Chapter 72

72

‘What happened last night?’

The scene before my eyes was hard to bear.

It wasn’t good that the first thing I saw upon opening my eyes was Sharent Clown’s face, and the room Vera brought me to was also unfamiliar.

"Vera, this isn’t my room."

This isn’t my room, what are you talking about?

‘There’s no way this flashy and luxurious room could be mine.’

Moreover, the soft carpet on the floor and the large, wide bed with a thin canopy swaying.

‘I’m scared...’

All the decorations were made of gold.

On one side, dolls and toys were piled up, and there was a high-end desk and dining table that anyone could see.

And!

There was a large jewelry box at my eye level where I could store mana stones.

It seemed as if it was deliberately telling me it was a mana stone storage, with a dozen or so mana stones placed there.

Moreover, they were all of quite high grade.

While it was a pleasant surprise, why were there mana stones here all of a sudden?

"Miss, from today, this will be your room."

No, don’t say such a terrifying thing.

What is this combination of pink and sky blue? I hate pastel tones. I didn’t even use such a room when I was Hella.

Hundreds of reasons why this couldn’t be true flashed through my mind, but I couldn’t say anything in front of the delighted Vera.

"And from now on, you will also dine in the dining room, as requested."

Wait, was I being discriminated against in that aspect too? Weren’t everyone eating in their own rooms? I was shocked to learn this new fact and opened my mouth.

"Are you that happy?"

No, this is a look of shock.

"From today, you are also a Clown."

"..."

"Sharena Clown, what a beautiful name."

Vera, who was hugging me tightly, whispered with a voice full of joy.

I just buried my face in her shoulder and quietly looked at the luxurious room.

It was a bit surprising that so much had changed in just one night.

‘This must be Sharent Clown’s doing.’

This clearly meant that Sharent Clown was truly planning to give me the Clown surname.

I felt a bit strange. I was a bit embarrassed and a bit flustered.

I couldn’t help but feel my face heat up.

I hadn’t been recognized by many people.

The credit for establishing Silophia went entirely to the Senate. I didn’t mind that.

I had never really complained. I had never been sad that no one recognized me.

But if this was Sharent Clown’s recognition, it meant I had lived for so long without knowing how happy I could be.

‘...It’s too late now.’

I can no longer be hostile towards the Clown family.

It would be impossible to raise a sword against the Clown family. Still, the fact that I had to leave made me sad.

"Ugh, I’m happy, Vera."

"Miss...?"

"Vera, I like it."

Vera’s eyes widened at my sincerity.

She was silent for a while, then stretched out her arms and hugged me tightly.

"I love you too, Miss."

"..."

I closed my eyes, feeling the warmth.

‘I need to leave quickly.’

I needed to learn magic faster.

To avoid hurting anyone, I needed time.

Because I myself would be the seed of chaos.

Stepping on the soft carpet, I lifted my head and looked at the sparkling chandelier.

When I lived as Hella, my room was always a place with few decorations, like a laboratory.

I never knew how precious a home could be.

‘I don’t like family...’

Vera slowly walked me to the bed, and my eyes started to feel heavy, as if it was nap time.

‘I like affectionate people.’

Sharent Clown, Deshar Clown, and Vera were all affectionate.

The Clown family was affectionate as long as you were inside their fence.

If I felt this way just being on the boundary, how happy would I be inside?

So, I had to leave before I was completely immersed in that happiness.

That was the only way I could show affection.

Black magic brings evil.

Living an ordinary life with others, whether I liked it or not, was already impossible. Just being around would bring misfortune.

A black mage can’t be with anyone.

"A few days from now, a tutor will also come."

"Ugh."

The slight pain on my forehead from the tap made me frown.

Turning my head, I saw a beautiful woman smiling at me.

‘Damn, she’s too pretty.’

This is unfair.

I got angry, but my face turned red, and I couldn’t say anything.

But I don’t like carrots, bell peppers, paprika, kale, asparagus, onions, blue cabbage, or tomatoes.

"Try it, Martina! It’s delicious!"

"Even if you say that, I need to eat them to grow. Look, Kai-Shan is eating them well."

"Ugh..."

I’m eating them, but my face looks like I’m eating live bugs.

Look at my face, does it look like I’m eating well? I’m only eating because I can’t win against my mother.

"I didn’t know you didn’t eat vegetables."

The annoying voice from the side made me glare at Sharent Clown while chewing the mushy carrot in my mouth.

You’re the one talking out of both sides of your mouth.

Ah, you said it would be better if you didn’t come, so why did you bring me here!

"I didn’t know you would come."

"I was worried that you might cause trouble, so I thought it was unsafe to send you alone."

Sharent Clown answered solemnly.

I had never seen him so tense.

His expression and actions didn’t show much, but the atmosphere was definitely different from usual.

He was so relaxed and sarcastic in front of Deshar Clown.

‘Damn, did you bring me here just because Kai-Shan said he wanted to see me?’

Are you planning to use me as a bridge of love?

"Ugh, Sh, Sharena. You need to eat more vegetables to grow tall like your big brother."

You need to get rid of that disgusting face first.

I only picked out the finely sliced meat, so now all that’s left is vegetables.

I sighed deeply, feeling uncomfortable as I stared at them.

"Oh, the child is sighing."

"You lack the qualities of a child."

"Still, it’s impressive that you decided to accept this child."

Martina’s soft voice made Sharent Clown close his mouth.

‘Why did you close your mouth there?’

Haven’t you done enough already?

You should speak up. Tell her that you’ve been ignoring me and treating me like I don’t exist.

‘Damn, you don’t want to look bad in front of the woman you like, right?’

"You seem to have changed a bit."

"I haven’t changed."

He said firmly.

I glanced at the two of them and, with clumsy fork movements, picked up a lot of vegetables. Then, when they weren’t looking, I secretly moved them to Kai-Shan’s plate.

Kai-Shan’s eyes widened when he saw that he had finished all the vegetables in front of him.

I smiled, and Kai-Shan shuddered, as if he might fall over if I touched him.

After all, Kai-Shan thinks he needs to set a good example as a ‘big brother.’

"Big brother!"

I smiled again, and Kai-Shan shuddered. The boy, with a determined look, finally picked up his fork again.

"Huh..."

Sharent Clown, who was watching from the side, let out a hollow laugh.

It was a bit embarrassing, but what could I do?

I pretended not to feel the slight guilt and turned my head, lowering my gaze. Still, half of the vegetables were left.

‘I don’t want to eat...’

Today, all I could see were things I particularly disliked.

‘But at the Clown mansion, meat was served every day.’

Vera didn’t say much about my not eating vegetables.

I had to eat them when they were served in a puree-like form, but I couldn’t eat them when I could see them.

"Today’s snack is strawberry jelly."

"..."

"Only those who finish their plates can have it."

Sharent Clown started using his despicable tactics again.

As I held the fork, my lips twitched, and he laughed.

I looked at Sharent Clown, mouthing the words.

"Two pieces."

He held up two fingers.

"If you eat everything properly."

At his words, I stuffed a lot of vegetables into my mouth.

My cheeks puffed up like a squirrel’s, but I just wanted to end this painful time quickly.