shuhaige
Chapter 27
“Dear, this’s not the time to pull that long face. We have a long time ahead of us. Have more of the fish.”
“No, you need it more than me.” Beatrix pushed her hand away.
“I know. Just this one last time. That will make big sister happy.” Lavana urged.
“Ok!” Beatrix took one more spoonful and Lavana kissed her forehead.
“Yeah. That my lil girl.” she finished the remaining fish and soup.
Then he tried to get off the bed.
“No need. Let me keep it away.” Beatrix took the bed tray away and placed it on the table in the east wing of the room quickly.
There was a knock on the door.
“Come in,” Lavana said, reclining her head on the pillow.
Carl carefully entered and brought two nylon bags.
“What are these for?” Beatrix inquired.
“Well, they are new clothes. You girls can change into them after having a bath.” he placed the bags on the bed.
“Thank you very much.” Beatrix and Lavana said in unison.
He smiled and waved it off saying it’s what he ought to do.
As he wanted to leave, Beatrix stopped him.
“Mr Carl,” she took off the ring on her left thumb that had just appeared.
“Beatrix,” Lavana called in a reminder but she simply smiled at her and then looked back at Carl.
“Keep this ring as our thanks to you. It will protect you from danger and bring you wealth,” she said but he retreated 2 steps.
“No, no. I can’t take this.”
“Don’t piss me off. Take it!” her eyes turned greyish purple.
“Y-Yes, Beatrix. I’ll keep it well,” he said as he accepted the silver ring from her.
It was quite small but he would keep it anyway.
“Wear it now,” Beatrix ordered.
He looked at the small ring. What she demanded was impossible. How would he do so?
“It expands to fit the finger of the user. Do it,” she demanded.
“Yes,” he put the ring at the tip of his right thumb and surprisingly, the ring expanded and entered his thumb by itself. It started to glow.
“This…”
“The ring is yours now. You will take our secret to your grave. Am I right?” she smiled meaningfully at him.
“Y-Yes, of course. Only a fool would do otherwise.” he hurriedly replied.
“You are smart,” she said and blew on the ring on his right thumb.
It immediately vanished, shocking him.
“The ring will only show itself if you are in danger,” she explain and he nodded in understanding.
“Alright, we’re done here. Bye.” Beatrix pushed him out and locked the door behind her.
“So, are you happy now?” Lavana said with folded arms.
“Eh… yeah.”
“Come here.”
Beatrix walked to Lavana and sat on the bed.
Lavana pinched her cheeks lightly.
“You are very stubborn huh. You keep going against your promise.”
“I didn’t use my witch scepter.” Beatrix defended.
“You keep threatening him with your eyes. I know that using your witch eyes also consumes your energy.”
“No… it…”
“Don’t deny it, kiddo.” Lavana stopped pinching the little girl’s cheeks and bit her left index finger.
Blood started trickling.
“Big sis…” Beatrix wanted to get something to stop the bleeding but Lavana held her back with her other hand.
“Big sis…” Beatrix called out with concern.
“No, you can’t leave without promising me.”
“Promise?” Beatrix’s eyebrows creased.
“Promise me that you will not do anything that draws upon your little internal energy while you are with me. Promise me that, Beatrix.” Lavana’s eyes changed to orange. “Promise me. I must take you back to your home safe and sound, alright! So now promise me. Promise me, little one.”
Beatrix sighed in defeat.
She bit on her left index finger and it started bleeding.
“I promise, big sister,” she whispered and touched Lavana’s bleeding finger with hers.
Soon, their fingers stopped bleeding.
“Beatrix, don’t be mad at me. I get very worried when you do things you shouldn’t. Your parents must be out there looking for you and I want them to see you looking well. You are also my little sister. Naturally, I wouldn’t want you to harm yourself coz of me.” she brought a sulky Beatrix into a hug.
“One day, you’ll be able to do as you please and we’ll even fly in the skies when you become a high ranking witch. You are still an apprentice,” she whispered, patting Beatrix’s back.
Beatrix sniffed.
“I’m sorry. I won’t disobey you again.”
“It’s fine. I’m sorry for shouting at you earlier. Don’t be mad at me, ok?”
“I’m not mad.”
They stayed like that for a while and Lavana decided they go have a bath and change into new clothes.
Beatrix agreed and helped a staggering Lavana to the bathroom.
******
1 hour later.
Both had changed into new clothes.
Beatrix now wore a black nightgown while Lavana wore a white sleepshirt with a bear logo.
Both lay on the bed and Beatrix took out a children’s book from the cupboard.
She gave it to Lavana.
“Bedtime stories,” she said.
Lavana scrunched her nose with one eye closed.
“What’s with that expression, big sis? You don’t want to?” Beatrix asked with a pout.
“Gimme then. I’ll try.”
Beatrix gave her the colorful children’s book and she opened it so it covered her face.
After a minute, Beatrix heard nothing from Lavana.
“Big sis, when will you begin?”
“Er… Just a minute more. I’m checking out something.”Lavana said as she flipped through pages.
“Big sis…”
“Here you can have it. I’m done with it. There are many pictures.”
“Eh? That’s it. I wanted you to read me bedtime stories.”
“Go to sleep. It’s late.” Lavana said and turned to face the other side.
Her face was red from embarrassment. How was she going to explain to the little one?
“Big sis, could it be that you… you actually can’t read?” Beatrix asked.
“Nonsense! Who told you that?” Lavana immediately turned to look at Beatrix.
“See? I knew it?”
“You knew what?” Lavana asked in confusion.
“Your face is red. You must be embarrassed.”This belongs to NôvelDrama.Org.
“You… I can read.” Lavana defended.
“Okay, read the sentence here.” Beatrix opened a page of the book. The words on that page were few but to Lavana it was like thousands of words.
“Uh-huh? I’m waiting.”
“Forget it. I’m gonna sleep.” Lavana lay back down, turning to the other side.
“Big sis, don’t be mad at Beatrix, ok? I’ll read you a story instead.”
“It’s…”
Beatrix interrupted and started reading the story.