Chosen By The Lover's Constellation-Chapter 130: Children of Mana, Part Fourteen

{A Few Years Ago}

{Caroline}

Caroline sat in a stuffy classroom, her gaze drifting lazily out the window as the teacher droned on about history.

The other students around her hung on the teacher’s every word, their attention unwavering as they scribbled notes furiously in their textbooks. But Caroline couldn’t bring herself to care about any of it.

She was different from the rest of them. While they were content to follow the rules and strive for academic excellence, Caroline found herself yearning for something more. Something beyond the confines of the classroom.

She was already missing the feeling of her sword’s hilt. She wanted to get back to holding it as soon as possible.

As the bell finally rang, signaling the end of the school day, Caroline wasted no time in gathering her belongings and slipping out of the classroom.

She had a destination in mind, a place far removed from the polished halls of her prestigious school.

Making her way through the bustling streets of Garriden, Caroline felt a sense of liberation wash over her. Here, amidst the chaos of the city, she felt free to be herself. No expectations to live up to, no judgments to contend with. Just her and the world around her. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

Finally, she arrived at her destination, a modest house nestled in the heart of the city’s poorest district.

It was a stark contrast to the opulent mansion she called home, but to Caroline, it felt like home in a way her own house never did.

She knocked on the door, her heart fluttering with anticipation as she waited for it to open. And when it did, revealing the familiar face of her friend Klara, a smile spread across Caroline’s lips.

"Hi," Klara greeted her, her voice warm and welcoming.

"Hey, Klara," Caroline replied, returning the greeting with a grin of her own.

Stepping inside, Caroline felt a sense of peace wash over her as she took in her surroundings.

Klara was unlike Caroline in a few ways. Most importantly, whereas Caroline was a highly-regarded member of society, Klara was... a child of mana.

No one knew they were friends and, for the sake of Caroline’s reputation, no one could know.

The walls were adorned with colorful homemade paintings and tapestries, a stark contrast to the sterile elegance of her own home.

But it was Klara’s presence that made the house feel like a sanctuary.

Settling down on the worn sofa, Caroline and Klara fell into easy conversation.

"So, how was school today?" Klara asked, her voice filled with genuine interest.

Caroline hesitated, her gaze dropping momentarily before she forced a smile.

"Meh, you know," she replied vaguely, "the usual."

But Klara wasn’t satisfied with her evasive answer. She could sense there was more to Caroline’s school day than she was letting on.

"Come on, Caroline," Klara pressed, her tone gentle but persistent. "I want to hear all about it. Did you learn anything interesting today?"

"It’s just the same old stuff," Caroline muttered dismissively, hoping to deflect Klara’s curiosity. "You know, history lessons, math problems... I think we’ve talked about the war for like the 500th time already."

"Probably more like a thousand."

"And, I’ll probably have to hear about it a thousand more times. I hate it."

Karla cackled, her giggles sounding like honey slipping into Caroline’s ears.

As the conversation continued, a subtle shift occurred between them.

Their hands brushed against each other, sending a jolt of electricity coursing through Caroline’s veins. They laughed it off at first, but the tension between them lingered, hanging heavy in the air.

And then, without a word, Klara reached out and took Caroline’s hand in her own. It was a simple gesture, but to Caroline, it felt like the world had shifted on its axis.

At that moment, there were no barriers. There was just... them. Nothing else.

As they sat there, hand in hand, Caroline felt a sense of belonging wash over her. One that only grew when Klara shifted closer.

Beside her, Caroline, her heart pounding like a drum, stole glances at Klara, her cheeks flushed with anticipation.

The air between them crackled with a palpable tension, a magnetic pull drawing them even closer with each passing second.

Their gazes locked, a silent exchange of unspoken words swirling in the air around them.

With a soft intake of breath, Caroline leaned in ever so slightly. She initiated it, and Klara reciprocated.

Their lips hovered just inches apart, the anticipation building with each heartbeat. Time seemed to slow to a crawl as they teetered on the edge of uncertainty, their breath mingling in the small space between them.

