Last Born Of The Desdemona

Chapter 310: Chapter 310: Hidden Feelings

Chapter 310 – Hidden Feelings

Reactions among the students selected for the Tier 4 Fractured Land varied widely.

Some were disappointed at not being chosen, like Tiger, while others barely gave it a second thought, like Julaibib and Meadow.

Then there were those completely satisfied with what they’d already accomplished, like Diaila.

She was proud of herself for contributing to their team’s win in the third battle. That victory gave her confidence a small boost, making her think that maybe...just maybe, she could make it, if she worked hard enough.

And with Julaibib sitting beside her, showering her with praise, she found herself blushing, shy as a maiden who’d never even held a boy’s hand.

Still, if there was one thing she hated about all of this, it was that Julaibib saw her as nothing more than a friend, and the daughter of the woman he fancied.

Nothing more. Nothing less.

So amid Julaibib’s excited cheering, far too carefree for someone of his power level, she lowered her head and checked her phone.

She opened E-Chat, scrolling to the conversation with her mother.

Over 10 unread messages sat there. All from her mother.

Diaila sighed inwardly. She never imagined a day would come where she’d feel jealous of her own mother.

It was so absurd she genuinely didn’t know how to act around her anymore, leading her to simply leave every message unread.

But how long could that last? She certainly couldn’t keep this up forever.

So she gathered her nerve and, without reading the messages first, afraid of what might hurt her, sent one of her own:

"> <Hey, Mother. Sorry for not responding, I was busy with school. How are you? I’m doing well. Thanks.>

Too formal, Diaila realized. But she sent it anyway, unsure what else to write.

She took a deep breath and turned her attention back to Julaibib, who was explaining what she could improve in her fighting style.

Without meaning to, a smile crept onto her lips.

’Ah, I’m sorry, Mother. But...’ she reached out and gripped Julaibib’s cold hand tightly, surprising him, ’...the heart wants what it wants. You taught me that yourself. Don’t be mad at me.’

"That’s enough, Lazy. You talk too much." Diaila said, smiling brightly, "But don’t you think I deserve a gift for my performance today? It’ll motivate me even more. So, give me something!"

Julaibib was stunned for a heartbeat before chuckling, "Tell Daddy—!"

"No ’Daddy’ stuff, for Vorn’s sake!"

"Hahah. Alright, alright!"

Class ended just like that, leaving the students free for the rest of the day. But after such intense battles, all any of them wanted was rest.

The students filed out of the room quickly once Teacher Jade left. But he spared one last glance at Esmeray before going, a look the Princess noticed, reminding her of the nude drawing Teacher Jade had once wanted from her.

Under normal circumstances, she might have been tempted. But after everything with Dorian, she felt nothing but disgust.

In fact, since Dual Cultivating with him, Esmeray felt revolted at the mere thought of sleeping with any other man.

The thought alone nearly made her sick.

Only Dorian could touch her. Only Dorian could look at her that way, though that bastard never did.

So when Teacher Jade shot her a suggestive glance, the Princess of Hood felt an unreasonable surge of anger toward him.

’I’m no longer the same, bastard. I’ll make you pay for touching me that day. Just wait. Should I kill every man and woman who’s ever seen me naked or slept with me?’

The thought was tempting. Esmeray was more than ready to act on it. With that in mind, she stood, left the classroom, and pulled out her phone to message Dorian:

"> <Stop ignoring my messages, heartless bastard.>

Raven Hood followed soon after, alongside Sarah. Anesthesia lingered a moment longer. Then, once her mind visibly settled on something, she walked out, steps purposeful.

Klaus didn’t wait around at all. He was the first to leave, alongside Emrys and Theophane, and he didn’t even offer his friends more than a quick "see you later."

Cassius worried, but Klaus reassured him as best he could.

Love slipped out just as quietly, unseen and unheard.

Then, sensing the tension refusing to lift, Keisha couldn’t take it anymore and left too, not before hugging Cassius and complimenting his beautiful face for the umpteenth time.

In an instant, the classroom stood empty, save for Cassius and Natalia.

Which struck Cassius as odd, prompting him to glance at her, wondering why she’d stayed behind.

Natalia never liked being alone with him since he was married.

"Are you free today?" Natalia asked suddenly after a stretch of tense silence, voice low.

"Hm...I think so? Why?"

Natalia hesitated a moment, unsure if this was the right call, before pressing her lips together, gathering her nerve, "There’s...something I’ve wanted to try since the Academy started. Kei’s too scared, and Klaus...well, you know him."

"And what’s that?" Cassius felt a pang of hurt seeing Natalia so awkward around him. It had never been like this before.

But he accepted it as the price of their current situation.

"Cycling." She murmured.

"What?"

"Let’s grab bikes and go for a ride." Natalia said, then with more force, "You can do that much for me, can’t you? After everything I agreed to, just to keep what’s left of our friendship intact."

Cassius smiled wryly, "Klaus was right, Naty. You really should let this go. It won’t do any good—!"

"Don’t tell me what to feel or how to handle my own emotions, Cass." She scowled at him, "You have no idea what it’s like to love someone since childhood, plan your whole life around him, only to have him marry someone else. You think I can just get over it that easily? You think you or Klaus saying ’just let it go’ magically fixes everything?"

"Are you even trying?" Cassius regretted the words the instant they left his mouth.

"Am I even trying?" Natalia laughed, incredulous, stung by the words, "You think I enjoy living with this pain?"

"No, that’s not—!"

"Cass, are you in or not?" Natalia cut in, her glass-like eyes glowing cold, impatient, "If you can’t, because of your wife, just say so. You’re a married man, after all."

She said that last part with a strange edge to her voice.

Cassius said nothing for a while, simply staring at her.

He was honestly exhausted, and needed time to sort through his rewards from the Cursed Quest and everything surrounding the {Legend}.

Still, it had been years since he’d last had the chance to spend real time with Natalia, to actually talk with her.

Maybe this was the opportunity to finally settle things between them.

’Ah...no rest at all. What did I ever do to deserve this.’

[...you cheated on a goddess...no, on several goddesses, actually, once, in one of your reincarnations.]

’What the hell?’

[It’s a joke. You’re supposed to laugh.]

’You’re not funny, Queen. Don’t try again. Thanks.’

Ananke’s lips twitched heavily.

Cassius refocused on Natalia, then sighed softly, "Well, why not? I’ve never tried it."

Natalia stood and immediately started walking, "Follow me. We’re going now."

The Last Born sighed again. He stood, following behind her. At the same time, he pulled out his phone and checked E-Chat.

He sent Klaus a message, checking in on him, asking if he wanted to take a walk together that night.

Then he checked his conversation with Isolde.

Still no message from her, since the night he’d buried Coco.

His heart sank with a deep, growing worry.

Even though Ananke had assured him, through her link with Isolde as her believer, that she wasn’t "dead," there were states far worse than death itself.

The more time passed, the more he considered going to the Damned Village himself. But his goddess had said no, so firmly it had genuinely surprised him.

Ananke had never once told him no before, and her reasoning was simply that he had too much on his plate already, and that he should trust Isolde.

Not exactly convincing, but Cassius said nothing more and decided to wait and see.

’Isolde...’ he dragged a hand down his face, still trailing behind Natalia, ’...what exactly is going on with you?’

—End of Chapter 310—