Extra's Descent
Chapter 280: Labyrinth Dive [2]

"So….."

"Uh….."

The image of Brandon earlier wouldn't leave their minds. They had come to the newly opened cafe, but it took them quite a while to realize that Brandon was seated across from them.

To be specific, Brandon and the Princess.

"I never thought I'd see the Princess make that face."

It was Cyrus who made that statement.

All their heads nodded in agreement as they sipped on the drinks they had just ordered.

"Scratch the Princess! Didn't you see the face Brandon was making?"

Claire exclaimed and took a long sip of her drink.

They could still recall it. No, he was still making that face.

"Goosebumps…."

Claire felt chills all over.

Was this really Brandon?

The same guy who had mercilessly beaten them to a pulp a couple days back?

However, they respected his privacy and decided not to pry on his matters further.

But still…. they could say that, but it was hard to actually do it.

Too hard.

They couldn't help but steal subtle glances on the table across from them.

"Chills…. Chills…. Chills…."

Claire rubbed her shoulder as her eyes continued to alternate.

They wanted to leave.

They regretted coming to this place.

It was not as if they had found the couple uncomfortable, but it was the sudden shift in Brandon's personality.

He appeared mostly stoic, sometimes teasing, maybe even annoying for Claire. But seeing the expressions he was making….

They had never seen that look on his face before.

They had truly found it shocking. It was as if he was a different person.

But the realization had dawned upon them shortly after.

It was because of the woman across from him.

Amelia Constantine, or as everyone liked to call her, The Princess.

In the past, she was usually unapproachable when it came to men. Women had no problems approaching her, and she would often help them out. The kind of senior who would happily help out her juniors.

But her reaction towards men was understandable. After all, she was undoubtedly beautiful, and with her status, a lot of men often tried hitting on her.

Most probably, she had set a boundary between any potential men that would come to like her.

In fact, now that they could remember, there were a couple of men that tried hitting on her in the current Imperial Academy as well.

But often, she would ignore, or reject them on the spot. Cementing her reputation as a flower that could only be admired, but never to be touched.

It was for that reason, she had earned the nickname, "The Princess."

But now, the rejections made sense.

It was because she already had someone.

Brandon.

However, how Brandon was even able to woo her was a mystery to them.

But they had several theories in mind. After all, they were in the same committee in the past, at that time, they must've gotten close.

That still couldn't explain how Brandon was able to break through the boundary she had set up.

No, it was actually quite obvious.

It was well known that Amelia Constantine and Brandon's sister, Belle Locke, were best–friends.

That must've been the reason why Amelia didn't set any boundaries with him since he was her best–friend's younger brother.

Now that they thought about it, he was quite lucky.

All feelings of discomfort vanished as they had come to an understanding.

They couldn't help but feel happy for Brandon.

The couple looked good together.

Then, their gazes eventually landed on Rachel.

She was the only one who hadn't said a thing the entire time, appearing nonchalant while reading a book.

Noticing their gazes, Rachel put her book back down and frowned, staring at them.

"What?"

"Nothing."

Claire dropped the topic.

It seemed like Rachel was trying to ignore it. There was no need to push the topic.

Shortly after, their food arrived.

"Enjoy."

***

Brandon had felt their gazes from where he sat.

Why were they even there?

He should've chosen a different place instead….

'Nah.'

Brandon shook his head and pushed down that thought.

Amelia really liked the food. It might be her new go–to place.

They had just finished eating, and were currently taking a break, relaxing and conversing with one another.

"Don't you want to say go and say hi to them?"

Amelia too had noticed their gazes. But she didn't try to look at them once since Brandon was clearly ignoring them.

"No."

He shook his head.

"They know anyway."

"Your dynamic with them is kind of weird. But okay, I understand. I'd feel quite embarrassed too if I were in your position."

"I'm not embarrassed though. Why would I be? I take pride knowing I'm dating the most popular girl in the Academy."

"Pfft… What's that? Popular? There's no way!"

She must've had no knowledge about that forum page.

'Good.'

It should stay that way.

"Also, I'm not embarrassed that I'm dating you too. Just embarrassed of what my friends might think when I'm being all girly like this…."

She tucked her hair behind her hair after speaking those words.

"You have friends?"

He teased and Amelia frowned.

"Hey! That's really rude. You've already met them yesterday…!"

Prior to today, Brandon had joined Amelia and her friends for lunch. It was mostly people he knew already, like; Ray, Artoria, and Belle. But there were a couple of others too that he didn't know.

It was quite an uncomfortable experience. Not because of her friends, but the presence of his sister.

No, it was really uncomfortable.

"Right, I did. What did they think?"

Amelia took a sip of her drink first. As soon as she set down the cup, she pursed her lips, allowing the sweet taste of the boba tea to linger on her tongue.

"Actually, they already knew you from your time in Astrea. You were actually quite popular back then among the women, if you didn't know."

"Oh? That's weird. I don't remember interacting with a lot of people."

"Well, there was a time when you were the talk of the academy after that Virtual Simulation thing."

Amelia looked away bashfully.

"Adding to your looks, several gossips about you started spreading in the Academy. Even I couldn't help but overhear some of them."

"Is that when you fell for me?"

