped his arm around Roxana as if to shield her from the monstrosity. “You think you can do whatever you want just ‘cause you’re in Achille’s body?! You’re nothing but a pathetic impostor! How dare a failed imitation like you attack her?!”

The fury emanating from Jeremy felt to Nix as though it would devour him whole in an instant.

“Relax, Black Master.” Hiakin Fipellion felt it best to remind the young man to remain calm in front of the minor clan members. Nevertheless, the young Agrece leader remained infuriated and continued to glare at the doll.

“Why is that puppet even here?!”

“You’ll have to ask the knights who were on guard. Perhaps we should move to a different location to discuss this matter further.”

After assessing the situation, the Red Master chose to speak up in accordance with the Blue Master’s suggestion.

“Yes, I agree. It seems it would be most appropriate to get to the bottom of this elsewhere. Besides, your sister seems rather shaken by this ordeal, Black Master. It may be in both of your best interests to prioritize calming her down first.”

Jeremy conceded reluctantly and turned his attention back to Roxana. “You all right, Sis?”

“I’m fine.”

Despite her response, Jeremy’s expression remained riddled with worry. She squeezed his hand a bit tighter for good measure, but her efforts to appear calm weren’t convincing enough to fool her younger brother’s sharp, blue eyes. He could see in her delicately downcast gaze that she had been somewhat traumatized after seeing Nix in this state. “Let me walk you back to your room, Xana. You look far too pale to stay out here.”

He tactfully took his place at her side while continuing to reassure her.

“That won’t be necessary. If anything, I’m more worried about Sylvia.”

The Pedelian once again shook her head fiercely as the Agrece’s worry-filled, red gaze returned to her. As the Black clan leader, Jeremy also thought it best to ask after the Blue Princess’ well-being. “I heard that puppet tried to harm you. Are you all right, Miss Pedelian?”

“Yes, I’m fine. Really. But thank you for your concern.”

“I think it would be best for both ladies to return to their respective chambers.” In an attempt to conclude the matter, Cassis directed the words more at those standing around than at his sister or the young leader. He locked eyes with Roxana for a moment as there was much they wished to say, but it was clearly not the time. She looked away from him first to address no one in particular.

“Please excuse me.”

No one dared to stop her.

Those who were unable to make any sense of the incident at first, soon put the pieces together in private where they began to form theories of their own. Nix had been taken away by the guards already. For some reason, he had hardly put up any sort of resistance and merely stared blankly into space as if he had lost all his will to fight.

The remaining Agrece half-siblings followed suit when their brother and sister turned to leave the garden first. The remaining clan leaders also proceeded to guide their respective members away as well.

Sylvia had been staring at the puppet’s back as he was dragged away before finally looking at the spot on the grass where her brother had pinned him down. It was still freshly stained with the doll’s blood.

“Just keep still until we get out of here. There’s no need for you to get...”

She tried to shake his words from her thoughts, but they seemed to keep crawling back into her ears. Although he had treated her roughly, he didn’t seem truly intent on harming her. Nevertheless, she had still struck him reflexively, which she felt had been unfortunate in hindsight. She suddenly felt a pang of guilt as her heart began to feel heavy.

“Sylvia.”

With most everyone gone, Cassis decided to check on her more closely. She had only thought about the puppet again by chance, but his sudden interruption made her jump as though she was terribly guilty of wrongdoing.

“Are you sure you’re okay? Did that puppet frighten you? You’re certain you weren’t hurt?”

But per usual, he was acting like nothing more than her kind, warmhearted, older brother who was only interested in ensuring his younger sister was okay.

“Yes, I really am all right.”

He continued to look at her as if he were searching for something. But once he felt certain that she was truly unscathed, he decided to change the subject. “You did really well back there, Sylvia.”

“W-What do you mean?”

He gently patted her shoulder as he could see she was flustered by the abrupt compliment. But he nodded pridefully before going on.

“I’m sure you were scared after getting separated from everyone else, but you acted calmly and very, very bravely. Plus, I heard you struck three of his weak points in one go! Considering that was your first time applying the self-defense tactics you learned, you were truly remarkable. Not everyone can keep a level head and shirk their fear the way you did in a situation like that.”

Although she felt as if she hadn’t accomplished much during her stay at Yggdrasil castle, she had made sure not to waste her time while living sheltered inside the Pedelian castle. Almost every member of her clan was highly protective of her and for a good reason, so in her mind, it was only reasonable that she become well-trained in various forms of self-defense and martial arts.

Of course, there had been little need for her to use such techniques until that day. Thus, that was her first time defending herself against an assailant. In truth, she actually felt slightly ashamed that Nix had caught her in the first place, but her brother continued to shower her with praise.

Cassis was someone she knew would never say anything that he didn’t mean wholeheartedly though, so she took comfort in knowing that he was speaking from the bottom of his heart. The Blue Princess’ usual bright spirit soon sprang forth and manifested into her famous large smile across her face once again. She blinked excitedly while verifying her brother’s praise repeatedly.

“Did I really do well?”

“Of course! If anyone else had been in your place, they probably would have been too busy wetting their undergarments to act.”

“He couldn’t be more right.”

Roussel and Jeanne returned to their children’s sides and chose to echo their son’s deductions while patting their daughter on the back.

“Just think, you faced that Vertium puppet all on your own! Even I don’t recall acting so valiantly when I was around your age. You were simply marvelous, dear.”

“Indeed, Sylvia. We had rushed over after hearing that you had been the one to take it down! You’re truly incredible.”

Her father made extra effort to boost her spirits as he—like many other members of the Blue clan—had noticed Sylvia’s downcast mood for some time already. The effect proved to be rather wholesome, and her smile returned with such brilliance that it was almost as though she had never been depressed in the first place.