"Daughter," The Ouroboros Queen's stern voice could be heard reverberating in the grand hall, causing Silva's face to slightly change as she turned her gaze towards her mother. "From now until the next 24 hours, you are prohibited to go and be in the close proximity of that young man."
The statement, coupled with the serious expression, quickly shocked Silva, as it was very much unexpected. She was unable to comprehend the possible reasons as to why this decision needed to be made.
"What?! Why!?"
At this moment, the middle-aged man standing next to the queen who had been watching the entire situation silently, Duke Syre, shouted.
"You are not to speak like that to the queen!"
From the rather harsh reactions shown by the two people who cared for her the most, Silva finally realized that she was in far more trouble than she had initially thought. Therefore, she quickly adjusted her demeanor and tone of voice before uttering her puzzlement.
"Why, mother? tell me."
Seeing her daughter's apparent confusion, the queen took a deep sigh before gazing at her and speaking, "Silva, you are my daughter and I know you very well. That's why I must tell you that this attachment you have to the young man is borderline unhealthy."
Silva snorted when she heard her mother's words, "Attachment? Do you mean obsession, mother?" Ignoring the look her mother gave her, she continued, "I know what I'm doing, mother. So you don't have to worry."
"Do you really?! You spent a million spirit stones on him, and the past few weeks since he's been here, you haven't spent time to improved your training at all!"
The queen stopped for a second and continued, "I just found out that it was you who actually contacted Heorgar. You lured the Demon wolf here, knowing well who he is and what he needs!" The Oroboros Queen rose from her throne with great emotion and said, "Silva! Do you realize that your scheme took the lives of many!"
Even though what the queen spoke of was somewhat true, the white-haired girl didn't seem to show any hint of remorse. On the contrary, she stood there confidently.
"And look where it brings us, mother. …we have successfully cleared the name of our bloodline and brought honor to our clan. Am I not right, mother?"
Looking at the proud expression on her daughter's face, the queen chuckled.
"Daughter, I admit that you are smart in many things. But, you are clearly way over your head with him."
Silva was taken aback, as she didn't expect her mother's reaction. On the other hand, the queen stared at her daughter, a sense of melancholy showing on her face.
"You are just like me; your emotions will always be your strength and also your fall." The queen closed her eyes after saying those words. Moments later, she opened it again and an unwavering resolution could be seen within it.
"Once again I repeat, you must not approach him in the next 24 hours. I want him to make his own decision." The queen spoke sternly, in a tone that clearly refused no as an answer.
When she heard that, Silva snorted again and looked away. "It's fine. Even if he decided not to join us now, I'm sure he will accept it later when he realizes how much I can do for him in the academy."
After saying this, Silva noticed that there was no immediate response. Unlike before, there was only silence. This of course surprised her, as she quickly turned to her mother again.
Seeing the expression on her mother's face, Silva suddenly had a bad premonition.
"What… what is it, mother?"
The queen was silent for a while and as an inaudible sigh escaped from her lips, the queen slowly spoke. "I'm sorry, my daughter. The patriarch had just given a decree, that although the bloodline had been cleared of suspicions by the Human Alliance, he still decided to wait and see, to stay neutral and not to be involved in any of the wars."
"So… this includes your involvement within the academy… I'm sorry, dear. I really am. You will not return to the academy, at least not anytime soon."
Silva's eyes widened. It was such shocking news that she, honestly, couldn't accept. Not only would she be unable to return for her hard-earned enrollment to the privileged class, she also couldn't be with him and thus couldn't help him in his journey.
While Silva was still in thought contemplating the matter, the Oroboros Queen turned to his brother. "Syre, if the young wolf decides not to sign the contract, you can immediately send him home just like the others."
"I understand, My Queen," replied Duke Syre as he bowed slightly.
Meanwhile, Silva was still lost in the maelstrom of her thoughts. Without her noticing, her body trembled slightly. It occurred to her that she might not be able to see him again for a while, and knowing Emery was a person from and part of the lower realm, it would be considered fortunate if she could see him in a dozen years.
"No.. It can't be… No, no, no..!" Silva whipped her head towards her mother. "Please mother! Let me talk to him… I-"
The Oroboros Queen cut her off. "Trust me, dear. I did this for your sake."
Despair filled Silva as she looked at her mother and finally realized that she would not budge on her decision no matter what.
"No, mother! No! Let me at least see him one more time, please!"
In the end, Silva was being held, locked up by her uncle the Duke. until the time Emery has made his decision.
—---
Not knowing about what happened on Silva's side, Emery returned to his provided residence with a head full of thoughts. He had 24 hours to make up his mind. Unknowingly, he found himself standing on the balcony gazing at the scenery while thinking about the contract.
From his expression, it was clear that Emery was thinking about his decision carefully. However, the truth was that he was currently leaning on the idea of agreeing to the offer.
He naturally didn't expect them to solve his Nephilim problem for him. Rather, the reason he was considering accepting the offer was mainly because of one particular reason.
Not the artifacts, training, or the many things promised to be given to him. It was that one thing that Ouroboros clearly has but not many others have.
A method to improve his bloodline.
That alone was more than enough for Emery to risk himself tangled with their business.
What the Oroboros Queen said to him was right. There would always be consequences for every decision he took. Benefit couldn't not be obtained without risk.
Thinking that he might be unavailable because of his duty to the faction. Emery thought of his friends. He wondered if they would be able to cover for him during those times.
After some thought, Emery once again realized that he was trying to bear the burden by himself. He should learn to trust his friends and share the responsibility with them. Moreover, him joining the faction will overall be beneficial for everyone.
This line of thought gave Emery the strength to open the scroll and the determination to sign the contract.
However, he was interrupted by a knock on the door.
"Enter." Emery said, loud enough for anyone outside his room to hear.
He turned around and saw that it was just a servant who had come with some snacks from him. But then, he realized that there was something off.
"Where is Gennette?"
This nonchalant question unexpectedly made the servant drop the plate of fruits in her hand. She quickly turned pale, as if frightened by something.
Emery's gaze turned sharp when he saw this.
"What's wrong?"