Chosen By The Lover's Constellation-Chapter 109: Enverna’s Resolve

{Enverna}

To be honest, Enverna still did not understand what happened.

The aftermath of the Fiend raid left Telvan in a state of eerie calm.

Enverna, Lianna, and Zura stood amidst the echoes of the recent battle, their armor stained with a mixture of Fiend blood and dirt. Lianna, recovering from the strange force that had briefly incapacitated her, rose to her feet, confusion still etched on her face.

"Lianna, what happened?" Enverna inquired, concern evident in her eyes.

Lianna shook her head, still trying to make sense of the inexplicable sensation that had gripped her.

"I don’t know. It felt like something was pulling me away, but it’s gone now."

The Fiends had retreated, leaving the city streets littered with fallen bodies, both human and Fiend alike. The victorious defenders, including the Watchful, were now receiving grateful nods and praise from civilians and fellow fighters alike.

A group of adventurers approached the trio, expressing their gratitude for their assistance during the battle.

"You guys were amazing! Thank you for helping out," one of the adventurers exclaimed.

"Yeah, without you, who knows how this would’ve turned out," another added.

Lianna, Enverna, and Zura nodded in acknowledgment, modestly accepting the praise.

In the midst of the accolades, as the minutes passed on, Miss Taylor walked over.

"I guess we’re done here."

"It went a little more smoothly than I thought it would," Lianna said.

"Suspiciously so," Miss Taylor responded. "It is good that we succeeded, I guess. Still, we’ll need to be prepared for a second..."

She trailed off, her eyes fixing on someone behind Enverna.

The girl turned and Enverna noticed her mother, Verana, making her way toward them. Her expression was as unreadable as ever, but Enverna could see a bit of relief.

"Enverna!" Verana called out, her voice cutting through the crowd.

"Do you need me to back you up?" Cynthia asked.

"No, no... I can handle this," Enverna replied. "Besides," she looked at Lianna. "I know what I want to say."

On that note, Enverna excused herself from the group of well-wishers and approached her mother.

Verana’s eyes flickered between pride and worry as she took in the sight of her daughter.

"Mother," Enverna greeted, nodding slightly.

Verana pulled her into a brief, but firm embrace.

"I saw you on the news. You performed quite well, Enverna. I knew you were skilled, but seeing it in action... I couldn’t be prouder."

Enverna’s cheeks flushed. She did not return the hug.

"What you saw wasn’t really me. When I’m near Lianna, my attributes are massively increased. That’s why I looked so good out here."

Verana studied her daughter’s face, a contemplative expression in her eyes.

"Be that as it may, Enverna, you may have survived this battle, but you cannot seriously believe that staying here is the logical thing to do." Instantly, Enverna wanted to turn and walk away, but Verana held her in place. "Are you that lovestruck that you want to risk possibly throwing your life away for this girl!?"

Enverna sighed, her gaze dropping to the ground.

"I didn’t feel like I had a life until I met her, to be honest, Mother."

To Enverna’s surprise, Verana genuinely looked heartbroken to hear that.

"I didn’t realize how much I disliked my situation in Garriden until I came here. The last thing I want to do is leave."

Verana’s voice softened, carrying a mix of concern and pleading as she realized how firmly Enverna stood in her position.

"Enverna, you have a duty to our family. We’ve given you everything, and now you want to throw it away for a fleeting emotion?"

Enverna met her mother’s gaze, her own eyes reflecting a determination that hadn’t wavered.

"I am grateful for everything you’ve done for me, for us. But, Mother, I want to continue living here. I want to be a part of Telvan, contribute to its safety, and find my own path. I do not truly have a place in Garriden I can call my own. I have that here, though, by Lianna’s side."

Verana’s frustration simmered beneath the surface as she processed Enverna’s words.

"And what about your duty to the Alteri name? To your family?"

Enverna took a deep breath, steadying herself.

"If you’ll have me, I will continue being an Alteri, representing our family in Telvan. I won’t abandon my responsibilities, but I can’t abandon the life I’ve found here either. I want to make a difference, Mother, in my own way. That..." She looked at her mother firmly in the eyes. "That is all I have to say. I will not discuss the issue further."

Verana sighed.

She looked torn, but, soon, she nodded.

And, surprising Enverna even more, she said:

"If that is your decision, then... I will not stand in your way."

She didn’t say anything else. She did not make it clear whether Enverna truly would be disowned or not. Whether she still had a family in Garriden.

But, she made it clear they would not look to strip Enverna of her ambitions.

And, that was all Enverna could ask for.

"Thank you, Mother. Take care."

