~ The String of Fate ~

We soon collected our purchase and thanks to Ardeat, were able to reach the estate earlier than expected due to all those teleportation gems she bought.

In this world, they usually sell talismans for most spells since they're easier to carry around.

But since teleportation spells require more mana than other spells, only mana gems can hold them.

"Ah... Home at last-" "Where have you been?" A voice belonging to Luden called out as realization hit me.

'... Was I really that mentally exhausted to have called this place "home"...?'

I stared at the mansion in front of me in disbelief not even bothering to answer that question.

"I believe I asked you something, Sovine." Luden harshly grabbed my shoulder and spun me around to face him but as soon as I saw his irritatingly handsome face.

Which heavily contradicted his personality, my face dropped from one of my previous disbelief to exhaustion.

"Does it really matter?" I slapped his hand away as the spell which changed my appearance into one similar to Ardeat's, at last, wore off.

"What do you mean "Does it matter"? What if you got lost, or abducted, or-"

"Then you would've gotten rid of me at last." I cut him off as his eyes widened upon hearing my statement before narrowing while his jaw clenched.

"... Am I wrong?" I knew I wasn't, and so did he.

"... It doesn't matter how I'd feel about it..." Luden responded as he averted his gaze away from me.

"Ah... Now I get it, you're afraid of what rumors would spill out if I go missing since your "real" sister went missing as well huh?" I signaled Ardeat to leave while I distracted him.

With his targic backstory.

Since I knew he'd definitely be a bitch to her about this later if he saw her which he thankfully hadn't yet.

If it could even be called that.

What kinda backstory was losing your real sister.

And then suddenly you father brings in this other girl as your sister.

And your mom suddenly drops dead?

Then turns out that girl your dad brought out is "vicious" even though they treated her like shit so what did they expect from her.

And is now always causing trouble and recently tried to kill herself and you're desperately trying to maintain the families dignity and reputation despite all this.

And her scandals are getting in your way everytime. Okay fine, that somewhat counted as a tragic backstory.

"Don't you dare speak of my sister!" He snapped at me as he made eye contact again his eyes burning with rage and disgust.

He took the bait and Ardeat made a run for it.

"I'll take that as a yes." I didn't seem the slightest bit affected by his sudden outburst which only made the frustrating feeling bubble in his chest.

"... Just tell me where you've been..." He sighed massaging his temple while trying to regain his composure.

"To hell and back." I replied as I turned back to the estate but it wasn't exactly a lie since it did feel like hell.

"What?" Luden frowned at me but I ignored him and continued walking toward the estate unbothered.

"Wait..." Luden let out a sigh of defeat but I wasn't planning on listening and simply kept doing the opposite of what he asked.