Chapter 136 - Chapter 135

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((( CLAIRE )))

He smelled himself and raised his brows at me.

"I don't. What's up with you?"

"You do. I'm going to sleep and don't ever dare to come closer if you smell like that."

I didn't hear anything more from him until I doze off to sleep. It was quarter to one in the morning when I awoke. I was sweating all over from a dream that I couldn't even recall.

I sat up and turned on the dimly-lit lampshade. I tried to calm myself down and breathed heavily. Zhio must have heard.

"What's wrong?" he groggily looked at me and turned on all the lights of the room.  

He took the pitcher that was sitting on the table and poured me a glass.

"A bad dream?"

I nodded.

"What is it about?" he took back the glass that I emptied.

"I don't remember," I sank back at the bed and closed my eyes.  

"Claire," Zhio leaned in and whispered at my ears.

"Don't worry. I'm just here beside you."  

I was able to sleep fast with no nightmares anymore. But I felt terrible when I woke up in the morning. I was still dizzy. I pretty sure nothing's wrong with me, except the fact that I'm locked in the room for a few days already.  

"Where's Zhio?"

I asked the maid that does the routinely lifting of the window blinds.  

"He's attending the Mass offering for the death anniversary of the Zel Cantheliz."

Death anniversary of the Zel Cantheliz?  

Like… the whole clan?

Then I remembered nana's story from a long time ago…the Zel Cantheliz Massacre.

Could that be possibly true?

I just nodded at her.

"Your breakfast Miss Claire," another maid came in with a tray of plenty food.

I smiled.

"You two are going to eat with me."

They smiled back and I knew what it meant.  

"Hmmm. Don't refuse. It's just us in this room. And besides,"

I consciously looked at my flabby belly. I think I'm gaining some weight from overeating.

"I can't eat all of these."

The just smiled again.

"Fine. So just tell me instead about the massacre."

They shook their heads.

I see.

"I'm sorry," I turned at my food and ate silently.

For all I know, one clan plotted to kill all of Zel Cantheliz. And only Zhio's father survived through the help of his grandfather. End of story.

My hands were already itching to do something worthy like cook some food for myself. But when I finished my breakfast, I was back to gazing at the unlit chandelier on the ceiling.

"Aren't you afraid of Zhio?" I asked them.

They looked at each other.

"We're used to his attitude. But ever since you came, he's changed."

"Changed? Did he became worst t-"

"He smiles alone now."

"I knew it. He's lost some screws in his head."

"No," one of them corrected, "He has known how to be happy."

I sighed.

Am I a clown to him?

"Were you sure I'm the person that makes him happy?'

They nodded.

"Then…you wanted him to be happier?"

I glanced back at them.

They smiled.

"Of course. He's less intimidating when he's in a good mood."

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