Chapter 279

Chapter Sixty-Six Birds

As the sky darkened, Elly and I went to the market again.

Today was the first day of the weekend, and I would probably have to stay in the manor for another two days. I needed to buy enough ingredients for these two days. With Elly helping me carry things, it would be much easier. We bought fruits, vegetables, venison, and some seasonings and butter. By the time we returned, it was completely dark outside.

That evening, I made donuts for Captain Gray, with Elly assisting me. The little girl was interested in learning these things, so I patiently explained each step to her, just as my mother had taught me, on how to make delicious and attractive donuts. Elly learned quickly, and it was evident that she had a talent for such tasks. Soon, she could bake a whole tray by herself. Although they didn’t look as good as mine, the taste was very close.

We ate the donuts while chatting about various trivial matters. Elly told me that the construction of Cataloma was going well, and that in about three months, the children could return to their familiar surroundings, and the church would appoint a new headmaster. However, many of the children seemed to resist this change.

“Everyone still likes Teresa, thinking no one loves us more or treats us better than she does… They are very sad. But every time I hear them say those words, and see someone crying secretly, I feel even sadder…”

Elly said this in a low voice, which made me feel very uncomfortable as well.

But all I could do was gently pat her back, trying to comfort her small yet resilient heart.

There wasn’t any better way.

After all, most of the children didn’t know the truth behind the events, and Teresa’s place in their hearts was irreplaceable—this was the most frustrating and heartbreaking thing, and it was also what Elly found most painful, because she couldn’t tell anyone; it would completely shatter the views of countless immature minds—though, of course, no one might believe her.

How could an eleven or twelve-year-old girl bear such darkness, smile at her old friends every day, listen to them talk about how much they loved the person who almost killed them, and pretend not to know anything, not to say anything… Would she still be the same after all these days?

Could she still see the beautiful side of the world, feel the sincerity between people?

This was exactly what worried me the most.

So, I hoped she could come here to play often.

Fortunately, the little girl was strong enough. So far, her mentality was gradually improving, which was the only thing that could console me.

After dinner, Elly told me she had to leave.

“Although I live in the church, the nuns are still as strict as before. We can’t run around randomly, we need to record when we go out, and we must return on time to sleep at night, or else we will be punished… The sisters are really fierce when they scold us…”

Hearing this, I had no excuse to keep her any longer.

“It’s a shame we couldn’t chat more tonight.”

“Don’t worry, sister. When you have your next free day, I’ll come back!”

I saw Elly off the door and watched her small figure leave along Londale Street. Then I turned back to the manor, went upstairs to my bedroom, lay on the bed for a while feeling bored, and then felt sticky again, so I ran to the bathroom for a cold shower—Ice Order had its advantages. No matter if it was summer or winter, hot or cold, I could take a cold shower without any worries, immerse myself in the cool water, and not worry about catching a cold.

After soaking for about half an hour, I stood up from the bucket, shook off the wet hair, dried myself, and returned to the bedroom to change into a new white pleated dress. I looked down at the bird pattern I liked on the hem of the skirt and nodded in satisfaction.

But there was nothing else I could do… I didn’t want to read a book, it was so boring.

After pondering for a moment, I decided to go to the terrace and enjoy the evening breeze.

The night scenery in the royal city was still enchanting tonight. The moonlight was hazy,

Through the gaps in the leaves, a light gauze seemed to cover the illuminated houses. The air after the drizzle carried a faint, refreshing fragrance, but also a hint of the summer’s scorching heat.

I stood at the edge of the terrace, my right hand gripping the railing covered with creeping vines. Taking several deep breaths, I looked toward the direction of the neighboring mansion, No. 2.

Candlelight flickered there.

Had Victoria returned? Or was it just the maids…

“Chirp…”

In my line of sight, two white, unknown birds flew across the night sky, crossing and circling each other, flying up and down as if they were a pair of carefree lovers. I watched them quietly as they landed on the roof, perched on the treetops, and finally flew to the railing less than five meters away from me. Their red beaks played and pecked, producing melodious chirps.

“Chirp—”

So cute…

I really want to eat them.

Eyes darker than the night blinked not once, tightly fixed on the two white birds nearby. Slowly, slowly, I lifted my left hand, extending an ivory-like finger. Black smoke wisped out from my fingertips, swirling around, and in the next moment shot out like an arrow.

“Chirp…”

The birds, sensing danger, had just spread their wings when they were enveloped by the black smoke and devoured. Two thin white smoke trails intertwined with the black smoke, silently returning in the night and quickly merging into my chest.

I closed my eyes.

Moments later, I suddenly opened them again.

“Huff—”

A soft exhale escaped.

Delicious…

I want more delicious things.

The chaotic power within the abyss inside me, which had stabilized after several days of continuous drowsiness, seemed to have grown even larger. Today, I felt a “hunger” different from simply being hungry. Although it wasn’t strong, it was still within my tolerance.

But why should I hold back when there’s food available…

Eating those two birds satisfied me. I waited on the terrace for a while longer, hoping to see more birds or small animals land in my hands, but none came.

Soon after, I started sweating from the heat again.

Frowning, I thought for a moment, then my eyes lit up. Turning sideways, I extended my right hand forward, emitting a faint blue glow on the terrace.

Smaller… weaker… remember how it felt saving Ellie…

Good…

Almost at the limit.

Pfft—

A cloud of frost mist burst from my palm.

The vines on the railing instantly rustled in the wind, and the tables and chairs on the terrace shook abruptly. At the same time, I quickly stepped into the lingering frost mist, raising my head and closing my eyes, twirling around with my skirt.

… So cool!

Hehe.

Hmm?

I suddenly stopped, slowly opening my eyes.

The frost mist gradually dissipated before me, leaving a thin layer of silver on the nearby vines and railing. But I didn’t have time to pay attention to that; instead, I looked around with some confusion.

Did someone laugh just now?

Flap, flap—

Suddenly, there was the sound of wings flapping above.

!

I suddenly looked up.

A huge black crow circled swiftly overhead, swooping down after two loops and landing on the railing in front of me, flapping its wings.

“Ga—”

It cawed loudly, tilting its head, its crimson eyes fixated on me.

“… Goat cheese?” I called out tentatively.

The black crow didn’t react, only staring motionlessly at me.

No…

It’s not goat cheese.