Chapter 248: Mother's Love is Truly Terrifying

Chapter 248: Mother's Love is Truly Terrifying

"Truly, this is terrible..."

Trying her best to shrink her Body and constantly rubbing her frozen arms, Marissa bit her pale lips tightly. She raised her Head and looked up at the Sky, vaguely seeing the gloomy Dark Clouds Enveloped/Covered the night Sky. It seemed like it was going to rain tonight... no, it should be hail. Coupled with not eating for an entire day, describing her current Situation as both cold and hungry was truly the most fitting.

"Truly, this is utterly terrible..."

Hugging her frozen Body tightly, she recalled that awkward smile again, recalling that idiot's surprised Appearance. Her chest immediately felt blocked, making it hard to breathe. Perhaps... no, it must have been very ugly, simply terrible beyond terrible. Why did she, based on what Excuse, design that step? If it was just to strike at that bad woman, that step wasn't necessary at all.

Embarrassing, too embarrassing. It was a Shame she had never encountered since birth. The pampered Royal Princess was now lost and helpless.

Hunger and cold caused her Consciousness to gradually blur. This kind of weather, for her in her current Situation, wouldn't kill her, but a serious illness was absolutely unavoidable. She was woken up by the cold multiple times. Curled up in the Corner, not knowing how long she had slept, Marissa was suddenly startled awake by a faint sound.

"Shh—"

Facing Marissa, who was looking at me with wide Eyes, I made a shushing gesture.

"If Older Sister Sharna finds out, even I will be finished."

I whispered and winked at Marissa. Unexpectedly, she stubbornly turned her Head away, looking like 'I won't bother with you, go back', which was a bit irritating. Little did I know she was still Sulking about what happened earlier and didn't know how to face me.

Seeing that delicate Body huddled in the Corner by the Wall, trembling in the cold Wind, I didn't know where my anger should go. I could only shake my Head with a Bitter Smile and walk forward, taking out a blanket and wrapping her exposed Body layer upon layer.

Feeling her Body warm up a bit, Marissa puffed out her cheeks and turned her Head back, her Gaze dodging, still looking reluctant. Did I really owe her in my Past Life? However...

I chuckled inwardly and suddenly took out a piece of Roasted Meat that was still steaming.

The Scent spreading in the Air made the Little Princess's nose twitch sensitively. I saw her unconsciously wrinkle her cute nose. Her little nostrils quivered, sniffing here and there, finally fixing her Gaze on my hand.

"Come, come..."

I held the Roasted Meat in my hand and dangled it In Front of her Eyes like a cat toy. I thought she, who hadn't eaten all day, would surely show a Little Dog's Expression. Unexpectedly, Marissa stubbornly turned her Head away. Only the Corner of her mouth couldn't help but have some glistening trails.

"Don't you want to eat?"

"No." The Little Princess licked the Corner of her mouth, her Tone actually sounding very firm.

"Oh, is that so."

I didn't quite know how to persuade someone. Seeing Marissa's resolute Appearance, I scratched my Head and turned to leave. Anyway, I had already given her the blanket. She wouldn't be cold tonight. As for Food, it was fine for an Ordinary Person not to eat for two or three days, let alone a Mercenary.

Just as I turned my Body, a Gaze, as if carrying deep-seated hatred, unexpectedly Thrust straight at my Spine. It was so intense that even someone as slow as me couldn't help but feel a prickling sensation.

I turned my Head back to look. Marissa was still looking away with an indifferent 'get away from me' Appearance. That terrifying Gaze also vanished without a trace.

Was it an illusion? I turned my Head back, my Footsteps not yet taken. The sharp Gaze immediately followed, Thrusting towards my Spine again...

I sharply turned my Head back and finally caught that Gaze, which appeared flustered because she hadn't had time to erase the evidence.

"What exactly do you want from me?"

My Footsteps faltered, and I turned my Body back, roaring weakly. Why are my Surroundings full of difficult Masters? Fine, you are the Master, your whole family are Masters, okay? Stop making things difficult for me.

"It's nothing, my stomach isn't hungry at all."

In the blink of an Eye, Marissa had recovered from her panic. With a stiff Face, she turned her Head away and talked nonsense as if nothing had happened.

"But..." She licked her rosy lips, her burning Gaze looking at me.

