Bad woman, am I pretending to be bad?

As if realizing something too late, the little parrot finally found an opportunity to express its worries and ask about its inner concerns.

"Just as you imagine, they came from Blatt and two other gentlemen of the India Party. After the death of an extraordinary being, their spirit is released and becomes manifested as a mass, which is no different from the main ingredient of a potion."

Looking into Melina's clear eyes, Charlotte did not hide anything, and explained clearly point by point after concisely stating her thoughts.

If they escape their predicament in the future, the little parrot might be able to continue helping its original self. Therefore, sharing this knowledge is nothing more than a way to help its future self.

Of course, there was still a little bit of good intention involved, a tiny bit of kindness from a friend.

Upon hearing this, Melina immediately understood the situation and became even more worried about the girl in front of her. At the same time, a sense of loss also welled up in her heart.

"Josephine, if we are to face someone extraordinary, you can come with me. Going alone is far too dangerous. If that knight has such leverage, we should—"

Before he could even offer a word of advice, which he had been trying to refrain from speaking, the girl put a finger to her lips and uttered a soft "shh."

"Hush, someone will always raise a torch as a precedent. If the sky never brightens, then live in darkness. If making a sound is dangerous, then remain silent."

With a slight upturn of her lips, revealing two small dimples, Charlotte seemed to be narrating her own story, or perhaps pouring out her heart.

"If you feel powerless to shine, then don't try to illuminate others, but remember—"

Her eyebrows and eyes fluttered, and a fragrance wafted gently. Suddenly, a gust of wind blew, and silence fell. Snowflakes fell softly, and in the dark, murky darkness, a bright white crescent moon slowly rose.

That is the outline illuminated by the sun, the pointer shifting from four to three, and the countdown clock of life.

The flower exhibition will be held in three days.

As the evening bells approached, she said:

"Don't become accustomed to darkness and then defend it."

Chapter Seventy-Seven: Kind Heart and Bad Woman (4.5K)

Sundays in Tingen are always full of energy and vitality, let alone the eve of the Flower Exhibition. In the past, thousands of people would have flocked to the center from all directions like salmon returning to their nests, their boisterous cheers tied to the colorful flower branches and blooming on the green duckweed, their fragrance drifting towards the adjacent West Sea Gorge.

However, today is different. The sudden snowfall from last night is still happening. Although after a night of torrential rain, it has turned into fine snow, but it still dampened the spirits of many tourists. They complained about the cruelty of the weather, huddled by the windows of their hotels, and used the sight of the poor people braving the rain to travel along the streets as a source of amusement.

Of course, Charlotte is not included in this category.

With her eyelashes trembling and her eyelids slightly open, the frail girl lifted the covers, leaned against the headboard, and waited for the lingering effects of her long dream to fade away.

Even with the curtains drawn, sunlight still filters through the white gauze, bringing a soft, hazy glow into the room.

Leaving the bed and bathed in the morning light, she bent down and pulled her fitted polyester clothes up from her calves to her hips and waist, creating a slightly undulating curve.

Small yet pleasant.

Her body was bent, but her silvery-white hair remained straight. She drew back the curtains and reached out through the window to catch a snowflake. The dawn light and the faint shadows intertwined, creating a dreamlike, fairytale-like atmosphere.

Yesterday, amidst the drizzling rain and snow, she and her little parrot perched on a branch and lay on the bed, chatting all night about the future, their conversation flowing harmoniously.

Yes, she stayed overnight at Melina's house, though they slept in separate rooms, of course.

Although Charlotte didn't mind sharing a bed, as a lady, she still had to maintain basic decorum.

Bring your knuckles together and wear the seal 3-071 on your wrist, letting it bask in the sunlight.

As she transmitted her thoughts, she could sense roots spreading from the inner ring of the bracelet, like plants burrowing into her skin and gradually drawing blood from her.

Without greed or recklessness, and upon expressing its refusal, it retracts its roots and obediently becomes inanimate.

It seems that this sealed artifact is not as dangerous as that wise man said. At least, it is very obedient in her hands, just like a little sparrow. Obedience is a good child worthy of being pampered.

As she stepped out of the door, two maids were already standing in the adjacent corridor, holding towels and facial lotion, bowing and asking if the young woman needed any help.

Being served by others is indeed a pleasant experience, but Charlotte doesn't like those face-enhancing foundations and creams, so she refuses them.

Thanks to her dignified and proper demeanor, Charlotte's father regarded her as a noble lady enjoying a leisurely stroll. Therefore, Charlotte received the best treatment at the manor, not only from the respect of others but also from polite and humble words.

She opened her pocket watch and saw that it was almost seven o'clock. Without waiting any longer, the girl gracefully walked into Melina's room.

