My Moonlit Declaration

Chapter 17: I’m Going to School

Elara watched them, the corner of her lips curving slightly. She lowered her head and said nothing.

The Moon Ember Clan’s Holy Elder, Drew Williams, had three sons and one daughter. Erick was the eldest son; his ex-wife had left behind a pair of twins. Susanna had given birth to two children. Currently, he had two sons and two daughters. The second son, Johnny Williams, had three sons. The third son, Rom Williams, had one son and one daughter. Their daughter, Melisie Patrick, also had one son and one daughter. In total, there were seven boys and four girls in Elara’s generation.

Besides them, the collateral branches were countless. Holy Elder Drew Williams himself had eight brothers and sisters, and each of them had branched out into their own lineages. It was truly a massive family!

Elara recalled what Teacher Herman had said — “In the past year, members of the Moon Ember Clan and the Frost Shadow Clan have been constantly searching for lone Snow Moon clanspeople, especially women.” She looked out the window, and a plan slowly took shape in her mind.

“I really don’t understand. Elara has only been back for one day. Do they really need to make such a big fuss and rush over to inspect her?”

Susanna’s voice drifted over from the end of the corridor, full of complaint and irritation.

Elara paused at the top of the stairs.

“Haven’t we discussed this issue before?” Erick spoke as if stating a simple fact. “Using her for a marriage alliance will inevitably have a major impact on the division of power within our family.”

The corridor was quiet. Elara stood at the corner, leaning her back against the wall. Her shadow, stretched long by the morning light, cast crookedly onto the opposite wall.

“However, before we came, I promised her that I would send her to school first. Otherwise, she wouldn’t agree to come,” Susanna’s voice softened a little.

“No need to rush,” Erick’s voice carried a hint of calculation. “This is a good thing. She’s only eighteen. While she’s at school, we’ll have time to scout out more candidates. If she can catch Alex White’s eye—”

“Him?” Susanna’s voice suddenly rose sharply. “The leader’s grandson? Isn’t his mother the leader’s most beloved daughter — the princess who married the eldest son of the Third Elder, Faye White, and died only a few years later? Why didn’t the leader execute Faye?”

“Tina Davis, the princess, died saving Alex,” Erick lowered his voice until Elara had to strain her ears to hear clearly. “When Alex was five years old, he was naughty and locked himself in a long-abandoned room. Out of fear, he knocked over the candles used for lighting on the wall, and a fire broke out.”

Erick slowly recounted the old story to Susanna.

“When the entire house was engulfed in flames, Princess Tina only then learned that Alex was trapped inside.” Erick’s voice was calm, as if telling a very ordinary tale. “She rushed into the fire without hesitation and rescued her son. However, she herself inhaled too much smoke and suffered extensive burns. After three days of treatment, she passed away.”

“Ah? So tragic? No wonder Alex always wears a mask. Was his face burned?” Susanna’s voice carried a trace of pity.

“Yes. The left side of his face suffered extensive burns that spread to the right side. Only one-third of his face remains undamaged.” Erick paused for a moment. “But he still inherited Princess Tina’s looks. Even with the mask, he is strikingly handsome and elegant.”

“I heard he also lost sight in one eye — apparently the left one.”

“Originally, his pupils were silver — the purest bloodline of the Moon Ember Clan,” Erick’s voice grew even lower. “But after the burn, his left eye was scorched into a crimson color. His eyes became heterochromatic, like yin and yang eyes. It’s quite terrifying. That’s why he uses the mask to cover his left eye as well.”

“How horrible… he actually ended up with mismatched eyes. And yet you still hope Elara can catch his attention? He’s only the leader’s grandson.”

“Have you forgotten about his powerful witch-god strength?” Erick’s tone suddenly grew heavier. “At eighteen, he’s already at the seventh level of the Spirit Tier, with dual witch power sources. Your husband here is only at the fifth level.”

“Sss—” Susanna sucked in a sharp breath. “Indeed, he is the best candidate. With such power, the bloodline curse will surely be even more intense—”

Their conversation did not continue, because their guests had arrived.

Elara stood motionless at the corner, her back against the wall.

Her fingers clenched tightly inside her sleeves.