"But, if it's the Master's Command, then there's nothing I can do. I have to eat it, even though I'm being forced. Actually, I'm not hungry at all, but because it's the Master's Command, as a Maid, I cannot Resist. Although it's pitiful, I have to reluctantly obey..."

Her Head lowered lower and lower, finally almost buried in the blanket.

"..." Can someone teach me what kind of Expression I should have right now?

Silence could no longer express my helplessness at this moment, but I still had to remain silent. I squatted In Front of her, swaying back and forth, lowering my Brain and handing over the Roasted Meat. Please, take it quickly, stop Tormenting my fragile little heart.

"Alright, I Command you... no, I beg you, consider it me begging you, okay? Just eat it quickly and let me off the hook."

Waiting and waiting, the Roasted Meat was still in my hand, with no sign of her taking it. I looked up angrily. I had already said this much, you fellow, do you really not want to eat?

But I saw Marissa leaning in the Corner by the Wall, trying hard to stretch her neck and bring her small mouth closer, her Body unwilling to move even a Single Point. This reminded me of a story. It is said that once upon a time, there was a ridiculously lazy man. One day, his wife had to go out, so she hung a large pancake she had made around his neck. When she returned, her Husband had already starved to death. Looking closer, she found that the large pancake was still there, only the part near his mouth had been eaten. The rest was completely untouched...

"Can't you just use your hand?"

She shifted her Body left and right, indicating that her hands were already wrapped inside the blanket.

"Then take them out!!"

"Ah...!!"

Ignoring my helpless roar, Marissa took it for granted. Very naturally, like a Novice bird waiting to be fed, she opened her round little mouth, revealing two rows of neat and healthy Teeth, and looked at me.

"Alright, I understand what you mean."

My eyebrows twitched violently. This fellow. Thinking she could push her luck again and again just because of her Good Thing Appearance. I... I... I'll tolerate you just this once more.

Thinking this, I brought the Meat in my hand closer. With a 'gulp', the already impatient Marissa bit down, tearing forcefully. She almost pulled my hand along with it.

"Gulp... gulp... gulp gulp..." Although her mouth was small, Marissa ate at an extremely fast Speed. An arm-sized piece of Roasted Meat was reduced to Bone in no time.

"Look at you, eat slower..."

Seeing her eat so happily, my anger slightly subsided, and a Single Point of accomplishment arose. I forgot to mention. Dinner was completed together by Older Sister Sharna and me. I was Responsible for the Roasted Meat, and Older Sister Sharna made the Stewed Meat Soup. I'm not boasting, but after more than two years of Effort in the Wilderness, I can't say my Roasted Meat is better than Marissa's, but the Scent is definitely first-class.

"Boohoo. It's awful—" Marissa, with her mouth full, still didn't forget to give me a harsh blow.

"Even if it's flattery, can't you give your Master me some Face/Reputation?" You little rascal, you definitely won't find a good Man in the future.

Taking advantage of me talking, Marissa, who had already finished the Roasted Meat, still reluctantly licked the clean-picked Bone with her little pink tongue.

"Hey, don't lick my fingers."

Seeing that greasy little mouth arching over, I quickly pulled my hand back. This fellow, like Little Ghost, has a good set of Teeth. There's no guarantee she won't drool at the Meat. It's better to be careful in case she bites down on my finger.

"Alright. Little fellow, I've served you enough."

Casually throwing the Bone in my hand, Marissa's Eyes still followed the parabolic trajectory of the Bone until it disappeared into the darkness, only then reluctantly retracting her Line of Sight.

Are you a Little Dog? Do you want to fetch the Bone back? Seeing that extremely cute Movement, I couldn't help but tease her inwardly.

Wait a minute, just as I was Plan/Intention to leave, I suddenly had an Epiphany that I had lost big time this time. Selfless Contribution? That's not my Style. I've served you for so long, you should at least show some appreciation. Making a Request isn't too much. I Ponder/Figure Out, stroking my Chin. The question is how to ask? Should I lift her Chin and say, "Hey girl, give your master a smile"?

"Little fellow, um, could you smile again?" After brewing it for a long time, I finally spoke hesitantly.

"No!!"

My words were Refused before they even finished. My Request clearly struck the deep-seated Shame within Marissa. She stared at me intently with her bright yellow Eyes, as if she would pounce and bite at any moment.

