Chapter 37 : Chapter 37
Volume 2, Chapter 6. The Color Overflowing in the Heart
While waiting, Leticia also met Joey’s parents.
Naturally, she also saw Joey’s brothers and sisters.
They were genuinely kind people. Yet Leticia could still see the shackles binding them—those of this village, this town, this nation, and this world’s dogma. But that didn’t change the fact that they were good people.
Only in a household of such warmth and kindness could a boy like Joey be raised: someone in good standing with the whole village, always wearing an open, cheerful smile.
She actually felt a faint jealousy in her heart...
Ah, ah, yes. Perhaps it was because she had lived through two lives now, and yet in neither had she truly received love from those closest to her?
No, Leticia, you must learn to be content. In your past life, your parents brought you into this world, and they had done their duty of providing. In this life, Uncle John treated you more kindly than even his own daughter...
Yes, it was just a little dissatisfaction.
Watching that large family chatting and laughing together in harmony, she felt just a trace of unwillingness...
She wasn’t sure what mood she carried when she walked to the back of Joey’s house. In that yard, several haystacks taller than a person were piled up. Golden, fluffy, with a scent that made Leticia feel at ease.
Without thinking, she dove in headfirst. The straw poked her face with a prickly sting, but that only made her feel more secure.
Closing her eyes, she savored the feeling for a moment, when suddenly a voice rang in her mind.
“Stupid bamboo pole, what are you doing? Why does my face feel so uncomfortable?!”
Stano had been feeling increasingly resigned lately. After all, he couldn’t find a way to seize control of Leticia’s body anymore, while this bamboo pole drifted around like a lost soul, aimless.
“Who...? Oh, it’s you...”
Leticia lifted her head, glanced around, and only then remembered the little brat living in her body. “Just resting a bit. Do you need something?”
What do you mean ‘need something’...
Scratching his cheek irritably, Stano looked at the darker skin of his hand, even more annoyed as he scratched again. “What exactly are you doing?”
“Relaxing my body.”
She stretched lazily. Even such a trivial movement brought a wave of unpleasant dizziness. “Easing my mood. Ha...”
Easing her mood...
For no reason, Stano burned with anger.
“Hey, what’s been going on between you and that nasty woman?” he demanded.
“What’s been going on...? Obviously nothing’s happened...”
Leticia replied languidly. “Why are you so hung up on it? Don’t tell me you’re jealous?”
“Hah?! Impossible!”
Stano shouted. “How could I feel such vile emotions for someone like you? You must be the crazy one!”
“Crazy...”
Leticia’s expression twitched, a faint but frightening distortion like collapse. “If I ever do lose my mind one day, that will surely be your doing, won’t it, Stano Banson, young master?”
“I told you not to call me ‘young master’ anymore!”
Annoyed, Stano frowned, scribbling with a quill on paper in his room. “I’ve even given you special permission to call me by equal terms. Only you!”
“How very generous of you.”
Leticia murmured softly. “It’s my failing as a lowly villager for neglecting you for so long. Please forgive me, my lord.”
“You—!”
“All right, let’s not talk about that for now...”
Leticia’s tone darkened. “Stano, I want to know. In that city, Rhodes, after you saw your uncle—what exactly did you do, that let me escape?”
“This...”
“Don’t hide it.”
Leticia forced herself to stay calm, rational. “You and I both know, with my ability alone, I could only have been caught in that city. No other outcome existed. So, what did you do?”
“...”
Long silence.
Leticia waited, then slowly curved her lips in a faint smile. “How about this—tell me the full details, and I’ll consider helping deliver the intelligence your uncle entrusted. How about it?”
“Really?!”
Stano grew excited at once. He had already prepared to go directly to his father, but every time he mustered courage, it vanished the moment he stood before the study door.
He knew he was afraid. He simply didn’t have that courage.
“Mm. I promise.”
Leticia spoke quietly, clutching her forehead, the dizziness pounding.
Suddenly, she realized something. “Oh right, Stano. Have you felt dizzy at all lately?”
“Dizzy? No. Why are you asking that?”
“...I see. Nothing. Don’t mind it. You go ahead and talk...”
So that’s it...
Leticia had already gained plenty of information about Demon Maids from Lady Yemi Ai, and she could naturally deduce a few things.
If she connected everything that had happened to her recently...
Because of burning life in that forbidden measure, she was now decaying irreversibly, her body breaking down. If this continued, as her linked partner, Stano too would be affected—his spirit would eventually feel the slow torment of death.
So the link had weakened. Even if they could still talk as before, even if Stano could still sense her touch, all feelings that might endanger the link no longer passed through.
How ironic. She had thought Stano lost his ability to control her body because of her fierce resistance that night—believed she had gained more mastery of herself.
But the truth was, her body was simply collapsing, becoming useless. To avoid affecting Stano, the link itself had been reduced?
Heh... ironic. Truly ironic. No wonder—it was just a wedding dress. Wear it when needed. If it’s torn, discard it at will.
Was this Leticia’s fate?
Although... letting the link break, saving her own life, and regaining freedom would not be such a bad option...
Covering her face with her hands, Leticia endured the dizziness and said to Stano in a solemn, low voice: “Just tell me, and I’ll help you as best I can.”
But how could she resign herself to being cast aside like this?
No, their debt must be settled slowly. Neighboring kingdom’s count’s son, descendant of generals, Stano Banson!
Just then—“What are you doing here?”
The voice behind startled Leticia. She quickly composed her expression, pressing her knuckles lightly to her temple. “Joey? What is it?”
Joey looked nervous, his fingers fidgeting together.
“Rona and Uncle Nicola are back...”
Hearing this, Leticia told Stano silently, “Wait a moment.” Then she stood slowly, gave Joey a gentle smile. “Don’t be afraid. Let’s go. I’ll cheer you on!”
Finally, they were back. Hopefully, something could be gained.