Last Born Of The Desdemona

Chapter 206: Chapter 206: Farewells [1]

Chapter 206 – Farewells [1]

The spectators were not given time to truly process the fact that the Dean had chosen a disciple.

It was something never before seen in the entire history of the Academy, and because of that, teachers and students alike began to wonder:

Why had the Dean accepted Cassius as a disciple?

If it was only because he was talented and strong, there were honestly more talented people than Cassius in the Academy.

If it was because of his background, Meadow’s background was more special and prestigious than his own.

Then what exactly was the reason?

The most intelligent ones were already connecting this strange decision to Cassius’s draconic eye, thinking the Dean was trying to protect him from the numerous targets he had placed on his own back.

After all, he was a talented young man who would certainly become someone great in the future. He was worth the effort.

Little did they know, the Dean was the very first being to want the eye for herself. Not for power, nor for mindless greed.

For something even a mundane person could feel and act upon: the remembrance of someone dear, long past.

And she was ready to do anything for it. Even if that meant taking her first disciple.

That was something Cassius didn’t know, but no one needed to tell him that the Dean was bad news. The frustrating thing was that he didn’t know exactly why.

If it was because of his eye, Cassius knew the Dean was far too strong to be interested in it to the point of taking him as a disciple.

However, he didn’t get time to delve deeper into the subject, as it was now Anesthesia’s turn to choose a teacher.

And surprisingly, the Fallen Heiress chose Seraphim Hood as her master.

To say Seraphim was surprised would be an understatement. And to say that the other Hood members — including Raven and the newly awakened Esmeray — did not frown at the choice would be a lie.

However, Anesthesia’s choice was made. To her, no one was better than Seraphim, also known as the Queen of Revolution.

Seraphim Hood was, after all, the embodiment of who she wished to become, if one didn’t count her own mother.

And the more she thought about it, the more she realised how alike Seraphim and Sophia were.

Both of them had tried, and were trying, to push aside a man and become the ruler. To hold power and stand above everyone and beneath none.

They were greedy people, ready to do anything for their goals.

And Anesthesia Amaris loved greedy, ruthless people.

So she bowed her head toward her new Master, and Seraphim Hood smiled brightly, seeing in Anesthesia something she knew all too well.

Hunger.

The Fallen Heiress was starving. And she planned to feed her until the young woman was full.

Thus, without anyone being the wiser, a demonic duo of master and disciple was born.

Cassius was surprised by the choice.

In the Game, Anesthesia hadn’t chosen his aunt. She had chosen Teacher Jade to manipulate him into her arms and obtain benefits for herself and Emrys.

Now that event had changed, which meant Teacher Jade would become a problem, since it was only thanks to Anesthesia that he had stopped his disgusting habit.

’Annoying.’

The only thing that remained constant despite all the changes he had caused was Emrys becoming the disciple of Teacher Kai.

And that made Cassius wonder...

’Why has everything shifted but not this event?’

Now he had something for his thoughts to chew on.

But time slowly passed, and the ceremony came to a merciful end.

The students disappeared back into their own rooms, having the day off, while Cassius and the others were allowed a moment with their families before they officially entered the Academy.

...

"Look at you, my baby." Sefira whispered, pulling Cassius into a tight, warm hug.

Cassius’s smile was awkward, his movements even more so. He was holding his mother, but it felt as though he wasn’t. His fake arms transmitted no sensation to him.

He ignored the strange feeling and tried to act as normally as possible. "I’m fine, mother." He replied, hugging her tighter without even realising he was doing it. "I’ll soon regain my eye and arms. This is just temporary."

Aldrin, Morgan, Dorian and even the Hood Family were there, talking among themselves and watching.

"Was it hard?" Sefira asked, gently breaking the hug, now looking at her son’s face. And every time she saw his empty right eye in his beautiful face, her heart felt as though it were pierced by a sword thrust.

"It was always going to be hard, mother." He smiled. "I was up against talented people. I knew being Palatine required sacrifice. And it’s not like I lost it forever, so don’t worry. I should be the one asking instead..."

His voice lowered.

"...are you okay?"

Cassius knew it was not easy for his mother to watch him mutilated like this. It must surely have been even more painful for her.

’I would have spared her the sight of my state if it were possible.’

He refocused as Sefira leaned forward and kissed his forehead. "I’m fine as long as you are. And I’m proud of you, my baby. I’ve always been proud."

"What if I had lost instead?"

She laughed immediately, heartily. "I would be proud even if you were the worst of the worst. You’re my son, after all." Her voice lowered. "You’re my last born, Cassius. I don’t need you to be great and powerful to be proud of you. I just need you to be happy, and that alone would make me a proud mother. You can’t imagine, my baby, how much you mean to me."

