The Incubus System Chapter 958. I Want You to Have A Choice

The Incubus System Chapter 958. I Want You to Have A Choice

Feeling a bit more at ease, I stood up from the couch and took a deep breath. The aroma of Celia’s cooking acted like a magnet, pulling me towards the kitchen. I approached Celia and Foxy with relaxed steps.

“I smell something good, and I’m sure it’s for me,” I said in a light, teasing tone as I entered the kitchen. My eyes were fixed on the pan containing the colorful fried rice on the stove. Celia was turning it over with her spatula.

Celia glanced at me, her eyes sharp. “I thought you wanted to go to Diamond and Pearl?” she said, her voice carrying a hint of a sneer.

“You mean Emma? Diamond and Pearl after that,” I corrected her, not missing a beat. “I still have half an hour left,” I added, my gaze fixed on the fried rice in the pan, trying to keep the conversation light.

Celia didn’t respond immediately, but I caught the way she bit her lip, the melancholy look that crossed her face. Foxy, standing on the other side, noticed it too. She moved with a purpose, giving me a quick glance that conveyed her understanding.

“I’ll clean the dining table,” Foxy said, her voice gentle but firm. She walked past me, her hand lightly touching my arm as she passed, a silent signal for me to talk to Celia.

I watched Foxy leave, the room growing quieter in her absence. I turned to Celia.

“Are you still thinking about what I said just now?” I asked softly, my voice barely above a whisper.

“No,” she answered simply, her tone flat and unconvincing.

“Then why do you have that face?” I pressed, wanting to bridge the gap that had formed between us.

Celia glanced at me and raised one of her eyebrows, a flicker of annoyance crossing her face. "What face?" she replied, her tone sharp.

"I know you're thinking about something," I said, my voice serious as I looked into her eyes. I wanted her to understand that I was genuinely concerned. As I expected, she immediately averted her gaze and pretended to concentrate on the pan again.

I glanced at the fried rice. Even someone who’s terrible at cooking could see that the dish was already done. The rice was perfectly browned, and the aroma filled the kitchen with its savory scent. Without saying a word, I reached over and turned off the stove.

Celia turned to me, her annoyance clear. "I know it's done," she snapped.

I returned her gaze, my expression firm but gentle. "I know you're using that to avoid me," I said, trying to keep my tone calm.

"I was just about to turn off the stove," she replied defensively, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Sure you were," I said, leaning against the counter. "But that's not the point, Celia. I can see something's bothering you."

She huffed, looking away again. "It's nothing. I'm fine."

I sighed deeply, feeling the weight of the moment. “Right,” I said in a skeptical tone, watching her as she busied herself taking plates from the cabinet and putting food on them. The silence between us felt heavy, filled with unspoken words and unresolved emotions.

“Sit down and eat a bit before you go to Emma's place. You will need a lot of nutrition and energy to do it with them,” she said without looking at me, her voice flat and distant.

I frowned, feeling a pang of confusion and hurt. "Is that why you're angry with me?" I guessed, trying to understand the source of her irritation. Maybe she was annoyed because she was jealous.

She turned to me, her eyes flashing. “I watched you have sex with Foxy, remember? If you think I'm jealous, you're clearly wrong,” she said, her tone sharp.

“Right…” I muttered, feeling even more lost. It had to be because of what I said to her on the couch earlier. “I shouldn’t have told you,” I muttered again, the regret clear in my voice.

Celia glanced at me, her expression softening slightly. “You should,” she stated firmly. "I'm just in a bit of a bad mood due to my incompetence and I feel hopeless," she added, her tone more calm and reflective now.

“I don’t know what to do and my choice keeps swinging. Sometimes I want to follow your path, but sometimes… I want to live like this. I want a peaceful human life. On the one hand, I feel like I’m being selfish, but on the other hand, I know that’s your hope. But then I wonder, with this bloodline… Can I have a peaceful life? Isn’t that the same as being your burden?" she told me, her voice wavering as she laid bare her inner turmoil.

Her words hit me hard, and I felt a deep ache in my chest. I reached out and gently took her hand, squeezing it reassuringly. “Celia, you are not a burden. Never have been, never will be. The path you choose is your own, and whatever that path is, I will support you.”

She remained silent for a moment, her shoulders tense. Then, with a deep sigh, she finally spoke. "You know having this bloodline makes everything tough, right? I will become your enemies’ target,” she reminded me.

I wanted to deny that, but I couldn’t. It was a fact and it was the main reason why I always put one of my pets or Foxy with her, to protect her. I did want her to be strong, but how?

“I don’t want your protection,” Celia insisted, her eyes flashing with a mix of frustration and determination. “I want to stand by your side, Ethan. Not be sheltered like some fragile thing.”

“I know you’re strong,” I said, my voice earnest. “But you don’t have to carry the same burdens I do. I want you to have a choice.”

She looked away, her fingers gripping the edge of the counter. “Choice… it’s hard to hear that. I still feel like I’m not doing enough, like I’m not enough.”

“You are enough,” I insisted, stepping even closer. “More than enough. Your presence, your support, it means everything to me. Just knowing you’re safe and happy gives me strength.”

Celia’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears, and she finally looked at me again. “I just want to help you, Ethan. To be there for you like you’ve always been for me.”

“You do help me,” I said, my voice breaking slightly. “Every day, just by being here, by being you. That’s all I need.”