Saving The Unfortunate Villainess: Chapter 7

Atlas

It’s been about a week since the greatest day of my life. Finally, after two lives, I’ve found someone who I can truly spend the rest of my life with. The definition of inseparable would most likely have both of our pictures on it from how close we’ve been. Only in the shower and bathroom were we ever separated.

My sister would spend most of the day with us, trying to break through the extremely solid wall Chloe builds up around her. That is, except for me. Once our connection was established through the bond we share, our feelings were very clearly conveyed towards each other. She and I both knew without a doubt we could trust one another.

Even with my encouragement about my family being good people, she still finds it hard to hold a conversation for more than a few minutes. Surprisingly, my mother has gotten the most out of her. She’s always been the type to shower us with affection, and considering Chloe’s background, everyone is trying to make her feel welcome.

Until now I always thought the workers in our estate were well vetted and good people. But I’ve found a few of them on more than one occasion talking about Chloe behind her back because of the past rumors. Of course, they were kicked out on the street that very day. She gets enough of that from the outside world; there is no reason anyone here should be that way.

Today is important because it's the first day of my mission to receive the title of heir to our family's dukedom. Chloe and I will head out to every single establishment my father owns and give a report on what I think about the current situation of each location. To check on employees, locations, books, improvements, and much more.

He wants to see how well I understand the business and what I want to implement in the future to continue the success of our very lucrative family.

The biggest news is, of course, my father’s talk with the king. My sister, Mom, Chloe, and I all sat in the living room in high anxiety, waiting on my father to return. Would the king actually accept pardoning Chloe and giving back her status because of our family's support? We could only hope for the best.

If worse comes to worse, I would just run away from the kingdom because we’re way past the point of separating. I wonder if that Saintess was really so petty to go after Chloe because of some useless prince. Could there be some other goal? The most obvious one is to be queen, but isn’t that too simple-minded? She’s already the Saintess, who has a status equal to that of royalty.

After about a six-hour wait, my father finally returned. Once we all saw him, he had a very solemn look on his face. It gave me great anxiety about some possible looming fate. I couldn’t help but think the worst could have happened. What if the king wasn’t a man of his word? Royalty is never to be trusted!

My father pulled out a piece of paper and started reading it in front of our very intrigued faces. The air was thick without a sound in the spacious room. Chloe's soft hand gripped onto mine with fervor in anticipation of my father's words.

“As of now, Chloe Aspen Hawthorne is now pardoned of all charges.” A big smile plastered across my father’s face. Before any of us could start cheering in joy, he raised his hand: “But, since tensions are still high in the capital city, it will be kept under wraps for a few months. He encouraged me to send Atlas and Chloe on a journey out of the country.”

“Ah, so that’s why you’ve been planning to send me on this heir mission to get myself more familiar with what we do. Well, that works out perfectly." My face probably had the widest smile as I turned to Chloe, who had a shocked face. “Are you alright?”

“Yes, I’m fine. I was just completely shocked the king actually took this action. He really ripped into me with his words during my trial and sentencing.” Her head tilted down towards the floor.

“Just forget about that man and look forward to the future.” I gave her a big smile, putting my hand on her soft cheek. “If I had it my way, you would never have to see anyone in the royal family or church for the rest of your life. But, even if you do encounter them, it’s all good. You’ve now manifested a powerful element that will only get stronger with time, and you also have me.”

“Me as well; we're practically sisters now, Chloe!” Avril exclaimed, completely accepting Chloe as family right from the start.

“That’s right, dear; you can count on us. We take care of our own and would never allow anyone to look down on you. That’s one thing you will find out in the future: the Langston family is very tight-knit. We treat family with the best of intentions and our enemies with destruction.” My mother smiled with a kind, reassuring atmosphere even though she was talking about destroying someone.

“Thank you all for everything you’ve done for me.” Chloe said with tearful eyes as she wrapped her arms around me. “Especially, thank you for bringing Atlas into this world. I’ve never felt so cared for in all my life. It’s hard to express the strong emotions going through my body.”

I placed my hand on the center of her small back as I started to rub slowly. Chloe leaned into me as if it was second nature, getting into her usual comfortable posture; she’s enjoyed it very much over this past week. My eyes rose up to look at my family’s reactions, who were all staring at our interaction with sparkling eyes.

A few hours later, after a tear-filled goodbye with my family, whom I wouldn’t see for a few months, we started our journey to our first location. There were three luxurious-looking cars with state-of-the-art protection implemented within them. The front and back vehicles were filled with experienced knights to protect us during our journey.

I find it very interesting how far the developments of the automotive field are in this world, but when it comes to living arrangements, it’s much lower tech. It’s not that you can’t get a technological house in this time, but it costs an arm and a leg.

There are buildings in the capital city that are starting to pierce the sky with magical technologies, but their spread is very slow compared to vehicles.

