Chapter 40: Chapter 40- Grandma (Part 3)
Chapter 40- Grandma (Part 3)
The two went completely silent. Emilia’s words were strong, and for a moment, they didn’t know what to say. Especially Fiona, who seemingly understood what she meant by those words. Her expression slowly darkened, and her lips pursed in frustration.
’Control me? He won’t be able to. He doesn’t have the leverage over me that he has over others. I never let him have that kind of power over me.’ She mused, trying to deny the idea as a whole. Fiona knew exactly how her father controlled people, and she learned how to always slip out of his grasp every time he tried to hold her. He was a very cunning and meticulous man, but unfortunately for him, she had inherited those traits from him, so she knew how he thinks and behaves.
Or at least, that was what she thought she did. Emilia’s words irritated her because they sounded like they questioned her ability to read people, and that was something Fiona took pride in.
"But, judging from the way you’re able to do things freely, and your tone... You’re not the easy target he always thought you would be, are you?" Emilia asked with an amused tone.
"He cannot do anything to me, Miss Emilia."
"Well, that better be the case if you want to protect my Grandson. I do not want to end up having to talk to that man." She said with a cold tone. Fiona felt the pressure fall on her shoulders, and yet she didn’t flinch. That was clearly a strict condition Emilia set without hesitation.
’I never thought Grandma had this kind of strong presence. Fiona almost seems passive.’ Elio gulped. He had never seen Fiona not in control of a conversation before. She had the kind of presence that commanded respect and reverence, and yet his grandmother had effortlessly taken over without even trying.
"As for you, Elio." At that moment, he snapped out of his thoughts, hearing his name being spoken.
"W-What?"
"Have you awakened?"
"Y-Yes."
"So damn fast." She mumbled. "Sigh, there is no point in trying to stop you now. You have your parents’ stubbornness... Perhaps it is the right step to let you become a Vampire Hunter."
"Were my parents strong, Grandma?" Elio asked. It was already an established fact that his parents were indeed Vampire Hunters.
"Strong? Hm, your parents were... They were the strongest. Those two were unrivaled. They shone brightly like distant stars. They both had immense potential, and they didn’t stop growing. Together, they were invincible. They held their values against all the enticing offers. They truly wanted to save people and protect innocent humans." She spoke, her voice going a few notches down. "They never let anyone control them, and they never diverged. But..."
"But?"
His grandmother took a moment to suck in a deep breath. "The other Vampire Hunters didn’t like that. They didn’t like seeing these two completely out of control. For them, if they can’t control you, then they must destroy you so you don’t do something against their will. These patriarchs allied together, and on a night more than 16 years ago... They ambushed your parents, and a brutal battle occurred."
"..."
Elio and Fiona’s reactions changed slowly.
"It was so bloody and brutal that these patriarchs suffered very heavy injuries. Including your dad, Fiona, I’m sure you have noticed that ugly scar on his neck and shoulder."
The girl frowned before her eyes widened. Yes, her dad did have a long scar on his neck and shoulder but he never told her why he had it. She assumed it was something he suffered when he was a kid.
"Elio’s parents... Did that to him?"
"Yes. Even when they were outnumbered and ambushed, they made it hell on earth for those old bastards. The battle lasted three days, and if it wasn’t contained within a space of its own, the devastation it would’ve left behind would’ve been incomprehensible. But... In the end, your parents... Arsen and Anaya... they were defeated. All records of their presence in the world were swiftly wiped."
"Oh..."
Emilia’s voice wavered, and she seemed almost on the verge of tearing up. However, she contained herself quickly.
"*Sniff* You were left with me, and they asked me to keep you safe while they take care of this matter. They asked me to protect you if they die, and they made me promise you will stay away from all of this. I have carried that lie with me, not knowing if it is the right thing or not. Then, when I realized the kind of talent you had, I felt even worse..." She said. "You are clearly born to be their successor and the true heir to the Ashenblood name. How could I stop that? How could I...?"
"Grandma, it’s..."
"Don’t try to say anything. I will carry this sin for the rest of my life. I have told you the truth, and I won’t back down. When I see your parents, they will be so upset with me. Haha, what a pathetic old lady I am."
Elio tried to open his mouth, only to close it again. What could he even say to make her feel better? He understood the kind of immense pressure she had been under for so long. The decision to keep it hidden from him or to tell him... He couldn’t imagine bearing such a conflict within him for so long. Emilia was truly strong.
"If you do not mind me giving my opinion. I don’t think you did the wrong thing, Miss Emilia." Suddenly, Fiona spoke.
"... How?" Emilia asked.
"Telling him the truth isn’t breaking their promise. You have promised them to keep Elio safe. But, keeping him in the dark would only hurt him. His life is his to live, and his future is his to decide. Controlling what he should and shouldn’t do would put him in the very same danger they wanted him to avoid."
"..."
"Fiona..." Elio’s eyes twinkled, feeling something he had never felt before. She had an honest tone, a determined voice, and the meaning that she put into every word was deeper than anything he had ever heard being said about him before. His heart started racing wildly for some reason. His head was spinning with a million thoughts.
’W-W-What... What is she saying?!’
"Elio is a brilliant individual. He is smart and very aware. He is capable of handling this burden, Miss Emilia."
Emilia went completely silent for what felt like a long time. Then, she finally parted her lips as she spoke.
"Say, Vaylor girl."
"Yes?"
"What do you think about my marrying my grandson?"
"HUH?! Grandma?! What the hell are you saying?" Elio started instantly panicking, hearing her wild question.
"Hahaha, shush, you little brat. I know you aren’t capable of finding a good wife on your own. Let me take care of that."
"STOP THAT! Who said I’m looking for a wife?!" He yelled, blushing furiously. That was perhaps the most embarrassed he had ever felt. ’She had actually said that in front of Fiona! Please, someone, bury me alive right now! No, incinerate me and throw me in the sea!’