How to Handle a Yandere Harem - Chapter 17

Elizabeth sat alone in her dimly lit bedroom, the shadows dancing on the walls as the evening sun dipped below the horizon. The remnants of the trial weighed heavily on her, every word of Seda’s judgment still echoing in her mind. She had been spared the harshest punishment, but the task ahead was no simple endeavor. A quick smile flickered across her lips as she thought about how quickly she could finish it —

(Find Akuma’s girlfriend, sell his location, and be back with Adriel in no time. Easy, right?)

She clung to that thought as she tried to quell the nervous flutter in her stomach.

Her bedroom, usually a sanctuary of warmth and light, felt oddly cold now. The floral curtains, which she had picked out herself, fluttered slightly as a breeze slipped through the cracked window. The room was tidy, almost too much so as if everything had been meticulously placed to avoid any further chaos in her life. The bed, with its neatly arranged pillows and quilt, beckoned her to lie down and escape into dreamland, but Elizabeth had no time for rest at the moment.

She had a mission to prepare for.

Elizabeth’s first step was to gather what she needed. She moved to the small, antique desk in the corner of the room, its surface cluttered with papers, books, and trinkets. Her hands trembled slightly as she opened the top drawer, revealing a small, well-worn photo album. It was an old, leather-bound book with its pages slightly yellowed from time. Carefully, she opened it, her breath catching in her throat as she gazed at the photographs within.

The first photo was of Adriel, his smile as radiant as ever. It was taken during a summer picnic — a memory Elizabeth cherished more than anything. His eyes sparkled with mischief, a characteristic she had fallen for. Her fingers traced the outline of his face, a touch she wished she could feel in real life, but Seda’s decree had put a barrier between them.

For now…

With a sigh, she pulled the photo from its plastic sleeve, folding it neatly before slipping it into the pocket of her dress. She couldn’t go after Akuma’s ex without something to remind her of what she was fighting for. Each time she felt like giving up, she’d look at that photo and remember what was waiting for her once she succeeded.

Next, Elizabeth moved to the closet, pulling open the doors to reveal rows of neatly hung clothes. Her eyes drifted to the back, where a soft, blue cloth was draped over a hanger. It was a small piece of fabric she had made into a handkerchief, using one of Adriel’s old shirts that he no longer wore. The shirt had been one of her favorites on him, a light blue that brought out the color of his eyes, but he had outgrown it, and it had been sitting forgotten in his closet until she’d found it.

She had taken it without telling him and made the handkerchief herself — a way to keep a piece of him close, even when he wasn’t around. Now, it seemed like a fitting token to bring on this journey. She took it from the hanger, folding it with the same care she’d used with the photograph, and tucked it into her pocket beside the picture.

Her preparations were nearly complete, but Elizabeth knew she couldn’t leave without one more thing. She walked over to her bedside table and opened the small drawer there. Inside was a simple, silver locket, another gift from Adriel. She held it in her hand for a moment, feeling the cool metal against her skin. The locket clicked open to reveal a tiny picture of Adriel on one side and a small, pressed flower on the other — one he had picked for her during a walk in the woods. She fastened the chain around her neck, the locket settling just above her heart.

Elizabeth suddenly recalled what she had done.

She remembered hurting him, even though it was a mistake, and guilt weighed heavily on her.

(Am I still worthy of him after everything I did?)

That was the thought that crossed Elizabeth’s mind.

Elizabeth took a deep breath, her heart heavy but resolute.

She glanced around her room one last time as if bidding farewell to a part of herself — the part that had hurt her beloved Adriel.

This room had been her sanctuary, a place where she could dream and hope, but now it felt like a cage. The walls seemed to close in on her, the air stifling. She needed to leave, to do what had to be done. Only then could she return, hopefully with things back to normal. Only then could she forgive herself.

She grabbed a small satchel, the one she always used for quick trips, and tossed in a few more essentials — an extra dress, her favorite book, and some food. The satchel was light, just the way she liked it, leaving room for anything she might pick up along the way. She slung it over her shoulder, the weight of it grounding her.

As she reached for the door, a wave of uncertainty washed over her once more.

(Am I still worthy of him after everything I did? Why am I so emotional? Why didn’t I listen to Adriel?)

Even with these thoughts, she knew she had to keep going – she had a mission to complete.

Elizabeth steeled herself, her hand tightening on the doorknob. This mission wasn’t just about escaping punishment; it was about proving to herself that she was still worthy of Adriel. She wasn’t just a lovestruck girl, she was determined, resourceful, and capable. And she was going to prove that to everyone.

With that final thought, Elizabeth opened the door and stepped into the hallway, taking the first step on her journey to find Akuma’s ex-girlfriend and sell his location.

She forced herself to keep moving, each step echoing through the empty corridors. The light from the windows grew dimmer as she approached the front door, the weight of her task pressing down on her more with each passing moment.

She paused for a moment at the entrance, her hand on the doorknob, and took one last look back. The house that had once felt like home now seemed alien, filled with memories that felt distant and unreachable. But she couldn’t dwell on that. There was no turning back now.

Elizabeth pushed the door open, the cool evening air rushing in to greet her. She stepped outside, closing the door behind her with a finality that sent a shiver down her spine.

(Wait for me, Adriel. I’ll be back for you soon.)