Chapter 5. Growing up. Loreia's Confused Feelings. [RotDE] (Patreon)

Growing up, reading the books, Loreia’s reluctance to marry, showing a few suitors, Tatyana consoles her, conversation with her parents, etc. Books ignite a desire for a sword and ask about it.

In a simple room, Tatyana was lying on the bed, reading a book she found in the past. Unlike any other book, this one was very complicated and full of terms she didn’t understand. Thankfully, this book was seemingly written as a first volume, so at the back, there was a glossary explaining the meanings of certain words.

The title of this book was [A Cultivator’s Anatomy].

Tatyana reread the passage that focused on meridians.

“In the complex and mysterious body of a cultivator, where the energies of yin and yang dance in eternal harmony, there exists a subtle network of pathways known as meridians. To the uninitiated eye, these channels remain hidden and unable to be developed. Yet, when one takes the first step to becoming a cultivator, creating them is necessary. They are the pathways through which the essence of life flows, and we call this immaterial substance [Energy].”

Tatyana tilted her head as she moved to the back of the book and looked into the glossary.

Yang: Everything that is considered hot and active. For example: the Sun, Heat, Activity, Growth, Daytime, Masculinity, etc.

Yin: Everything that is considered cold and passive. For example: the Moon, Coldness, Rest, Inner Contemplation, Nighttime, Femininity, etc.

Tatyana frowned a bit, feeling somewhat confused. ‘So, I’m Yin because I’m a girl, but when I’m doing activities, I’m Yang?’

She was just 12 years old, and even if she was very clever, with no prior education, she was confused about the concepts.

She continued reading, trying to clarify her doubts.

“Meridians form a labyrinthine network, traversing the depths of the body, linking every organ, every sinew, every cell with the mysterious energy that gives life a chance to transcend. Like the veins and arteries of the flesh, meridians pulse with the rhythm of a cultivator’s essence, carrying the essence of energy itself.”

Tatyana’s brows didn’t relax, and she continued reading.

“Each meridian bears its own name and purpose, each intricately connected to the cycles of nature and the celestial realms. While it is the truth that Cultivators can create their meridians at will, the ancients had long studied and understood the most optimal way for these pathways. For instance, the lung's meridian governs the breath, drawing in the pure essence of the heavens to nourish the body and spirit. The heart meridian, beating with the cadence of love and compassion, channels the warmth of the Sun to ignite the flame of life within.”

Tatyana’s head ached. “What does ’The warmth of the Sun to ignite the flame of life within’ mean? Why can I understand the words individually, but when they come together, they sound so strange?”

The grand words and complicated examples written in the book made little Tatyana want to throw the book out of the window. After rubbing her forehead for a few seconds, she resolutely continued reading, reaching the part that showed an image of each and every meridian of the body, accompanied by some things called acupuncture points.

The words that looked like ants walking on the page made Tatyana’s vision spin.

She resolutely closed the book. She had already been reading for 4 hours, and her eyes had begun to sting. ‘I need rest.’

Standing up, she first went to wash her face and refresh her mind. The cool water made her sigh as some of the fatigue wore off.

Then, feeling cheerful again, she hid the books and went downstairs. The loud sound of her big sister hitting the table reached her.

“I told you that I’m not interested!”

Tatyana paused and listened.

Salia, her mother, answered Loreia’s shout calmly. “Loreia, you are already 21. While we don’t want to force you to marry, you will become an old woman if you don’t find a partner soon. You know that it doesn’t matter how beautiful you are; men want young and fresh women.”

When the average marriage age in the town was about 16 and having children came with the age of 18 for most, reaching 21 years of age and having yet even to find a partner was considered an oddity.

Loreia snorted. “Those men can go and drown in a river for all I care.”

Terrance chuckled. “Well, I agree with that.”

Salia rolled her eyes. “Then, love, you should do a little trip to the river.”

Terrance coughed, and Tatyana almost laughed on the stairs. Salia sighed and commented. “Loreia, I understand that you might have your own thoughts, and even if you are getting old, it’s not like you lost your purity, so there will be chances as long as you still remain beautiful, but…”

Loreia asked. “But what?”

Salia sighed. “But if you don’t stop beating up every single boy that comes even a bit close to little Taytana, then you will have it a bit hard. Do you really want to be seen as a violent woman?”

Terrance muttered. “Isn’t she one-ouch!”

Salia commented angrily after slapping the back of his head. “Even if it is like that, don’t put it into words!”

Loreia’s eyebrow twitched, and Terrance lamented. “Now I know who she has taken after…” Seeing Salia lift her hand again, Terrance hurriedly scurried away, appearing on the stairs and taking Tatyana away in his arms. “Let’s go, princess. We’ll go hunting together!”

Tatyana was surprised that they caught her, but she couldn’t help but chuckle at his usually handsome and gentle father’s expression. “Okay!”

Of course, Terrance was just acting, as Salia’s hit could be considered very light. They were more like a gentle tap than a hit.

Salia saw Terrance and Tatyana exit the house and smiled softly. Then, she turned toward Loreia, who had also followed their steps. “Loreia, tell me the truth. Why are you not even considering some of the men of the town? It’s not like there aren’t a few good ones. For example, the Son of the Bertel family is tall, strong, handsome, and quite gentle. He had even shown interest in you previously. Although he is two years younger than you, the fact that he has fancied you is rare.”