She closed her eyes, piecing together the fragments in her mind, then took several deep breaths.

When she opened her eyes again and stepped out from the corner, her expression was calm, and the corners of her lips even carried a perfectly measured smile.

“Erick, Susanna, you’re both here.” Madame Melisie’s sharp, thin voice came from the reception room. “I’ve brought the children to see Elara. My daughter Bonnie happens to need a playmate.”

When Elara entered the reception room, she heard Madame Melisie’s shrill voice.

Then she saw a young man sitting beside Madame Melisie. He had one leg crossed over the other and was idly twirling a dagger in his hand.

He gave off an impression of great height, with fiery red hair, fair skin, and peacock-green eyes. He looked very much like Madame Melisie — his features were delicate, but the corners of his mouth turned downward, carrying a natural arrogance.

This was Martin Patrick, Madame Melisie’s son. He was twenty-four years old.

Bonnie was a very shy girl with a slender figure, reddish-brown hair, and large brown eyes. Her complexion was pale, but when she blushed, even her neck would turn red.

This was Bonnie Patrick, Madame Melisie’s daughter, sixteen years old.

“Ah, Elara, come over quickly!” The moment Susanna saw her, she called out enthusiastically, her voice overly warm. “This is your Aunt Melisie, your cousin Martin, and your cousin Bonnie.”

Elara walked over and performed a proper curtsy — Lia had taught her for three days.

The Aunt Melisie who had shown disdain for her just yesterday now put on an exaggerated smile of surprise. “What a lovely child. As soon as the two siblings heard you had arrived, they couldn’t wait to see you. They set off yesterday afternoon and only arrived this morning.”

She eagerly pulled Elara to sit beside her and gently pinched her wrist, as if evaluating the quality of a piece of fabric.

Melisie wore a strong, cloyingly sweet perfume. The words she spoke made Elara feel an indescribable chill.

Elara glanced at Susanna and Erick. Susanna was holding her teacup with a standard smile on her face, not looking at her. Erick was talking to Martin and didn’t look at her either.

But she caught the undisguised contempt on Martin’s face — the corner of his mouth twitched downward for a moment. It was quick, but she saw it.

Bonnie stared at her intently, her face full of nervousness and shyness. Her gaze lingered on Elara’s face for a second before quickly darting away.

“Although this child wasn’t raised by our side,” Madame Melisie said as she looked Elara up and down, “her upbringing is still quite good. However, compared to my Bonnie, she’s still a little lacking.”

She turned to her own daughter, a trace of pride flashing across her face.

“Bonnie can already cast Water Wall Technique. It’s truly amazing. She really is such a lovable child.”

Everyone in the room stared at Bonnie. Her face instantly flushed all the way to her ears. She lowered her head, fingers twisting together nervously on her lap.

“Elara,” Madame Melisie turned back to her, “you’re eighteen this year, right? Do you have anyone you fancy?”

“Uh?” Elara was momentarily stunned. She glanced at Susanna and Erick, but neither of them reacted. She lowered her head and said somewhat awkwardly, “I’m still young. I want to study here first.”

“Study?” Madame Melisie’s smile changed, and her sharp, unkind expression returned. “You’re already at a marriageable age. For the continuation of the Moon Ember Clan’s bloodline, it is your unshirkable duty.”

Hah. I’ve only been here one day, and they’re already putting such a heavy shackle on me — continuing the bloodline. They really treat me like a breeding tool!

Elara’s fingers tightened inside her sleeves. She lowered her head and put on a downcast expression. “I’m only a half-wolf hybrid with impure blood. I’m not suitable for marriage alliances with noble families.”

The entire reception room suddenly fell silent. Madame Melisie’s smile stiffened for a moment.

She turned her head, her sharp eyes shooting straight toward Susanna. “Half-wolf hybrid? Wasn’t your original spouse from the wolf clan?” Her voice was not lowered at all; everyone in the room heard her clearly.

Susanna’s face paled. Tears quickly welled up in her eyes.

“Melisie, you’re being too rude!” Erick’s voice suddenly rang out, stern and loud. He set down his teacup, walked to Susanna’s side, and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.