Chapter 45: Daily Life at Shanter Castle
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“Click, click.”
The sound of teeth touching nails travels from the mouth to the eardrum.
1, 2, 3, 4… countless pairs of eyes stare at intently.
Carlos remains composed, looking as if nothing that happens concerns him, that bearded face wearing a sly smile, clearly harboring great interest in how things will develop.
Madam maintains a serious expression, her half-closed eyes and poker face appearing to like the Sword of Damocles hanging over my head, constantly worrying that it might fall and pass judgnt on .
Parsifal’s face turns red with embarrassnt, like a dangerous ti bomb that might do sothing unexpected at any mont.
I feel a surge of resentnt.
How despicable, selling out so easily, couldn’t you have said you were the one who wanted to fight him!
My chest pounds violently.
My little brain works at lightning speed, desperately thinking of counterasures.
The air freezes for an instant, and my consciousness enters bullet-ti mode.
I seem to hear the ticking of the second hand.
Tick.
I slightly lower my head, my eyes unnaturally looking down at my little boots.
Is there any way to clear myself…
First, if I simply deny everything, leaving aside whether Madam would believe , Parsifal would definitely say sothing shocking to defend himself.
If he dares to say “He peeked at Peipei’s underwear!” — I’ll find a way to sew his mouth shut.
I, Sylvia, can’t lose face like this.
Then what if I just admit it? Repeat what I told Parsifal last night… No, that would be like telling Madam that I tricked Parsifal into causing trouble.
Should I just slander him? Make the situation sound more serious, describe Carlos as a pervert who likes to lift my skirt and steal my undergarnts in front of everyone?
…No, that’s suffocating embarrassing. Such a strategy of hurting the enemy while severely damaging myself, my pure and young heart simply couldn’t bear it.
Tick.
My dark pupils roll to the right, catching a glimpse behind .
Madam has already let go of my hand, she might be too angry to notice, if I turn and run now…
There are only two hunters blocking behind .
I’m small, with a flat chest… no no, I an with an open heart… bah, anyway I should be able to slip through the gap between them, if I sprint away I might temporarily escape this crisis.
But I can’t hide forever, and when Madam catches again, she’ll direct all her anger at .
The price would be too high.
Tick.
My eyes roll to the left.
What if I continue pretending I know nothing?
Just imdiately put on a bewildered expression, then act greatly surprised, gradually showing a wronged look. Make Madam think Parsifal got himself caught doing sothing stupid and is trying to use as a scapegoat, then… would that fool Madam? Probably not.
I really shouldn’t have co here.
What should I do? I’m so nervous!
Three seconds pass.
I calculate countless thods in my mind, then reject them one by one.
Everyone remains silent, just waiting for my explanation.
…No choice, ti for the special move.
I raise my head and blink.
First, I show a confused expression, as if I had been lost in thought and hadn’t heard their conversation.
“Hm? What—”
Then, my expression starts to beco pained.
Following that, I clutch my belly with one hand, furrowing my brows as I slowly crouch down, curling into a little ball at Madam’s feet.
“Ow, ow ow…”
After this performance, concerned greetings imdiately co from the hunters around .
“Little Peipei, what’s wrong?”
“Are you okay?”
“Is your stomach hurting?”
I feel soone pat my shoulder, then Madam’s voice cos from above.
“What’s wrong, are you feeling unwell?”
Gritting my teeth, I secretly pinch my thigh.
“Tsk——”
Then I look up at Madam, gently tugging at her clothes.
With a pitiful expression on my face.
But inwardly I want to curse.
Who said it!
Pinching your thigh can make you cry! There’s no tears at all, saliva would work better, go to hell, it hurts so much!
Perhaps because it really hurt, the pain on my face looks more convincing now, and I see Madam’s expression change slightly.
She bends down, bringing her lips close to my ear: “Is it that ti of the month?”
I nod.
“Ah——”
Madam lets out a light sigh, her shoulders slumping from their tense position.
She smiles sowhat helplessly.
From her understanding, she knows this situation is probably eight or nine out of ten tis fake.
The little one is too clever, knowing exactly what thod to use in what situation. With this act, she couldn’t possibly make her stay here.
She wouldn’t ask “Are you lying?” In case it was real, would she really make this mischievous spirit bleed out in front of so many people?
She had originally wanted to use this chance to tease her a bit… never mind.
She stands up, looking around at the hunters with their strange expressions, seeming both amused and not.
Then she loses her temper.
“What are you looking at! Get back to your posts!”
“Yes, Madam.”
“Hehe.”
Madam explodes: “What are you laughing at! Get out, out, out.”
After shouting these words, she can’t help but smile herself.
She watches the hunters scatter, feeling a strange warmth flow through her heart.
They probably also feel that it’s been a long ti since they’ve seen a scene like this.
Three years.
Not just the void in her heart that keeps her awake at night, but it seems the entire Shanter Castle has been missing sothing.
And at this mont, that ‘sothing’ has finally been filled.
Madam turns around, giving Carlos a slight nod.
“Sir Carlos, I apologize for my foolish child’s barbaric behavior, this was truly discourteous, I deeply regret any trouble caused to you.”
Upon hearing this, Parsifal imdiately protests: “Mother, why are you apologizing to him? He—”
“Shut up.”
At Madam’s sharp command, his face unchanged as he closes his mouth.
“It’s fine, it’s fine. I don’t mind these things.” Carlos waves his hand, “I’m here to see the Duke.”
“I’m sorry, he’s not in the castle right now. If it’s not urgent, please co in for so tea and rest?”
“Oh, thank you, no need. Please just tell where the Duke is, Madam.”
“He’s at the Central Workshop.”
“Then I’ll go find him there, thank you for your invitation.”
“You’re welco.”
At this point, Parsifal walks over.
“Mom, what’s wrong with Peipei?”
Smack——
Madam swings her hand and slaps him on the head.
“Get back inside.”
Then feeling unsatisfied, she kicks his bottom hard twice.
Using her toe.
“Ah——!”
Parsifal imdiately lets out a scream, no longer caring about saying anything else, covering his bottom as he limps toward the castle.
“Don’t go anywhere, stand and wait for in the study!”
“Oh!”
His figure gradually disappears.
Madam gently pulls up.
“Little Syl…”
Carlos seems to want to say sothing to , but I don’t want to hear it.
Said I won’t talk to you ans I won’t talk to you.
I imdiately turn around, walking quickly for two steps before suddenly feeling alard, slowing down while holding my belly with one hand.
Secretly glancing at Madam, seeing she didn’t notice, I finally feel relieved.
“Sir Carlos, will you be returning to the castle tonight?”
“No, thank you for Madam’s kindness, but I’ll be staying at the church during this period. If anything cos up, I’ll co trouble you again.”
Hm? Which ans I won’t see Carlos’s ugly face for a while?
That’s great.
“Sir Carlos is too polite, Shanter Castle’s doors are always open for you.”
“Thanks! And about Little Syl… no, nothing. I’m leaving.”
“Goodbye.”
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