Chapter 64 Stars and Roses
◎The blade pierced the sky, then drew an arc and placed horizontally on the table.◎
The carriage stopped at the door of the house. The first thing Melia did when she came back was to take off her slippers and jump onto the bed with a snap.
"Meow hahahaha, Sura's expression is so funny hahaha."
She rolled around hugging the quilt while Mili and two other maids helped her remove her headdress and heavy dress and put them on the rack. They brought warm water and carefully removed her makeup. By the time they were done, the moon had already set in the late night.
I don't know what happened to Elena at Titus's place, but she's still asleep. If it weren't for the potion I used just now, I wouldn't even be able to stand.
Fortunately, the lighting was poor at night, and the onlookers probably didn't notice anything. At most, they thought Elena was drunk like them.
"Yawn~ You guys should go to bed early too~"
Melia waved to the maids, the curtains were lowered, and they disappeared behind the door quietly, rubbing the blankets. Only Taffy stood by the bed, as if hesitant to speak.
Melia brought a pillow and placed it under Elena's head, then turned around and said, "What's wrong? Just ask if you want to."
"Miss." Taffy lowered her eyelids and looked at the carpet in confusion: "Why did you give Sula such a precious gift and tell him a story?"
Since the school started, all the slaves in the house had to take turns attending classes, and Taffy was no exception. Although she wanted to follow the lady 24 hours a day, she still had to share shifts with the other guards.
In recent months, she has gradually become familiar with the language and characters, but sometimes she has questions, like today.
"Hehe~ It's very simple."
Melia rolled over on the bed and pointed at the star-painted ceiling. "Many listeners will think, as you do, that I meant no harm and gave Sura a precious gift. But Sura himself would never think so."
"Why?"
"Because he thinks a lot. Besides, he and I are enemies." Melia didn't discourage Taffy's enthusiasm and clapped her hands gently. "Taffy, you can ask questions now. I'm happy."
Is asking questions something worth being happy about? Taffy stammered. She vaguely remembered her master once saying that the most important quality of a slave is duty.
Is it your duty or not to ask questions to your master?
"Taffy." The gentle voice made her raise her head involuntarily.
A hand gently covered her bangs. "Listen carefully, many things are like giving gifts. The only thing that matters is [the recipient's thoughts]."
Emerald eyes bathed in candlelight, letting the stars fill her heart: "If I could understand all the principles of heaven and earth, perhaps I could make more correct choices, but it is impossible for people to understand all the principles. When you don't understand, at least don't lose sight of the ultimate goal."
"Target?"
What is my goal? To be the young lady's slave? No... not quite. If my goal is to be the young lady's slave, the best slave, then that's too... to use the word from Mr. Pardos's class - "self"?
“Many people believe that slaves are not human because they have no self, while humans are able to recognize themselves.”
"What is the self, Mr. Pardos?"
"That's a good question. You have to find the answer yourself."
She raised her head towards the light, her eyes lit by the candlelight: "Miss, can you give me a goal?"
Taffy counted the breaths in his ears, sixty-two in total.
Then, she didn't get a "yes" or "no" answer.
"Taffy."
The young lady's face was so young that anyone would think she would worship the patron saint of young girls and beauty at home. However, at this moment, Taffy felt that she was in a hallucination, hearing a voice that had never existed before and that sounded so familiar.
A warm hand caressed her cheek. "I wish I could help you find the answer, but even parents can't see their children's dreams. You need to define your own purpose as a human being."
"Miss, but I still don't understand——"
"I'll wait until the day you understand." The sky was filled with lush green. "Tell me then. Asking for help isn't a bad thing. I'll do my best to help you, as... [another person]."
“…”
After a long time, the gaps in the curtains slowly closed, keeping the winter out.
"Yawn~ Go to bed early. You won't grow tall if you stay up too late. There are many people on duty outside..." The lady's figure gradually fell on the pillow, one hand raised, and waved weakly.
Miss, actually I have grown a lot taller this year, but the sapling just grows faster.
Miss, I actually prefer to watch you quietly. With the guidance of my master, I can take a nap at any time and will not feel tired.
Taffy moved his lips, but in the end said nothing. He just silently mouthed "good night" and retreated to the couch beside the screen and lay down quietly.
…
So quiet.
Elena slowly opened her eyes and could vaguely see something in the darkness.
What happened before? I was still at Titus's house?
No—Titus poisoned the cup, and I knocked him away. It must have been some kind of potion that would work on dragon's blood.
Elena closed her eyes, trying to carefully recall her previous memories, but she heard the sound of even breathing.
She turned her head and saw a sleeping girl beside her pillow, her eyelashes trembling slightly in her dream.
Huh~ The corners of my mouth lifted unconsciously: My breathing is finally normal today, I slept very soundly.
"Hmm..." The little head suddenly swung and bumped into her arms, rubbing against her.
Boom, boom, boom, my heartbeat quickened rhythmically. My mind, which had just regained clarity, became foggy again. No, I need to be serious and remember what I did before!
She closed her eyes and cleared her throat. Ahem. First, her last memory was Titus flying out, having poisoned the cup. Judging from the direction he was walking and the conversation, he probably wanted to deal with Melia.
As for dealing with Melia, Melia—
【Let's sleep together tonight, okay? 】
Melia wants to sleep with me, and since I'm sleeping in her bed now, that means... Tsk, no, that's not the point! Elena slammed her head: Think of something serious!
Someone wants to deal with Melia.
Titus, though impetuous, certainly wouldn't have considered such a circuitous idea. His style was always direct and direct. Without guidance, even if his alliance request was rejected, he would only consider assassination or public retaliation, not meticulousness.
This plan seemed to be a partial interception of Sulla's ideas, but why would Sulla attack now? Perhaps he was using Titus to stall for time? After all, his most direct conflict with Melia was Muala's property.
Thinking of this, she quickly shook the girl beside her pillow: "Meliya, get up quickly. Sulla may have the court summon you soon, maybe tomorrow!"
“…Ugh, who?! Ouch!”
Melia raised her head suddenly and hit Elena's chin with it.
She covered her head and gestured to Taffy beside the bed to continue sleeping and not to bother her.
"Yawn, what did you just say about Sura?"
"Sulla might be playing with time, letting the court summon you when you're too busy!"
Elena picked up the water cup beside the bed, wanting Melia to drink some cold water to calm down, but she didn't expect Melia to just wipe her eyes and yawn.
"I know. Today, no, I just found out yesterday~"
Melia gradually regained consciousness and patted Elena in admiration: "As expected of Her Highness, you've figured out Sura's plan with just logic. She even overheard it with the help of the Little White Cat cheat."
"Really? It's really tomorrow?"
"Yes, that's right. He submitted his application yesterday. When the sun comes up, the court usher will be looking for me everywhere~"
Melia snapped her nails triumphantly. "They'll be surprised to find out: 'Oh, Miss Melia is sitting at home!' Then they'll take me away with a bunch of accounts that were already prepared."
"puff."
Elena could completely imagine the scene, and the scene that should have been infuriating was described by her in a very amusing way.
"Okay, can I go back to sleep?"
"etc."
With her wrists gently wrapped around her waist, Elena lifted Melia's face with her index finger and pressed her lips deeply against hers.
Her emerald eyes widened for a moment, but were soon filled with gentle watery light, and she closed her eyelashes shyly.
She didn't know when it started, but she really looked forward to her response.
Late autumn and early winter are when all things wither, but it also allows a budding seed to break through the soil.
In a hazy state, Melia seemed to hear the lily of the valley singing. Even "The Rose Princess" could not translate this nameless song filled with blessings and hope.
In the sea-blue moonlight, roses bloom quietly.
…
"Good morning, Melia."
The special magnetic field stimulated Melia's eardrums. She fluttered her eyelashes and slowly opened her eyes. The sweet smell of bread and frosting filled her nose, and for a moment she thought she was seeing Elena cooking.
Of course that was impossible, my lips touched the cool cup.
"Rinse your mouth quickly, be careful with your teeth." Elena took the toothbrush from Mili and stuffed it into her mouth. "You don't have dragon blood, and you'll regret it if it hurts."
"Hmm!" Actually, I have it too! Wait, can dragon blood protect against tooth decay? Although I've never heard of dragon teeth getting cavities.
Seeing Melia's defiant look, Elena raised the corners of her lips. "It's your people who are promoting the health benefits of brushing your teeth. What's wrong? Is this a lie you made up to sell toothbrushes and toothpaste?"
"No!" Melia said angrily, "Look, my teeth are white—woo!"
Elena raised her lips and nodded seriously: "Indeed, it's very sweet."
Really... Melia wanted to continue being angry, but she couldn't hold back her laughter. In the end, she just randomly hit her fists a few times and got up in her slippers.
"Hiss——" A strange pain suddenly came from the abdomen.
"What's wrong?! Do you have a doctor at home? If not, I'll go ask the witch doctor from the palace." Elena immediately supported her arm to prevent her from falling to the ground.
"Uh... nothing, no need to call for help, I might have been standing too fast."
Melia rubbed her stomach, and the tingling sensation completely disappeared, as if it was just an illusion when she woke up in the morning.
Ding-ling-ling, the wind chimes at the door rang crisply.
Ani lifted the curtain and walked over quickly: "Miss, the court summons is here."
"So early? You really can't wait." Melia regained her bright smile and clapped her hands vigorously: "Okay, take everything you prepared."
"yes."
…
Dong-dong-dong--the staff in white robes knocked hard on the copper pillar, indicating that the court was ready to open at any time.
Sura sat in the plaintiff's seat with his eyes closed, maintaining a calm appearance: Melia...it is impossible to delay until noon. She knows everything she shouldn't know, so she is naturally prepared.
Unfortunately, they had nowhere to retreat.
Step, step, step.
Pure white slippers stepped on the red carpet, and the girl's bright emerald eyes outshone the golden and red shawl on her shoulders. She took each step firmly. Sura opened her eyes at the sound of the voice, and like everyone else, she first noticed the gleaming silver blade in Melia's hand.
"Miss Melia, why are you holding a weapon?" the court's gray-haired chief justice asked kindly. Rome valued martial virtues, and nobles were permitted to bear arms in all circumstances, even when meeting Caesar.
But this was a courtroom, and the trial was about to begin. Drawing the dagger from its sheath and holding it in his hand seemed odd no matter how one looked at it. Was he trying to find an opportunity to assassinate Sulla?
Step, step, step.
Melia stopped in the dock. She was of noble birth, and the court officer in charge of escorting her did not dare to touch her arm.
brush--
The blade stabbed into the sky, then drew an arc and placed horizontally on the table, making everyone breathe a sigh of relief.
"Meliya, is this your evidence?" Sulla asked from a distance. Everyone's eyes were focused on the dagger: How could someone use a dagger to prove the amount of their father's wealth?
"No~"
Melia straightened her back and said in the clearest and most calm voice, "May Mars, the god of war and the guardian of property, witness this trial and bestow the heaviest curse upon the liar!"
The author has something to say:
Thanks to Lei Lei of Seventeen Not Soft~
Thanks to Izumo Hokuto, Inoue Kuro, and Miman for the irrigation~
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