Standing at the door, Charlotte pondered whether to knock politely, but after a brief moment of consideration, she dismissed the idea.

Presumably, my arrival was a wonderful surprise for the little parrot. If the former hadn't woken up, it could have at least seen the girl's adorable sleeping face. Why not?

A slender hand covered in white gauze turned the doorknob, and with a creak, the silver-haired girl tiptoed into the bedroom.

Following the slanting morning light, she saw that the chestnut-haired girl had tidied her appearance, dressed herself, and sat quietly at the table by the window. Sometimes she would gaze at the bustling crowds on the street, and sometimes she would look up at the drifting clouds in the sky. She put down her pen and wrote lines of words on the white paper.

Meticulous, like focused writing, and also like leisurely daydreaming.

It had a unique charm; the blend of intellect and endearment made Charlotte a little captivated. Just as she was thinking of going over to scare the little parrot, she saw the girl shift her gaze and look over.

Her eyes were gentle and shimmering, and the corners of her lips were slightly upturned as she greeted them softly.

“Welcome, Josephine. Although you did not knock, your image was reflected in the mirror I placed by the door.”

"Hmm? Melina, do you know that this will make your life less exciting, like a lake without ripples and waves?"

Seeing that her actions had been exposed, Charlotte lost interest and sat down gracefully next to Melina, looking at the words Melina was writing and the books she had placed to one side.

[Today, a light snow falls, much like the time we meet. As six o'clock approaches, the weary laborers have already risen from their nighttime rests, toiling for their livelihoods.]

The servants in the house usually woke up at six o'clock to start their work, while the merchants and bartenders had to prepare to open even earlier. Thus, the need arose for people to carry long poles and knock on windows to wake them up. Clocks were a luxury for the workers, but for these window-knockers responsible for waking others, they were invaluable tools...

[A flannel towel, a little soap, a basin, and a bucket of dirty water are all you need to beat the cold and shake off drowsiness...]

These descriptions are quite detailed and the wording is extremely meticulous, almost detailing the daily routine of each worker from morning till night. One can easily imagine the corresponding scenes just by reading them.

"Yes, if I were a reader, I would definitely have some feelings and insights after reading this."

No need for excessive praise; a reader's evaluation is the best compliment for the little parrot.

With her brows relaxed, Melina seemed both happy and melancholy.

She reached out her fingertips and gently stroked the clear glass of the window, a memory suddenly welling up in her eyes.

"Don't throw stones, I'll get up in a bit." I used to say that to my childhood friends when I was still half asleep. But now the window frames are clean and tidy, and there are no more dents from those stones.

“The memories of the past have all turned into humble, bowed heads. The distance between me and them can no longer be measured by a ruler. My father said that after leaving that old, noisy house, we should say goodbye to everything from the past. The surname ‘McCullow’ has been completely renewed. We must sever all ties with our past as street vendors.”

His tone grew increasingly somber, and the little parrot slowly clenched his five fingers into a fist.

"But I can't forget my playmate, running with me through the alleyways in her worn-out shoes, and I can't forget her laughing so hard she was doubled over..."

Before she could finish speaking, the girl's fair fingers covered Melina's hand, gently caressing it with unwavering focus.

"Memories are the negatives of the heart; though time flows by, those precious moments will always remain clear and etched in our hearts. If we can't forget, then we don't need to forget, just like you and me now. I'm grateful for meeting you back then, and Melina, you—"

A soft voice whispered in Charlotte's ear, and just as Charlotte was about to speak, the chestnut-haired girl buried her face in her shoulder and whispered something first.

"I simply fell in love with that fairytale-like encounter, a love that lasted a lifetime. She was like a character who only appeared in a book, coming quietly and leaving quietly."

"So, I hope it's all true, Josephine, even if it's just my imagination. Take care of yourself, okay?"

"Because I can't bear to part with it..."

Yes, their meeting and reunion were as beautiful and romantic as a fairy tale. However, fairy tales eventually turn into unattainable longings as we grow up.

For Charlotte, memories are a quietness that penetrates the air, a solitary corner of sadness where she stubbornly wears a lonely smile; there is not a single thing in her past worth cherishing.

It shaped a person's character, allowing the evil black flower to take root completely in the girl's heart.

Perhaps she was indeed grateful for their meeting and acquaintance. At least, it was so much better than the past. There was no suspicion or deception, no scheming or plotting, only the giving of affection and the receiving of love.

However, just as the little parrot said, once the mask has been worn for too long, it is difficult to take it off. The circumstances she was in had eroded her innocence, forcing Charlotte to raise her quills like a hedgehog until she completely got used to it and took root in it.

