CHAPTER 135: NO ONE STOOD BESIDE HIM

William was currently walking in the garden with his father on the side.

The older one was currently holding Nana in his arms as the little one rested her head on Carter’s shoulder while she slept soundly.

Emma was with the lady of the house and Lavender. When it came to lunch preparation, Lavender took charge.

Emma said she would help.

William was surprised but didn’t question her.

Her interaction with everyone except for Lavender had been normal so he didn’t feel cautious leaving her with Adela.

Well, not like Emma couldn’t handle herself in difficult situations.

"That’s quite shocking." Count Delimore spoke, "I was aware that the Great Hall always presents difficult challenges, but this is still quite alarming."

William sighed, "I could never have guessed they would actually bring a child into this game. I mean, if we had failed she would have met with an immediate execution."

Carter hummed, "Seeing a child die is difficult but it won’t have been the first time for you to witness such a thing."

William’s shoulders stiffened as he turned silent, not wanting to speak anything about that.

Carter then asked him, "How are things going in the academy? I haven’t received any notice or complaint against you recently."

William glanced at his father, "Can’t you feel it?"

Carter’s brows lifted a little, "What?"

The training equipment, all scattered around in the garden, began to levitate at once as the younger Delimore spoke, "I have regained my powers, so of course, I don’t have to appear like a loser to incur complaints."

Carter was astonished, "What do you mean by regained, William?"

Oh, right. He hadn’t told his father.

Both men came to a pause before William confessed, "Someone had put a curse on me. With time, I was getting weaker and that’s what made me do stupid things. When I said Emma brought this change for me, I wasn’t just referring to emotional stability, Father."

The Count was shocked as he asked, "You mean to say Emma liberated you from that curse?"

William nodded, "I thought you must have heard about East Wing’s right hand man, Kaizek recently making contact with me."

There was too much to register as the Count turned silent for a few moments.

After a brief pause, the older one asked, "Son...why did you never let me know about it?"

William sighed, "Because the Curse prevented me. But it’s okay now, father-"

"How is it okay?" Carter asked, his brows frowned, "You were suffering for the past two years and I brushed it off as a teenage phase."

William lowered his gaze before he added, "I believe that was necessary in a way, father."

"What do you mean by that?" Carter asked.

William breathed a heavy exhale before adding, "Do you remember, father, I used to maintain a diary in which I noted every name either monster or human whom I have defeated."

Carter nodded, "Yes, it was one of your obsessions."

William shook his head, "Six months before enrolling, I stopped noting down thinking now I can defeat anyone if I tried hard."

Carter turned silent, realising why William said that the Curse was actually necessary.

"As you must have realized, I was growing too proud of my powers thinking I can achieve anything. That I am unstoppable. But then, the Curse hit me like a reality check. I couldn’t resist it with anything I possessed or developed over the years. I have never felt as helpless as I felt when I was under the Curse’s control."

Looking up, he added, "While that was suffocating, it also allowed me to realize how far I am from reaching the Absolute Strength. That I am nowhere near that point where I can call myself unbeatable."

Carter remained silent and just stared at his son.

Somehow, he appeared way older than the last time he visited. More calm and mature.

That childish immaturity has vanished and before him stood a more grounded person.

Holding Nana with his left hand, Carter rested his right hand on William’s shoulder and said, "You overcame that challenge and that’s what it matters. I am glad you are safe, son."

....

[In the kitchen]

Lavender moved like a whirlwind, cutting vegetables, stirring the soup, even baking the dessert while she was at it.

It appeared as if she had done this so many times that cooking has become a second nature of hers.

On the other hand, Emma stood on the side with Aleda beside her, both watching the pink head preparing the lunch.

The violet-haired lady said, her gaze still fixed on Lavender, "So? How did you two get together?"

Emma shrugged, "I liked his personality so I asked him out."

Aleda was startled, "You...asked him out? Miss Emma, isn’t it a man’s job to take the lead in these things?"

Emma heaved a sigh, "He was still recovering from his last relationship so I hit the nail when the iron was hot."

Lavender, who was also listening to the conversation, paused mid-chop.

Aleda looked equally shocked hearing that Emma practically used William’s emotional vulnerability to get together with him.

After a long pause, Aleda finally said, "I heard his personality was not really likable. William had gotten quite irritable after joining the Academy. In fact, the reason we received in regards the engagement annulment was his misbehave towards Lizel."

Emma retained her calm and after turning towards the lady she said, "He was going through a phase and when you are going through a difficult time you need the support of your partner. I believe you understand what I mean."

Aleda froze for a moment before she asked, "You think Lizel didn’t serve her role as a fiancée?"

Emma shrugged, "Maybe she never actually saw him as her fiancé."

"Bold of you to assume that," Lavender suddenly said, her back still facing them, "Lizel and I are friends, just as close as I am to William. I know exactly what she felt for William so I believe you are wrong about her feelings for Willy."

Emma’s expression remained unchanged as she said, "It’s up to you, believe it or not. But from what I saw, no friend of William stood by his side when he was going through a hard phase. Not a single friend."

Lavender flinched, taken aback by her straightforwardness.

Aleda couldn’t help but wryly smile at her fierce personality.

’Somehow...she reminds me of a certain woman I dearly hate.’

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A/N:- Thanks for reading. You might find several grammatical mistakes in this one. I will re-edit later, sorry about that and drop a comment.