Chapter 114

Chapter 86 Father and Mother Part 2

“Peipei, what nonsense are you talking? Sit down!”

I ignored Lady’s reprimand and didn’t pay attention to Percival tugging at my sleeve from below.

“Uh!”

I hiccupped and scanned around with hazy, drunken eyes, pausing on each face for a moment.

Then I realized no one could see clearly… But it didn’t matter.

“I… am called Silviana… No, I’m Pei Luo…”

Another round of laughter erupted.

“Miss Pei Luo, I’m Andrew, nice to meet you.”

“I’m Uncle Wyatt~”

I wasn’t sure who was introducing themselves in a teasing tone, but Annie’s voice seemed to be mixed in: “Pei Luo is drunk… I’ll take her back…”

I ignored everyone and waved my little hand.

“It’s possible that I can’t express it well. I just know… you all want to fight… I understand. But what I want to say is, I don’t want this…”

It seemed like the Duke was speaking: “Pei Luo, no one said we have to fight.”

“You don’t need to lie to me, I understand. I’ve lived as long as you, seen as much as you…”

“Miss Pei Luo is really drunk…”

“Haha, she got drunk so fast…”

Suddenly, someone walked up beside me, grabbed my hand, and pulled me back. The familiar warmth of their palm made me turn my head, and through the haze, I could see the red armor.

“Let me finish. I have something to say…”

“Let her finish, okay?”

A lazy voice came from nearby, and the force pulling me weakened.

“You all want to fight… Fighting means people will die, many people. That day, the city guards… died in large numbers, several of Laffrey’s guards… I couldn’t stop it. I know, if we don’t fight, they will attack us. But… this started because of me… I’m scared…”

“Pei Luo, this has nothing to do with you, you’re just an innocent victim caught up in it. Don’t burden yourself.”

I shook my head lightly, then felt a splitting headache, and quickly pressed my temples with my hands.

“I hate that. But I don’t want the Winter City to become like that in the future, nor Shanter Castle.”

The noise gradually quieted down.

Everyone sobered up and stared seriously at the drunk girl before them, listening to her incoherent ramblings.

“I… this is my home… I still have a home in Siljia, but this is where I truly belong.”

“There are many things I don’t remember. But I know, once there’s a war, everywhere will become like that small village. So, please, Grandpas, Uncles, Brothers, Sisters…”

I wanted to bow, but my body wouldn’t listen, and I staggered, about to fall.

Laffrey caught me… He seemed to be smiling at me, but I couldn’t see clearly, feeling drowsy.

But… I haven’t finished what I wanted to say yet.

“Please… Don’t kill civilians, don’t take their belongings. I know… what I say may sound childish, but Lord Duke, my father, promised me… he won’t deceive me.”

“If… there really is a war… please, ensure victory. And me, I’m a Knight of the Pope, I can help. Please, help my father and mother, help my brother Laffrey achieve victory. Thank you…”

My legs were weak, my body leaned back, and someone caught me before I fell.

The touch was hard and cold.

“Lord Duke, let me take her back.”

“That would be good.”

“I’m fine… I just want to thank them…”

A strong sense of sleepiness washed over me, my eyelids began to droop, and someone picked me up.

“How light she is.”

It sounded like Annie’s voice… She had such strength.

Oh.

Half asleep and half awake, I could faintly hear the lady’s sobs.

“She called me mother… Scarlidge, did you hear that? She called us…”

“Mm-hm, I heard.”

…………

The Christmas Day banquet at Santel Castle went smoothly.

After the banquet, the Duke and the Lady had a long discussion with Bishop Hobbs, Marquis Oliver, Anne, and others in the study. Then, Marquis Oliver, who was rather plump, left first with the Carriere family.

People started to leave one by one in the afternoon. Only those from very far away chose to stay, though there were still quite a few. Fortunately, Santel Castle was large enough, with plenty of guest rooms to accommodate them.

I finally got to taste the desserts at the banquet. Actually, by the time they were served, there were only a few people left eating, and most of the desserts were left over.

So, after a good night’s sleep, I indulged in a piece of dessert cake during dinner.

Eating such rich food at night will make one gain weight… I’ll think about that once I’m full.

Anne stayed behind. Before it got too late, she came to my room once.

She had changed into casual clothes, looking less stern and more feminine.

“Pepé, you were drunk today…”

Hearing this, I pouted.

“Don’t mention it, it’s embarrassing… I won’t drink anymore.”

Anne smiled and shook her head.

“I just wanted to say that you looked so cute when you were acting silly.”

…It was indeed true that I acted silly… but how could that be considered cute?

“Indeed—”

She walked to the bed and opened the window. A gentle breeze blew in. Outside, the goat cheese was startled and flew up with a loud cry.

“It’s been three years, and you haven’t changed at all… Can you tell me what happened?”

Afterwards, I repeated the lie I had already told, and by the time she left, it was already very late at night.

I wasn’t quite ready to sleep yet, but I didn’t know what else to do. I changed into my sleeping clothes and lay on the bed, staring wide-eyed at the ceiling.

Tomorrow morning, I have to go to the Order City of Eisenberg to report to the Royal Academy there. The carriage is already prepared.

I have to leave here…

Suddenly, I felt a bit empty.

The feeling of reluctance slowly seeped out from my heart, dripping onto my mind. It felt similar to the anxiety and unease I used to feel every time I went to kindergarten, just before leaving home, and the deep longing for “home,” which was my safe haven.

I don’t want to go to school…

This thought flashed through my mind and almost made me laugh at myself.

At my age, why am I thinking such childish things?

Just then, the door suddenly creaked open, and light footsteps entered the room. Without even looking, I knew who it was.

“Pepé, you’re not asleep yet.”

The lady walked over to me, and I slowly sat up, yawning lazily.

“Not yet.”

“I came to give you something.” The lady sat down next to my bed and winked at me, “Give me your hand.”

I saw that she seemed to be holding something in her right hand, and immediately asked curiously, “Is it a donut?”

The lady immediately glared at me angrily.

“What donut? You’ve eaten so much tonight, how can you still think about eating… Give me your hand!”

She grabbed my hand and placed a cold, hard object in my palm. When I opened my hand, it turned out to be an ice-blue crystal necklace with a moon-shaped gem hanging from it.

“I originally planned to give it to you when I leave tomorrow, but I was afraid I would forget… Its name is Heart of Winter Moon, the symbol of the Winter Moon family. Isn’t it beautiful?”

I picked up the gem and held it up to compare it.

The translucent blue gem sparkled under the firelight, very beautiful.

“It’s beautiful!” I happily pressed the necklace under the pillow, “Thank you… Mother.”

The lady’s smile blossomed instantly, her eyes shining like stars, brighter than the gem.

“When no one is around, call me Mom—Can I sleep here tonight?”

“Okay.”

“Good.”