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 me 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 me like the Sword of Damocles hanging over my head, constantly worrying that it might fall and pass judgment on me.

Parsifal’s face turns red with embarrassment, like a dangerous time bomb that might do something unexpected at any moment.

I feel a surge of resentment.

How despicable, selling me 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 countermeasures.

The air freezes for an instant, and my consciousness enters bullet-time 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 me, Parsifal would definitely say something 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 undergarments 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 me.

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 me.

I’m small, with a flat chest… no no, I mean 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 me again, she’ll direct all her anger at me.

The price would be too high.

Tick.

My eyes roll to the left.

What if I continue pretending I know nothing?

Just immediately put on a bewildered expression, then act greatly surprised, gradually showing a wronged look. Make Madam think Parsifal got himself caught doing something stupid and is trying to use me as a scapegoat, then… would that fool Madam? Probably not.

I really shouldn’t have come here.

What should I do? I’m so nervous!

Three seconds pass.

I calculate countless methods in my mind, then reject them one by one.

Everyone remains silent, just waiting for my explanation.

…No choice, time 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 become 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 immediately come from the hunters around me.

“Little Peipei, what’s wrong?”

“Are you okay?”

“Is your stomach hurting?”

I feel someone pat my shoulder, then Madam’s voice comes 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 time of the month?”

I nod.

“Ah——”

Madam lets out a light sigh, her shoulders slumping from their tense position.

She smiles somewhat helplessly.

From her understanding, she knows this situation is probably eight or nine out of ten times fake.

The little one is too clever, knowing exactly what method 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 time 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 something.

And at this moment, that ‘something’ 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 immediately 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 come in for some tea and rest?”

“Oh, thank you, no need. Please just tell me 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 welcome.”

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 immediately 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 me in the study!”

“Oh!”

His figure gradually disappears.

Madam gently pulls me up.

“Little Syl…”

Carlos seems to want to say something to me, but I don’t want to hear it.

Said I won’t talk to you means I won’t talk to you.

I immediately turn around, walking quickly for two steps before suddenly feeling alarmed, 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 comes up, I’ll come trouble you again.”

Hm? Which means 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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