Chapter 223: You Don’t Have to Like Me
Silence in the face of evil is complicity. If one doesn’t speak up for justice, they either suffer from a guilty conscience and physical pain, or gradually lose their conscience, becoming a mindless puppet.
Protesting for justice allows one to maintain their moral compass, rather than succumbing to pain and despair, that is the meaning of the parade…
“You mean, someone hired you to protest?”
“Just escorting the parade, after all, I have a wide-range teleportation spell, a kind of insurance.”
Vanessa sat on the sofa, taking a sip of her drink.
The library was quiet during the holidays, with only a few out-of-town students lingering, almost deserted.
The drink arrived quickly, and Vanessa took a sip, continuing, “This protest is surprisingly large, many unrelated nobles have been implicated.”
“Someone is deliberately stirring things up?”
Lena sat languidly, her posture relaxed.
Vanessa sneered. “It’s not hard to guess who’s behind this. The royal family hasn’t made a clear statement, probably wanting to let the situation brew, after all, you’ve seen the reaction of the commoners.”
“Oh?”
Lena sat up, her eyes narrowed. “So the Empress is planning to make a move?”
Using public anger to force Red to abdicate, what a clever move.
When the time is right, the empire will issue a statement, blaming everything on Red.
Thus, the angry masses will have a common enemy, the arrogant prince will be dragged into the mud, unable to seize the throne, a perfect plan.
Red must be regretting everything…
“I don’t think it’s time for a showdown yet. Although the princes are vying for the throne, Virginia is no fool. This is just a test, if Red can withstand it, she’ll increase the pressure, if not, he’ll be eliminated.”
“Virginia is also afraid of pushing too hard, what if Red retaliates? That would be a problem for her too.”
Vanessa’s knowledge was no less than Lena’s, her analysis of the situation sharp and insightful.
“I’ve learned a lot today.”
Lena stood up to pay.
Vanessa didn’t stop her, after all, Lena had plenty of money, consider it a tuition fee.
Returning, Lena held two cups of ice cream, making Vanessa frown. “I didn’t order this.”
“It’s on me, eat it or don’t.”
Lena scooped a spoonful of ice cream, oblivious to the strangeness of eating ice cream on such a cold day.
“Don’t you know?! Hot air and ice cream in winter is a perfect match!”
“Why are you so excited?!”
“I just wanted to tell you, ice cream is delicious.”
Lena’s words were muffled, and she pushed a cup of blueberry ice cream towards Vanessa, its surface already melting. “Try it.”
“…”
Vanessa’s mouth was small, she could only take a small bite.
She savored the taste, the coldness spreading through her body, a refreshing sensation.
“Mm, it’s different from summer.”
“Right? It doesn’t melt as quickly in winter, and it has a special texture.”
Lena took another spoonful, the sweetness filling her mouth, a delightful coolness.
For the first time, they didn’t argue.
You eat yours, I eat mine, the sound of turning pages pleasant, the atmosphere peaceful and serene.
“Don’t smack your lips.”
Vanessa rolled her eyes. “It’s annoying.”
“But it tastes better that way,” Lena grinned. “Don’t be a stranger, we’re family, we should be considerate of each other.”
“Did you get my permission to say that?”
“So your opinion is…”
“…”
Vanessa’s face was stern, and she uttered a single word, “Scram.”
That’s the spirit.
Being insulted by a beautiful woman was incredibly exciting, many people must have felt this way, her disdainful gaze like looking at a sewer maggot.
“Insult me some more~”
Lena leaned across the table, her hand touching Vanessa’s elbow, poking her smooth skin.
“Hey~ pay attention to me~”
“Don’t be a pervert.”
Vanessa knew Lena wouldn’t be quiet for long, she had been prepared.
She put down her book, threw the ice cream cup into the trash, then moved to another table, out of sight, out of mind.
“So cold,” Lena said, shamelessly following her.
“Just admit it, you have feelings for me, even if you don’t say it, I can feel your inner warmth~”
“Ew…” Vanessa shivered, rubbing her arms. “Can’t you find someone else to bother? It’s disgusting…”
Lena was just bored, seeing a pretty girl, she couldn’t help but tease her, like a street urchin.
