Esper Harem in the Apocalypse

Chapter 976  Jane

Jane carried a basket brimming with the deep crimson Red Moon Fruits, their tantalizing scent filling the air with a sweet, fruity fragrance. She gracefully approached each member of Rudyʼs harem, offering them a fruit, a small token of her presence and care. Mary and Reed eagerly reached for the fruits, their eyes wide with curiosity and delight as they held their prizes.

”Donʼt you waste them now,” Jane advised in her composed tone, ensuring that the precious delicacies were treated with respect.

As Jane distributed the fruits, her gaze lingered on Lucy, and her normally calm azure eyes squinted ever so slightly, seemingly searching for something hidden beneath the surface.  She studied Lucy for a few seconds, her expression unreadable. Lucy, feeling the intensity of Janeʼs gaze, couldnʼt help but grow nervous.

”What...?” Lucy ventured, uncertainty creeping into her voice.

Janeʼs response was measured and deliberate, her words chosen carefully. ”Your cat...”

She shot a knowing look at Freya, who was resting nearby, her green eyes fixed on the proceedings. Lucy followed Janeʼs gaze and then returned her attention to the enigmatic vampire.

”Does your cat eat fruits?” Jane inquired, her tone holding a curious, yet oddly knowing quality. She extended an extra Red Moon Fruit to Lucy.

Lucy blinked in surprise. ”Is it safe for cats to eat?” she asked, a hint of concern in her voice.

Janeʼs response was reassuring, delivered with a serene confidence. ”Yes, itʼs a delicacy, even among feline creatures.”

With this knowledge, Lucy accepted the fruit for Freya, who approached it with cautious interest. The cat sniffed it, her whiskers twitching in curiosity, before taking a small, tentative bite. Her reaction was immediate, a pleased purring that filled the room, a sign of her approval.

Jane smiled at the sight of Freya enjoying the treat, her presence calming and welcoming amidst the group.

As the others chatted and shared stories, Freya continued to nibble contentedly on the Red Moon Fruit. She was now an integral part of this unusual gathering, a silent yet expressive participant in the reunion.

However, Janeʼs attention shifted back to Rebecca, and her thoughtful gaze held a request, a desire for a private conversation. She leaned closer to Rebecca, her voice soft and inviting.

”Can I have a moment with you?”

Rebecca, momentarily torn between the company of her friends and this sudden request for privacy, hesitated. She glanced at Rias and Elena, seeking their opinion, before returning her gaze to Jane.

”Whatʼs... thatʼs supposed to mean?” Rebecca asked, a hint of nervousness in her voice.

Jane, ever the picture of poise and grace, attempted to clarify her intentions. ”I just want to have a private talk with you. Is it too much to ask?”

Rebecca, realizing her initial misunderstanding, quickly reassured Jane. ”No, no, not at all. You should have just said you want to talk with me rather than saying ʼmoment.ʼ I misunderstood your intentions.”

Jane offered a small, understanding chuckle. ”I was merely trying to be respectful in my request.”

Rebecca agreed with a nod. ”Okay, sure. What do you want to talk about?”

With that, the two women left the lounge, venturing to a quieter, more secluded space where they could converse in private.

Rebecca followed Jane to a quiet corner of Rudyʼs castle, away from the bustling lounge. The two women found themselves in a tranquil garden, surrounded by blooming flowers and softly rustling trees. The night was calm, with a gentle breeze rustling through the leaves of nearby trees. Moonlight spilled onto the stone path they walked along, casting elongated shadows.

It was a serene setting for a private conversation. A pair of elegant armchairs sat facing each other, inviting conversation.

Jane gestured for Rebecca to take a seat as she settled into the chair opposite her. The atmosphere was calm, but there was a certain gravity to Janeʼs demeanor that indicated this was an important conversation.

Rebecca took a deep breath, a touch of unease still lingering. ”So, what did you want to talk about, Jane?”

Jane regarded her with those piercing azure eyes, her tone gentle but firm. ”Rebecca, I wanted to talk to you about Rudy.”

Rebeccaʼs heart skipped a beat at the mention of her sonʼs name. It had been three long years since she had last seen him, and his absence still weighed heavily on her heart. ”Rudy... What about him?”

Jane leaned forward slightly, her voice filled with empathy. ”Rebecca, I know that youʼre holding onto hope, hope that one day heʼll return. But itʼs been three years, and thereʼs been no sign of him. Weʼve searched, weʼve tried every method we know, and thereʼs been nothing.”

Rebeccaʼs eyes glistened with unshed tears, but she nodded, her voice trembling. ”I know... but he promised heʼd come back. He promised heʼd protect us.”N0v3lTr0ve served as the original host for this chapterʼs release on N0v3l-B1n.

Janeʼs expression softened further, and she reached out to gently hold Rebeccaʼs hand. ”I understand your pain, I truly do. Rudy was a remarkable person, and we all miss him terribly. But Rebecca, we canʼt keep waiting indefinitely. Life has to go on.”

Rebecca swallowed hard, her grip on Janeʼs hand tightening. ”I canʼt abandon hope, Jane. I canʼt let go of the belief that heʼs out there somewhere.”

Jane nodded, her eyes filled with understanding. ”Iʼm not asking you to, Rebecca. Hope is a powerful thing, and I believe in it too. But I also want you to consider the possibility that even if Rudy canʼt return physically, his legacy lives on in all of us, especially in Lucy. She carries his blood, his spirit. We must nurture that.”

Rebecca wiped away a tear that had escaped, her voice choked with emotion. ”Iʼm just so afraid, Jane. Afraid that if I let go, if I move on, Iʼll lose him forever.”

Janeʼs grip on Rebeccaʼs hand was reassuring, her voice soothing. ”You wonʼt lose him, Rebecca. Rudy will always be a part of you, a part of all of us. But itʼs time to focus on the present and the future. And Weʼre all here to support you, support each other, just like Rudy would have wanted.”

”However, that is not why I called you here,” Jane added.