Chapter 80: THE REMNANTS OF WARMTH NOT YET SCATTERED

A crushing defeat, she had never experienced such a failure before.

After Su Ling left the room, Sista stood frozen in place, staring long after her departure.

Why did she tell her all those things?

Regret began to creep in.

Even if hated, one must never become someone to be looked down upon, so the mask could never be taken off she had clearly decided this long ago.

No slacking off, no letting one’s guard down, no showing emotions easily, because those were things only the weak did.

Wasn’t the current state of Ansels all because her father was weak? That was why she never wanted to become like him.

But now, everything was ruined all because of an irrelevant outsider.

“As expected, she still needs to disappear,” facing the direction Su Ling had gone, Sista’s eyes chilled, muttering to herself, “As long as she disappears…”

[Can you do it?]

A voice sounded deep within her soul, as if striking her very spirit, interrupting Sista mid-sentence.

[You can’t possibly do it. Just because she came here, you’ve been bungling everywhere, making mistakes at every turn, even losing basic rationality.]

Sista clenched her jaw, only then slowly unclenching her fist.

[See? You really aren’t a qualified Blood Clan member.]

She desperately wanted to deny it, to prove herself by bullying Su Ling to prove she could abandon those trivial thoughts and follow the rules of this world like other Blood Clan members.

But failure came again and again.

Like an insect trapped in honey, the more she struggled, the deeper she sank until she was completely swallowed by the sticky, viscous substance.

“No, this isn’t how it should be…”

She refused to admit it.

This afternoon, just spending some time with Su Ling, the resentment that had built up in the council hall and the irritation she felt upon seeing Princess Moria had dissipated considerably.

Sista looked at the empty room, walked over to her bed, knelt down, and gently grasped a corner of the bedsheet.

It still held Su Ling’s lingering body heat, giving her an inexplicable sense of comfort.

Autumn’s chill deepened, and Ansels had entered its rainy season.

The fine rain fell incessantly, lightly tapping against the castle’s ancient stone walls, draping the already oppressive and gloomy audience hall in a layer of gray mist.

Su Ling sat on the cold floor tiles, her long skirt spread out around her.

In her hands, she tightly gripped a damp rag, mechanically scrubbing at a stubborn stain on the carpet.

Spit splat.

The rain outside intensified, the sound on the windows growing more rapid and urgent, like a drumbeat hammering on Su Ling’s already chaotic mind.

Her thoughts drifted unknowingly, her motions slowing until they completely stopped.

The rag slipped from her fingers and fell onto the floor.

“Ah…”

A sudden chill ran through her, making her shiver violently.

She snapped back to reality, hurriedly picking up the rag and increasing her scrubbing speed.

She had to hurry to finish, or else tonight she’d likely face another round of scolding from Karsanna.

She let out a barely audible sigh.

“…You grew up in a completely different society than I did…”

While working, her mind involuntarily recalled Sista’s words.

Of course, she didn’t belong to this novel’s world.

Where she came from, such social hierarchies and oppression simply didn’t exist.

Even if she tried hard to act like the other maids, subtle differences from growing up in another civilization would inevitably show in her speech and behavior this was why Sista had noticed.

“That woman’s observation is way too sharp…”

Her movements continued without pause, but Su Ling’s eyes were vacant and empty.

Her thoughts wandered absentmindedly between reality and fantasy, her fingertips repeatedly scrubbing over the stain.

Halfway through her work, Su Ling suddenly felt a cold drip on top of her head.

The sound of splashing water rang in her ears, instantly soaking through her thin clothes, spreading from her head over her entire body.

Damn it! Could it be a leak?

This castle was quite old, but surely a gust of wind couldn’t tear off the ceiling!

She shivered, looking up sharply, disbelief filling her eyes.

The ceiling of the audience hall loomed high above, perfectly intact, the light still dim.

“Good, good…”

Su Ling exhaled deeply, standing soaked from head to toe.

She turned her head toward the source of the sound.

A young girl, also dressed in a maid’s uniform, was frantically mopping nearby.

Beside her lay a toppled Iron Bucket, clear water steadily seeping out.

So it was this maid who had accidentally spilled the water on her.

“Sorry!”

The girl looked just as startled by the sudden accident, pale-faced, guilt shining in her eyes.

Their eyes met for a moment.

Su Ling felt a trace of dissatisfaction, but seeing how miserable and disheveled the girl looked, she could only swallow her complaints and shake her head helplessly.

She put down the rag and took a few small steps forward.

“You’re okay, right?” she reached out to help the girl up.

“I’m fine, really. Sigh… this castle’s been standing for a long time, and the floors are never level. It’s such a headache.” The girl grabbed Su Ling’s outstretched hand and hurriedly stood up.

When she lifted her head, Su Ling suddenly felt her eyes burn.

No, it was more than just burning.

She had seen this person not long ago.

Ashen yellow hair, a slender face, thin lips pressed tightly together, eyes like fine threads.

“Tii”

Su Ling almost blurted out “Marentia” before suddenly realizing something was off and sharply stopped herself.

Marentia hadn’t known she was outside Tii’s room that day, so from her perspective, this was their first meeting.

If she said the name out loud, it might arouse suspicion.

“Tii? What are you talking about?”

Marentia looked at her in confusion.

“I-I-I… I just meant the weather’s really nice today.”

Su Ling’s mind raced wildly, hastily grasping at an excuse.

No sooner had she spoken than a clap of thunder rang in her ears.

Right, it was raining.

This was so awkward! She hated how slow her brain was and wished she could find a better reason!

“Nice weather, huh…” Marentia tilted her head and glanced out the window. “You have very unique tastes.”

“Y-Yeah! I really love this kind of heavy rain! So I think it’s nice weather.” Su Ling put on a look of appreciation for the rain outside.

“Alright then,” Marentia said with a puzzled expression as she wrung out her own apron.

The sound of cold water dripping onto the floor filled the room.

“Forget that. That was my fault for getting your clothes wet. Do you have a change of clothes? If not, I can lend you mine.”

“Thanks, but I have some.”

“Well, that works too. Saves me a trip,” Marentia dried her hands and then smiled at Su Ling. “Nice to meet you. You’re Su Ling, right? Consider us acquainted.”

Su Ling took the hand Marentia extended, a lingering unease settling deep in her chest.