Chapter 78: Chapter 26. Reflection in the mirror

Our journey to the west, where the little-known village of Sorus was located, continued the next day. Having packed my things, I was surprised to find out just before leaving that our vehicle had changed.According to Maxie, the coachman of their family fell ill abruptly, and had to be replaced. Now, on our card, we will be lucky to have a hired person, whom Maxie previously paid for a month in advance.

However, the driver's change did not affect our road in any way, so I quickly got acquainted and got used to the new changes. A kind old man with many years of experience, kindly attached our luggage in a special compartment, after which we ourselves were able to go inside.

Maxie got ahead of Elsa and gave me her hand to help me get in. The latter let out a dissatisfied sigh.

Once in the cozy salon, there was some scuffle for the opportunity to sit next to Leriana. But the girl herself took it as something that they simply did not have enough space at the window. So she sat them down together, and she sat down opposite with a satisfied smile.

They were taken aback at first, but then abruptly turned away from each other with stone faces. So let's go.

Based on Maxi's plans, this time we had to drive for almost a day without a break before getting to the next stop. It was an awfully long time that I didn't know what to do.

Returning to my usual occupation in the form of observing the views outside the window, I went there for a while. I was mentally saying goodbye to the city we visited for only a couple of days, but I still managed to remember it. At least I got a bunch of stuff out of here.

Maxie spread out and began to study the map of the western territory that she had made shortly before leaving the Marquis' estate. It marked all the important points that will help us get to the village of Sorus and not get lost. Soon she was completely immersed in this case and stopped paying attention to everything else.

Elsa took a moment to move in with me. At first we just drove in silence, but then I decided to pass the time by talking about the past. In the end, we had nothing to do anyway.

I told the girl about my childhood, the memories of which were not particularly interesting, because they were absolutely rosy and cloudless. Elsa herself shared with me the details of her personal life.

— …So you have a girlfriend?! — I was surprised by such unexpected news.

Elsa nodded as an answer to my question.

To be honest, I was amazed. It so happened that despite the fact that there was not a word about such a genre in the original novel, on the way I met girls who were interested in other girls! And, moreover, all of them were already busy.

Even Elsa had someone, although I thought she was still too innocent for such things. And someone was lucky to meet such a good person.

Meanwhile, when I heard about it, I couldn't leave her alone. I wanted to know everything!

«Tell me about her,» I asked curiously, «What is she like?» Where did you meet?

In my eyes, I imagined the image of a beautiful and noble lady, matching Elsa herself. She must have been very good too, since Elsa chose her.

Hearing my request, she barely smiled. Then she looked at me carefully, and stunned me with something completely different from what I originally expected.

— She is terribly lazy, — Elsa shared first of all, — Sometimes so much that she can lie down all day and not get up. She doesn't like to study, and her main hobby is eating and sleeping. To be honest, he doesn't shine with intelligence either…» she continued calmly, «He pretends to be a noble lady, but in fact, he doesn't even know how to hold a cup correctly.

Eats cakes right out of his hands when no one is looking. Oh, yes… she also gushes wine from the bottle.

With each word, my pupils dilated more and more. Based on Elsa's stories, her girlfriend was an extremely ill—mannered person. Despite the fact that almost all of these descriptions strangely coincided with mine, I preferred not to think… In the end, I was sure that I was definitely not like that!

Meanwhile, I was really surprised that Elsa and someone like her were together. After all, in my mind they did not look at all.

— She has only flaws! — contrary to politeness, I said, — What did you like about her at all?

Elsa grinned at me.

— I am also wondering this question.

— Hmm…?

— Probably… Because she's interesting.

I asked again what it meant.

— Does not know how to lie from the word at all, and never pretends. I've never had so much fun with anyone.

I was surprised by such a non-standard reason, but even more so that Elsa crossed out all her disadvantages just because of this. She turned out to be not only good, but also with heroic patience.

— So why aren't you together now? Did something happen?

— Well… — she froze for a while, — It so happened that she left me.

— What?!

Hearing this, I was taken aback and even angry. Not only could Elsa's betrothed not be called perfect, but she also acted in such a mean way! It is correct to say that good people are not appreciated in this world.

— But because of what? I asked, «Did you have a fight?»

Elsa nodded.

«She said she didn't want to see me anymore.»

I was even more indignant. Elsa was unlucky to meet such a terrible girl!

— That's a fool! I exclaimed, not expecting such a strong outburst of emotions from myself, «I didn't appreciate such a decent person next to me. In the future, he will definitely regret it.

— Do you think so? Elsa suddenly asked.

— And then! — I warmly supported, — Be my will, if I meet her somewhere, I will definitely avenge you. I'll deal with her in such a way that she won't get off!

Seeing my angry expression, Elsa laughed. I was surprised by such a sudden reaction.

«It's not worth it,» she smiled.

I was involuntarily indignant. Of course, I knew that Elsa was too soft-hearted to hurt anyone. But in this situation, she had to show character.

— That's because you're so kind, people do that! — I calmly objected, — For the sake of justice, you should hate her.

— Hmm… I would like to. It would be much easier that way. But the problem is, even if she wants to stab me with a sword, I won't resist.

I sighed and shook my head.

In such matters, the girl really remained more inexperienced than any child. It looks like I just have to teach her to stand up for herself.

