Chapter 178: Eyes of a Dragon and the Human Heart (42)


    <b> Eyes of a Dragon and the Human Heart (42) </b>


    Emma didnt have a surname.


    In a society where family names symbolized honor and authority, surnames were exclusive to the nobility, and being the daughter of a humble herbalist, Emma was as far removed from the nobility as the earth was from the sky.


    The stark reality of her social standing became evident every time her thoughts turned to her unrequited love


    Ian Percus. Just as his name indicated, he was the second son of the Percus family, a lower noble family situated in a rural area.


    While his familys status leaned towards the lower rungs, he was nheless a bona fide noble with a fundamental gap in status frommoners.


    It was uncertain whether he would inherit the family title, but given his recent aplishments, his future was promising. He could easily choose from a plethora of romantic interests without concerning himself with a meremoner, and this deeply hurt Emma.


    Ironically, it was because of her love for him that she didnt dare confess her feelings. Instead, she simply wished to devote herself to him and cherish him from a short distance.


    However, the intensity of a first love asionally kindled some unconventional desires.


    She, who had previously only immersed herself in alchemical texts, found herself captivated by romance novels, many of which weremonly found romantic fantasy stories that portrayed ordinary women being rescued and pursued by capable, handsome noblemen.


    Such stories, however, were nothing more than fantasies that would never ur in real life.


    Nobles couldnt live as truly free individuals. They were ensnared by duty to their households and were akin to tools to further their families agendas.


    Even marriage was far from a union based on personal desires and was only a means to forge blood rtions with other noble households. Therefore, the selection of marriage partners demanded great deliberation, and in the far past,moners were often executed after being caught spending the night with a noble


    Despite this, tales of love between nobles andmoners werent entirely unheard of. After all, love was a force that transcended all barriers, including status, and nothing in the world was capable of suppressing the most primal of emotions. Forsaking their family name to elope with their lover was one of, if not the most, notable oues in such cases.


    Periodically, tales and rumors emerged, christened as Romances of the Century, and while the majority ended in tragedy, the stories fueled the impossible dreams within the hearts of many amoner girl.


    A wry smile yed on Emmas face as she turned the pages of her novel.


    She had never envisioned herself sumbing to the very fantasies she had once considered foolish and naive.


    However, it was out of her control.


    Ever so aware of the unbridgeable gap separating nobles andmoners, she had never even imagined falling in love with a nobleman.


    She had always believed that she would eventually meet a decent man. She didnt expect him to be of noble birth. She was confident she would be able to lead and provide afortable life with a man of simr birth, as graduating from the academy practically guaranteed a stable livelihood.


    The future she had envisioned up until recently was one that would unfold gradually, allowing her and her partner ample time to develop their love before marriage.


    Then, unexpectedly, a young man named Ian Percus abruptly entered her life, spending a staggering 10,000 gold to save onemon girl. It was an amount iparable to the life of an ordinary person.


    Recalling the memory of that day, Emmas eyes zed over as she closed the book.


    She had received a grace she could never repay. Thus, it was only natural for her to devote herself to him.


    Reassuring herself that she was merely fulfilling her duty, that it was only natural since he had saved her life with such an exorbitant sum, Emma began walking towards the temple.


    On a trail near the temple, she saw a familiar figure with golden hair and blue eyes, whose limbs were trembling pitifully.


    It was Lady Lupesia, the very person who had previously pped Emma, only to have her two arms and a leg severed by Ian.


    Since that incident, Emma made an effort to visit her regrly. She hoped that doing so would provide the youngdy even the smallest bit of constion.


    Aware of the increasing animosity towards Ian within the academy, she wished to lessen the number of his enemies by even one person.


    And to her surprise, Lady Lupesia didnt outright push her away.


    The youngdy feared Ian, and knowing that he cherished Emma, she didnt dare treat Emma poorly.


    Although their initial interactions were strained, their rtionship gradually warmed with time, as evidenced by the youngdys willingness to engage in conversations.


    Thedy was often brusque and sighed frequently, but Emma found sce in the fact that, at the very least, she didnt mock her as a lowlymoner girl.


    You Youre a fool, arent you?


    Huh? Howe?


    Emma tilted her head and asked back.


    Normally, she would have respectfully addressed Lady Lupesia formally, but thedy still seemed haunted by the memories of that day, and treating each other as equals appeared to offer the youngdy a measure of peace.


    As a result, to onlookers, they looked just like close friends. Admittedly, Emmas beauty, which wasparable to any other noble youngdies, contributed to such perceptions.


    Do you genuinely believe that man will keep you in his heart? Nobles have their own world. They wont even spare a nce for a low-born girl unless its to use them as ythings.


    While tactless, it was, in its own right, sincere advice containing the youngdys concern.


