10 Will He Become Evil? (2/2)
”Florian, I know that Arnin is going to leave for the academy, but don't you think that we should be with him during this age. It's true that children around his age would go to the academy, but I don't want him to leave us at such a young age. He is still my little baby.” Ashia was speaking with red eyes. Her hand continued to rub Arnin's hair as she spoke quietly with Florian.
”Ashia, he is young and this is the best time for him to cultivate. If we keep him with us, wouldn't we be burdening his growth? Remember, he is very mature and different from the other children. If anything, we should be worried about Nekaia instead of him. Hah-!” Florian tried to brighten the mood, but Ashia only gave hive a glare which made him stop laughing. He walked and sat beside Ashia, also looking at Arnin. Although he hid it, he would also be worried about his son. Who wouldn't worry about their five year old child separating from them for a long time?
”Nekaia will be with us for a long time so we don't have to worry about her. Arnin will be all alone in that academy, and knowing him, friends will be difficult to make. If only I could go with him to the academy, but Nekaia will need me more then Arnin.” Ashia sighed slightly before smiling towards Arnin. She loved both her children equally, but Arnin was a special case because of his personality. She knew that Nekaia would always be surrounded by people in the future, but what about Arnin? While the two parents spoke, Nekaia and Lilise continued to discuss things about Arnin.
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”Although, my mom doesn't show it, she treats Arnin differently. She makes him go outside and play with other kids while she tries to force me to become a little more mature. Mom wants him to change and make friends, but that never happens. I don't really mind how Arnin is. He is different but he is still my older brother. He takes care of me and makes sure I don't ever lose out to other people.” Lilise listened with heightened interest. When she met Arnin for the first time, he was very haughty, but after listening to Nekaia she understood a different side of Arnin. She knew that Arnin treated her like a student, but she really wanted to become friends with him.
”Nekaia, do you think that Arnin will become evil in the future?” Lilise suddenly asked a strange question. This question was always on the back of her mind. She still remembered that when her grandpa was signing a contract with Arnin, the only demand he had was for him to take care of Arnin's family if he was ever labeled as evil in the future. Since he said that he might be labeled evil, she kept thinking that Arnin may not be a good person. Nekaia was surprised by the question but became somewhat angry. She glared at Lilise before calming herself down.
”I don't know what you see in my brother, he may be different and may have tricked your grandpa, but he is not evil!” Nekaia said with irritation before stomping off. She didn't think that Nekaia would react so angrily because of her question. She quickly chased after Nekaia.
”Nekaia, I am sorry! I didn't mean it like that. I don't think he is evil. Please Nekaia, listen!” Ashia heard the shouts and walked out with confusion. She saw Nekaia coming inside with a dark expression while Lilise was wearing a pale one. She hushed both the girls and pointed towards the resting Arnin. She then called them both over to the other bed, Florian also watched with some confusion.
”Alright, stop making a ruckus. Tell me, why are you both fighting?” Ashia first looked at Nekaia and then turned her face towards the almost tear stricken Lilise.
”Miss Ashia, it was my fault. I asked Nekaia a question that made her mad.” Lilise was on the verge of tears, but she held them in. Ashia was even more confused and curious as to what question she asked.
”Mom, dont worry about the question. It was about Arnin, and you may not like it. Hmph!” Nekaia did not want her mom to know the question because she would be hurt the most from it. She knew how her mom felt about Arnin, so anything negative said about him would be a big blow to her mentally. She was overprotective of her children, and with Arnin's isolated personality, she took terrible comments against him to heart.
”Nekaia, be quiet! Little Lilise, tell me the question. I might be able to answer it for you if it is about Arnin.” Ashia kindly asked Lilise. Little did she know that this question would completely traumatize her. Lilise was somewhat hesitant, but Ashia showed such goodwill that she couldn't hide it from her. In a very quiet voice she state her question once more.
”I asked Nekaia whether she think that Arnin will turn out to be evil in the future.” The question hit Ashia's ears like a bolt of lightning. Nekaia glared hard at Lilise before running to support her mom. Florian lost all color on his face after the question was asked. His brows wrinkled and his face showed slight anger. Ashia's smile froze and she stood up like a statue.
”Lilise, why would you ask such a question? Did Arnin do something or say something bad?” Although Ashia felt hurt, she still needed to ask the main question. Why? Why would she ask this question? Lilise was somewhat frightened by everyone's reaction. She didn't know whether she should tell them about the contract between her grandpa and Arnin. However, at that moment, Arnin got up and opened his droopy eyes. Ashia noticed this and walked towards him slowly. Her eyes showed more care and love then before, and there was even a hint of worry.
”Mom? What happened? Dad, why are you mad?” Arnin was became confused and when he saw his parents' expressions. Even Nekaia had a angry expression. He turned his head found Lilise looking at him with a apologetic and sad face. This confused Arnin even more so he turned towards his mom with a look of puzzlement.
”Dear, I have a question to ask you. Did you ever say or do something bad to Lilise? Because today she asked me a weird question, and there is no way she would ask this question without a reason. Did you do or say something in front of her or even to her that would make her think you are evil?” Ashia was still very heartbroken about the question that was asked about her son. Arnin was dumbstruck before he looked at Lilise. He then tried to recall anything that would have given her that kind of feeling. Different things came up in his mind, there was his dictator type training, him tricking her grandpa, and injuring her grandpa. He thought for a bit longer before he came to a conclusion. He sighed before looking at his parents and Nekaia once more.
”The reason she asked that question is because of a discussion I had with the village elder. Don't blame her, I shouldn't have spoken with the village elder in front of anyone. Just know this, your son will never be evil if you say so. If you think I am evil then I am, but if you think I am good then I am good.” Arnin smiled towards Ashia who was very pale. He stood on the bed and rubbed her head slightly which caused Ashia to pull him into her embrace. Florian's face was better than before, but he was still thinking about what Arnin said. What discussion did he have with the village elder that would make Lilise ask such a question? Ashia also had the same thought in mind, but what her son said helped relieve her of most of her worries. However, she was now more reluctant to part with Arnin. What if more people began to start asking the same question? Would her son really become something evil in the future?