Chapter 48: THIRD POV.

Artria stood at the edge of the crowd, her hands clenched into tight fists at her sides. She watched as the villagers gathered around Persephone, smiling and laughing and touching her like she was some kind of lost family member finally coming home.

It made her stomach turn.

"T-That..." Artria clenched her palms even tighter, staring at everyone welcoming her sister back into the village.

After what Persephone had done to those who went to look for her years ago, Artria expected everyone to be more cautious.

She expected cold stares, whispers and people keeping their distance.

Instead, it seemed she herself had underestimated the kindness of the village.

Hmm... Perhaps it would be better to say that she simply wanted them to be more cautious of her than to welcome Persephone back with open arms. She wanted someone to be on her side.

She wanted someone to remember.

But no. Everyone was just happy. Happy that the "cursed child" had finally come home.

Artria felt something bitter rise in her throat.

"I know it’s tough to bring her back here with the history between the both of you," Jacob said, moving up beside her. His voice was soft, careful.

"Which is why I was talking with Garin earlier. He said his family had a spare room Persephone and I could move into."

Artria shifted her attention to him, her eyes widening.

" What are you talking about..." Artria said, frowning a bit.

"I didn’t want to inconvenience you by having her around all the time," Jacob continued, rubbing the back of his neck. "So I guess this should make everything better?"

’It’s happening all over again,’ Artria thought.

’Now that she’s back, she’s going to take everything away again.’

Her parents’ attention. The village’s trust. And now Jacob.

She could see it happening already. Jacob would spend more time with Persephone. He would start liking her more.

And the others would do the same, just like before, everyone would dot on little ol’ Persephone... paying less attention to her, the downgrade.

Just like they’d done before.

Artria turned silent. She bit her lower lip so hard she almost drew blood. Her heart was filled with so many different emotions she couldn’t sort them out.

But eventually, she spoke up.

"What are you talking about? Why would I mind?"

"But the both of you..." Jacob wanted to say, but she cut him off.

"It’s nothing," Artria said, forcing her voice to stay calm. "You said you wanted to give her a second chance, right? She’s my sister. I should be the first one to suggest that."

She made sure to smile at the end.

’No. I can’t have her take Jacob too.’

Artria’s eyes glanced at Persephone for a brief moment. Her sister was still surrounded by villagers, laughing at something one of them seemed to have said.

’They may trust her, but I don’t.’

’ It’ll only be a matter of time before she harms someone again.’ She gritted her teeth beneath her calm face. ’ Just like she did mother and father.’

Artria clenched her palms even tighter behind her back. Her nails dug into her skin, but she kept her expression neutral. She wouldn’t let anyone see how much this was hurting her.

"You don’t have to move out," she said, turning back to Jacob. "The three of us can just share my place."

Jacob blinked in surprise. "Umm... are you sure?"

Honestly, he hadn’t expected her to suggest such a thing from the very beginning.

"Of course I am." Artria chuckled, though there was no real warmth in it. "Besides, it’ll give me lots of time to catch up with Persephone."

She smiled at the end, seeing her like this, even Jacob was confused whether he was talking to the right person.

’ What’s gotten into her?’ Jacob wondered.

’Catch up,’ she thought bitterly. ’That’s one way to put it.’

Jacob clearly hadn’t expected such a reaction from her. He stood there for a moment, his mouth slightly open like he wanted to say something but didn’t know what.

"You’re being very... understanding about this," Jacob said slowly.

Artria swam closer to him, closing the distance between them until she was almost in his face.

Jacob flinched, caught off guard. A light blush spread across his cheeks.

"I can’t have you leaving so quickly after you had me worrying for so long, now can I?" Artria said in an annoyed tone.

She reached up and flicked his forehead. Hard.

"Ow!" Jacob winced, rubbing the spot with an awkward smile. "Yeah, I guess I forgot about that..."

Artria watched him rub his forehead and felt something loosen in her chest. Not much. Just a little.

’ I just can’t get enough of this.’ Artria said to herself, she loved watching his amusing reactions. If only she knew that her and her sister had the same similarities.

At least he was still here. Since he hadn’t left yet. She still had a chance.

Plus this way, she could keep an eye on that sister of hers.

Meanwhile, across the square, Persephone was still smiling and replying to the other villagers. She nodded at one of them who was telling a storie. Then laughed at anothers joke. She looked like she was having a wonderful time.

But her eyes kept drifting.

And eventually, She happened to catch the scene between Jacob and Artria.

Specifically the moment Artria got close to his face.

Seeing him blush and the way she flicked his forehead like they were already comfortable with each other.

Persephone’s smile faltered for just a moment. Her brow furrowed slightly, and something cold flashed behind her eyes.

Then it vanished from her face, too fast for most to notice.

She turned back to the villagers and laughed at something one of them said. But her fingers twitched at her sides, and her tail swayed just a bit slower than before.

’I should’ve known....’ she thought. ’ Even now, you still won’t let me be, will you, sister...’

She didn’t say it out loud. She just kept smiling.