And then, as if guided by an unseen force, their lips finally met in a gentle, hesitant kiss.

It was a tender exploration, a tentative dance of lips and tongues as they navigated the uncharted waters of their newfound attraction. Caroline’s heart soared as she felt Klara’s fingers tangling in her hair, pulling her closer with an urgency that mirrored her own.

The world outside faded away, their bodies pressed together in a silent embrace.

In that moment, nothing else mattered but the warmth of each other’s touch, the softness of each other’s lips.

As they pulled away, breathless and flushed with excitement, Caroline couldn’t help but let out a nervous laugh, her cheeks flushed with a rosy hue. Klara’s grey eyes sparkled with a newfound light as she reached out to brush a stray lock of hair from Caroline’s face.

"That was... amazing," Klara whispered.

"Yeah..." was all Caroline could respond.

It really was, though.

---

{A month later}

The air in the living room felt heavy with tension as Caroline’s mother, her expression stern and unyielding, dragged Klara into the mansion’s main hall with a firm grip on her arm.

Caroline watched in confusion and disbelief, her heart pounding with apprehension as she tried to make sense of the situation unfolding before her.

"What’s going on, Mom?" Caroline asked, her voice tinged with concern as she approached her mother and Klara.

Caroline’s mother turned to face her, her eyes cold and accusing as she spoke.

"Caroline, I caught this girl stealing from us," she declared, her voice dripping with disdain as she shoved Klara forward. "She says you know her."

Caroline’s heart sank at her mother’s words, her mind struggling to comprehend the gravity of the situation.

She turned to Klara, searching her friend’s face for any sign of explanation or denial, but found only a mixture of shame and guilt reflected in her eyes.

"Klara, is this true?" Caroline asked, her voice barely above a whisper as she braced herself for the answer.

Klara remained silent, her gaze fixed on the floor as she avoided Caroline’s accusing stare. The weight of her silence hung heavily in the air, suffocating Caroline with its unspoken truth.

Caroline’s mother stepped forward, her voice laced with anger and disappointment as she addressed her daughter.

"God, Caroline, I told you. These children of mana cannot be trusted," she spat, her words cutting through the silence like a knife. "They are nothing but trouble, and you need to stay away from them."

Caroline’s heart shattered at her mother’s words, her mind reeling with disbelief.

Tears welled up in Caroline’s eyes as she struggled to process the devastating revelation, her world crumbling around her with each passing moment.

She turned to Klara, her voice trembling with emotion as she spoke.

"How could you do this, Klara?" Caroline whispered, her voice filled with anguish and disbelief. "I thought... I thought we were friends."

Klara remained silent, her eyes filled with regret as she met Caroline’s gaze, unable to offer any explanation or apology for her actions.

With a heavy heart, Caroline’s mother turned to Klara, her voice cold and unforgiving as she delivered her final verdict.

"You are no longer welcome in this house," she declared, her tone final and unyielding. "Leave, and never come back."

Caroline watched in silence as Klara’s shoulders slumped in defeat, her eyes filled with shame and remorse as she turned and walked away, disappearing into the darkness of the night.

As the door closed behind Klara, Caroline felt a sense of emptiness wash over her, her heart heavy with grief and regret.

But, she felt it was deserved.

She’d been warned, after all.

---

{Now}

Caroline’s eyes followed Enverna’s movements as she trained, her mind drifting back to that crimson-haired woman.

Lianna Velcross. The way she looked back at her, the faint hint of arrogance on her features, the curve of her hips, the allure in her eyes.

A pang of bitterness shot through Caroline’s chest as she recalled the betrayal she felt at Klara’s hands all those years ago.

Determined not to let history repeat itself, Caroline made a silent vow to herself as she watched Enverna’s dedication and strength.

She promised to protect Enverna from the same heartbreak she had endured, to shield her from those tempting eyes.

[Women like her are dangerous. Sooner or later, Enverna will learn. Unless I can help, that is.]