Ethereal Madness

Chapter 52- Remove The Self

  I rolled over to the left side of my bed and faced the window. Even from a distance, I could see the sun shined elegantly. The weather was perfect. It was a day I could've gone out to the city. Or spent time in Proeliumeis training. Or even sneak downstairs and find out more about my father or my mother.

And yet, I'm not doing any of that. More specifically, I can't focus on any of that because I'm stuck trying to get this girl to leave her room.

I groaned.

What am I doing wrong? I tried using Sophia's name to close the distance between us and it didn't work. I offered to be her friend and it didn't work. Even Quese's advice about being transparent meant nothing as I failed in the end.

I squeezed the pillow supporting my head so hard my arm started trembling.

I swear this is impossible. Fighting the military and saving Tucker and Quese was easier than this. I sighed. I don't want to give up, but I don't know what to do.

I buried my head deep into my pillow. This is impossible.

I felt a light tap on my shoulder.

I tensed and jumped up.

In front of me was the infamously short drill-haired maid, Veronica, dressed in her standard maid uniform. Well, aside from the four bracelets jingling on her arm.

"Uh, hey Veronica," I tried to sound normal.

"Did you not hear me?" She said.

"Hear you?"

"I knocked several times," she complained. "And I called your name at least three times."

"Ah, umm, my bad. I was really lost in thought."

"I couldn't tell," she said sarcastically. "I was going to ask if you've seen Valerie around, but..."

"I don't think I've seen her," I said.

Quite frankly, I don't think I've seen anyone today.

"I know. I was stupid to even ask."

I laughed nervously. "I'm sorry I couldn't be of more help."

"That's not my concern right now anyway." She said. "What's wrong with you?"

As I was about to feign ignorance, she glared at me and my nice sounding words fell into the junkyard, or as I like to call it, the filter room. I was gonna tell her nothing's wrong, but what came out was:

"Think fine sure I'm for yeah."

"What a way with words you have, Master Arthur." She spoke in an especially mocking tone.

"Talking isn't exactly my strong suit," I chuckled.

"Then you'd better tell me what you're so stressed about that you can't even hear someone call your name."

"It's not that big of a deal," I tried to dismiss it.

She poked my forehead forcefully and I fell back on the bed. "I'll be the judge of that. You just spill the beans." She pointed a finger right in between my eyes. "And don't hide anything!"

"Alright, alright, I'll talk."

...

"So Sophia has a sister," she started.

"Yes."

"And Sophia went to you and asked you to be her friend."

"Yes."

"But every time you went to see her, she wanted nothing to do with you."

"Unfortunately."

Veronica let out a long sigh. "What is this romance manga subplot?"