Annabelle had believed until the very last moment of that battle that her brother would win. She had unwavering faith that no matter what, he would come out on top against that man.
Even then… even though he was victorious, that didn't mean he came out unscathed. And that broke her heart.
Annabelle felt that even the wind, if it blew a little too strongly, had no right to touch her brother! Even the wind had no right to affect him negatively.
And now what? Someone had hurt him?
That was even more out of the question!
With that train of thought, and while still arguing with her brother; who, despite his frustration, had his tone soften slightly over time, Annabelle suddenly felt grateful that her brother was too lazy, and was not someone to pick fights left and right like other boys his age.
She felt thankful for that. Because now, she just needed to be stronger. Stronger than her brother's future enemies.
She didn't need to surpass him… she only needed to be the one standing at the front , after all.
If something were to happen, she would rather face it first!
"Are you really okay?" Annabelle asked once again, extending her hand to touch the visible bruises on his exposed skin.
She clenched her teeth as they stayed like that, with Christian massaging his temples, finding the situation ridiculous, yet at the same time, feeling that, just like she had said in one of her "excuses," she also had every right to punish the one who killed their parents.
"How did you even find all these de…tails?" While suddenly asking, Christian couldn't help but pause at the end. It couldn't have been more obvious, and he felt like he had just asked a stupid question.
"You said more than a few times already… why didn't we ask Iris?"
With a tone that suddenly turned mischievous, she continued, "So, I did just that and asked Iris."
"Did you not think to restrict her from monitoring you? Because it's us?"
Christian's face stiffened slightly, feeling as if he had been bitten back by his own actions. His sister was using his own logic against him.
So, he tried to think of another topic…
When he suddenly remembered how he had left Damian, the one technically responsible for all the current mess, out there, and his expression shifted. He had forgotten to even restrain him with some rope, completely caught up in his long conversation with his sister.
Realizing this, he hurriedly turned his head to the side, looking a short distance away…
Only to find Damian lying on his back, his eyes bulging, while Nina pressed her foot firmly against his neck.
It didn't seem like she was just trying to prevent him from speaking or disturbing their conversation though, especially with the pressure she was seemingly applying!
Damian's situation briefly crossed Christian's mind, but what truly occupied his attention was something else… Nina's presence. While her sudden appearance was surprising enough on its own, it was her attire that caught most of his attention, because it was that unexpected.
She wore a black, body-tight suit that perfectly accentuated her petite frame. Her fair skin seemed to glow softly against the dark fabric, highlighting her delicate features. And for the first time, Christian noticed something he hadn't before—her breasts were more mature… fuller than what her otherwise childish appearance suggested. The suit clung to her curves, making him realize just how grown-up she truly was.
Her long, dark black hair was tied in a ponytail that reached past her shoulders, complementing her delicate face. And then, there was her outfit. Christian felt like everything about her appearance—her attire, her posture, even the expressionless poker face she wore—was deliberately chosen to exude professionalism, to make her seem more intimidating, more fearsome.
She only looked sexy and adorable. Especially with that kind of face, her naturally blank expression, and the way she carried herself.
He felt like he was watching a live cosplay performance unfold right before his eyes!
That was his first thought when he took in the scene before him.
While his admiration for her appearance and attire was one thing, Christian couldn't ignore the fact that Sophia wasn't here, and it was Nina instead. And that realization made his anger rise once again.
He found his gaze go back to his sister as he asked, "Why did you bring her with you… staying with her all alone?"
"... And what can I do on my own?" Annabelle's frustrated tone made Christian pause for a moment before he asked again.
"Then, why is it not Sophia?"
"Does that even need a question?" Annabelle replied casually, as if he were asking something obvious.
And Christian naturally understood what she meant; that Sophia wouldn't take a step away from Eva's side. More over, in the end, it was his sister who orchestrated things so that Nina ended up separated from Sophia, who was supposed to be monitoring her.
… But knowing was one thing.
And accepting was another!
'What was the right answer?' Christian wondered, realizing that everything his sister had done involved too much risk.
'Was it that they should have all come together?'
'... No! It was that his sister should have kept her promise from the start!'
While deciding who was at fault in this situation… and at the same time thinking that Sophia needed some disciplining later, especially since they would all be living together and something was not acceptable, Christian, feeling helpless against his sister for now, especially after their long argument that would only go in circles, shifted his gaze back to Damian.
And somehow, he felt that Damian's deserved punishment just kept increasing!
He even resented the fact that he still didn't know any healing ability, and that Damian had no special ability to make him recover more quickly.
There were far too many things Damian needed to pay for, but was his body even capable of enduring all of them?