Harsh Confrontation
1270 Words
I could not believe what I heard from her mouth. She knows? She really knows? About me? About what that... that household did to me? About how she practically took my place from that family?
I don't know how I was supposed to feel about this. Although I was aware that, at some point, there would be others who would find out about the secret, as Mindy once had so long ago, I did not think it would be this soon. Much less that she of all people would be the one to know. Then again, it should've been obvious, considering how I had been acting towards her. Especially after our spar back at the entrance exam. She had been trying to reach out to me at around that point.
Still... To think Edward actually told her the truth. When that place kept me a secret for so long; when they practically pressured me to keep my relationship with them a secret from everyone else. I'm not sure if I should feel surprised by this or if I should've expected this to happen.
"Congratulations. You found out the Anberibca's biggest, darkest, most humiliating secret," I could only say first. "Now that you know it, what will you do with this information? Like you said, you took my place there; there is absolutely nothing a mere commoner like me has to offer to a noble like you. You could do as one of those sort of nobles would and mock me for losing my place in that family, but seeing how you had stopped the said sort from mocking our princess and even went as far as to defend me from them, I highly doubt you would act that way. Or what? Are you going to use the secret as a threat and make me into your slave? While it is true I will get in a huge deal of trouble if word gets out about my origin, it will hurt you as well, you know. Both you, and the Anberibcas. You know how some nobles act around me and my classmates; don't tell me you really think you will be spared by that if people knew the truth?"
I didn't know what came over me when I pointed out all these horrible things, no matter how true they were, as I watched Leia's face getting shocked speechless at my words. I want to think I was just giving her some advice by playing villain, but that was far from the truth.
The girl hardened her expression and took in a calming breath before speaking. "I would never do any of that... I am nothing like those nobles, and you know it! I will never tell a soul about this!"
"Really? Then why tell me?" I asked.
Leia hesitated to answer that time, but still tried to speak. "I... I just thought you'd want to know. So that you don't even have to feel as though you do need to hide this from me," she claimed. "Levi, I understand if you're mad at me for taking your spot, but I swear, I didn't know about you until several days ago."
I tried to calm myself down upon hearing those words, trying to be especially careful with the next words that will come out of my mouth? "I know it's not your fault. I'm not stupid to think otherwise."
Leia widened her eyes in bafflement when I said that. "Then... Then why have you been avoiding me all this time?! Why are you being so cruel to me again?! After everything we went through back at the exam!"
"I have not been cruel to you again."
"Maybe not, but you are distancing yourself from me again, just like before the exam. If you're not mad at me for taking your place, then why are you mad?! Is it really that hard to be around me?"
"It's not that it's hard to be around you, either."
"Then what is wrong?! Why are you acting like this?! Why can't we go back to being friends like at the entrance exam?!"
"Because my father wants you!"
Those words just left my mouth before I could even think about it- before I could even stop myself- as Leia just stared at me with wide eyes. In all honesty, I was just as shocked with what came out of my mouth, even if it was out of pure emotions that grew upon her constant insistence. Even more so, as more words came out of my mouth.
"He wanted you, even though he already has a daughter, who swore to prove her magic is far from weak. ... He gave me enough savings to use every month, and allowed me to have access to the books in the library, but growing up, away from the place I once called home... Not once has he sent a letter, wondering how I have been doing all this time. And the one time he did send a letter? He only wrote an order... for me to attend this academy. Not take part in the entrance exam; he wanted me here! For what reason, I would never know, but I can only assume the one valid explanation for it. He wanted me to meet you... To see that no matter how hard I may try, no matter what I will achieve here, I can never go back to that house. ... No matter what I do, because you are the face of the Anberibca's one and only daughter, I can never be a member of their family again. "
I became so blinded by my rage- by my newfound jealousy towards her- I stopped being able to see her expression so clearly. Though I was able to make out her shaking her head.
"No... No, I'm sure that's not true-"
"'A noble using commoners-only magic is more than just a disgrace, even more so in this family,'" I interrupted with a quote. "Did Edward ever tell you that?" Leia shook her head once more in response. "Well, he told me those exact words. And even went as far as to say that I was never a part of that family. By the looks of it, all these years of struggling to prove the world wrong about Water Affinity... All I did was waste my time. That's why whenever I see you, all I can feel is disgust. Disgust towards myself- who was born with an affinity I hate with all my being, an affinity that made me an outcast- and disgust towards you- whose affinity and looks gave you the perfect place in that family, in society. I don't even know why I bothered to spend all that time training, if this was going to be the outcome after all, just as Edward said. So if anything... Thanks. Thanks for helping me realize my life has been nothing more than a waste; a waste of space, and a waste of time."
Leia didn't say anything. She couldn't even look me in the eyes this time, as she kept her head down. Looking at her like this? To put it in simpler terms... I've never felt more sick to the stomach than now.
"You said Edward prepared a pass for me when I get back to class. Was that true or just another lie?"
Rather than a response, my replacement just took out a slip from her person, in which I can only assume was the pass. Without so much as an eye contact, I took the late pass and left the room.
- Writer
