The Majarlican Demigod

Words Can Sting

The Majarlican Demigod

Chapter 29: Words Can Sting

"You're too loud, Althea!"— It's Brighton again.

"Don't just watch me, help me! These wings won't hide by themselves. The others might be confused."

The sound of a flying bird resounded, and Brighton was there when I opened my eyes.

"Clear your mind, Althea." He said, "You're obviously scared, and that won't help. Close your eyes, think of nothing for five seconds, then put your arms together like you're closing down a curtain."

I do as he said. Close my eyes. Clear my mind and put my arms together like I'm closing down a curtain.

My mind has never cleared like this before.

"Young Master Brighton, Lady Althea, we're looking for you." Saphrias, Kori, and Vice appeared.

Brighton bowed to them, "Apologies for not informing you, maestros. I happen to see the lady having trouble with her newly developed wings. As a crossed-skilled fellow, I offered my help to hide her wings, and it looks like she's a fast learner."

The vice chief appeared amazed by the fact that there were two cross-skilled people in his class. "New skill, huh?"

"The lady is a Kinesthetic-Nullifier. Nullifiers have the capability of absorbing someone else's skill. In other cases, they can steal someone's skill." Brighton explained, "Allow me to assist her."

"You're making me look dumb here," I told him.

"If we don't get the approval of your cousin, she will suspect me of having malicious intent here. That's the worst thing I will experience as a divine being."

"Celestials care about reputation, huh?"

"You may hold a tutorial under my supervision." Saphrias finally responded.

"She's way more strict than a mother." Brighton comments.

"Tell me about it." I agreed.

"Let's go back to the others. It's time for dinner." Saphrias said.

Kori went first, followed by the Vice Chief, dragging Brighton and Saphrias, holding me back, and slowly walking behind the others.

"Ally, I've warned you about protecting your image as the next duchess. What is this all about?" Saphrias began to scare me.

"I'm never interested in that weird, uber-serious-looking junior counselor, Phrias. Like, you cannot suspect me of being romantically involved with every guy I'll be with," I told her. "Trust me or not, I can't just possibly be perfect, but I won't be like any other girls you are scared for me to be."

Saphrias glared at me, "Don't you dare talk back to me like that, Althea!" She loudly whispered, "You and your family cause nothing but trouble to us Wests, and yet, our grandparents have chosen you to be the heir. If you cause any scandal like this, I won't hesitate to expel you from this school."

I stared into her outraged eyes, which gave me a chill down at the very core of my soul. Those words don't fit right, and I definitely hate the guts for her to say that. She dragged me to the dining hall and forced me to join the council's table. My life is just being threatened or whatnot. My appetite was not here with me, so I looked like a mashed potato playing with the tomato cherry in my salad bowl.

"You looked miserable, Althea. Saphrias is checking on you." Brighton warned me.

"Let her notice it." I responded, "The only good thing about me being a demigod is no one can ever read my mind. And thanks to the real Brighton Salazaria, I can read minds, too."

"Don't you like the taste of your food, Ally?" Kori whispered to me, "The lettuce is kind of bitter."

"You should have tried the steak, Kori." Vice chief suggested.

"Is it good?" Kori asked.

"Very good," Vice responded.

"I was thinking about this as I will not be able to know, but does Saphrias have any plans for having betrothed?" Brighton asked.

"Don't start this kind of conversation, Brighton. Saphrias will definitely feel that we are talking about her." I demand.

"How can a mortal possibly invade the memory of a demigod and a celestial guardian?" Brighton said, "She better get married instead. I think she needs it."

"A celestial guardian is suggesting it, huh?" I told him, "Celestials like you don't have emotions, but look at you."

Brighton stood up as he finished his meal, "Excuse me. I'll see you later." He decided to go to speak out loud.

I finished my food and went outside again to wait for my friends. Saphrias really ruined my mood. She seemed to be acting difficult nowadays.

In a short while, Talia and Hans approached me.

"Let's go to the grove!" Talia clung to my arms, walking me to the destination.

"Where were you, Ally?" Hans asked, "Maestra Saphrias was so worried about you?"

Saphrias- worried? Not a chance, "Of course she will be."

"Hey, seriously, Maestra was so worried that some bad guy would take you away," Hans said.