Brandon teased, a smirk spreading across his features.

"No, not really."

She shot him down.

"More like I was intrigued. 'Brandon Locke?' The name was quite familiar, and of course, I couldn't ignore the Locke name."

Then, her head turned and she looked at him intently.

"That's when I realized you were probably Belle's younger brother. I've seen you a couple of times when we were kids. Honestly, it was quite shocking how much you've changed."

"Ah, I see."

The memories of Amelia when Brandon Locke was a child were quite hazy to him. After all, she was never the focus in the first place.

"Then how does it feel knowing you're dating your best–friend's younger brother? Someone you've probably regarded as a child back then?"

"To be honest, it's kind of weird. Just thinking about it is weird. But…."

She paused, taking a breath.

"I can't ignore my feelings. The others never thought about it weirdly either. If Belle doesn't mind, then who am I to complain?"

She smiled brightly. It looked as if the sun's glimmer shined down on her face.

"I don't care if it's weird. I like you. That's all that matters."

"...."

Brandon found himself speechless hearing those words.

Eventually, he laughed.

"Haha."

"What's so funny?"

"Nothing. I just feel like another ten years were taken off my lifespan."

"What does that mean?"

Amelia tilted her head in confusion.

"It means…."

Brandon paused, giving her a smile of his own. A smile that took Amelia aback as her eyes widened.

He moved his mouth, but no words came out. Just slow enough for Amelia to read his lips.

'I love you too.'

*

They stepped outside the cafe shortly after, leaving his friends inside.

With their fingers intertwined, Amelia looked up, meeting his gaze, and asked.

"We have an hour left until we're supposed to come back. Where should we go next?"

Truth be told, he didn't have any plans after. Since he had given all the memories of the time Raven spent with Amelia in the previous progressions, this dating thing was quite new to him.

They had been dating for only five days, but he could tell he was probably doing a good job.

But now that he thought about it, there was a place he had just remembered.

"It's not much. But I want to show you something?"

"Oh?"

Amelia's eyes glimmered at that moment.

"Take me there~"

Brandon felt his lips pull up and he tightened his hold of her hand.

They raced the road on his bike and they arrived at the destination in a couple of minutes.

It was a rooftop with a clear view of the city. Though it was illegal to be here, they could probably get away if they were caught due to Amelia's credentials.

Amelia immediately ran towards the railing and took in the sight of the whole city.

"This view is amazing~"

Brandon walked towards her, and stood right behind her. Leaning close, his arms wrapped around her as his chin rested on her shoulder.

"Right?"

The weather was perfect. The sun's rays shine down, casting a glow all over the city.

He could see a couple of cars down below. From where they were, the cars appeared smaller than they should. In fact, they looked like toys.

From a distance, Brandon could see the wall, protecting the human domain. And as his gaze lingered further, he could see towering mountains and the lush greenery of trees around.

The cold wind brushed past them as Amelia's hair fluttered sideways.

It was the perfect time to give it to her.

"Amelia."

"Yes?"

They continued looking at the view as they spoke to one another.

"I got you something."

"Hm?"

Brandon grabbed her hand and slid a ring into her finger.

"Oh?

Amelia stretched her hand forward, taking in the sight of the ring. The sun's glow reflected on the ring.

"Thank you. It's beautiful."

Her soft voice reached his ears. It felt as if his heart was about to melt at the moment.

"Just like the wearer herself."

As those words left his mouth, Amelia turned around slightly, pressing her lips on his cheek.

Brandon was taken aback for a brief second before he composed himself. Amelia turned her head once again, looking at the city, her hands on his arm which was wrapped around her torso.

Then, Brandon opened his mouth.

"Try injecting your mana into it."

"Hm?"

Amelia lowered her hand and looked at the ring. Shortly after, she did as he instructed and gathered her mana into the ring.

"This…."

"I might be gone sometimes. With that ring, you'll be able to tell of my current status."

It was a double edged ring. Sure, it might give her a sense of assurance. But if he were to die….

"Don't worry. Just think of me, think of how much you want to see me while focusing your mana on the ring. It will open a portal to my location, that way, you will never truly be away from me."

A ring that implemented the same kind of technology as the ring Ciel had.

A project he had commissioned Ironaxe a couple of weeks back during his time in the blackmarket.

"I see."

Amelia turned around, looking at Brandon. Her face seemed slightly flushed and her blue eyes shimmered.

"You want to see me that much?

"I want to see you everyd—"

Amelia tiptoed, her arms wrapped around his neck. Her lips pressed on his as she closed her eyes, cutting off his sentence.

The two shared a sweet kiss at that moment. Silence filled the surroundings, the cold breeze brushing past them.

Then, she pulled away, a teasing smile spread across her face.

Her mouth opened, but no words came out.

But Brandon could read her lips.

'I love you.'

This woman in front of him…. The woman he had deeply embraced in his arms.

He might've been selfish for pursuing her knowing what was to come.

But it couldn't be helped.

If it weren't for her, he might've gone insane a long time ago.

No, he still had the urges. But he could only hold himself back in front of everyone.

He needed her to keep himself sane.

And in the off chance that he changes his mind, she would be the sole reason.

Amelia Constantine.

His source of salvation.