Chapter 21: Lydia and the Kidnapper (Laughs)
“…When will Shelley come back?”
Standing alone in the center of the hall, Lydia felt as if she had returned to that house.
Similarly being watched by people, yet ignored by them.
Many people looked at her, but no one came up to speak; they just pointed at her with the people beside them.
The same magnificent decoration, the same helpless self.
“Bella, I’m so scared…”
“Shelley…”
“Come back quickly… my Master.”
Thinking wildly, Lydia somewhat craved the warmth Shelley gave.
Pursuing her lips tightly, her two small hands gripped the hem of her dress. Lydia didn’t want to be so fragile anymore, but she couldn’t find a way.
“Raise your head.”
A gentle voice sounded in her ear. Lydia raised her head to look at the speaker, froze there, and subconsciously said:
“…Mom?”
A tall figure appeared beside her, with long golden hair, green eyes, a mature face similar to hers, and pointed ears!
Coupled with the warm aura on her body, it reminded her of her mother.
Lydia felt tears welling up in her eyes, but she quickly realized something was wrong and hurriedly apologized to the person:
“Ah, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to…”
“It’s okay, child, it’s okay.”
Nadia gently stroked Lydia’s golden hair, looked at her lovingly, and comforted her softly.
She didn’t mind Lydia’s somewhat impolite slip of the tongue. She was the Queen of Half-Elves; all half-elves could be said to be her children.
“Are you afraid?”
“…Mm.”
With tears in her eyes, Lydia nodded weakly. She was really a little scared.
“Then all the more reason not to let others discover your fear.”
Gently wiping away Lydia’s tears, Nadia continued softly:
“The people in front of you are very weak in the eyes of truly powerful existences. So, to make themselves look strong, they look for existences weaker than themselves.”
“They are more terrifying than mindless beasts. They will sniff out your fear and find you, then ruthlessly slaughter you.”
“Relying on your corpse to show off themselves, this is not true strength, this is…”
“Cowardice.”
Her gentle tone spoke serious words. Lydia’s expression gradually changed from doubt to seriousness, listening quietly.
“So, which kind do you want to become? A true powerhouse, a fake powerhouse, or a miserable weakling?”
Staring blankly at the woman in front of her, whose face was similar to hers, yet possessed the confidence, elegance, majesty, and figure that she lacked…
Stealing an envious glance, Lydia said firmly:
“I want to become a powerhouse, a true powerhouse!”
Nadia looked at this seemingly weak girl without surprise and continued to ask with a smile:
“You are very talented. If you are willing, you can become a true powerhouse one day.”
“So… are you willing to leave with me?”
Leave? Leave… here?
If someone had asked Lydia this two days ago, she would have agreed without hesitation.
But now, she fell into confusion:
“…Should I go with her?”
“The kindness on her body has only been felt from Bella and Shelley. She shouldn’t harm me…”
“But… Shelley…”
Looking at Nadia longingly, Lydia asked nervously:
“My Lady! Can I, can I take someone else with me?”
“Who do you want to take with you?”
“I, I want to take Lord Shelley with me…”
Her voice became smaller and smaller, her confidence weaker and weaker, until finally, there was no sound.
A child infatuated with Shelley.
Somewhat surprised, somewhat enlightened, Nadia sighed with emotion in her heart, then asked:
“Why do you want to take him with you?”
“Because he saved me.”
It was Shelley who pulled her out of the abyss of depravity, and it was he who made her feel the long-lost warmth.
“Then is he willing to go with us?”
Yes, will Shelley go with us?
The son of a Duke, with high status and bright prospects.
The Duke’s eldest son was a believer in an evil god and seemed not to be of the Duke’s bloodline!
The second son was a wastrel, notorious throughout Fente, and was currently sent to a Monk Monastery for a year.
As the only son of Duke Bell who could be presented on the surface, even as an illegitimate son, Shelley’s prospects were bright.
Moreover, he was outstanding in appearance, kind-hearted, and upright in conduct, favored and sought after by the entire social circle!
Today, watching Shelley calmly deal with those fanatical noblewomen, Lydia was very emotional.
Does he enjoy this kind of life?
“I don’t know…” Lydia said in a low voice.
“Then do you still want to go with me?”
“I want to ask him, listen to his thoughts!”
“Aren’t you afraid he’ll keep you by his side? Just like a slave.” Although speaking words like a kidnapper, Nadia’s voice was still equally gentle.
“Even if that’s the result, I want to know his answer.”
“Is that so? Then we will meet again in the future.” Looking at her firm gaze, Nadia chuckled lightly, tucked her hair behind her ear, and turned to walk away.
Seeing Nadia about to leave, Lydia looked conflicted, but finally stayed in place and called out softly to her back:
“…Can I know your name?”
Nadia’s steps didn’t pause, continuing to walk forward elegantly.
“My name is…”
“Nadia Meili.”
Nadia’s figure disappeared, and only her gentle voice reached Lydia’s ears.
Lydia felt everything around her change back again. She could feel the gazes of others, just like before.
Taking a deep breath, Lydia imitated Nadia’s appearance just now, raised her head, and looked back coldly at those malicious gazes.
Seeing those originally rampant and unscrupulous gazes turn away immediately after meeting hers, she thought silently in her heart:
“Nadia… could it be that Lord?”
“The savior of half-elves.”
“…Our Queen.”
Invisible near Lydia, Nadia sighed lightly:
“What a stubborn child, actually refusing.”
“Shelley, do you really have a peculiar charm?”
“Attracting us… attracting Lydia.”
“…”
“Hmph! Who’s attracted to you!”
…
[A grateful maiden and an older sister who is only gentle to you]
[Which one do you like?]
Shelley: “Hmm? Is there something wrong with you?”
“Of course I want both!”
“Only children make choices; adults want them all!”
“It’s just… how to solve this process?”
Quietly following behind Elena, Shelley sighed lightly with a headache.
Hearing Shelley’s sigh, Elena, who was walking in front, didn’t turn back and said softly:
“It’s okay. Those cultists have always been this cunning.”
“Evil will definitely be destroyed.”
“Yes!”
