Chapter 241

Chapter 28 The Situation Improves

My body felt hot.

My mouth was dry and bitter, my mouth feeling sticky. My throat burned with pain.

These sensations made it impossible for me to fall back asleep, so I slowly opened my eyes.

After a brief moment of disorientation, what came into view was the light-colored floor close to my face, with layers of wood grain patterns becoming clearer in my vision.

I blinked, and after a few seconds of blankly staring, I realized I was lying on the floor of the manor’s corridor.

What am I doing here?

How did I end up sleeping here…

I slowly sat up by pushing myself up with my elbows. I lowered my head, rubbed my slightly dazed eyes, blinked several times, then looked around.

The carved wooden railing was just a short distance in front of me. Beyond the railing, a silver-white candleholder hung from the ceiling, casting flickering light that illuminated the familiar furniture in the living room below.

What’s happening…

My head still felt muddled.

It felt like I had stayed up all night until dawn but only managed to catch three hours of sleep before waking up. I felt groggy and uncomfortable. I sat there on the floor for a long time before realizing: oh, I had intended to go to the terrace to call Victoria, but instead fell asleep—or rather, passed out—on the second-floor corridor.

!

My eyes suddenly widened.

I quickly touched my face. Due to my panic, my hand moved too fast, and I heard a sharp “PIA” sound as my palm hit my cheek, which was especially loud in the quiet mansion.

My face felt soft… just like always.

Ignoring the numb pain, I immediately touched my head, then my neck, my chest… and looked down at my lower body.

Slender legs emerged from the hem of my dress, which was hitched up to my upper thighs. They were as white and smooth as ever, with skin that remained as delicate and translucent as before.

…Seems like nothing happened!

I haven’t turned into a monster… I knew I wouldn’t turn into a monster…

Realizing this, I pouted, feeling so happy I almost cried.

I stood up from the floor, rubbed my eyes again… hmm?

I could see clearly now!

I was delighted to find that the needle-like pain in my eyes had disappeared, and my vision had returned to normal. Now, even the vines entwined outside the terrace were clear to see.

I hurriedly smoothed down the hem of my dress, then ran back to my bedroom. I approached the mirror, blinked, and stared closely at my reflection.

My little face, still showing signs of drowsiness, looked as delicate and pitiable as a finely crafted porcelain doll. Those dark, lively eyes spun around like precious black gems, dazzling and bright, even to myself.

My eyes weren’t red anymore.

Though I didn’t understand why, being able to return to my original self made me incredibly happy.

Joy welled up inside me uncontrollably, like a gushing spring flowing through my blood, spreading warmth throughout my body.

“Giggles~”

Unable to contain my happiness, I couldn’t help but laugh softly.

The girl in the mirror, with her bright eyes and pearly teeth, smiled charmingly as she laughed. That smile, lingering in her heart, was as beautiful and captivating as a blooming lilac.

“Ha—”

After a moment, she took a trembling deep breath.

A tear trickled down her left eye. She quickly wiped it away, then lifted her head, her smile becoming even brighter.

Thank goodness…

I thought I was done for this time.

But now, I haven’t turned into a monster, nor have I lost my mind. I’m still myself.

Then I saw

The deer leg I ate last night had its bone thrown beside the carpet not far from my feet.

I walked over, bent down, picked it up, and examined it. The meat on the deer leg was almost completely gnawed off, with deep tooth marks even on the bones, some of which had even revealed the bone marrow.

I must have been quite ruthless…

Plip.

Warm water droplets slid down my cheeks, dripping onto the carpet with a soft sound.

…I hate this.

Why am I crying? Really, how pathetic.

I don’t want to cry, so I threw down the deer leg bone and wiped my eyes incessantly with the back of my hand. But it didn’t help; the tears couldn’t be wiped away, flowing endlessly like a broken thread. I couldn’t control them at all.

I don’t feel any different… Why am I crying… Silvija, you’re not allowed to cry… A powerful knight of the Pope can’t cry…

“Gugu!”

A short sob escaped my mouth. I bit my lip to hold back, but my nose started running.

“Hic—”

How disgusting…

Why do I always end up crying now?

As I cried, I couldn’t hold back and turned to look at the mirror, gazing at the petite girl reflected in it.

The girl’s delicate face was wrinkled with sorrow. Her eyes were very red, her mouth wide open, with transparent threads stretching between her lips. There was also a crystal-clear liquid hanging from her nose, shining awkwardly under the candlelight. She looked as silly as she could.

So ugly…

Suddenly, I felt incredibly sad and opened my mouth even wider.

After a long while, I finally seemed to have vented all my fear and frustration, and the tears finally stopped.

My mouth is so dry…

I sniffled as I walked downstairs. First, I went to the kitchen to drink my fill, then came to the living room, and curled up in the sofa with my legs hugged.

Drowsiness came again, and I slowly closed my eyes.

My stomach isn’t hungry anymore, but why am I still sleepy… Am I really okay?

The memories before losing consciousness are hazy, but only those crimson eyes identical to Teresa’s remain unforgettable.

That uncomfortable burning sensation earlier seems to have faded away. Now, besides feeling a bit drowsy, everything else feels normal. My body doesn’t hurt or itch, and there’s nothing wrong with me.

What was that earlier…

I’m not sure.

But no matter what, that inexplicable power inside me has finally been suppressed.

Is it because I ate the deer leg… No, it’s not that simple.

The connection with the chaotic power of the abyss still exists. That heart-pounding force remains calm and abundant as usual. Both my body and mind seem fine.

I don’t understand why, but I know the reason for this sudden change.

It must be because I ate that monster Teresa… the angel of someone or other. My intuition tells me that this ugly thing should be some kind of existence opposing the abyss.

I still remember the feeling of disgust I couldn’t shake when I first saw it. Even during the fight, that emotion clung to me like a parasite, and later when desire consumed my rationality, that emotion became stronger than ever.

Now thinking back, the monster might have been fighting with the same feelings as me.

Otherwise, why would it relentlessly pursue me?

We are enemies, some kind of “different source” existence… I shouldn’t be wrong about this.

Maybe I shouldn’t have eaten it…

Oh right, I seemed to have dreamed about Teresa just now.

I remember her saying some strange things to me… What did she say?

Forget it, it was just a dream.