Evil Goddess (4)

"C-Cleo, let's go for lunch together!" I called out to Cleo in the classroom, but she turned away without replying. She was still upset about yesterday, busying herself with her friend and completely ignoring me.

I tried to reach out to her, but just as my hand almost touched her shoulder, my mother's words echoed in my head.

"Don't you touch my daughter with that repulsed knowledge, you Devil!"

Honestly, I don't like my Mother. She was sassy and cold-hearted, only saying mean things to everyone around her. She was sassy and snob, and only knew how to critic but never to praise. She was selfish, trying to tell us what to do but she never did what she said. You could say she was a deadbeat Mom.

However, being called Devil by your Mother still cut deep in my heart. I never understood why she treated me so harshly. Was my objection to entering this war the only reason she hated me?

Or perhaps there's another reason, something deeper? Could it be that I truly deserve to be called The Devil, the Harbinger of Destruction from the past?

Deep down, I believe that to be the case. The dark flower that The Elementia showed me continues to beckon me even now. It draws me into the Abyss, awakening something inside me.

My thirst for true knowledge.

I sighed and took my lunchbox with me. Concealing myself from prying eyes, I made my way to the Academy's darkest corridor. Guided by a feeble lamp, I navigated toward the secret chamber.

Our Academy was an ancient castle predating Hilfheim. Through its thousand chambers, one secret door would lead you to oblivion. Yet, if you dare venture through the abyss, you'll find yourself in a magical world you never thought existed. It was in this enchanted realm that I conduct my research, seeking the ultimate truth I desired.

A way for me to cure my Pale Moon.

"Hey, Princess. What are you doing here?"

H-huh? Did someone follow me? Dammit, I didn't sense him at all! Startled, I quickly hid behind a pillar, "There's no one here, you're seeing things, Mister."

But then someone flicked my forehead. "H-Hey, what're you doing!? That's not something you do to a lady!" I exclaimed, slapping away the offending hand. It was then that I realized the person before me was none other than the man I rejected yesterday.

Flustered, I instinctively distanced myself from him. Stealing glances at him, I was captivated by the sky-blue of his eyes, exuding both freedom and a hidden solemnity. His golden hair, resembling rays of warm sunshine, cast an aura of gentle radiance upon him. Towering over me, he possessed toned, well-developed arms and a sword at his side, hinting at his mastery of the sword.

The man shrugged, "A lady? That's a stretch, coming from a troublemaker like you, Cleo. I bet you're trying to escape your responsibilities again, aren't you? Geez, why did I volunteer as a class rep? Not only at school but even here, I have to babysit you."

Class rep...? Wait, my class representative?! D-damn, how could I miss that. No, it was my fault for not paying attention to everyone in class. Guess, I was still afraid.to see everyone's face.

Just like what I thought, the man mistook me for Cleo. Well, everyone did, that was why Mother got mad if I did something wrong. She was scared that I was going to tarnish her daughter's name.

I sighed, "Really? Dude, shouldn't you know that I'm Cellia, his sister?"

"Yeah, I've heard enough of your excuses. Just because you're twins doesn't mean you can use your sister to shirk your responsibilities. You are the sole heir to Noctis. When will you understand your role?" the man crossed his arms, annoyance etched on his face.

"Enough of this. I don't have time to argue with you. Let's go back, Princess. The Principal called you. It seemed Lady Nyghtingale wanted to meet you in his office."

Hmm, that was unusual. Mother usually avoided mingling with humans. She didn't quite like them. Perhaps, she was still concerned about last night's fight? Surprising.

"Let's go. We can't let our Lady wait so long," the man scolded me.

I scratched my neck, "Dude, I told you. I'm Cellia."

"And I told you, your twins' game is not working on me, Cleo."

Ugh, he was such an uptight class representative. But that didn't mean it was necessarily a bad thing. However, I didn't really want to meet Mother right now. Yet, he wouldn't listen to reason. Dammit, dealing with him was becoming a real pain in the butt. I supposed I should play along for now.

Clearing my throat, I spoke up, attempting to negotiate. "Alright, but please allow me to stop by my research lab a bit. Deal?"

"Research? You?" the man burst into laughter, his mocking tone filling the air. "Hahaha...haaaa, this is not the time for jokes, Cleo. We knew you bombed your test again yesterday."

"Dude, listen, I know you love me so much, that you want to be by my side all the time," I leaned closer and looked deeply into his eyes, "But, I already rejected you yesterday. So, can you stop being annoying and step aside?"

The man quickly flustered, his face turning a deep shade of red, "W-W-W-What are you talking about? Y-you were the one who approached me later on that day and told me, you changed your mind, right?"

... Oh shit, really?! C-C-Cleo, a-a-a goddess w-w-with a human? How cute!! A forbidden love between a god and a human, just like the novels I read in the library.

Well, Cleo was undeniably stunning and popular at The Academy, but her personality often overshadowed her beauty. However, I couldn't help but be surprised when I witnessed my airhead and insensitive sister actually falling in love. The thought of her confronting the man made me chuckle, picturing her blushing and fidgeting uncontrollably.

But really, this is a problem. If this man persisted I was Cleo, then wouldn't that mean I had to pretend lovers with him?

...!

No, no, no! My head turned hot thinking about it. Celli, this wasn't the time for a rom-com drama. I needed to distance myself from this guy, or Cleo would be even angrier with me.

"W-What are you talking about? I've already erased that embarassing memory from my mind," I said as I walked away from him, quickening my pace.

"W-Whaattt?! R-Really, after that heartfelt confession? H-hey, y-you're joking, right? Yes, this must be one of your games again, right Cleo?" he man grew desperate.

Ugh, damn it! How could I shake this guy off? If he saw my laboratory, who knows what he would do. Should I just confront him and beat him up? No, bad idea—he was armed with a sword. Should I resort to using my Divinity? No, the sheer impact would crush him. Then... Ah, there only was one way.

Suddenly, I turned to the man and swiftly took his hand, placing it on my chest. Flustered beyond belief, I smirked and said, "Now, do you understand?"

The man's eyes widened, and he quickly jumped away from me. Looking at his hand in disbelief, he muttered while blushing, "N-Nothing... There was nothing!"

Ugh, I think my heart is breaking. I-I couldn't believe I had to resort to this. Cleo and I were identical twins—no one could differentiate us at a glance. But Cleo had a hearty appetite. She ate like an Anima, gulping down twenty portion without a sweat. Thanks to that, the nutrition got its way to the right places.

In other words...

"T-That's right, you jerk! I am Celli, the flat-chested princess!" I shouted at the man and ran away.

G-Geez, he didn't have to shout like that, right?