bacchusnovels Chapter 100 - 136 - Estelle’s Puppet strings
Chapter 100 - 136 - Estelle’s Puppet strings
"It’s alright, Noah. There’s no need for apologies. I’m the one at fault here", Estelle muttered, sitting with her arms crossed, her face covered by her hands, pretending to be consumed by distress, avoiding her brother’s gaze.
"No, Sister. Noah is the one who’s not good enough, not you", Young boy protested, rushing toward Estelle and enveloping her in an embrace, feeling shattered to see his sister in pain because of him.
"How can Noah be at fault when I’ve consistently pushed him away and even encouraged others to bully him?"
Estelle’s words grew heavier with each recollection, painfully acknowledging the hurt she inflicted upon her brother while trapped in her role as the villainess.
Despite her efforts to reconcile with her brother upon each return, she realized her attempts had limits, constrained by the overarching plot — Death of a brother while protecting his Villainess Sister.
As per the plot’s design, Estelle Collins strived to embody the perfect heir, consumed by pride and regarding others as mere ants—this had become her persona for a considerable time.
"But look, I’ve become strong because of this"
’!?’
Estelle’s closed eyes snapped open at the sound of Noah’s confident assertion.
Slowly raising her head, her eyes reflected a small boy trying to puff out his chest, attempting to exude dependability.
Observing his stance, memories flooded back.
His playful childhood, his pure heart, and the vivid image of him pushing her, sacrificing himself to the engulfing flames, leaving behind only small words that were far from solace.
// See sister, I am not that useless //
drip
A solitary tear escaped, landing silently on the floor, breaking the barriers of her eyelashes.
Yet, She refused to appear weak, especially in front of her young brother.
"Pffft, Hahaha... oh my, you look funny," she burst into laughter, masking her grief-stricken tears with a facade of happiness.
She doesn’t care if Noah becomes hurt with her teasing,’ Afterall, I am very bad Villainess’
"Y-you big meanie," Noah stuttered, his lips quivering, as he witnessed his sister’s sudden laughter.
" U-uncle Morgan!"
He turned toward the man standing beside the gate.
"Sniff....Waaahhh...sniff," tears welled up as he sought solace in Morgan’s comforting embrace, hurt by his sister’s teasing.
"Noah, don’t cry. Estelle, don’t tease him or else," Morgan redirected his attention toward Estelle, then lifted Noah in a consoling hug.
Observing Estelle’s struggle to contain her teasing words, he shook his head, resigned to her predictable behavior, ’This girl will never change’
After wiping her damp eyes, Estelle refocused on more pressing matters.
"Okay, okay, let’s go, or that old man will start creating bubbles again," she stood up, stretched, and moved toward the gate, passing by Morgan, who remained still, pondering her reference to his brother and an Admiral with those words.
Referring to ’creating bubbles’ was a veiled insult popular among Cratens —an analogy used for old senile people who didn’t use their brains and would burst into anger easily.
"E-Estelle!?"
Suddenly, he turned and noticed her disappearing before he could even reprimand her for using such words against one of the Admirals.
But as he looked in her direction where she vanished, he couldn’t help but think, ’Brother, your daughter has definitely taken after her mother’
He turned towards Noah, who had fallen asleep after crying for a while.
Seeing his face, he remembered the woman who entrusted him with the responsibility to protect her children instead of trusting her husband, showing how irresponsible his brother was,’ Anyone would do if that old man frequently bursts into bubbles ’
He moved on, ignoring his own thoughts, which Anyone would have considered blasphemous, but who cared?
No one could read other’s thoughts, so there was no problem in it, right?
.
.
.
.
While Moving in the long hallway, Estelle pondered about the upcoming test, scheduled for second-year students, but open to third-years for additional learning and experience..
Her knowledge of the upcoming test was crucial, but due to restrictions, her involvement was limited to minor interventions — Like this Practical session
However, There was Restrictions in it too, Like She couldn’t alter the inevitable fate of a particular second-year student who possessed an ability to communicate with animals.
In each scenario, she could seal the portal, halting the monster rampage, yet she remained powerless to save that Young Woman.
Despite that woman’s plea and the haunting image of her tear-streaked face, begging for help.
Estelle could only watch helplessly as the monsters devoured her alive.
The closing portal served as a cruel barrier, leaving the Girl’s body just five steps away, a tragic reminder of Estelle’s inability to alter the outcome.