---

The early moonlight cast a warm glow through the windows of Lianna, Enverna, and (temporarily) Zura’s shared home.

After the intense Fiend raid, the trio returned, weary but alive, to the comforting familiarity of their living space.

The air was filled with a mix of relief and lingering tension from the day’s events.

Deciding to unwind, they settled in the living room, the glow from the TV casting shadows across their faces. The evening news had begun, and the news anchor’s voice filled the room.

"Today’s Fiend raid at Telvan’s northern gates has left citizens on edge, but thanks to the valiant efforts of the city’s defenders, the threat was repelled," the news anchor reported, her tone carrying a mix of gravitas and reassurance. "Rumors have circulated about the involvement of a mysterious force, with some speculating that the renowned adventurer Lianna Velcross may have controlled the Fiends, leading to their sudden retreat."

Lianna scoffed, shaking her head at the absurdity.

"Controlled the Fiends? That’s ridiculous. Ugh, people will believe anything these days."

In all honesty, Enverna wasn’t too sure that Lianna didn’t make them all go away. She had before, after all. Even if she didn’t know how to do it specifically.

Zura raised an eyebrow, her gaze fixed on the TV.

"I mean, come on. You’ve been involved in some weird stuff, Lianna. I kinda get where they’re coming from."

Lianna chuckled, reaching for the remote.

"Yeah, but this??? If I could do that, I- ugh, whatever." With a click, she turned off the TV, silencing the speculation.

Enverna sat on the couch, her mind still processing the day’s events. Lianna turned to her, breaking the momentary silence.

"So, Envy. Uh, is everything really settled with your mom?"

Enverna nodded, a sense of resolution in her eyes.

"Yes, it’s settled. I’ll be staying here in Telvan."

Lianna’s face lit up with genuine joy.

"That’s fantastic!" Enverna could agree with that.

The next set of words that came out of her mouth, though, were far more questionable.

"So, we won today at the gates, and Envy’s got her mom’s approval..."

"I would not go that far, but sure."

"... So," Lianna paused, "we should celebrate!"

Zura, leaning back in her chair, raised an eyebrow skeptically.

"Celebrate?" She said that with the exact same amount of distraught Enverna felt when she heard the words. "Last time we celebrated, things got a bit... out of hand."

Lianna grinned mischievously.

"Buuuuut it was so much fun, right?"

Zura and Enverna looked at each other.

"I mean..." Zura muttered. "Sure, I guess."

"I suppose I cannot deny that," Enverna said as quietly as a whisper.

"Exactly! So, come on, let’s just have a simple, friendly celebration together!"

Enverna eyed her suspiciously.

"Your idea of simple is suspect at best."

Lianna pretended to think for a moment.

"Okay, maybe a little more than simple. But nothing too crazy, I swear. A few smooches here and there but no fucking, promise!"

"Good grief, you are shameless," Enverna shook her head.

Zura chuckled, her earlier tension easing in the warmth of their camaraderie.

"IWell, alright then. But, uh... If you don’t mind, can I ask something?"

"Sure," Lianna said, hands on her hips. "What’s on your mind?"

"What kind of relationship are you two in?" Zura asked, looking back and forth between them. "I mean... when I first came here I didn’t really think I’d be making out with an engaged girl."

It was a valid question to ask.

But, one that neither Lianna nor Enverna could answer easily.

Lianna and Enverna exchanged a glance, their expressions showing equal parts uncertainty and hesitation.

Lianna scratched the back of her head, a sheepish smile playing on her lips.

"Well, you see... it’s a bit... complicated."

Enverna nodded in agreement, her gaze fixed on the ground.

"Yes, we... have not really put a label on it. We are figuring things out."

Zura raised an eyebrow, an amused smirk playing on her lips.

"I’d say ’soon to be married’ is a pretty big label, but okay."

Lianna chuckled nervously.

"Hey, relationships are complicated. We didn’t want to rush into anything."

Zura’s smirk softened into a grin.

"... Well, alright. Fair enough. Just didn’t expect to stumble into a love triangle when I signed up for this guild."

Enverna shot Lianna a quick glance before responding:

"It’s not like that, Zura. I..." Enverna looked away. "If Lianna wants to... do anything with you, I will not step in the way. I’m still trying to figure out a few things," she let out a deep breath. "I do not feel that I have enough of a grasp on my own feelings to keep Lianna to myself."

Lianna smiled.

Zura laughed, shaking her head.

"Well, I hope you two figure it out. Just let me know if I accidentally end up in the middle of some drama."

Enverna certainly hoped that wouldn’t happen.