Chapter 692 The Girls' Reflections - II
Ravenna had grown accustomed to Seraphina calling her—”shorty”—used interchangeably with her name. In return, Ravenna often referred to Seraphina as stupid dog. It’s mutual.
After a prolonged silence, the petite scholar spoke, her tone laced with complexity: “Your intuition has always been remarkably acute. Surely you’ve sensed it too… There’s something peculiar about Ansel, isn’t there?”
“…”
Seraphina remained silent, but her momentary deceleration was all the confirmation Ravenna needed. She had undoubtedly perceived it as well.
The atmosphere between them suddenly grew heavy with unspoken concerns. Whether it was Ravenna’s profound understanding of Ansel or Seraphina’s keen intuition, both were acutely aware of the subtle shifts in Ansel’s demeanor.
This perceptiveness wasn’t solely due to their individual talents; it stemmed largely from Ansel’s willingness to lower his emotional barriers around them. Had he maintained his usual guardedness, even Ravenna’s intimate knowledge and Seraphina’s sharp instincts might have failed to detect the nuanced changes in his psyche.
— After all, if he could deceive his own mother at the tender age of ten, how could two young girls hope to see through his facade now?
“I’m merely… positing a possibility,” Ravenna ventured, breaking the oppressive silence.
“Could it be that we’ve misunderstood Ansel? Perhaps he isn’t as eager to be the savior we’ve envisioned—”
“Impossible!”
Seraphina interjected vehemently. “Are you insinuating that Ansel is… a villain, Ravenna?”
“…Your rose-tinted view of Ansel is clouding your judgment, Seraphina.”
Prepared for Seraphina’s defensive reaction, Ravenna refrained from employing a caustic tone. Instead, she offered her admonition with gravity and sincerity.
“I recognize the profound impact he’s had on you, but if you cannot confront the entirety of his actions, you’re merely indulging in a fantasy of who Ansel is.”
“Our duty is to support Ansel… not to delude ourselves into believing he’s never committed any evil acts.”
Ravenna reasoned that without addressing this crucial point, Seraphina would inevitably find herself at irreconcilable odds with Ansel.
To her astonishment, Seraphina’s response left her momentarily speechless.
“Who told you I was deceiving myself?” The sprinting Seraphina asked, bewildered. “Have you forgotten what I said during my ascension?”
Seraphina had openly acknowledged Ansel’s countless misdeeds, driven by the weight of fate, and recognized that he remained on that path even now. She had never shied away from confronting Ansel’s sins.
It was precisely because of this that she yearned for Ansel to rely on her, why she was determined to shatter the bonds of fate and offer Ansel a broader spectrum of choices.
“If you understand this,” Ravenna intoned gravely, “then what fault do you find with my earlier assertion?”
“I recall you once believed that Ansel, at his core, desired to be a better person,” Seraphina countered, evading a direct answer. “Why have you changed your mind?”
“It’s his wavering resolve—remember, no one but Ansel can escape the grip of fate,” Ravenna’s voice grew noticeably colder.
“No matter how vigilant I am in my efforts not to hinder Ansel’s struggle against fate, it’s impossible to constantly guard against the ever-shifting currents of one’s own thoughts… The same applies to you, does it not?”
Seraphina’s pace slackened, her diminished focus on aiding civilians a testament to the profound shock reverberating through her being.
“Are you suggesting…” she murmured, incredulity lacing her words, “that fate has already begun manipulating us against Ansel? When did this start?”
“It’s ever-present.” Ravenna replied, her countenance darkening.
“I’ve attempted to deconstruct my own thought patterns, yet I’m unable to pinpoint any anomalous or intrusive concepts. Nevertheless, I’ve postulated that fate might be compelling us to believe in Ansel’s inherent goodness, forcing us to harbor this expectation of him.”
“And Ansel, caring deeply for us, may be reluctant to disappoint our trust and vision. Thus, he could gradually sink into the quagmire we’ve inadvertently created. In that case, we—”
“Impossible,” Seraphina interjected, shaking her head. “I refuse to accept.”
“This isn’t a matter of belief!” Ravenna’s voice rose with urgency. “Only Ansel possesses the experience to combat fate. We’re utterly incapable of discerning which of our thoughts are the result of fate’s machinations!”
Seraphina fell silent, continuing her relentless sprint. Her demeanor suggested deep contemplation, yet simultaneously… a reluctance to confront the implications.
Unable to bear the oppressive silence, Ravenna raised her voice: “Seraphina! You—”
“Ravenna,” Seraphina softly interjected.
“I’ve underestimated you. Thinking about such complex matters must be incredibly taxing.”
“You…” Ravenna’s tone faltered, then flared with irritation. “Now isn’t the time to discuss my state of mind. If you truly want to consider hardship, my ruminations pale in comparison to Ansel’s burden. If you genuinely feel indebted to me, then seriously contemplate what I’ve just said!”
“I’m neither being stubborn nor speaking nonsense… You’re usually so level-headed, yet now you seem utterly mad, even more so than I.”
Seraphina massaged her temples, sighing. “If we already know fate’s influence, why dwell on it further? How can you be certain that your current state of overthinking and confusion isn’t fate’s aim?”
“I…” Ravenna found herself at a loss for words, stunned by Seraphina’s astute observation.
“When I say I believe in Ansel, it’s not because I’ve forgotten his past acts, nor am I blinded by love,” Seraphina continued, displaying an uncharacteristic patience in her explanation.
“Ansel is fundamentally that kind of person… You’ve witnessed his memories too, haven’t you?” The young girl’s tone held a mixture of certainty and admiration.
“He really desires to improve this world. He wishes for change more than anyone. Did you ever see him show even a hint of weariness as he gradually transformed the Hydral domain?”
“If it weren’t for that damned fate…” Seraphina’s temple throbbed visibly, her eyes blazing with undisguised ferocity, “the Empire wouldn’t be in such a wretched state now!”
Several moments passed before she subdued the murderous intent welling within her, then continued: “Moreover, both Sister Anne and Mr. Flamelle hope that Ansel can become a kind man.”
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“He never intended to be a villain; it was fate’s force that left him with no choices.”
“Therefore,” Seraphina turned to face Ravenna, her expression unwavering, “it’s our turn to work hard, enabling Ansel to become the person he once wished to be.”
However, this declaration brought the conversation full circle, with Seraphina still failing to address Ravenna’s initial concern.
While she adamantly expressed her determination to aid Ansel, she couldn’t explain the source of the hesitation and uncertainty… they had both detected in his heart.
Ultimately, Ravenna could only exhale a resigned sigh, choosing to remain silent.
She was well aware of Annelisa’s expectations for Ansel, but she also vividly recalled another of Annelisa’s statements — the very words that had prompted Ravenna to question her own thought processes.
[Do not let my wishes to become your burden, your shackles, your prison]
Those were the words that the gentle, magnanimous mother had imparted to her child.
Lady Annelisa had no desire to become Ansel’s fetters.
Ravenna pondered: Could my vision become Ansel’s encumbrance?
What kind of person… does Ansel truly wish to become?
*