Cassius’s heart shook at his mother’s voice and words. He didn’t know why, but the sincerity behind them was so piercing that he physically felt it.

He looked into his mother’s eyes, and saw nothing but love. Love so profound it bordered on insanity.

And that love was shared by all his family.

"You did well, Cassius." Aldrin tapped his right shoulder, smiling for the first time in front of his son. "I have nothing to tell you. Except that I’m proud."

"Me too!!" Morgan chirped lovingly, hugging her younger brother from behind, wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing his cheek. "My darling! You’re the best! What should I give you as a gift? Tell me anything and I’ll do it! Even if it’s killing that bastard Teacher Kai!"

"Easy, sister, and stop talking about killing for a moment. And can you let go of my pookie?" Dorian arrived.

"Mind your business, Dorian."

Finally, Cassius came face to face with his second brother for the first time since waking up in this world.

The bastard was more handsome than he had expected, his eyes lacking irises entirely — everything was crimson.

They were similar to his grandmother’s eyes, except hers were all black.

Cassius briefly wondered if there was any correlation between the two before speaking.

"So you remember you have a brother now? I truly thought you didn’t." He spat instantly, earning Dorian a mocking smile from the rest of the family.

But this was nothing new.

Dorian was the type to never be home. To add to that, he neither called nor sent any messages.

He would only show up on big occasions, then disappear again like a ghost. His mind was focused only on building his empire.

However, the second born of the Desdemona knew how to redeem himself.

"I won’t try to make excuses. So as a way of being forgiven, I prepared something for you. Want to see it?" He smiled widely. "You’ll definitely like it, pookie. I spent a long time searching for it."

"What is it?"

"An interesting formula, for sure. I have no idea what it does, but since you’re a Blessed, maybe your goddess could help you."

"Oh?"

Thus, the Desdemona family continued to banter and talk.

Only the Twins were missing, and that was because they weren’t allowed out, being inside the Academy.

Just like Isolde.

Beside the Desdemona, the Hood were also talking to their children. Truth be told, the performances of Raven and Esmeray had been, at best, lacklustre.

Raven had made no effort to be among the top, while Esmeray had been poisoned because of her own foolishness.

It was a disgrace to the Royal Family.

But neither Dantes nor Morenna truly cared.

"I’m at a loss for words for this situation." Dantes said, patting his son. "However, I’m not going to force you, Raven. You lack motivation, but I’d rather see it as a blessing. Our family has seen enough greedy, glory-seeking people across its history. Where are they now? Dust and forgotten."

Raven let out a faint smile, nodding. "Thanks, father."

"And you," Morenna added wryly, looking at Esmeray, who couldn’t meet her eyes out of shame, "are you ashamed now?"

"...I’m sorry." Esmeray whispered, clenching her fist. "I’m sorry for—!"

"I’m not blaming you." Morenna seized the moment and hugged her daughter for the first time in years.

Not expecting it, Esmeray was unable to react. And before she knew it, both of them trembled with emotion.

She melted into her mother’s arms.

"I know how hard it is for you to live normally with your curse." Morenna whispered. "But lately, I’ve seen you trying, searching, doing your absolute best to control it. I don’t know what happened, but I’m happy, Esmeray. And I’m proud. At least...at least you are fighting against it now."

Esmeray’s eyes blurred. She bit her lower lip, holding back a wail, and hugged her mother tighter, burying her face in her chest, sobbing.

How much had she missed this feeling of being embraced by her own mother? Of letting gentle whispers calm her heart and her mother’s scent soothe her mind?

At that moment, the Princess couldn’t help but wonder why she had been so stubborn all this time, holding a grudge against her mother for no real reason.

It was pure foolishness.

That realisation, coupled with the humiliation she had endured at Theophane’s hands and all the bottled-up emotions inside her now partially relieved, made something deep within Esmeray Hood shift.

Something inside her was finally free, uncaged from her own insecurities.

And it was just then that the Desdemona came toward them, and Dorian’s hand coincidentally brushed gently against Esmeray as he gave a curt nod of respect to Morenna.

The Princess’s body shivered. Her red eyes snapped wide open as a familiar sensation coursed through her whole body.

She detached herself from her mother and turned her attention to Dorian.

Without meaning to, driven purely by raw instinct, she reached out and locked her hand around his. Instantly, the omnipresent lust clawing at both her soul and body settled, as if it had finally found its cure.

Esmeray Hood’s heart dropped, looking at Dorian with wide eyes.

"Impossible!"

—End of Chapter 206—