"Um, Hans, you know- I think that Maestra was talking about Ally's mom," Talia hesitantly advises, "They are afraid that Zenia might take her away when they are not looking. Maestra Saphrias feels responsible for looking after you, Ally."

Feel responsible. I'm still doubtful about it, not that I don't appreciate it, but Saphrias' words to me and comments that she tells others don't come up together.

"They are worried their heiress might be taken away, huh?" Hans comments, "Well, it's not just the Wests who are concerned about losing Ally. Even the Centralia is."

Talia and Hans laughed together, which made me suddenly out of place.

"Whatever you meant by laughing, I don't understand," I told them and walked faster.

Taking a stall really eases my mind. I may move on fast. I'm excited to know how I will fly with my now-grown wings.

If you think of it, today isn't the first time Rupert has taken me for a fly, but why is it that I only grew wings? The first time was brief, but Hasmin only took me for quantum tunneling in a few seconds, and I have adapted it. How am I supposed to know how to gather more skills? Aside from flying and walking through walls, there might be other skills that I can use when I reencounter Artes. Remembering that time he killed my sister is aggravating. I want to have all the skills to defeat him. He is formless but not omnipotent. I can find a way to defeat and send him back to where he belongs.

We reached our tents, and it felt uncomfortable sleeping with everybody. Talia and I entered the girls' tent. Almost everyone was there already, looking at Hasmin, who was brushing her long black hair. Then Ninna and Zera were having a conversation about their lives while Heavenly was in the corner lying covered in her blanket, making the other girls' chat a lullaby.

Talia went in to sit with the other girls. I looked for an empty bed; the only empty ones were the farthest in the corner. I saved it for myself and Talia.

"Wait, Lady Althea, don't sleep yet," Zera called me.

"Ally will be nice," I told her.

"Ok." She responds, "By the way, we saw you earlier. How did you grow your wings?"

Brighton explained what happened earlier, "It was part of my nullifying ability to absorb energy and skill as well. I have acquired the prince's ability to turn into a winged man and Lady Hasmin's ability to pass through the walls."

"That's amazing!" Ninna said, "I hope my ability was that useful."

Heavenly raised her hand, "Mine too. I wish I didn't have to be sad to be able to heal people."

"Dear, your skill is awesome," Ninna told Heavenly.

"I wish to be rich as Ninna," Zera said.

"You guys! We are all awesome with the abilities we were born with." Talia comments.

"Said the Fire commander..." Zera chuckled.

"Wind commander," Talia said.

Xanthal, Winslett, Lauren, and Krista went to their reserved spot.

"By the way," Zera continued, "Wasn't your father talking to the emperor at the queen's birthday, Heavenly?"

"That's probably political." Heavenly faintly answered.

"This might be false information, but I heard that Heavenly is engaged to Prince Rupert," Zera said, and my whole world stopped that I might choke.

"That's for political purposes only, you know," Heavenly responded. It's nothing like I have a choice to refuse, or I'll be homeless for the rest of my life." I saw that she slightly glanced at me.

"That's tough." Talia and Zera said in chorus. Especially Talia looked sad.

Heavenly faced me, "Do you like politics, Ally?"

"Me? Gosh. No." with all honesty, "Our family has enough politics, and I'm no good with it."

"Our hands were too tied up," she said. I wish I could at least be a minor deity so I could be free."

That struck me. Although I cannot say to this pretty girl that being a demigod would never make any difference, I know how she feels. We're imprisoned by a status quo.

"I think we should sleep, ladies," Hasmin said, "This has been a long day, and who knows how early the maestros will wake us up? It's best to call it a day."

"Yeah. Let's go to bed!" Talia amends.

We all went to bed and turned off the lamp while the noise from the boys' tent still reached our spot. Young men's energy was like that of demigods—they don't quickly get tired. I closed my eyes as I covered my face with the blanket.

My thoughts weren't that deep, but I was almost dreaming. I see darkness with tiny spots that make me feel like watching stars. Then… I recall what I just heard. If Rupert knew she was betrothed to someone, why is he leading me on? Do I look like I'm someone easy?

On top of that, Heavenly is a lovely, pure, and kind-hearted person—everything that I'm absolutely not. At the end of the day, Saphrias is right. I shouldn't get involved any further with the crown prince.

(To Be Continued)