Ch. 128
Chapter 128: The Clive Family
***
I walked straight to the mansion's entrance, took out the key and opened the door. When I stepped inside, I heard light footsteps behind me. After hesitating for a moment, I didn't close the door.
I went up to the bedroom on the second floor, took off the headband that held my hair, letting my waterfall of black hair fall over my shoulders. Then I changed into a simple white silk dress. I sat down at the vanity and looked at myself in the mirror, spreading the five fingers of my right hand and running them through the ends of my hair.
Mm... it feels like it's gotten a bit long...
It's already reached my lower back, and my bangs are a bit messy too. I should trim it. I can't just let it grow until it covers my butt... that would be really troublesome.
A slight pain came from my lower abdomen. I frowned and rubbed it, then got up and walked to the closet. I rummaged through the bottom drawer and pulled out the treasure my mother had given me.
Ta-da!
The extra-thick cotton sanitary belt, Shanter Castle leak-proof edition!
I put my left hand on my hip and held the gray-white silk cloth strip high in my right hand, rotating my wrist to wave it around in the air a few times. A smile spread across my face as I felt quite pleased with myself — this was something my mother made for me with her own hands. The material was soft and comfortable, it wouldn't chafe or feel awkward when worn, had excellent absorbency, and absolutely wouldn't leak.
I held this pose for about 4 or 5 seconds, then suddenly felt a bit silly. I quickly glanced toward the bedroom door to make sure that woman hadn't followed me upstairs, and secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
"Ahem."
I composed myself and coughed lightly twice, somewhat embarrassed, then went to the bathroom, removed my undergarment, and rustled around putting it on.
Now I felt secure.
Although I only had a slight feeling right now and wasn't bleeding yet, it was just to be safe. After all, my period had that kind of personality, it came whenever it wanted, completely regardless of the occasion.
After washing my hands and going back downstairs, I saw that woman had indeed come in. She was standing by the piano in the living room, her pale fingers brushing over the lid, lost in thought. I had no idea what she was thinking about.
I ignored her and headed straight for the kitchen.
Adding firewood, starting the fire, heating the pan... I had already done these things countless times back in the small village until they became second nature. Then I took out flour and eggs, added water and mixed them evenly... and butter, where did I put the butter... honey...
Just as I was getting overwhelmed with all the tasks, a clear, cool voice came from behind me: "Do you do all these things yourself?"
"What else?"
I said without turning my head.
It was about time to pour the batter into the molds...
Victoria was silent for a moment, then spoke again: "You know I can arrange servants for you. Why waste time on this kind of thing?"
I rolled my eyes at that.
Tch, what an unromantic woman. You don't understand a thing.
"Time should be spent on things you like... that's what makes you happy... Ow ow ow!"
A spark had splattered onto my hand. I quickly pulled it back and blew on it near my mouth.
After waiting a while and noticing Victoria hadn't said anything more, I sneaked a glance back and saw her brow slightly furrowed, her gaze fixed intently on me.
"What are you looking at?" I asked.
Victoria didn't answer. She shook her head and turned to leave the kitchen.
The noble Queen naturally couldn't possibly say something like "Do you need help?"... Although I understood this clearly in my heart, when she really just walked away without asking anything, I still pursed my lips, feeling a bit indignant.
At least I made your portion too.
Forget it. Everything here was basically ready anyway. I placed the molds into the oven, which was built from stacked earth and stones and looked like a little house.
Done! Now I just had to wait patiently!
Gurgle.
My stomach rumbled softly. I immediately patted it with my hand.
"Be good, wait a little longer. It'll be ready soon— very soon~"
Just then, from the direction of mansion No. 2 next door, I suddenly heard two men talking... no, it seemed like they were arguing.
"...We've been waiting for 4 hours already. Where exactly has Her Majesty the Queen gone!"
It was the voice of a middle-aged man with a deep voice, sounding very angry.
"I sincerely apologize, Lord Bart. Her Majesty the Queen has urgent matters to attend to and may have difficulty getting away for the time being..."
Huh? This second person's voice sounds somewhat familiar...
"I'm not asking what she's doing. Listen carefully, I'm asking where she is— right now!"
"That... Your Highness is putting me in a difficult position."
"What? Are you telling me that you, the renowned Shadow of the Royal City, captain of the Sword of Kanri, the Queen's own shadow, actually don't know where she is?!"
"You misunderstand, Your Highness. It's just... I don't have the authority to disclose Her Majesty the Queen's whereabouts to you. Please understand."
"I see, she just doesn't want to see me, does she!"
"Lord Bart, as I've told you, Her Majesty the Queen has urgent matters to attend to."
Uh... what's going on? Someone over there has been waiting for Victoria for 4 hours? But she's right here.
Also, the Sword of Kanri, the Queen's shadow... must be those guards I met on the rooftop that night, right? I remember those people had sword emblems on their arms.
At that moment, I heard the middle-aged man shout angrily: "Urgent matters? What a joke! What could possibly be more important than the Iron Guard's military pay? Those are the heroes protecting this land! Now they can barely afford to eat! What is Her Majesty the Queen trying to do?! What gives her the right to interfere with the Finance Minister's duties?! This is simply... too unreasonable, utterly absurd!"
"Lord Bart, it's no use getting angry at me. I'm just a humble swordsman. All I'm good at is fighting and killing. I don't understand these other matters."
"You don't understand... hmph, you're quite clever though."
"Lord Bart, please don't make fun of me... I see it's already getting late. How about I have the chef prepare some dinner for you, and you can eat while you wait?"
"...Very well. But Her Majesty the Queen loves wine, so I imagine this mansion's wine cellar must have quite a few of her treasured bottles..."
"Yes, Your Highness..."
The two of them must have gone back into the mansion, as I could barely hear what they were saying after that. Before long, Captain Grey finished baking.
When I came out carrying 2 large plates full of donuts, I found Victoria sitting upright on the living room sofa talking to someone. And standing respectfully before her was none other than—
"You, the green-haired guy!"
I stared wide-eyed at him and shouted.
This guy, when did he come in?! He completely evaded my detection, not making a single sound! How did he do that...
"Yo, we meet again, cute little sister."
Hearing my voice, the green-haired guy grinned at me and raised his hand in greeting, then continued reporting to Victoria: "Lord Bart still has no intention of leaving. It looks like he plans to wait until evening, Your Majesty..."
"If he likes waiting, let him wait."
"Yes, Your Majesty. Then I'll head back over."
"Mm."
I placed the plates on the square coffee table in front of the sofa. Victoria turned her head to look at the food on the plates and asked flatly: "This is what you're eating?"
"That's right."
I couldn't hold back anymore and grabbed one to take a bite.
Chew... chew... mm, it felt like it was still a bit inferior to what my mother made, but it was still delicious. So I gestured to Victoria with my mouth, signaling her to try one too, but she ignored me.
"Lecter." Victoria called out to the green-haired guy, who had already reached the door. "Have someone bring some food and wine."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"The donuts, you're not eating them?" I asked.
Victoria shook her head gently: "I don't eat sweet things."
"Oh."
Perfect, then both plates are all mine. Happy!
I immediately grabbed another one and brought it to my mouth, but didn't bite down right away. After hesitating, I turned to look at Victoria.
"Just now. I heard someone looking for you next door. They were talking about military pay, the Finance Minister... who is that person?"
After I asked this question, I saw Victoria's absolutely beautiful yet cold face rarely display a hint of impatience.
"The Clive family. Nothing but a bunch of greedy vermin."