Vanessa had no affection for Lena, she was only talking to her because of Angel.
“After you left with Angel that day, where did you go?”
“…None of your business.”
“Well, I was just asking, what if you came back looking for me… oh right, here’s this.” Lena fumbled in her pocket.
“What is it?”
Vanessa watched as Lena took out a green potion, its smell making her wrinkle her nose. “Stay away from me, it stinks.”
“This is good stuff! The Falmouth family’s best bio-therapy potion!” Lena said proudly. “How’s your neck?”
The memory of that night was a nightmare.
Vanessa’s face paled, and she quickly covered her neck. “I’m warning you, don’t even think about it!”
“Don’t worry, I was also under the influence of your drug that day, I couldn’t control my anger. I promise it won’t happen again.”
Lena feigned innocence.
Vanessa reluctantly took the potion. “Topical or internal?”
“What?” Lena pretended not to hear.
“I said, topical or internal?”
Vanessa had to repeat herself, her voice louder.
“What did you say?”
“Topical…!”
“Eh~”
Lena chuckled mischievously.
Vanessa was confused, although she didn’t understand the meaning of Lena’s words, seeing her lewd smile, she knew it was something bad.
“You bastard!”
She would never trust Lena’s lies again.
No, no, she wouldn’t drink it!
The cold little beauty’s eyes were filled with anger, her gaze like daggers.
“Don’t look at me like that, this is for external use, it can remove bruises and beautify the skin, it’s very popular among the nobles.”
“You’re giving me this as medicine?!”
Vanessa was furious, her chest heaving.
“Actually, many well-known energy potions were originally developed as medicine, but their use in… other areas became more popular, so their reputation became skewed.”
Lena poured some on her hand, rubbing it, the warmth spreading.
“Wait, what are you doing? Don’t come any closer! Get away!!”
Vanessa was terrified, trying to use magic, but it was too late.
“Ah!”
A soft moan.
A pair of hands on her snow-white swan neck, a wave of heat spreading through her, making her blood boil.
“How does it feel?” Lena asked.
“Terrible! Absolutely terrible!”
Vanessa bit her lip, her cheeks flushed.
Their current position was incredibly awkward, thank goodness the library was empty, otherwise, it would be another “master’s task.”
“Hahahahaha…”
Lena massaged her neck, unable to contain her laughter.
Vanessa was mortified. “Can you stop laughing?”
“Because you look so cute right now, does your neck feel hot and itchy? Mm, that’s right, a little massage, and the marks will disappear.”
Lena massaged gently, and Vanessa, helpless, could only let her.
Although it was embarrassing, and she hated Lena, Lena’s serious expression was surprisingly not lewd.
Long eyelashes, red lips, and…
“Don’t fall for me.”
Lena suddenly broke Vanessa’s fantasy.
The latter scoffed. “Hmph, I’d rather marry a goblin, a jungle troll, or the Centaur King than you.”
Her cheeks were burning, but her tone was still cold.
“I won’t let you demean yourself like that.”
Lena’s grip tightened.
“Don’t—ah!” Vanessa moaned, her body like jelly.
“You bastard!”
Her curses grew fainter, replaced by soft moans.
“Alright.” Lena released her, holding up a mirror.
“The marks are gone?!”
She couldn’t believe the miraculous effect.
Vanessa examined her neck repeatedly, besides a slight redness, there were no scars.
“I told you to trust me, would I lie to you?”
“If your words were trustworthy, all the villains in the world would be dead.”
“So mean, your words are so hurtful…” Lena said, feigning sadness.
“Who’s bullying who now? And you’re the one acting pitiful.” Vanessa, no longer in the mood to read, sat down, glaring at Lena.
Lena’s outfit today had an urban vibe.
High-quality black stockings with silver high heels, her usually loose gray hair tied up in a high ponytail, a red spider lily in her hair, her red lips incredibly seductive, capturing Vanessa’s gaze.
