Emilia's point of view

I was trying to relax after the speech but... Louis looks at me.  For what?  There's only one reason he's looking at me.  He wants to talk to me.  That must be it... Yes, I expected that.*

"Emilia...Can I talk to you? I need to tell you something important."

"Oh... Of course. Please tell me. What's up, Louis?"

"Let's go somewhere more private. There's more mess here to talk about."

Once in a private place, he said to me: “I want to kill Satella.”

My eyes widen in shock when I hear those words.  Is it real?  Louis wants... to kill Satella?  I do not believe it.  My head starts to spin.  I try to say something but I literally can't form any words.  Everything in me freezes.

In my soul, I try to remember a single moment in my life when Louis hinted that he would do something like that.

But... there's nothing.  Nothing.  Nothing but the words he just said.  How did this thought cross his mind?  For what?

"She's the reason I died, when I tried to stop her from killing more innocent people. She absorbed a witch factor when I asked her not to. And when  I try to lead a peaceful life, she brings me back here by force. Even if she was my friend, a part of death wants to make her pay."

"But... Isn't Satella... she's not in control? Is she being controlled?"

"Well... yes, obviously. But that doesn't change anything. In the past, many people were killed by people who were not in control of themselves, for example by people suffering from mental illnesses  . That's not the case.  That doesn't change the fact that these people need to be punished for their actions."

"But... Louis, it's absolutely not the same! It's someone we're talking about, who is the victim of an incurable curse."

"It doesn't matter to me. If I were to commit a crime, even if it was controlled, I would prefer to end my life."

"Louis...I have to be honest with you. There is a way for you to get help. To get out of your situation."

Louis looks at me with an expression of hope and skepticism.

"Look, the first thing you need to do is calm down. I promise you that I will help you and get you out of this situation. But for that, you need to promise me something. And  that is  ..."

"Yes, what? What kind of promise?"

“Can I trust you not to do anything to hurt Satella?”

“Emilia…”

"Please, Louis. Just for a few hours. Don't try to find and harm Satella. Can you do that for me?"

“I, Iluso Magician Terrera, promise never to kill Satella.”

A smile spreads across my face as I look at Louis.

"Thank you Louis. And know that I will make sure to find a way to help you. I don't know how yet. But together, I know we will find a way. And I swear to you.  I will do whatever is necessary.  in my power to save you and Satella."

As I listen to Louis, I try to remember and understand what the trials entail.  I still have no idea what the three essays are.  But if it's up to me, I won't abandon Louis or anyone else.

"So! Are you finally learning the tests?! So that you finally know in advance what you have to do? And the rest of the camp, they need to know that too."

"Yes, it's true. I will tell them and I will tell them everything, including the fact that you promised me not to kill Satella."

“Are you sure you want to take the tests?”

I think for a moment.  I would like to refuse but how can I do it?  They put Louis in an impossible situation.  I must take care of my camp and all its members.  I have to pay attention to the situation Louis finds himself in.  I have no choice but to participate in the selection, even though I know the odds are not on my side.

I take a deep breath and agree with Louis.

"Yes...I am. It's something I have to do...for the camp."

I look at Louis and see that he is visibly exhausted.  I can't blame him, because he spent most of his time trying to help the camp by solving problems.

"Louis, I see you're tired. If you want, you can use me as a pillow."

He is a little surprised by this proposal but he does not take long to accept it.  Then, Louis places his head on his thighs while I gently begin to stroke my hair.

“Louis.”

“Yes, Emilia?”

“Don’t hide anything from me anymore.”

I see the hesitation in his eyes.  But I know his heart better and what is hidden about Satella.  For this reason, I remain determined to know everything.

“Louis, you have to tell me the truth.”

He feels stuck.

“Look at me Louis…”

“I… you know… that’s just it….”

“Louis, don’t be ashamed to tell me everything.”

“It’s hard… it’s so hard… there’s something I need to tell you… I promise.

"Louis, look me in the eyes and tell me. We're friends and it's better to know the truth."

"I promise...I'll tell you everything...but, please, it's very hard for me to talk about this."

“Take your time, Louis. Tell me when you can.”

*Louis looks at me and sees the sincere smile on my face.  He can't bear to keep the secret from me any longer.

"Alright...I guess it's time..."

As Louis continues speaking, my heart sinks.  I see how much it breaks him.  What is this secret that he holds and that hurts him so much?  I want to be there for him and do everything in my power to help him.  Then he ends up confiding.  I continue to listen to Louis.  I still feel his head resting on my knees.

"Louis...please continue.  Tell me, I'm here for you."

"It's because of you that I made it this far, Emilia.  You've been my closest friend and confidant since I arrived here.  I feel like you're the only one I can really talk to. I have something  something to confess.... It's about my past...."

Intrigued, I listen to him attentively until, once satisfied, I arrange for him to sleep.  What if I take the opportunity to continue this later?