Kapitel 5: Chapter 5
The symbol hovered slightly above Cecil's palm. It had reached its completion and Cecil was gazed at it, her clear onyx eyes gleaming with delight, her lips showing a soft smile.
[ Congratulations! You have completed an achievement "What Is Your Element?"! You have twenty-nine achievements remaining, and they will only reveal themselves once you have completed them! ]
[ If you complete all achievements, there will be a special reward given! Do work hard, Cecil Lan~ ]
[ Your element has been revealed, even if you can read it. Let me take the opportunity to announce it for you, it is-- ]
"Earth." Cecil interrupted the AI.
[ ...I shall take my leave then. ]
Cecil chuckled, her smile growing wider.
"I assume it's an element you like, missus?"
"Well, it's at the second of my list," Cecil responded softly, still feeling rather weak from the drink. "I'll head off now, thank you, owner."
"Anytime, gal."
Cecil slowly pushed herself up, feeling another wave of nausea hitting her. Fortunately, she did not gag this time. She dragged herself to the door, pushing it open. Inhaling a few breaths of fresh air, Cecil felt her head clearing up and felt a tiny bit better. The aftertaste was still there, but it was bearable.
It was almost close to sunset now.
Cecil knew she had to be home for dinner. They would no doubt panic if she wasn't anywhere in the mansion once dinner starts.
[ Alert! The postponed secret mission will begin now! Secret mission #1: It-- ]
[ ... ]
[ Secret mission #1 will be postponed once again... ]
"...?"
Cecil took her time to observe her surroundings. Any quick movements now would probably make her gag again.
There was nothing out of place.
"You are being really weird today, AI500."
[ I am not allowed to say anything. ]
"Yeah, whatever. I am not in the mood to find the trigger for the secret mission. I feel like shit, I just want to sleep."
[ ... ]
It was certainly a long, leisure walk home.
Cecil had an inkling as to why the tavern owner respects people who dares to drink Widerlich.
...I can't taste anything other than bitterness!
Having an extremely bitter taste along with any kind of texture is just sickening.
Cecil took another bite of her food, her face twisting and her parents took notice of her unusual reaction.
"Cecil, are you alright?" her mother's worried voice drifted by.
Everyone on the table slowed their movements, watching Cecil in concern.
Except one individual.
The current people sitting at the dining table were herself, her parents, Hana's parents, Hana and last but not least, Xue. He regarded her an impassive stare, he wanted to turn back to his delicious meal. Alas, no one was eating and out of manners, he decided not to.
"I'm...fine." Cecil forced out a smile, scooping a serving of the soup from her bowl, looking at the food with downcast eyes.
Her eyelashes were long and slightly curled, along with her lilac evening dress highlighted her lithe figure, it brought out her elegant and beautiful features.
Seeing that Cecil showed no other signs other than gazing at her food, everyone resumed their dinner, albeit hesitantly. Cecil sipped at the soup carefully, and a small amount slid over her tongue. Her entire body tensed up, and she involuntarily retched.
It was undeniably loud.
The whole dinner table went silent, horrified.
Cecil wanted to cry.
Even the strong will of not wanting to show this to anyone around me, especially Hana and Xue beside me, completely failed...
"Call the chefs out here!"
"Clear the table and throw away these poisonous dishes!"
"Fire the chefs immediately!"
"..."
"Oh my god, Cecil!"
"Cecil, are you alright?!"
Cecil cringed, she knew this would happen. She had no choice but to admit it now.
"No-no need," Cecil choked out, maintaining an arrogant demeanor and regal posture. "It's not the food, it's what I had beforehand."
She gently pushed away Hana and her mother, declining their offer to help.
"Find that place at once!"
"Yes, my lord!"
"Bring those criminals who fed poison to my daughter!"
"Yes, sire!"
"Do not let any single of them get away!"
"..."
"It was a drink called Widerlich, that's what I had beforehand." Cecil announced, composed.
Everyone's movements passed yet again, the eyes on her were now showing a myriad of emotions.
Xue, at this point in the novel hasn't drunk it yet. It would only be later, but I'm sure he has heard of it before.
For Hana...I won't even bother, she wouldn't know and neither will she ever drink it.
Cecil was extremely tired. She sighed, standing up and she pushed her plate aside. "I no longer have the appetite to eat, excuse me."
I wanna sleep so bad. Ugh.
"Lili."
Her personal maid flew to her side at once. "Yes, young mistress."
"Ensure no one enters my room, I need a peaceful rest."
Lili raised her head, detecting the faint traces of weakness on her face. She knew at once, her young mistress was only putting on a strong front.
The young mistress really needs some rest.
Lili obeyed her orders and Cecil headed straight for her bedroom, Lili following her behind. Throughout the entire night, Lili vehemently denied anyone entry, despite their empty threats and earnest pleas.
