171 What Right Do You Have To Control Me?
Selma Payne’s POV:
‘The demonic seal is still a hidden danger that has yet to be resolved. We have yet to find a way to control Dorothy’s Eye of Insight. I don’t want to return empty-handed like this!’
An inexplicable fire engulfed me, and I suddenly felt that Aldrich was annoying. What was he? He was not my parent, nor was he my master. What right did he have to decide whether I stay or leave?
I knew he cared about me, and I cared about him, but I also cared about my friend, Dorothy. I was one of the people who got her into this, where she was on the verge of eternal damnation. I had to take responsibility.
“Stop talking to me like that!” I suddenly pushed him away and shouted, “Recognize your identity, Aldrich! You are my subject, not my father! Don’t make your decisions for me. I have no obligation to follow your decision, and you have no right to decide whether I stay or leave!”
My words were like a bomb filled with silencing gas, immediately making everyone shut up.
The silent room was filled with unprecedented awkwardness. Everyone present was staring at me with indescribable shock as if I had just said something crazy, like a prophecy of the world’s end.
Aldrich looked at me hard; from the anger and disbelief at the start, it gradually softened into a mournful sorrow and disappointment.
“…We should all calm down.” He said dryly, “It’s the palace’s will to let you go back. I can’t interfere. The plane will depart at 5 pm. Get ready.”
With that, he strode out of the room.
I regretted it the moment I said that. What was I doing? I was like a young girl in puberty who her stubbornness and self-consciousness had blinded!
However, there was no point in regretting it as Aldrich had already disappeared from my sight. My words were too much. A ‘subject’? Moon Goddess! Why didn’t I realize I’d become such an old fart who cared about hierarchy?
ƒ𝑟e𝘦we𝑏n𝑜𝚟𝙚Ɩ. 𝒄𝚘𝐦
Perhaps Aldrich was right. The gift was not as gentle and harmless as it looked on the surface, and it used a way I could not see to collect ‘interest’.
Maxine, silent for a long time, suddenly spoke up, “Have you noticed? You’ve been affected. The power that you’ve devoured is full of violence and pride. You’ve absorbed the nutrients, so you must deal with the bacteria and viruses it brings.”
“I know, but I can’t control it,” I said as I collapsed into the blanket.
Since I absorbed Leviathan’s wisp of black mist, my bipolar disorder had stuck to me like a disgusting piece of tape. Under its catalysis, I absorbed more power and endured more negative emotions. This caused the situation to become more and more serious, and it became a vicious cycle.
The worst thing was that I didn’t know if I could successfully expel these emotions like I was expelling toxins. If they were to become a part of me forever, then in a few years, I would have to go to the secret manor and be Adele’s roommate.
However, that was still far away. I could only worry about how to coax Aldrich back.
This wasn’t easy, especially when I was in the wrong first. Although Aldrich was usually lenient with me, his mature adult temperament would disappear when he was angry. After all, there was an age gap between us. When he was angry, it was explosive. On the other hand, I was just a rookie who didn’t know anything. It would be embarrassing even if I wanted to say some sweet words.
At this moment, Dorothy and Master Hayley, who had been in the background, finally took on the role of peacemakers.
Master Hayley consoled me with a few words before leaving. It seemed that she was going to do Aldrich’s work.
Dorothy, on the other hand, accompanied me.
“I shouldn’t have said that,” I covered my face and said gloomily. “I shouldn’t have said that to Aldrich. He was just concerned about me and didn’t do anything overboard. He was just conveying the decision of my parents. But I lost my temper at him, venting my anger meaninglessly. I’m such a rotten person.”
Dorothy gently pulled me out from the mountain of blankets and comforted me, “Don’t think like that, Selma. I think there’s a reason for this, right? You’re a taciturn person who only knows how to hide things in your heart. Don’t even talk about venting your anger on others. You’ll be overcautious even if you’re asked to throw a tantrum.”
“…Why do I feel that this is not something good?”
“Of course, it’s not good. You made a mistake, and I’m criticizing you now,” she said very self-righteously. “Anyway, are you willing to tell me why you’re like this? If I’m not mistaken, is it related to your new ability?”
I hesitated for a moment before nodding. “Yes, it’s my new ability. Let’s call it ‘Devour’ for the time being. Devour can absorb the power of others and turn it into my own, but at the same time, I will also digest the negative factors contained in these powers. For example, I’ve just digested a big violent and proud tree, and I’ll become restless and proud, unable to control myself and say those hurtful words to Aldrich.”
“Of course!” Dorothy immediately turned serious. “If that’s the case, let’s put aside your conflict with Aldrich for now. Please tell me, will these emotions disappear? Or will it always be in you?”
“I don’t know,” I said with a bitter smile. “I hope it will dissipate, but who knows? It’s not like a game card will appear out of thin air to tell me all the attributes and values of Devouring.”
