Rejected by the Demon: Anna's Endless Refusals

Chapter 16: Spreading Rumors

Hearing the demon's refusal, Anna was prepared but still disappointed. All she wanted was to learn how to read; why was it so difficult?

Anna wanted to plead further but, seeing the demon's expression, she quickly lowered her gaze and held back. She masked her disappointment with a formal bow. "I understand. I'm sorry for taking up your valuable time."

As she walked away, her figure appeared desolate.

Rotgar watched until Anna's silhouette vanished, his mood lifting significantly. She had refused his marriage proposal numerous times; now, it was his turn to say "no." She should savor this taste of rejection.

Anna's disappointment didn't last long. Being refused wasn't a big deal; if she couldn't take advantage of the demon, she'd find another way. After all, there was still Parich.

During her break, Anna's "plastic" friends came to chat. She had initially not considered asking for their help, but seeing them gave her an idea. Without beating around the bush, she explained her family situation and asked about theirs.

The three shared openly, proud that their work at the manor supported their families. Abigail, Kelly, and Fiona had similar family situations to Anna's: many children, some deceased, and parents working hard but earning little. Their lives only improved after they started working at the manor.

Discussing their deceased siblings brought a moment of sadness, which Fiona broke by saying, "They've returned to the Light Goddess's embrace, enjoying eternal bliss. We should be happy for them." The others nodded, and Anna, though not a believer, didn't dampen their spirits.

After their usual chat, they dispersed. Learning about their family situations, Anna realized they couldn't help her and decided not to burden them with her problems.

Since Parich could now get out of bed, he preferred having lunch and dinner with his father, giving Anna more free time. She stayed in the kitchen, avoiding the demon, and had a relatively peaceful day.

On her way home, Anna remembered her promise to Mark, bought some rare treats like white bread, and gave them to him to show her gratitude.

The next day, as Anna brought Parich his meal, the demon was there as expected. After Parich finished eating, Anna made her request.

"Parich, can you teach me to read?"

She wasn't concerned about what the demon thought. She needed a "protector," and it didn't matter if it was the demon-possessed Ulysses or Parich. Both were nobles, and Bobby would be wary. If the demon refused, she could turn to someone else.

Parich was surprised by Anna's request. He cleared his throat and asked, "Dear Anna, why do you suddenly want to learn to read?"

Anna replied respectfully, "I don't want to remain a maid forever."

Parich raised an eyebrow and smiled. "I admire your ambition, but I'm not a teacher. I'm sorry, I can't help you."

Anna quickly said, "I learn fast. Just a little guidance, even just telling me the letters and their sounds, would be enough."

Parich shook his head, still smiling. "No, dear. I'm not a teacher." He paused before suggesting, "You could ask Ulysses."

Rotgar, acting uninterested, stared out the window.

Anna thought, if the demon hadn't refused, she wouldn't have asked Parich. Maybe neither of them knew how to read. Although Parich was a noble, not all nobles were literate. In this world, literacy and the knowledge it brought were scarce resources, and nobility was inherited by blood, not by education.

Anna lowered her head. "Thank you, Parich. I'm sorry to have taken your time." She quickly gathered her things and left without asking the demon again.

If they wouldn't teach her, it didn't mean she couldn't spread rumors.

That afternoon, Anna began "spreading rumors" while chatting with Abigail, Kelly, and Fiona. She casually mentioned, "I asked Parich to teach me to read today."

Abigail covered her mouth in surprise, recalling Anna had told Parich she had a lover. Had Parich given up on her? Fiona asked directly, "Doesn't Parich care about your lover?"

Kelly chimed in, "Isn't Parich giving up?"

Anna smiled and made a seemingly innocent statement, "I think Parich has given up, but I'm not sure. I don't want to be his mistress, but if he teaches me to read, why refuse?"

The girls exchanged complex looks but quickly relaxed. In their position, wouldn't they do the same? Anna hadn't done anything wrong.

They continued discussing the benefits of literacy, but none of them realized Anna hadn't said Parich had agreed to teach her. Spreading rumors required finesse. She hadn't lied; how others interpreted it wasn't her responsibility.

