Chapter 72

Chapter 45: The Daily Life at Shantel Castle

Click, click.

The sound of teeth and nails touching reverberated from my mouth to my eardrums.

One, two, three, four… Countless pairs of eyes were fixed on me.

Carlos was calm and composed, as if nothing had any relation to him. His bearded face wore a sly smile, clearly showing his great interest in what was about to happen.

Madam did not speak much, her half-closed eyes and expressionless demeanor felt like the Sword of Damocles hanging over my head, always making me fear that it would fall and judge me.

Paschal’s face turned red with shame, like a dangerous time bomb ready to explode at any moment.

Hatred surged in my heart.

How could you betray me so easily? Couldn’t you say that you wanted to fight him yourself!

My chest was pounding violently.

My little brain was spinning rapidly, trying to come up with a strategy.

The air seemed to freeze, and my mind entered a bullet-time mode.

It felt like I heard the ticking of a second hand.

Tick-tock.

I slightly lowered my head, my gaze shifting uncomfortably towards my little boots.

Is there any way to clear myself…

If I were to outright deny it, not only might Madam not believe me, but Paschal would definitely say something shocking to defend himself.

He peeked at Pepé’s underwear!—If he dares to say such a thing, I’ll find a way to sew his mouth shut.

I, Sylviega, cannot afford to lose this face.

What if I were to admit it directly? Repeating what I said to Paschal last night… No, that would be telling Madam that I tricked Paschal here to cause trouble, wouldn’t it?

Or should I just frame him? Make things more serious, and describe Carlos as a pervert who likes to lift my skirt and steal my undergarments in front of everyone?

…That won’t work either. It’s too embarrassing. Such a self-destructive method is unbearable for my innocent and young heart.

Tick-tock.

My dark eyes darted to the right, my peripheral vision sweeping behind me.

Madam has already let go of my hand. She might be too angry to notice, and if I turn around and run now…

There are only two hunters behind me.

I am small, and my chest is flat… No, it means I have an open heart… Ugh, anyway, I should be able to squeeze through the gap between them and run away, escaping the immediate danger for now.

But running away can only buy me temporary safety. When Madam catches me again, all the blame will be directed at me.

It’s not worth it.

Tick-tock.

My eyes shifted to the left.

What if I continue pretending to know nothing?

I could immediately make a confused expression, then act surprised, gradually showing a look of grievance. Let Madam think it was Paschal who got caught because he was being foolish, attempting to use me as a shield. In that case… Would Madam believe it? Probably not.

Indeed, I shouldn’t have come here.

What should I do? I’m so panicked!

Three seconds passed.

I mentally calculated countless methods, then discarded each one.

Nobody spoke anymore, they were waiting for my explanation.

…No choice, time to pull out the big guns.

I lifted my head and blinked my eyes.

First, I showed a puzzled expression, as if I had been distracted and hadn’t heard their conversation.

“Hmm? What—”

Then, my expression turned painful.

Next, I held my lower abdomen with one hand, frowned, and slowly squatted down, curling into a small ball at Madam’s feet.

“Ouch, ouch…”

After this display, concerned inquiries came from the hunters around me.

“Pepé, what’s wrong?”

“Are you okay?”

“Is it your stomach?”

I felt someone patting my shoulder, and then Madam’s voice came from above.

“What’s wrong, are you feeling unwell?”

I clenched my teeth, secretly pinching my thigh.

“Sss—”

Lifting my head again to look at Lady, I gently tugged at the corner of her dress.

A pitiful look spread across my face.

But inside, I couldn’t stop cursing.

Who said that!

Pinching your thigh can make tears come out! What the hell, there’s no use for tears, a mouth is much more useful. Go to hell, this hurts like crazy!

Maybe because it really hurt, my expression of pain looked very real. I saw Lady’s expression slightly change.

She leaned down, bringing her lips close to my ear, “Are you having your period?”

I nodded.

“Sigh—”

Lady sighed lightly, her shoulders, tense from emotion, slumped.

She gave an almost helpless smile.

Given her understanding, she knew that this situation was probably mostly put on.

The little one was too smart, knowing exactly what method to use in what situation. Once she showed this attitude, there was no way she could stay here any longer.

She wouldn’t ask something like ‘Are you lying?’ After all, if it were true, would she really let this mischievous sprite spill her blood in front of so many people?

Originally, she wanted to tease her a bit… forget it.

She stood up, glanced around at the hunters with strange expressions, half-smiling.

Then she got angry.

“What are you looking at! Get back to your posts!”

“Understood, Lady.”

“Hehe.”

Lady exploded, “What are you laughing at! Get lost.”

After shouting that, she couldn’t help but laugh herself.

She watched the hunters disperse, feeling a peculiar warmth in her heart.

They probably also felt that such a scene hadn’t been seen in a long time.

Three years.

Not only did her heart feel empty, unable to sleep at night, even the entire Santor堡 seemed to be missing something.

And now, that ‘something’ had finally been filled.

Lady turned and nodded slightly to Carlos.

“Mr. Carlos, I apologize for my foolish child’s rude behavior. This is indeed impolite, and I deeply regret the trouble it has caused you.”

After saying this, Pasifal immediately became unhappy, “Mother, why are you apologizing to him? He—”

“Shut up.”

Lady scolded him, closing her mouth with an annoyed look.

“It’s fine, it’s fine. I don’t mind.” Carlos waved his hand, “I came to see Duke.”

“I’m sorry, he’s not in the castle right now. If it’s not an urgent matter, how about coming in for a cup of tea to rest?”

“Oh, thank you, no need. Could you please tell me where Duke is?”

“He’s at the central workshop.”

“Then I’ll go find him. Thank you for the invitation.”

“You’re welcome.”

At this moment, Pasifal came over.

“Mum, what’s wrong with Pepé?”

Slap—

Lady slapped him on the head.

“Go back.”

Then, feeling unsatisfied, she kicked him hard on the butt twice.

Using the tip of her foot.

“Ahh—!”

Pasifal screamed in agony, no longer caring about anything else, clutching his butt and limping towards the castle.

“Don’t go anywhere, stand in the study and wait for me!”

“Okay!”

His figure gradually disappeared.

Lady gently pulled me up.

“Little Hill…”

Carlos seemed to want to say something to me, but I didn’t want to listen.

I decided not to talk to him.

I immediately turned around, taking quick steps. But after a few steps, I suddenly felt a shock, slowing down and covering my lower abdomen with one hand.

I glanced at Lady, seeing she hadn’t noticed me, and then relaxed.

“Mr. Carlos, will you be returning to the castle tonight?”

“No, thank you for your kindness, but I should be staying at the church for a while. If there’s anything, I’ll come again.”

Huh? So, during this period, I won’t be able to see Carlos’ ugly face anymore?

Great.

“You’re too kind, Mr. Carlos. The gates of Santor Castle are always open to you.”

“Thanks! And about Little Hill… No, it’s nothing. I’m leaving.”

“Goodbye.”