It was first moment of her, in every chance she got, where she felt failure and one that haunted her for days.
Those haunting memories wouldn’t have affected her that much but what it would be like if she saw her brother or father in such a state — these are the visuals that haunted her.
The emotions flooded back when Noah died while saving her.
His sacrifice turned him to ashes, her half face burned by one of the beings emerging from the Wormhole.
This event took the lives of the previous five Admirals, including her brother, all sacrificing themselves for her.
The Admirals, embodiments of strength among Cratens, were far from weak.
Fate, destiny, or whatever she might have called it, seemed hell bent to destroy her small world, leading to the whole confrontation to occur inside the Volcanic Mountains — a place devoid of any water.
The Admirals tapped into their essence to defeat the being, whose primary element was fire, rendering it invincible inside the magma.
Despite its invulnerability, the being was ultimately vanquished by the Admirals, demonstrating their immense strength.
Amidst the chaos, the Admirals aimed to safeguard the last two remaining heirs, Noah and Estelle, having already lost the others in their battle against the Obsedian Order.
Noah attempted to pull Estelle away, but she adamantly stood her ground, resolved not to retreat, prepared to confront the Figure to prevent it from wreaking havoc in her world.
In the intense struggle to shield her from the encroaching flames, Noah pushed Estelle away, sacrificing himself and turning to ashes.
Caught in an endless loop, Estelle found herself trapped in a recurring event, realizing that Noah’s death was an inevitable part of this world’s design, where she seemed to be merely a puppet in its grand scheme.
’I’ll attempt once more,’ echoed her resolute thoughts, a recurring mantra in every incarnation.
She clung to hope that altering her fate, and saving her world, might allow her to evade the destiny of a villainess bound by strings of fate.
"Welcome, Young Miss. The Lord awaits your presence," greeted one of the guards stationed outside the imposing chamber.
Estelle’s gaze shifted to the colossal gate before her, adorned with runic inscriptions and a central depiction of a white divine beast.
Kriieeeekk~
With a creaking sound, the gate parted, revealing an otherworldly sight that met Estelle’s eyes—a figure seated at the apex of a circular arrangement of regal thrones.
Numerous imposing figures occupied these thrones, emanating an aura of authority as they fixed their intense gazes upon her.
Unperturbed by their penetrating stares, Estelle advanced toward the hall’s center, a vast expanse adorned with ethereal white marble reflecting the moon’s luminous glow.
The tranquil water complemented by the moon’s enhancing radiance, made this time ideal for Cratens to convene meetings or engage in crucial discussions during the night.
"How are you, my child?" a voice resounded from the man sitting at the apex, reaching Estelle, who had averted her gaze, with a murmured reply, "Not fine"
GASP!
Many gasps resounded in unison. The beings sitting on thrones looked at Estelle in bewilderment, attempting to fathom why their sweet fairy seemed so down today.
WHOOSH!
An aura surged, causing the entire mansion to tremble at a rapid rate, centered at the head of the hall room.
"L-lord, please calm your anger. It must be Morgan’s doing. He’s been reprimanding Young Miss. Allow me to deal with that traitor," pleaded one of the Elders, seeking permission to address the cause that had spoiled Estelle’s mood, their overly care evident — a major reason for Estelle to become a Villianess, being spoiled by the strongest ones had their own perk.
Avendial, seated at the center, turned towards his daughter.
Observing her downturned face, he felt both confusion and concern.
It was the first time his daughter had behaved this way.
Normally, she would have barged in and ordered him around.
"Tell me, Estelle, what do you want?"
Silence enveloped the room.
All elders looked toward Estelle, holding their breath, anticipating the name of Morgan – their mutual enemy, who had been reprimanding Estelle like a mother since childhood, making him their first prey in list of «Goddess Estelle’s Enemies »
Estelle lifted her gaze towards her father seated on the throne, bearing the weight of the entire kingdom.
Her mind swirled with turmoil, knowing that her words might once again fail to reach him, leading to the repetition of the same events.
"I don’t want to attend the Academy," she began, her lips parting in the hope that he would listen, but she faltered, anticipating the inevitable," I mean, I will attend—"
"Definitely! Leave that damn Academy," her father’s words cut through her unfinished sentence.
"I already told you to create a new one, My Lord,"
"That Academy is trash, just like those humans"
’W-what?’
With widened eyes, she stared at the moment she had hoped for, her mind grappling to process what had just transpired.
’Is this a dream?’