After knowing that Jenn would be leaving Parsus soon, Lydia was in a daze.
Even though it wasn't to the point where she couldn't eat or drink, she couldn't lift her spirits and spaced out from time to time.
Just like now, Lydia had been staring at the forest outside the window for almost an hour but she didn't move an inch.
"Madam?
Madam …? "
After an unknown period of time, Lily of the Bell's voice rang in her ears and pulled Lydia back from her dazed state.
She turned around, blinked her dry eyes, and looked at her maid.
"What's wrong?
Ling Lan? "
"It's like this …"
Ling Lan was puzzled by her mistress's absent-minded state. However, she was still a young girl who had just experienced love, she wasn't familiar with the relationship between a man and a woman. Therefore, she was confused by Lydia's strange behavior.
However, in her opinion, Madam was probably too tired from traveling for the past few days. As long as she rested for a period of time, she should be able to recover.
"It's like this, Madam. Molly has prepared some snacks. Would you like some afternoon tea?"
"Afternoon tea?
It's already so late? "
Lydia was taken aback when she heard Ling Lan's answer. She turned around and looked out the window. She noticed the sunset was cascading down the other side of the mountain ridge, casting a fiery red glow on the ground.
The sunset in the distance moved slowly like a cloud of burning flames, announcing the end of the day.
"Hmm … That's fine … By the way, where's Mr. Jenn?
Invite him to join us for afternoon tea. "
"Mr. Jenn?"
Ling Lan looked at her mistress with an odd gaze.
"Mr. Jenn has left."
"What?!"
To Ling Lan's surprise, Lydia stood up abruptly and stared at her with a frown.
"Mr. Jenn has left?
When did that happen?
Why didn't you tell me?! "
"This … This …"
Ling Lan was dumbstruck by Lydia's outburst. She looked at Lydia with an odd gaze.
After a while, she finally reported in a soft voice.
"This … Madam, Mr. Jenn went hunting in the nearby forest this morning. He should be back before dinner.
Didn't he say goodbye to you personally?
Have you forgotten? "
"Eh?"
At this point, Lydia was startled. Then she recalled that there was indeed such a thing this morning.
However, her mind was a mess at the time. In fact, the night Jenn told her that he would be leaving, Lydia did not sleep well. She woke up feeling groggy.
Perhaps it was because of this that Lydia did not notice Zayen's departure.
It could even be said that for the entire day, she seemed to have lost her soul and was practically unaware of everything that was happening in the outside world.
"Madam, are you really alright?
If you're not feeling well, shall we ask a doctor to come and have a look? "
"No, there's no need for that. I'm just too tired from my long journey and haven't slept well for the past two days.
I just need some rest and I'll be fine. "
Lydia revealed a guilty expression when she heard the maid's concerned question. Then, she forced a smile and waved her hand.
After hearing Lydia's answer, Ling Lan didn't say anything else. After all, the reason was reasonable, so she didn't say anything else.
He just nodded and turned around to leave. He went to prepare for the afternoon tea and make arrangements.
After Ling Lan left, Lydia heaved a long sigh of relief.
She placed her hand on her chest and looked around anxiously as if she had done something wrong — or rather, she had indeed done something wrong.
Thinking back to her actions last night, Lydia felt extremely embarrassed. She went to the guest's room in her pajamas to meet the guest. That had gone beyond the bounds of being rude!
But what about Jenn's reaction?
With that in mind, Lydia frowned again. The answer she got from Jenn last night was too surprising that she forgot to observe his expression.
Now that she thought about it, Mr. Jenn didn't seem surprised by her attire but he didn't show any disdain or shame either.
His behavior was very normal. It was as if he was not wearing pajamas, but his usual clothes.
So what was the meaning of that?
Did Jenn not show it out of politeness or did he have some feelings for her?
As a matter of fact, this was the question that troubled Lydia for the entire day. She didn't know if Jenn had feelings for her or was he pretending not to notice and was trying to reject her?