My father had told me it was his idea to tell the king to allow us to leave the country for a while to allow Chloe’s rumors to die down. The king reluctantly agreed because of the financial support my father offered to the throne in allowing this pardon to take place. It also gives him some time to let the Saintess and prince know about the outcome and come to terms with it.

The only worry is how that devil of a Saintess will take this ruling and whether she will stay quiet. I can only hope she will, at the very least, give us these next few months to ourselves. She’s already achieved her desire in getting with the prince she so badly wanted. Why would she still try to condemn an innocent girl?

With a look to my right, I see a serene sight of the most beautiful girl in the world in my eyes with the sun beaming off her perfect milky white skin. An angel was the first thought that came to mind as I gazed at her visage.

“How are you feeling, Chloe, to finally be leaving this place behind for a few months?” As I watched her turn and look at me intently, she gave off the same smile that I saw after our connection was established.

“I feel wonderful.” She leaned in and kissed me on the cheek, leaving a wet sensation. “Thank you, Atlas. You’ve got no idea just how much all of this means to me. Actually being able to look forward to the future is something new; I’ve never experienced it.”

“Whatever happens, we will face it together and beat it down if it comes to that. I have this feeling the Saintess won’t take this quietly, so be prepared once we get back.” Even though we shouldn’t dwell on these types of things, it’s still a lot smarter to have some vigilance.

Her smile broke at my words. “That’s true, Atlas; she’s a vicious woman.” She leaned into me as I put my arm around her. We both took in each other’s warmth as we appreciated the scenery outside.

The running hills with beautiful greenery. Multiple rivers run across the landscape with giant mountains all around. Deer, rabbits, cows, horses, and much more wildlife frolicked around as we crossed the terrain towards our destination.

A few hours into our route, we had run into a barricade of multiple vehicles on the road with the royal and church emblem strung across the doors. There was a man and a woman standing in front with multiple knights in lines extending out from the middle in multiple rows.

Half of them carried firearms, and the others had sword-type weapons. Aura and magic users exist in this world. Most guns are fired with the use of magic bullets, while the sword uses Aura. Creating bullets infused with magic makes them much more lethal than standard lead, copper, or steel.

As for knights with aura, it gives the user heightened physical abilities with possible sword slashes unleashing dangerous killing intent, depending on how many lives they’ve taken. While ranged magic users can give off killing intent, it isn’t as extreme as an aura user. It’s possible to kill a weak enemy with just using their pure aura alone.

Coming to a complete stop, Chloe takes my hand and squeezes it tightly in obvious distress over the current situation. She looked at me with wide-open eyes, realizing what's happening. I’m sure this is nothing good and it will probably be a pain to get out of this without conflict.

“Don’t worry, Chloe, we will figure this out. I promise.”

“That’s the Saintess!” Chloe exclaimed with disgust and terror at the same time as she pointed towards the female with red, crimson hair the color of blood. She really is a creepy-looking girl. Her eyes were like pits of nothingness, completely black as if a hole in space. 'How could someone who looked so evil become a Saintess?'

“How dare you! How dare you! HOW DARE YOU! What gives you the right to treat that bitch with any sincerity?” The Saintess roared. “She was supposed to go to that man and get raped repeatedly, but no, you had to step in, Atlas Ignis Langston. You will die here today for your insolence!” At the Saintess’s words, our caravan of three vehicles got bombarded with magic.

I watched on as we got pelted by hundreds of magic spells. The rumble of all the explosions going off outside and the complete destruction of both our protection vehicles created heightened fear within both our hearts. Even though I talked a big game and would do anything to protect Chloe, this is a bit much.

Luckily, the defenses my father added to ours were holding out against this barrage. That was until the Saintess came up to our door with all of her men completely surrounding the car.

Snap cling

As the Saintess gripped the door, she completely tore it off as if she were the Incredible Hulk or something. What in the world is with that ridiculous strength? After throwing the door off into the distance, she climbed into the car and sat right across from us, staring intently with crazy eyes.

“Don’t you think this is a bit much?” I offhandedly remarked.

“You dare talk to me without respect, insect!” If looks could kill, I would be six feet under. This bitch is definitely psychotic.

My hand that was currently holding onto Chloe’s trembling hand was vibrating at a high rate of speed. Taking a look at her face, she was absolutely terrified of this woman. I’m pretty sure it was only a matter of time before she passed out altogether.

“Hello, Chloe, it’s so wonderful to see you once again. You’ve given me another chance to tear your life into pieces just like before.” She gave off a maniacal laugh, which sent shivers down your spine. “How cute, the both of you holding hands; I could almost cry at how utterly pathetic the both of you look.”

The first thought that came into my mind was to protect Chloe. I would never leave her behind, and I refuse to allow our happily ever after to be disturbed by this devil-like being. My mind was clear on what I must do. So I reached deep within myself and triggered the power that gave birth to my strong connection to the one I love.