BXBX NOVEL Chapter 52: The truth delayed
"What really happened to my mother?" The words tumbled out of Jaegar\'s lips, carrying a hint of anticipation.
Vivianne\'s gaze softened, and she hesitated before speaking. "I wish I could give you the answers you seek, Jaegar," she said gently. "But I can assure you that your mother\'s death was not what it seemed. There are forces at play that go far beyond what you could imagine."
Vivianne\'s expression shifted, her features etching into a grim mask of sorrow and unresolved pain. A somber silence hung in the air for a moment before she responded, her voice laden with heavy emotion.
"I... I will tell you about it when the time is right," Vivianne\'s voice quivered as if holding back a floodgate of memories that threatened to engulf her. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears, revealing the depth of her anguish. It was clear that the truth she held was a burden too heavy to bear alone, and she needed time to gather her strength before sharing it.
Angelina spoke to divert the topic, seeing Vivianne struggling to speak up and sensing her discomfort. "But let\'s not dwell on it for now. We can discuss it later when you\'re ready, Vivianne. How about we focus on something more uplifting?" She suggested it, hoping to lighten the mood and provide a temporary distraction for her friend.
Angelina, standing beside Jaegar, added her thoughts, breaking the melancholic tension. "I have to say, it surprised me. I didn\'t expect it to be at a level that made everyone able to sense it." Her gaze shifted to Vivianne, acknowledging the depth of her sensitivity.
Vivianne sighed, her gaze distant as she recalled a faint echo of power. "It was faint, but I could tell from that."
Suddenly, Vivianne stood up as if she had forgotten something.
A sense of urgency crept into the conversation, pressing upon Vivianne. "I have the will to go back, otherwise, they might start looking for me." Her words carried a weight of responsibility, and she turned to Jaegar with a look of genuine concern. "Jaegar, be careful."
Jaegar was reluctant, he wanted to stop her but couldn\'t. So he just nodded and thought that the matter would have to wait. He knew that he couldn\'t push her to tell him the truth, and she was the one he was protecting from all those who wanted to kill him until now.
Turning to Angelina, a subtle understanding passed between them through unspoken words that conveyed shared sentiments. With a nod of their heads, Vivianne took her leave, her figure retreating through the doorway she had entered from.
Jaegar watched her leave while his mind thought of various other ways of getting to know the truth.
"I can tell what you might be thinking now."
"Just wait until she is ready to tell you, and don\'t try anything stupid now that you have obtained a leash on your powers."
Jaegar exhaled, resolved to be patient, and let her come to him when she was ready.
Alone in the hall, Angelina\'s attention turned to Jaegar. "You should take a bath," she advised, her tone both practical and indulgent.
Jaegar glanced down at his own state, realizing the layer of dirt and sweat that clung to his skin.
He nodded in agreement, taking up her suggestion.
After a refreshing bath, he emerged, his body glistening with water droplets that traced paths along his well-defined muscles. A unique crimson tattoo adorned his back and shoulders, it was formed after he took the crimson Jaegar. The design wasn\'t simple, but complex.
Angelina\'s laughter danced through the air as she playfully remarked, "Oh, boy! You shouldn\'t roam like that." Her eyes traced back to his body with a mischievous glint, appreciating the sight before her. She couldn\'t help but feel a surge of desire, her thoughts momentarily distracted by the allure of his sculpted physique.
Sinking into a couch, Jaegar let out a tired sigh, his body still adjusting to the aftermath of the intense, long years for him.
His eyes closed, and he allowed himself to feel the weight of the day\'s events.
"Hmm." Angelina\'s voice broke through the quiet moment, drawing his attention. "Jeanine came by. Your aunt sent a letter while you were in there." Jaegar\'s posture shifted, a mix of surprise and curiosity lighting up his expression at the mention of his aunt.
A letter was handed to him, a tangible connection to the outside world. Yet, despite the intrigue, his mind was consumed by an overwhelming decision. He stood up abruptly, enthusiasm radiating from him, to see his aunt. It has been a long time since he last saw her, at least for him. "I will be away for a while."
As his right hand glowed with a single red square, a portal materialized before him, its ephemeral energy swirling.
With purposeful steps, he entered the portal, the threshold to his old bedroom beckoning him. As he crossed over, memories flooded his mind. The familiar scent of his aunt\'s food and the sound of her infectious laughter filled the air, reminding him of the warmth and love he had always found in her presence.
The portal closed behind him, leaving Angelina standing in the hall, a smile lingering on her face, feeling proud of him and what he had turned into. She could still feel the remnants of the portal\'s energy lingering in the hall. And he was able to do it in a snap. She couldn\'t help but wonder just how strong he had gotten since the last time she saw him.