Anna felt better as the rumors spread. She wanted to learn to read; if they wouldn't teach her, she'd find another way. For now, let the rumors fly and see if her supposed studies with Parich would deter Bobby.

Rotgar, after leaving Parich's residence, assigned a task to a servant from the Russell family. As the son of a duke, Ulysses had servants even when traveling. Ulysses, being aloof, rarely involved his servants, so Rotgar's detachment hadn't raised suspicion. Now, Rotgar wanted to know Anna's family situation.

The servant quickly reported back. Anna was being forced into marriage by a widower who had recently beaten his wife to death.

Hearing this, Rotgar laughed. So that's why she suddenly wanted to learn to read—to use the student-teacher relationship to scare off the suitor? Of course, he wouldn't let her have her way. He'd refuse, and so would Parich. What would she do then?

Rotgar dismissed the servant, pleased. She'd eventually come begging to him. It wasn't he who was forcing her into marriage, so he wasn't breaking his bet with Balan. When she realized that agreeing to his proposal meant a lifetime of torment, her reaction would be priceless.

For the next few days, both Anna and Rotgar took no further actions. Anna waited for the rumors to spread, while Rotgar anticipated Bobby's pressure.

Gradually, Anna overheard people whispering about her learning to read with Parich. The story had evolved, now saying Parich was teaching her so she could become his wife. Anna was pleased; Bobby wouldn't dare challenge a noble.

A few days later, the rumor reached Anna's home. Her mother, Gay, hesitantly asked Anna about it.

To maintain her innocent image, Anna feigned ignorance. "No such thing, Mom. Parich isn't teaching me."

Gay was confused. "Then why...?"

Anna reassured her, "This rumor helps us. Bobby won't dare bother us."

Gay thought for a moment, then smiled. "You're right, Anna!"

"Mom, if anyone asks, just say you don't know if it's true," Anna advised.

Gay nodded, grateful for the rumor's protection.

The rumor spread through Pomegranate Alley and beyond, with many asking Gay for confirmation. She stuck to Anna's advice, while Anna avoided contact with strangers.

After the incident with Lily and her mother, Anna publicly denied any relationship with Parich. But the new rumor captivated everyone. In a world with rigid class structures, a "prince and commoner" love story offered hope. The rumor's truth didn't matter; it was a beacon of possibility.

As days passed, Anna's father, Evan, noticed Bobby's absence from the tavern. Anna felt relieved, thinking Bobby had backed off.

One evening, as Anna returned home, Bobby confronted her again. Sensing danger, she kept her distance.

Bobby approached, reeking of alcohol. "What's your relationship with Parich?"

"None of your business," Anna snapped.

Bobby hesitated, then sneered. "You think a noble will marry you? I know your story is fake. Don't try to fool me!"

Anna glared at him. "Believe what you want. It's your problem, not mine. Move, I need to go home."

Bobby faltered but then smirked. "You think your lies scare me? I know what you're up to at the manor!"

Anna frowned. "Did Lily and her mother tell you this?"

Bobby was caught off guard but admitted, "Yes! Lily's aunt knows everything that happens there. Parich doesn't even know your name!"

How did Lily and her mother get involved with Bobby? Anna didn't care about his rant. Clearly, either Lily's aunt was incompetent, or Lily and her mother were feeding Bobby lies.

"Lily's aunt didn't tell you I bring Parich his meals every day?" Anna retorted.

After the demon left Parich, he didn't remember her, but the kitchen staff continued sending her, and Parich didn't mind. Anna had managed to stay unnoticed.

Bobby seemed shaken. His eyes darted around before he sneered, "No one believes you. You're not getting away!"

He left after threatening her, and Anna hurried home.

She had thought the rumors were working, but now Lily and her mother were causing trouble again. Anna couldn't confront them directly; it would raise too many questions. She'd have to add them to her revenge list for later.

While plotting revenge, Anna was interrupted by her father, Evan, returning home early, injured. He explained that Bobby had caused a fight at the tavern, and during the chaos, someone accused Evan of injuring them, demanding compensation. They were asking for a gold coin, a fortune.