She knows of Widerlich, and she knows nothing can help with the aftertaste or the aftermath of it.
Only the person themselves has to overcome it.
Cecil finally recalled the author's warning about Widerlich. The ultimate test wasn't the taste or the smell of it.
It was the aftermath of it where everything would taste bitter, and it lasts for a complete seventy-two hours.
"The poor young mistress...why would she drink Widerlich? She may be behaving rather strangely these few days, but this action of hers is even more strange..." Lili pondered to herself.
Xue knew about Widerlich, and he knew of its consequences. He has never tasted it since he deemed it unnecessary.
He was seated in the living room with Hana, who has been crying over her best friend. He comforted her with gentle pats on the head, hearing her crying made him uncomfortable.
His heart ached.
"Do not cry anymore. Your...precious friend will not die, it's only for seventy-two hours where she can't enjoy food." Xue spoke, a trace of disdain flashing past his cold, grey eyes.
Xue didn't feel empathetic in any way, rich noble ladies like her deserves some hardship in their lives. While he was spending his time outside with Hana today, many people approached Hana and questioned about Cecil.
He was able to catch onto their subtle hints about her character.
To summarise, she is a nasty woman who has been taking advantage of everyone and everything.
Xue glanced down at Hana, who was still crying softly. His gaze became gentle, and Hana unknowingly leaned into his embrace.
She must have taken advantage of Hana, and probably the most.
What a disgusting woman.
Years later, Xue would think back to this moment and feel guilty.
He would then proceed to shower the same "disgusting" woman with kisses, and she wouldn't understand his actions at all.
[ Urgent alert! Protagonist "Xue" has another bad impression of you.
Previous impression points : 90.04
Impression points remaining : 75.04
Warning : Once your impression points reaches 0, the original ending of Cecil Lan will be commenced. ]
Cecil was startled awake by the notification. Upon seeing this message, Cecil groaned, sitting up from her bed.
Great lord protagonist, what has the crime has the lowly me done now?
I have sacrificed my tastebuds and seventy-two hours for you. Please let me have some peace.
Cecil wanted to cry once again.
She sighed, adjusting her nightgown as she shuffled to the side of the bed, wearing her slippers. Trudging to the balcony doors which was covered by transculent white curtains, she pushed them open quietly. A cool breeze caressed her cheek, making her midnight black hair flutter. Gazing up at the starry sky, her limpid eyes, the crescent moon was reflected in her mesmerising eyes.
Judging from how silent and dark it is, it's probably past midnight now.
Resting her arms on the fence, Cecil inhaled the crisp, fresh air. The air here was pleasant, especially compared to sickening chlorine scent she was doomed to inhale every single day at the hospital. Her smile that was on the verge of appearing immediately disappeared when she swallowed her saliva, the bitter taste assaulting her once again.
Ugh, widerlich!
Wait a minute, that sounds like German...
Isn't it a german word? The author...they must have used it...
[ Alert! This time, for once, the postponed secret mission has commenced.
Secret mission 1 : It is one of them!
Objective : Assist Xue in assimilating with his first soul fragment, Kai.
Clue : You have left a great impression on him, he will listen to you.
Time limit : 60 days ]
The notification sounded without warning once more, and before Cecil could even process the shocking details of the secret mission, it closed by itself and she felt a presence beside her.
There was a silhouette of a humanoid figure behind the curtains, that were somehow blown outwards. The curtains gradually fluttered back down, and the stranger was revealed. It was a familiar yellow-haired young man, with a toothy grin and yellow eyes. His features resembled Xue, and he had a scar on above his right eyebrow.
....and of course, Cecil knew this man, or to be more specific.
This alter of Xue.
Kai. The very first soul fragment Xue and Hana will encounter.
Cecil knew at this moment, something has went terribly wrong.
The first appearance of Kai was supposed to be later, at the entrance of an inn. Not at a balcony, where Cecil Lan was standing.
His toothy grin widened, and the moonlight making his handsome and bright features glow.
"Hey woman, be my girlfriend."
Pt. 1
《 start 》
I feel strange, someone...is nearby, pulling at me, calling for me, reaching for my broken soul.
Is it one of "me"?
Everyone of "me" loves Hana wholly, just like me, but...why doesn't it feel right?
This feeling, it feels like that day, when something has clearly changed.
...what exactly is it?
《 stop 》
Pt. 2
《 start 》
Damn, someone actually found this sweet spot like me. Wait, it's a...woman? What is she mumbling about?
She's acting really suspicious, and concealing herself? Is it from spy from another continent?
...she's concealing herself to drink Widerlich?
She didn't faint! That's my first time seeing a pretty woman like her drinking Widerlich and not fainting, hah! How interesting!
...this woman is beautiful, and her eyes. Especially those clear, enchanting eyes.
They just pull you in.
《 stop 》
Geschenke
-- Geschenk
erhalten Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein