Chapter 18: Ignored?

A few days later.

At the palace entrance, Silia hid behind the archway, her small white head poking out, nervously scanning the outside.

She glanced out, then back at the clock, pacing restlessly inside the palace.

“It’s past time… Why isn’t little Chloe back yet…?”

Silia stared outside, her face full of worry.

It was Monday. Chloe had gone with Sheffield to procure palace supplies.

They’d left at 9 a.m., planning to return by 4 p.m.

But it was nearly 4:30, and there was no sign of them.

‘Ugh… the outside’s so dangerous. What if little Chloe got caught and spanked too?’

‘No, no, with Sister Sheffield there, she’ll be fine.’

‘Besides, this is Montbelle, the vampire capital. That kind of thing wouldn’t happen, right?’

All sorts of chaotic thoughts swirled in her head, making her pace anxiously at the entrance.

“Your Highness, please return to your room and rest. Little Chloe and the others won’t be in danger. I’ll notify you the moment they’re back,” Flora said, standing gracefully with her hands clasped.

“I…”

Silia hesitated, lowering her head.

“No way! I’ll wait here for them.”

“Understood.”

Flora replied gently, showing no impatience despite standing there for nearly an hour.

“You can go back, Flora. I’m fine waiting alone.”

“That won’t do. I must stay by Your Highness’s side.”

“Ugh…” Silia faltered. “But you don’t have to stay. I’m not forcing you.”

“I understand.”

Seeing Flora stand quietly, Silia felt a pang of guilt.

‘I’m fine waiting alone, but Flora’s insisting on staying.’

‘It’s like I’m making her wait with me.’

She suddenly plopped onto the ground, hugging her knees and burying her face.

“Your Highness, please don’t sit here. It’s improper and you might catch a cold.”

“That’s why I said you should go! I’m fine alone… This is the palace, my home…”

As Silia fretted, footsteps approached from outside.

“Huh? Why’s Your Highness here?”

That voice…

“Little Chloe!”

Silia sprang up, launching herself at Chloe.

The impact threw Chloe off balance, stumbling back several steps.

‘No! I’m gonna fall!’

She raised the two bags in her hands, praying the contents wouldn’t break.

If they did, it’d come out of her wages!

Even if Silia caused it, she was Larvia’s daughter. Larvia might pin the blame on Chloe to protect her.

‘Larvia would totally do that!’

About to hit the ground, Chloe’s hands slipped, and the bags flew out.

‘No!’

Thud!

A dull pain hit the back of her head, her eyes turning to swirls.

“Little Chloe! You okay?”

Silia scrambled up, shaking the dizzy Chloe, tears welling in her eyes.

‘Do I look okay…?’

Chloe struggled to sit up, rubbing her head.

For the first time, she truly felt the strength of a vampire’s body.

With that impact, a human would’ve passed out.

Though, if not for a vampire’s strength, Silia’s tackle wouldn’t have been so forceful…

“Sorry! Little Chloe, let me rub it…”

Realizing her mistake, Silia hugged Chloe, rubbing her head.

“No pain, no pain… Mother does this for me, so it’ll work for you too!”

“Ugh…”

After a few minutes, Chloe’s senses cleared.

“Oh! Are my things okay?!”

She frantically searched for the bags.

But with Silia straddling her, all she could see was Silia’s head bobbing.

In a panic, she pressed Silia’s head down.

Seeing Flora had caught the bags, Chloe sighed in relief.

“Thank goodness… I thought I’d lose my wages…”

“Wah, wahhh…”

“Thank you so much, Lady Flora!”

“Wah! Wahhh…”

“It’s fine,” Flora said with a smile.

“Wahhh! Wah…”

“But, little Chloe, you might want to let go.”

“…Huh?”

Chloe looked down and realized she’d pressed Silia’s face into her chest.

Whether from embarrassment or lack of air, Silia’s face was bright red.

“Hah, hah… I thought I was gonna die…”

Silia clutched her chest, gasping for air.

Her flushed face was part breathlessness, part embarrassment from the intimate position.

“Sorry!”

“It’s fine…”

Silia waved it off.

“Why’re you so late…?” she whispered in Chloe’s ear. “I thought you got caught and spanked too.”

“Huh? Nah, nothing like that…”

Chloe smiled awkwardly.

“We just took a bit longer queuing for your durian pastries.”

“Durian pastries?”

“Yeah, heard that dessert shop’s great, so we made a special trip. Oh, Sheffield paid for them.”

Chloe sneaked a glance at Sheffield.

It was her money, after all—couldn’t take all the credit.

“Thanks!”

Silia beamed.

“Let’s go to my room and eat! You don’t have more work today, right?”

“No work, but…” Chloe hesitated. “I’ve got some personal stuff to do. Sorry, Your Highness.”

“Huh?”

Silia’s face fell.

“Sorry, I’ll come find you later.”

Chloe curtsied and left.

Silia returned to her room.

Lying on her bed, she stared at the ceiling.

“Why… Little Chloe, what’re you doing in the library every day…?”

Since that lunch, Chloe had been going to the library every day off.

Even when Silia wanted to hang out, Chloe gently declined.

It felt… like being ignored.

Despite her enthusiasm, this was how it turned out…

A knock interrupted her thoughts.

“Flora, go back. No need to clean now.”

The door swung open.

“Daughter~ Why so down today~?”