The Boundaries of Possession - Chapter 18
And once again, Helen’s gaze sharpened as it landed on Elysia, silently urging her to explain. Elysia bit her lip gently. The only explanation she could offer was that she had manifested as an omega. And that was it.
“I’m sorry.”
It was a statement that left far too much unsaid.
As a recessive omega, Elysia had lived confined to her room like a prisoner. Her pheromone control had been so poor that taking a fistful of suppressants each day had become routine.
Her father had been busy comforting her despairing mother. Her mother had hoped that Kian wouldn’t be a recessive like Elysia, while Elysia herself wished she wasn’t seen as a flaw in her mother’s eyes. Those chaotic days had seemed endless.
Her mother had grown more sensitive and irritable, as those who suffer often do. The emotional wounds her mother carried were inflicted upon the rest of the family.
‘Where do you think you’re going, being a recessive omega?’
Her mother was a recessive omega too. She had been deeply disappointed in herself for passing on the same pain she had received from the world to her children. Gradually, the relationship between the Eperthier and Brillen families had grown distant. The day they heard news of the fire at the Eperthier estate two years later was no different.
Elysia had not been allowed to leave the house.
“There’s nothing else to say beyond that.”
Even if she revealed here and now that she was a recessive omega, it would do her no good. Helen, who had been quietly listening, narrowed her eyes and spoke.
“Perhaps you should at least make an excuse.”
The venom in her cold gaze and biting words was unmistakable. This atmosphere was starkly different from what Elysia vaguely remembered of the Duchess. Though she didn’t show it, Elysia felt a faint ache in her chest.
“I don’t wish to burden you with a tiresome story.”
“I don’t deny that both families went through difficult times. But what I question is whether you, Miss Elysia, can truly understand and console my son, who suffered so much after losing his memories. You, who were once the closest to him.”
Elysia didn’t smile either. Although she hadn’t been able to leave her room as a recessive omega and had no choice in the matter, she took Helen’s sense of betrayal seriously.
She knew that arguing wouldn’t help either of them. And the fact that Andreas had lost his memories during that time made things even more heartbreaking.
Elysia knew about his memory loss—because the Andreas she had known would never have forgotten her otherwise.
“I’m sorry for the pain it caused. But things are different now. I believe you know how the situation is unfolding.”
The reason she had endured the discomfort of this meeting was because she had silently promised to uphold Andreas’s demands, no matter how unreasonable. Her voice was composed and resolute.
“Do I seem like someone who’s running away, like back then?”
Helen’s lips moved restlessly before she let out a scoffing laugh and turned her head away. Her gaze through the window was bone-dry. The late afternoon sun was sinking beyond the horizon.
Elysia noticed the way Helen’s lips moved as if she were about to say something else, but she didn’t press her. She simply thought Helen was reminiscing or venting after not seeing her for so long.
“I’ve returned, Madam.”
“And because my son is set to become Emperor, correct? The same Elysia I know wouldn’t miss an opportunity like this.”
The people who knew you best could be the scariest. Elysia pressed her lips together briefly, then lowered her gaze to the table and let out a small laugh.
On the plate was a rabbit-shaped cookie, her favorite treat from childhood. The coincidence was too perfect not to laugh at.
“I’m an adult now. I’m not the same girl who hid among the crowds after her debutante ball.”
Helen raised both eyebrows at Elysia’s determined tone. Despite her delicate, fragile appearance, Elysia could hold her own when she needed to.
“I’m sure I’ll do just fine.”
At that, Helen nodded dismissively, like someone who had seen it all, before biting into the cookie and breaking it in half.
Why was Helen playing the role of the villain? Elysia tilted her head slightly. Both of them knew the conversation didn’t need to continue, but Helen spoke again anyway.
“It’s getting late. Stay the night here. It would be rude to send an omega guest out so late in the evening.”