"What a pity, it was clearly so beautiful—" I muttered softly.

"Wait a minute." Just as I was about to turn around, Marissa suddenly spoke.

"Really? You just said, but... but... forget it, a Maid cannot Refuse the Master's Command." She lowered her Head, muttering intermittently in a voice as faint as a Mosquito. Then, as if gathering courage, she raised her Head and looked at me.

The Corner of her mouth changed slowly, just like that time. It didn't become Proficient just because she had done it once. It took the Effort of a whole cigarette's worth of time to Barely form an awkward arc with her mouth. It was like the Corner of her mouth was twitching, so fragile that it could collapse with just a tiny Movement.

"It's very ugly, I know. I clearly practiced in the Mirror for an entire afternoon..." She maintained it for less than two seconds before immediately giving up, turning her Head away heavily, unwilling to look at me.

"It really doesn't look like a smile!" I couldn't help but squat down again, my Large Hand gently but firmly stroking that small Brain.

"But ah, it's more dazzling than any smile. The Result is often not the most important thing. What's beautiful is the process of putting in Effort for the sake of pursuit, understand?"

My words made Marissa raise her Head again, her bright Eyes looking at me.

"Alright, additional Reward."

I clapped my hands: "I'll lend you my favorite bed for one night."

The Little Princess's Eyes widened, looking like "You didn't actually stuff the bed into your Inventory, did you?"

Ignoring her Doubt, I loudly chanted the Summoning Incantation. White Magic Radiance rose in streaks. In the center of the vast Magic Array, Light Snow 's Figure gradually rose.

"I'll trouble you tonight." Under Marissa's confused Gaze, I stroked Light Snow 's soft fur. I pointed at the fluffy Tail behind it and smiled.

"Woof!"

 Light Snow , who had been reduced to a mattress, squeezed against Marissa's back, curling up its Body and wrapping its entire Tail around her. The snow-white Giant Wolf, with the beautiful Maiden leaning on it, looked just like a painting. Of course, that's if the Maiden were wearing more decent Clothes instead of a blanket.

Seeing Marissa close her Eyes tiredly, I leaped down from the Rooftop. A height of about ten meters wasn't much of a problem... wait, not good, my legs are numb...

Climbing up from the Grassland in a sorry state, a ghostly Shadow was already standing In Front of me.

"Older Sister Sharna, um... I knew I couldn't hide it from you." I scratched my Head sheepishly.

"Good that you know." Sister Sharna glared at me.

"Look at you, you're so clumsy even with this little height. Go take a bath, otherwise, you're not allowed on the bed."

"As you Command, my Her Majesty the Queen." I saluted straight.

"Actually, I've always wanted to ask, why is Older Sister Sharna so tolerant of Marissa? It seems... not quite like Older Sister Sharna's Nature."

Just before entering the Bathroom, I chose my words carefully and suddenly turned back to ask. Even if it was for my sake, there was no need to go to this Degree.

"Not like... is that so?" Her Eyes were full of the blankness of Memory, Older Sister Sharna said.

"Because, I miss when I was little..."

"When you were little?"

Watching Older Sister Sharna's disappearing Figure, I kept Pondering/Figure Out these four words. A flash of Spirit suddenly went through my Brain—could she be talking about when she was little?

Overlapping the current relationship between Marissa and Older Sister Sharna with the relationship between Older Sister Sharna and Kashya when she was little, I found that this was indeed possible. Whether it was the unconventional Personality or the difference in Strength/Power between the two sides, they were so similar. If there had to be a difference, it was that Kashya's Personality was far worse than Older Sister Sharna's is now. It's conceivable that Older Sister Sharna when she was little must have been a hundred times more miserable than Marissa is now.

But how does Marissa truly view Older Sister Sharna in her heart? Is it really the same way Older Sister Sharna viewed Kashya? It is said that she also lost her Mother at a young age...

"A terrifying unconventional Mother-Daughter Complex." I shivered slightly, and couldn't help but make two Wish in my heart.

The first Wish, naturally, was that Marissa wouldn't follow Older Sister Sharna's old path in the future. The second, and most important, was that Older Sister Sharna absolutely wouldn't become a second Kashya in the future.

At this moment, the Little Ghost in the Necklace was still in low spirits.