Alexia finally starts to sob uncontrollably, her whimpers and wails were loud enough to catch attention of Kela. "I-I can't help Big s-sister nor brother Mel. Everyone around me ends up leaving me, I am getting betrayed constantly. Hic* First Jerald, then Uncle Micah and Miss Bell. Why is everyone suddenly trying to break my faith? Even brother Mel left me."
"Alexia-"
"Shut up! I don't care about your fancy words. I am not as smart as you! I just want my family back, Altaris I want-" Her meltdown stops abruptly as Kela begins to cry.
"Uwaaa! Uwaaghhh!"
Without a second thought, Alexia wipes her tears and slips into her older sister persona, she gently picks Kela up and pats her back, reassuring her that everything is fine. "Oh my, Did you got scared by voice. See? Sister is fine. Altaris and I were just talking, no need to cry. Here."
I calmly observe Alexia while countless emotions surges in my mind. Mainly guilt and remorse but bits of regret and rage are in the mix as well. 'All such emotions are trait of a weak chancellor.' I told to myself, like countless times before during my past life, I forced to halt my mana intake and took deep breath to calm my nerves.
Meanwhile Alexia took notice of my sudden change in body language, but she did not question it, as in her mind she assumed that I was bit overwhelmed by this topic.
The night went on as Kela refused to calm down, leaving me just awkwardly staring at Alexia trying various attempts to calm her little sister down. Only after an hour of nonstop crying did Kela stopped due to exhaustion, now she laid quietly in Alexia arms.
"This menace is only cute when asleep." I made a sarcastic remark.
Alexia let out a subtle chuckle on my joke. "Agreed."
But happy moments did not last for long as conversation quickly became stale, even though I rested plenty my body overexerted itself so many times in the last few days that I needed to sign off and focus on my recovery. "Anyhow, I guess we should call it a nigh-"
Before I could finish my sentence, Alexia cuts me. "I am just a good for nothing weak girl, I cannot even help to save my own family. I am sure, I will only drag you down in the dungeon."
I bring my feet up from the cold water and jump down. Thinking that I am leaving, Alexia looked at her reflection and cursed it, trying not to sob. But my next words caught her off guard.
"You are doing more than enough."
She looks up at me with tears falling down, face full of surprise but it quickly changes to a painful expression where she smiles at me and talks in a soft voice. "Thank you for your kind words, it gives me hope."
I immediately clenched my fist as she took my words for granted, for once, I was not jesting nor using any philosophical terms but used simple language to tell her.
"No, Alexia you have done enough. You are just a child, yet you have to become a mother for children at home. You manage the food, the house and do everything what Helen is supposed to do and over the top you are contributing in gathering funds by participating in dungeon dive what Melsier is supposed to do. This is more than enough."
It appears my words did not go through as she doesn't say a single word and continues sobbing while staring her own relfection. This further infuriates me and I unconsciously raise my voice. "Alexia! I am talking to you."
In reply, she shakes her head while mumbling. "Not enough, just not enough."
I grit my teeth as I was about to yell at her, but Kela suddenly squirms in her arms, showing signs of discomfort.
Alexia lightly strokes her head while humming softly while I eat my own words and sigh. 'Fuck it.'
"You must be cold, let sister take inside and wrap you in a warm blanket." As Alexia pulls out her wet feet from well, I speak up. "Alexia."
She looks at me for a second, her next words ready to say goodnight.
"I think you can be strong. Strong enough to help those who you love. Alexia, I think you can be a magician." I immediately regret my words as I do not like taking in disciples, let alone a successor.
On the other side of the well, she quickly took her wet feet out of the well and stepped down the edge of the well to stand right in front of me. "What did you say?"
"I-I am saying that you have a talent for magic, maybe you should hone that cannister and pour it in helping your loved ones?" I took a peek at her face and panicked.
She was staring at me as if she seen a ghost, her eyes wide open and fingers all twitching, she was just that shocked. Before I could say anything, Alexia leans down too close to my face.
My cheeks immediately turn red as I assume the worst. "A-Alexia! This i-isn't a-appropriate."
Instead of kissing me, Alexia touches her forehead to mine and closes her eyes. "Make me strong, Altaris."
'She is warmer than I thought and she smells like sweet potato.'
We maintained this position for few seconds before Alexia broke off the contact, she stared straight into my eyes with a passive look and flashed a genuine smile. "When does the training start?"
Her soft voice was seductive and the possessive look she gave made my heart skip a beat, I violently shook my head to get rid of any impure thoughts.
"Ahem! How about you tuck Kela in first?"
With a nod, she jogs to leave Kela in the crooked house. As I watch her running to house, a thought surges in my mind.
'What type of black mage should I crave from her?'