Miss Watson is a kind and good girl, while Charlotte is an incurable wicked woman, and the good girl is destined to be used by the wicked woman.

The silver-haired girl was stunned for a moment, but did not resist. She only gave a low, deep "yes" and let her friend hug her tightly.

"Ah."

It was a promise, and Charlotte's heart softened. At least, in these few remaining days and nights, Watson would no longer treat her deliberately.

The emerald green hand mirror swayed slightly, as if in a state of turmoil, before finally settling into a calm and certain state.

It was the truth, not a lie. Even without seeing through the facade, the little parrot could still sense the girl's indifference towards him. Her liveliness and frankness were rewarded, and she got what she wanted.

Nestled together, embracing each other, Charlotte cupped the girl's flaxen hair in her hands, just like a close friend would, gently combing her stray hairs and straightening her clothes.

The most heartwarming moments are often found in the simple, ordinary days of life.

A touch of ambiguity, a moment of tenderness, the tears welling in their eyes faded, leaving only their soft breaths lingering in each other's ears.

"Thanks......"

Watching the girl's fingertips dance across her neck and shoulders, feeling her tangled hair being smoothed out one by one, Melina blushed slightly, pursed her lips somewhat uncomfortably, and whispered.

however.

"And you're saying thank you?"

Watson smiled gently, her eyes brimming with tenderness, and said:

"We are—"

Charlotte paused abruptly, and after a long while, she spoke in a tone full of uncertainty.

"good friend?"

Watson wanted to say best friend, but Charlotte stopped herself, because she realized that she could only be friends with the little parrot to this extent.

Going any further would have caused her far too much harm.

"...It's so good to start as friends, with plenty of time to get to know each other and take it one step at a time."

Although she was momentarily dazed, Melina quickly and empathetically comforted herself, though it was obvious to everyone that she was a little disappointed.

Unable to offer words of comfort at this moment, the girl could only try to distract her little sparrow by something else. She noticed an inconspicuous book on the desk, and upon seeing the title on the cover of "Julia Andrine's Love Travelogue," she raised her voice and teased.

"I didn't expect you, Melina, to read such simple and romantic little stories about rain."

Oh no, I forgot to hide this! Melina blushed instantly, hurriedly put the novel away, and stammered an explanation.

"This is also essential reading for women of good character; I just flip through it occasionally in my spare time..."

"Critical learning?"

Raising an eyebrow, Charlotte continued with interest.

"Yes, critical learning! Those dissolute behaviors deserve to be despised by everyone."

The little parrot's delicate face was flushed, and she spoke in a light voice, saying things she didn't mean, just like an ostrich that wanted to bury its head in its burrow.

"Phew, my great writer, you certainly have a wide range of interests."

Charlotte raised her hand to cover her lips, but did not suppress her laughter at all.

"Do not laugh!"

She glared at the girl with annoyance, and a fire of anger ignited in Melina's mind like wildfire, impossible to extinguish.

Watson knew this all along, yet he still deliberately used his status as a writer to make fun of himself.

That's too much! I need to glare at them.

Before his anger could settle, it was soothed by Charlotte's gentle voice, who simply said:

"Okay, I'll do whatever you say."

After he finished speaking, the laughter faded, leaving only a quiet, scrutinizing gaze.

“In fact, I also need Melina to apply this critical thinking to your own writing, to expose what we can see but they cannot see, and to frankly state what they do not want to see but people do want to see.”

"Yes, I will try my best to do so."

As the little parrot took out the first draft of the new book from the drawer, it was about to chirp twice and present this unsent gift when the girl waved her fingertips in front of her lips, making a gesture of refusal.

"I appreciate your kind intentions, but the unpolished words lack the depth and richness of time. Your new book will probably be officially printed next month. I'll buy a copy and read it carefully then."

That's what it says, but when you look at it again, it's under the identity of Charlotte Earshaw.

"Okay, then let's leave it for next time."

Melina took out the brooch she had bought the day before from her pocket without suspicion, and presented it to Charlotte, saying softly.

"This extraordinary ornament can detect malicious tendencies. Although it's not entirely accurate, it should have lessened the danger you faced yesterday while riding in the carriage, Watson."

Looking at the shimmering blue diamond and the delicate knuckles of the little sparrow, Charlotte no longer refused. She simply raised the corners of her lips, leaned forward, and got close enough to see Melina's eyes to reveal her pure white boutonniere, her exquisite eyebrows and eyes, and everything about herself to the other woman.

"Then, Melina, please help me find a place to put it on, since I can't see very well."

With her head slightly tilted, revealing her delicate neck and slender waist, the girl affectionately made her request.

"Here, there, either way is fine!"