The thought lingered in her mind and it annoyed Lydia to no end.
At that moment, Lydia's ears caught a sound coming from the courtyard.
As if attracted by something, she walked to the window and looked down.
She saw Jenn walking casually back to the manor.
Ling Lan and Molly welcomed him happily. They took the game from Jenn's hand. It seemed like he had a bountiful harvest this time.
Lydia was certain that she would be able to taste the juicy meat of the wild game during dinner.
Looking at the scene, Lydia was in a trance. For a moment, she felt like she was in a dream.
In her dream, she and Zayen were a loving couple. The handsome, dashing, young and promising husband was always high-spirited and displayed the attitude of a noble.
Lydia was like a newlywed wife, serving her husband with all her heart. Every day was peaceful and sweet.
The scene before her was like her husband returning from a hunting trip. As the wife, all she needed to do was to welcome him home …
"Fuuu —!"
At that moment, an icy gust of wind blew and pulled Lydia back to reality from the dream like an invisible hand.
That sweet dream disappeared, and was replaced by the cold reality. Her husband was dead, and the Blake family was only left with her and the two maids.
No one would protect them and no one could rely on them, other than the young noble before her.
However, he was just an outsider, he couldn't protect her forever …
With that in mind, Lydia clenched her fists. An inexplicable rage and resentment rose from the bottom of her heart.
Why?
Why must I be treated like this?
She didn't do anything wrong. She followed the rules of etiquette and did her best for the family.
She was just a normal woman who yearned for a peaceful, stable and happy life.
But couldn't even this small wish be fulfilled?
Those noble ladies and young ladies who did ridiculous things were worse than her, why could they still live in the warm embrace of happiness?
As for himself, he could only guard this shabby mansion until the arrival of death?
She was only in her early twenties, she should be in her blossoming season.
But now, this blooming flower wasn't nourished by the sun or rain, it could only wither in the cold corner.
With that in mind, Lydia made up her mind.
The next few days were the same as usual.
With Lily of the Valley and Jasmine serving them, Lydia and Jenn enjoyed a scrumptious dinner together.
Then, as usual, they chatted in the living room and had a good time.
Then, Lydia stood up and left while Jenn returned to his room.
Everything looked the same as usual … However, some things had changed.
The warm water washed over her fair skin, Lydia could feel her fingers trembling.
The temperature of the bath was just right but she couldn't help but feel nervous and anxious.
She had sent the two maids away to rest. Their room was on the other side of the second floor, they shouldn't be able to hear anything.
The soundproofing was pretty good as well … As her thoughts wandered, Lydia glanced at the bathroom door as if Jenn would barge in the next moment, grab her soaking body and force himself on top of hers.
Lydia had to admit, she didn't know whether it was her fear or her hope.
The night was dark.
Even the birds had stopped chirping. Listening carefully, only the chirping of insects could be heard from time to time. The chirping and whistling of the night wind blew through the forest, forming a unique symphony of nature.
Zayen leaned back in his chair and squinted at the silver-white moon and the mountains that cast dark shadows under the moonlight.
It's about time.
With that in mind, Jenn's lips curled into a smile.
The dark shadow danced between his fingers like a snake, forming a unique scenery.
He could sense the confusion and confusion in Lydia's heart.
Human emotions are very complicated, but at the same time, they are quite predictable.
As the saying went, if there wasn't a problem, you had to make it happen. If it didn't meet the requirements, then you just had to make it happen.
As a matter of fact, Zayen did not use any sorcery to confuse Lydia's mind. Any demon could have easily done it if that was all he had to do.
There was no need for Zayen to go through so much trouble. As a master manipulator, he preferred to guide the other party's thoughts "downstream". Everyone had a weak and dark side in their hearts, and as long as it was manipulated correctly, it would bring more benefits than brainwashing spells.
The seeds had already been planted, and now it was time to harvest them.
Knock knock knock …
Just as the thought crossed Jenn's mind, a light knock came from the door and broke the silence.