    As a noblewoman who rarely concerned herself withmoners, Emma was the exception. It went to show just how regrettable the youngdy found the situation to be.


    In all honesty, Lupesia didnt understand why a good girl like Emma would fall for a madman like Ian.


    Certainly, 10,000 gold was an unimaginable sum bymoner standards. However, wealth didnt equate to love, and a man steeped in the stench of bloodshed hardly suited Emma, an earnest girl with a gentle heart.


    Above all, the disparity in their social standings was simply too vast.


    Emma didnt argue against the youngdys words. She was well aware that her unrequited love would likely lead to nothing but pain.


    All she could manage was a bitter smile.


    But what can I do about it?


    That short phrase encapsted Emmas feelings.


    Silently walking together along the trail, the youngdy sighed once more.


    Brief sympathy flickered in her blue eyes, but she chose to remain silent withoutmenting further.


    Such was the nature of love. The raw emotion of love rendered people helpless. It was clear just by looking at Emma.


    It was then that shrill screams abruptly shattered the prevailing silence.


    <i>KYAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!</i>


    <i></i>


    <i>UAAAAAAAGH!</i>


    <i></i>


    The two women were abruptly pulled out of their thoughts and back to reality as they exchanged panicked nces.


    Off in the distance, people were running away in terror as if a terrifying existence was hunting them down.


    The two anxiously retreated a few steps.


    They were utterly incapable of confronting any sort of danger head-on.


    Emma specialized in alchemical studies while Young Lady Lupesia was still in recovery,cking not only strength but also a weapon.


    At that moment, a fleeing figure spotted the twodies.


    W-What are you guys doing? Quickly run away! T-The Homing procession was attacked by demonic beasts, and some of them have already reached the acade- <i>AAAH-!</i>


    However, his warning was abruptly cut off as a massive demonic beast swiftly pounced on him, carrying him away in its jaws.


    This served as a stark warning to the two women.


    With widened eyes, they immediately turned and began running. Luckily, they were near the temple.


    Not only did priests reside within the temple, but holy knights were also stationed there. Their safety was guaranteed as long as they could just reach the temple.


    However, the problem was Young Lady Lupesia.


    Still in rehabilitation, she could barely manage to walk while staggering. In such a state, running was out of the question.


    It didnt take long for her to stumble and roll across the ground.


    To make matters worse, the demonic beasts werent onlying from behind. Some also descended from the skies, their bodies mutating before self-destructing.


    Emma rolled alongside the youngdy.


    They had to quickly escape.


    Yet, upon witnessing the despair coloring the fallendys face, Emma couldnt bring herself to abandon her. Leaving her behind would undoubtedly seal thedys fate.


    But despite her feelings, the fact was that Emma wouldnt be of much help even if she stayed.


    Recognizing this harsh reality, the youngdy cried out desperately, determining that seeking help was their best chance at survival.


    Q-Quickly go and bring help!


    However, it was already toote.


    Spotting their next meal, several demonic cats swiftly encircled the two, turning Lupesias face deathly pale.


    She repeatedly attempted to get back on her feet, but stumbled each time and copsed back onto the ground.


    Overwhelming fear sapped her strength, and tremors coursed through her body.


    Emma gnawed at her lips as she red at the approaching demonic beasts.


    If escape was no longer possible, she had to protect the youngdy. She was only amoner, while Young Lady Lupesia was the precious daughter of an upper noble family.


    Even if she died, her death would be regarded as amoners noble sacrifice, and it was possible that it would alleviate some of the youngdys negative feelings towards Ian.


    Regardless, her life had once teetered on the edge of death, and if it was inevitable, sacrificing herself for a greater cause didnt seem entirely badespecially if it was for Ian.


    And since she was just amoner, he would likely forget about her soon after her death.


    Resolving herself, Emma moved her body without a moments hesitation.


    She stood firm with her arms outstretched, confronting the two demonic beasts leaping towards her.


    Even so, she couldnt help but tightly close her eyes, and in these few moments before death, Ians image shed in her mind.


    <strong><strong></strong></strong>


    <strong>She longed to be with him a little longer.</strong>


    <strong>Then, she would have been able to spend her days with her heart fluttering, lost in thoughts of her loved one</strong>


    <strong>She wondered what it would have been like if she had realized her love a little earlier.</strong>


    <strong>Then, she would have known sooner that even simply loving him by herself was enough to make her happy</strong>


    Such were the thoughts of a girl-in-love staring death in its faceregretful, resigned musings that remained regretful only until the rustic smell of blood chased death away.


    Emma opened her eyes in a daze.


    Strangely, the two demonic cats that were attacking her were now headless, and an unseemly thought pervaded her mindthat if she were the heroine of a romance novel, this would be the moment he would appear.


    With trembling eyes, Emma cast her gaze beyond the fallen beasts.


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