Davis didn't say anything to Clara other than words of encouragement and forgiveness.
He sat and kept hold of her for twenty minutes straight before he managed to calm Clara down, and the whole time, he knew how she felt as his Heart Intent was active.
Clara's eyes were swollen as she moved away from Davis. Clearly, she had cried a lot in the span of twenty minutes, but she didn't feel embarrassed either; she still felt a sense of heaviness that she couldn't remove from her heart. No matter how she thought, she had crossed the line.
Not being able to control herself was not an excuse in her books, even if she was being influenced.
Davis could tell that Clara was hard on herself, making him feel pained as he felt like he shouldn't have imparted stuff like responsibility to her. She was always serious and didn't leave things half-hearted, so the fact that her actions were two-faced now only made her suffer.
"Clara, I won't apologize for failing to complete the treatment, so you don't need to apologize for trying to harm me or anyone else. Understand?"
Evelynn sat by Clara's other side and caressed her hair.
Clara vaguely nodded, but it could also be perceived that she wasn't listening,
"You don't need to feel bad about this matter. I made arrangements for everyone to be safe during the treatment, and the babies and I were also unharmed."
"Mhm."
"My carelessness brought this about, so you don't need to feel responsible."
"Mhm."
Evelynn narrowed her eyes as she spoke a few more words but eventually came to the conclusion that Clara wasn't listening; no-she was listening but wasn't taking anything to heart as though she completely isolated herself, not wanting to harm anyone anymore.
"…"
Evelynn felt responsible and wanted to do something when she suddenly had an idea.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"Clara, your brother said he will marry you-"
"…!"
Clara abruptly jolted. Her back went straight, and her body went stiff while Davis's lips also parted in shock.
But before he could say anything, Evelynn continued with a calm expression.
"Did you listen?"
"What?" Clara finally responded as she finally looked Evelynn in the eye, her gaze shaking.
"I said your brother will marry Yotan if you could determine how trustworthy she is. I mean, Yotan is plenty trustworthy, but he needs your adorable yet truth-seeing eyes to determine if she would be a worthy wife to him."
"Oh…"
"Regardless, your brother will marry Bylai and Zestria tomorrow, so pick yourself up and act like the dignified Empress of the Loret Empire, like the younger sister of the Emperor of Death you are. Otherwise, he will look bad in front of everyone. Understand?"
"… Yes…"
Clara's gaze shook as she saw Evelynn tower over her and glare at her with her third eye before Evelynn finally pulled back and smiled sexily.
"That's wonderful."
"…"
Davis had no words to say as he saw Clara finally come back to herself. Her eyes were no longer despondent but carried a renewed determination.
He understood that Evelyn wasn't harsh but saw that words of encouragement and absolving her of consequences had no effect on Clara. He basically said that Clara should remember her position and continue to work hard for her big brother, which actually renewed her determination.
It was like using someone's weakness or motivation, but it wasn't to exploit but to cheer them up.
It was just like he thought, as Evelynn did use Clara's weakness.
In this life, the only person Evelynn saw Clara care about the most was her big brother, unreasonably so that she even tried to give her purity to him in order to resurrect him using the Ice Phoenix's Soul Essence. Therefore, Evelynn imagined that it was also the biggest embarrassment in Clara's life and used that embarrassment to make her come out of her depressing episode.
"Good girl."
Evelynn caressed Clara's face using this chance and placed a kiss on her forehead, "After I give birth and become an Immortal King, we'll begin the treatment again if you're also ready. Do you have any second- no, third thoughts?"
"None. I'm in your care, sister-in-law."
Clara bowed her head lightly, indicating her willingness. At the same time, she touched Evelynn's belly with fondness as she saw that the babies were safe.
Fortunately, she didn't harm them, and she was moved that she was still being allowed to be so close to her. The trust they placed in her renewed her tenacity even more.
Evelynn smiled as she felt that this was sweet and fooled around with Clara for some more time before they all left her alone.
Tia stepped out with them and actually explained that she had placed Clara under her watchful gaze and that they didn't need to worry about her for the time being, causing Davis to nod.
"Thank you, Tia. Without you accompanying Clara, she might have jumped to conclusions."
"Don't mention it, big brother. This was mostly my fault, to begin with, but fret not, as I have ways to temporarily deal with heaven's influence."
"Really?"
Davis was pleasantly surprised that Tia was in possession of such methods.
"Yes," Tia nodded with pride but extended her tongue out, "but if it came down to the influence abbreviated by a heavenly tribulation or a strange unforeseen scenario, then my method won't be of help. Only big sister, Evelynn's treatment, stemming from Hex Laws that involve curses and karma, would be of more use. She's right in using poison against poison."
Hearing Tia praise his Evelynn, Davis couldn't help but feel his nose grow to the peak.
Evelynn also felt heartened since someone other than Davis praised her actions, having belief in her. After all, she was only grasping and using what she comprehended, making it so that Clara was basically no different from her first test subject.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmBut since she had performed her first test and had initial success in it, even though things somehow went wrong, which was beyond her comprehension and gave her a sense of defeat, she still held her conviction after Davis said that he believed she succeeded.
It gave her all the assurance she needed to move forward and not look back at the defeat.
"Is Natalya awake?" Davis asked.
Tia appeared contemplative, "I don't know, but she has left my room and is in her room. I imagine she's still adventuring, but if big brother wants to go meet her, then I imagine she couldn't be any happier."
"I see."
Davis nodded, "Then I'll go see her right now."
He left the scene as Tia waved goodbye to him before she turned to look at Evelynn, who chose to stay and not disturb him and Natalya.
"Big sister, is there any chance I could become your sister?"
Tia asked with eagerness etched on her face, causing Evelynn to raise her brows.
"Aren't you already thinking yourself of one, considering that you're addressing me as big sister?"
"Hehe~" Tia giggled lightly, "I'm afraid if I don't get your approval, I might be exiled for being too assertive, but with your backing, I can be as pushy as I want."
Evelynn turned to look at her, reaching out her hand to rub Tia's head.
"What's wrong with you, Tia? Ever since that day, you're acting as though you don't have time."
Evelynn smiled, "You are a good little aunt whom he is afraid to lose, and everyone, including me, would miss. Take things slow and don't rush it, lest you make a misstep and ruin it all by yourself."
She then turned around slowly and left by herself, leaving Tia a bit taken aback, wondering if she had been really acting like she was out of time before she revealed a gentle smile.
"Big sister is always wise."
From Evelynn's reaction, Tia could see that she wasn't opposed to her, which was enough for her!