“You seductive vixen.”
Vanessa muttered, blushing. “Dressed so provocatively, who are you trying to seduce…”
Her voice grew softer, like a drunkard’s ramblings, she didn’t even know what she was saying.
“Guess who I’m trying to seduce?”
Lena winked, a sweet smile on her face. “Let’s see which little fool is trying to peek but doesn’t dare~”
With that, she stood up, twirling in front of Vanessa.
Her slender neck, her full breasts, her shapely bottom, and her long, straight legs in black stockings—her thin shirt stretched taut over her chest, her two full breasts like ripe peaches, exuding a mature woman’s charm.
“…You!”
Vanessa’s face flushed, and she quickly looked down, embarrassed.
She was angry, but she couldn’t retort.
What could be more frustrating than this?
“You like girls too?”
Lena covered her legs with her jacket, resting her chin on her hand, a smug smile on her face. “It seems you’re just like your sister, you both like my type, and you’re the older sister, yet you want an older sister type to pamper you, hehe…”
“I like you? Hmph! In your dreams!”
Vanessa opened her book, hiding her face, trying to escape reality.
“I didn’t say who liked whom, don’t jump to conclusions… ah, unless, you’ve actually considered me?”
“Shut up, shut up, shut up! You stupid woman! So annoying!!!”
Vanessa stormed off.
Without a backward glance.
Lena didn’t chase after her, because once the seed of evil was planted, all she had to do was wait for it to sprout.
As expected, Vanessa returned.
But to a different place, in a different outfit.
A thick mask covered most of her face, sunglasses on her nose, a beret on her head, her long, dark blue hair tucked into her hat and clothes.
Sitting down, she focused on her book, her ears red, occasionally glancing around, making sure no one was approaching.
Her sharp gaze swept across the library, landing on a gray-haired beauty.
Vanessa would never admit to liking Lena’s type, let alone Lena herself.
She was just lonely, yes, ever since her mother’s death, she had been shouldering the burden of the family alone.
Vanessa’s pressure was immense.
No one understood her difficulties, she could only comfort herself, suppressing her emotions, focusing on saving her family.
Over time, she had become more and more withdrawn, the infamous “Spatial Creator.”
Then, the hero had contacted her, and they had formed the initial hero’s party, going on missions together, returning at sunset, sharing their earnings, drinking cheap wheat juice in the tavern.
Those were Vanessa’s happiest days.
Later, a few new faces joined the team, their sweet duo becoming a five-person squad, the team’s atmosphere surprisingly good.
She missed those days.
But next spring, the team would reunite, perhaps they could even go to school together.
Thinking of this, Vanessa couldn’t help but smile. “Eileen, Cheryl, Nicole… and Snow.”
No blood ties, but closer than family.
Although she wasn’t good at expressing herself, she knew how much her teammates meant to her, how much they cared for her…
Taking a deep breath, she tried to calm herself.
Vanessa continued to look at Lena. “Huh? Where did she go?”
The reading room was empty.
The library was silent.
Had Lena left?
Or was she hiding, trying to scare her?
A strange sense of disappointment.
Vanessa didn’t know where these emotions came from, but they were probably related to Lena…
She touched her neck, the memory of Lena’s grip flooding back.
At that moment, Lena’s hand had tightened around her neck, the suffocating sensation like a deadly poison, spreading through her body.
It had been a painful experience, but Vanessa had felt a strange sensation in the depths of her body.
No!
No, no, no, no, no, no, no!!
How could she want to experience that feeling of suffocation, of losing control again?
But…
Lena’s hand had been so strong, her grip firm, her face so close, her demonic hand ready to take her life at any moment, like crushing an ant.
She had been terrified, desperate.
Unable to escape, the air in her lungs depleting, she had felt like she was in a dark prison, her limbs bound.
The extreme pain had caused a temporary lack of oxygen to her brain, stimulating and enhancing her senses.
Gulp—
She swallowed hard.
Vanessa slowly raised her trembling hands.
She seemed to have discovered a secret about her own body…