All the way back, I urged the girl to give up such a past and start living anew. But I didn't know if she listened to my words.

In the end, when I had already made the twentieth plan of revenge on her ex-girlfriend, I began to feel sleepy. It was already dark outside the carriage window, and after a long journey, my eyes were closing by themselves.

In the end, I couldn't stand it until our next stop, and fell asleep on Elsa's shoulder. At this time we were passing by a small village, whose inhabitants were already asleep.

There was not much to go to the nearest city where you could rent a room in a hotel. At best, only a couple of hours.

But even that wasn't enough before the carriage suddenly stopped in the middle of the road. The coachman immediately ran out to check what was the matter, after which he reported the sad news.

— Madam, I'm sorry…! — he began guiltily, — But it looks like we have a broken wheel.

— What?! — Maxie was indignant, — I paid you so much money, and now you're saying that the carriage broke down so easily?

— M-madam! — The old man immediately began to justify himself, — The fact is that the carriage is not adapted for the village road. Before that, I only drove in the city… there are a lot of potholes and holes that are easy to get into.

The girl exhaled angrily.

— How long will it take to replace it?

«Mistress, I'm afraid I won't be able to find the master until the morning at this time…»

Maxie got even angrier.

— Are you saying that we will have to stay here until morning…?!

He was scared, but still nodded.

— There's not even a place to rent a hotel in this village! Where do you suggest we spend the night?

The unfortunate coachman only had to babble something indistinctly, so as not to deserve further anger from Maxie. The girl herself rubbed her temples tiredly.

She had never imagined that they could get into such a situation. It's obviously not possible to walk to the city, which means they really have to stay in the village.

At least until morning they had to find some kind of shelter, since it was extremely inconvenient to spend the night in the carriage. And while Maxie was thinking about this question, Elsa suddenly began to act first.

Carrying the sleeping Leriana on her back, the girl got out of the carriage, and casually looked around the nearby residential buildings. Having figured out which of them was the most decent, Elsa without further ado just «walked in» there, kicking out the door.

A married couple, who had woken up from the noise, ran out to meet them almost immediately. Those indignantly watched as Elsa without any hesitation goes into the house and looks after the room.

— Hey! — the man yelled angrily, pointing at her with his finger, — What are you doing?! Who allowed you to break into someone else's house?

— And I didn't ask for permission.

Elsa casually went into one of the free rooms and put Leriana on the bed, taking off her shoes and covering her with a blanket.

But this time the husband and wife did not have time to scream again, as Maxie followed them into the house. When she saw what she had done, she could only smile tightly.

After all, she had never followed the laws even in her own country. So was it worth hoping for it here…?

Trying to smooth over the situation, the girl once again presented a purse with money that had been rapidly flying away from her lately.

— I apologize for such a sudden intrusion! Maxie said, «But could you let us stay with you tonight?»

— What?!

— It so happened that we are stuck here and have to spend the night somewhere. We'll leave as soon as we can!

The man at first strongly disagreed and wanted to throw them out, but at that moment his wife counted the money in her purse and rolled her eyes. In just one night, these people offered them more than her husband earned in a whole year.

The woman whispered it in his ear, and he was also surprised. Gradually, the anger faded away.

He once again looked suspiciously at Maxie, and noticed that she was dressed in rather expensive clothes. Fears that robbers could break into them seemed less and less improbable. Really, really decent people?

— Hmm… okay, — the man grumbled, deciding not to refuse such a successful offer, — You don't look like thieves. But you can only stay for one night!

— Thank you.

Maxie felt an inner relief that she didn't have to persuade him for a long time. Meanwhile, she was still angry at Elsa, who had acted completely brazenly and put them in such an awkward situation.

Thank God that the owners of the house turned out to be quite accommodating, and did not drive them away right away.

Maxie wanted to have a serious conversation with Elsa about her behavior, but she never waited for the right moment. The girl stayed in Leriana's room for quite a long time.

After making sure that Leriana was still fast asleep, Elsa came out very tired, although she tried to hide it. As usual, without an elementary display of politeness, I immediately asked:

«Where's the bathroom?»

— The bathroom?» the woman asked in surprise. In their village, they had never heard of such luxury.

«Tell me,» Elsa demanded, «or I'll find it myself.»

— Oh… well… if you mean the washbasin, then it's there!

The woman waved her hand to the opposite side of the house, and Elsa immediately headed there. It really didn't look too much like the usual bathroom. But since there were no other options anyway, the girl took advantage of what she had. S~eaʀᴄh the nôvel_Fire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Her body was already noticeably failing her when she took water and tried to wash. The attempt to somehow improve his condition turned out to be a failure.

Elsa first coughed, and then she vomited blood at all.

— Kha…!

The girl grabbed the sink with trembling hands so as not to fall. My eyes were swimming. She couldn't believe that in just such a short stay in this guise, she had already had such consequences.

The unfortunate dark patterns painfully tore her body worse than any vice.

Elsa barely held on to not lose consciousness. She couldn't do it right here. With the last of her strength, the girl tried to wash off the blood from herself so that she could return and rest in the room afterwards.

But at the same moment, she discovered with horror that her «disguise» had fallen. From the murky reflection of the mirror, familiar scarlet eyes looked at her.

A casual voice rang out from behind.

— Rachel Cassius. It's you, isn't it?