Loreia’s face became tangled. She naturally knew about him, as he had bothered her a few times. As Salia said, he was a good man all around, with almost no faults for what a town man could be. He even reminded Loreia a bit of Terrance in the sense of good character.

However, in her heart, she felt a bit panicked. The reason was that her possessiveness toward Tatyana was growing year by year. Of course, Loreia was sure that it was just sisterly love, but as years passed and Tatyana grew more and more beautiful, that certainty was becoming less and less clear.

‘Do I really like her in a family way?’

‘She is just a child. You can’t feel that way toward her!’

‘Let’s wait for another year. I’m sure that these strange feelings will eventually disappear.’

Those thoughts were constantly moving in Loreia’s convoluted mind, and she didn’t know why they were even there.

Still, the reason they were there was because Loreia had been with Tatyana since the very beginning. Her dedication to taking care of her, looking after her, and seeing her grow attached to her had increased a strange flame that was becoming unstoppable.

Moreover, Tatyana was the most popular child because of her extraordinary appearance, so Loreia had always felt defensive toward men. She feared that her little step-sister would be stolen from her.

In Tatyana’s appearance, there was a strange, ethereal beauty that attracted everyone to look at her. A milky white skin that didn’t belong to the townsfolk, facial features that became more and more perfect as she grew up, a glossy and beautiful black hair that reminded people of the night sky, and finally, her exotic and soft ruby-like eyes that carried innocence and gentleness in them.

Even as a 12-year-old, everyone with eyes could see that she would become an unreal beauty when she got older. All the people in the town agreed that whoever married Tatyana would be able to laugh even in their sleep.

So, Loreia was not just deflecting one or two boys but literally every male that was around the same generation as Tatyana.

It was a combination of factors that twisted Loreia’s normal, familiar affection into what it was becoming now.

An increasingly possessive love.

Of course, in Loreia’s mind, this was something that would never come to light. So, Loreia wanted to see Tatyana grow and marry someone before she could move on.

Even then, this was contradictory, as she would always shoo away any boys who tried speaking to Tatyana to the point that some had started to fear even getting close to her. After all, those who were insistent and ignored her warnings were “gently” told to go their way.

So, the downward spiral of confused feelings felt unstoppable, and if she married in this condition, she might snap at her new partner. Moreover, if Tatyana found a companion while she was with the new partner, Loreia felt like her heart would rip into pieces.

It was the truth that there was a chance that a new love would make her forget, but Loreia feared Tatyana would stop looking at her with the same affection in her innocent and gentle red-colored eyes.

Salia’s voice reached Loreia. “Child? Is everything okay? Your face is pale.”

Loreia snapped from her thoughts and reacted. She forced a smile and shook her head. “Don’t worry, Mom. I was just thinking about some things.”

Salia sighed. “Go rest. I won’t insist on this anymore. However, I’m warning you that the older you get, the more difficult it will be.”

Loreia nodded and stood up, going outside to look for Terrance and Tatyana.

She found them after walking for a while into the forest, as she knew to what areas Terrance usually carried Tatyana to practice hunting.

From a distance, she could see Tatyana holding a bow in a steady manner, aiming at a brown rabbit a few meters away from her.

Terrance was at the side, helping her pull the bow, as it was too hard for a child of Tatyana’s age to tense.

Then, Terrance whispered something, and Tatyana released the arrow.

Loreia followed the quick projectile with her eyes, and the arrow missed, startling the rabbit and making it jump away.

Looking back at her little sister, she saw her pouting, her fatty cheeks puffing to the point that Loreia wanted to pinch them. She knew how soft they were, after all.

Loreia shook her head. ‘What am I thinking?’

Then, she approached with a smile. “Dad, little sister!”

Tatyana and Terrance turned toward her with a smile, and Tatyana ran at her, diving in her arms. Loreia closed her own arms around her shoulders, feeling strangely complete.

Tatyana commented with a smile. “Big sister, I almost caught a rabbit. Did you see?”

Loreia nodded gently. “Of course, if the wind hadn’t suddenly blown, you would’ve hit it.”

Tatyana blinked. “Ah? The wind made me fail?”

Loreia laughed. “Of course, if not, how could my clever little sister fail?”

Tatyana laughed and hugged Loreia tightly, understanding that what she said was just a way to cheer her up. “Big sister, will you stay with us to hunt?”

Terrance commented. “I have an extra bow if you want to practice.”

Loreia nodded. “Sure. Take care of me, Dad.”

Terrance patted Loreia’s head. “Of course, leave it to me.”

Tatyana thought of something she had read in a book and said. “Dad… Is it possible to buy a sword?”

Both of them were startled and looked at her. Terrance asked. “A sword? For what?”

Tatyana fiddled with her fingers, and she commented. “W-Well, I saw a swordsman the other day, and I thought he looked cool, so I wanted to try owning one.”

Terrance lifted an eyebrow while Loreia’s face darkened. Loreia asked. “How old was he?”

Tatyana’s eyes moved a bit, and she commented. “I don’t know, about 30 or 40 years old? He looked similar to Dad in age.”

Loreia’s face relaxed, and Terrance became thoughtful. “Hm… A sword, huh? I’ll see what I do.”

Tatyana smiled and hugged him with a sweet smile. “Thank you, Daddy!”

Terrance smiled happily.