Chapter 13: The Second Fall
667 Words
However, Eleanor's call turned out to be in vain. The two maidservants remained completely unmoved.
Eleanor was mortified and her dignity was severely bruised. She called out a few more times, yet the two maidservants paid her no heed whatsoever.
Sylvester, observing from the side, found the scene rather amusing. With a crafty glint in his eyes fixed on Eleanor, he casually addressed the maidservants behind him, "Since your lady has given the order, why aren't you getting up yet?"
Upon hearing this, the two maidservants merely paused briefly before promptly standing up and scurrying towards Eleanor with their heads bowed.
Eleanor was left utterly speechless.
Vesper cast a fleeting glance at Sylvester and was on the verge of leaving.
"You truly astonish me. Given your disposition, I can scarcely believe you'd obediently follow my uncle's orders and marry a human woman."
Vesper halted in his tracks, turned to face him, and retorted, "Your Highness is the one who surprises me. To actually have feelings for a human."
Sylvester was taken aback. "You've investigated?"
Vesper let out a low, icy chuckle. "Of course. I must be well - informed about the background of anyone entering Panqiu Valley, even those sent by Tianhai. Could it be that your arduous journey here this time isn't for that woman?"
Sylvester's lips twitched slightly, his gaze somewhat dim. "So what if it is? We've known each other, and I knew she wouldn't live long. I came specially to see her off."
"That's good. Fortunately, I left her body intact. You can take her away when the time comes, like returning something to its rightful owner."
"Then I really must thank you," Sylvester said, approaching. His voice suddenly rose. "What did the leader just say? You must know the background of everyone entering Panqiu Valley. What about your wife? I heard her origin is unclear and she knows martial arts. With your temperament, you wouldn't have kept her around until now. Why are you marrying her?"
Vesper fell silent for a moment before replying, "Because, she's quite interesting."
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On the way back, Eleanor developed a high fever and felt dizzy. With her eyelids half - closed, she stared intently at Vesper sitting opposite her.
Vesper was seated sideways, his face out of view, and it was impossible to discern what he was thinking.
The carriage was plunged into an oppressive silence for a while.
After staring for some time, Eleanor sensed that Vesper seemed preoccupied, his attention nowhere near her. She let her guard down for a moment. As soon as she relaxed, her body swayed back and forth twice, and she toppled over.
To fall twice in one day, Eleanor felt she had never been so hapless!
In her unconscious state, she had an extremely long dream. She dreamt that she was carried into the jungle by a black dog. The dog was as large as a calf, with two blood - red eyes. Wherever it passed, the vegetation turned to ash, and the ground was searing hot as if ablaze.
The silent and dreary sunlight blanketed the jungle. Although it was daytime, there was no sign of life. It seemed as though everything was slumbering in death.
Eleanor felt suffocated and longed to wake up from this gloomy dream.
Finally, someone gently patted her face and softly called her name. It was a woman's voice, reminiscent of the time long ago when her mother used to wake her up.
She opened her eyes with great delight, only to see a young and beautiful face.
"Madam, you're finally awake."
Eleanor sat up, staring at the other person in a daze. "Madam? Why are you calling me that! Although my face might look a bit mature, I'm still a young girl in the prime of my life. You can't be so disrespectful."
Upon hearing this, the other person immediately bowed deferentially, knelt beside her, and called out again, "Leader's wife."
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