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Novel Catalog
Chapter 100
Matthew didn’t answer Veronica. His mind lingered on her words from earlier, feeling there were more holes than truth in what she had said. The mention of the Larsons, in particular, made him uneasy. They were connected to her previous kidnapping, something Matthew had once disregarded but now felt compelled to understand. He didn’t want to dive into the past, but the pieces didn’t seem to fit. He wanted to know what had really happened.
After a while, Veronica grew tired of sitting, so she returned to the village chief’s home. Melissa was already fast asleep, her face relaxed and serene, with a smile still playing on her lips—her happiness radiating even in her sleep.
Veronica wasn’t sure how much time had passed, but eventually, she drifted off herself. The next day, she was woken up by Melissa’s eager voice.
“What did you do with Matthew last night?” Melissa asked, sitting cross-legged in bed, her chin resting on her hands as she stared at Veronica. “I waited for you so long, but you never came back.”
Veronica groaned, squinting at the early morning light. “We went to watch the moon,” she muttered, still half asleep.
“What? You watched the moon with Matthew?” Melissa’s voice was full of shock and a hint of jealousy. She couldn’t hide her emotions, and her words tumbled out before she could stop herself.
The sudden outburst startled Veronica, causing her to sit up abruptly. Her glare was sharp as she shot back, “Aren’t you wasting your breath saying that? You asked me to help you with him, and I did. If I didn’t make up an excuse to talk to him, how would you even have a chance to ask him out?”
“Oh, you’re right,” Melissa muttered sheepishly. “But, uh… Why does he treat you like that? My brother and the others said he’s indifferent, cruel, and merciless, but it feels like he’s treating you differently.”
Veronica raised an eyebrow, amused by Melissa’s straightforwardness. “Why do you think he’s nice to me? His grandmother likes me, and I’ll be his sister-in-law soon. That’s why.” Veronica poked Melissa’s forehead with a playful but firm jab. “And also, you’re blind. Which eye of yours sees him indulging my every whim?”
“Ouch! That hurts…” Melissa rubbed her forehead, wincing at the sting. She grumbled, “The way I see it, he’s definitely nice to you.”
Veronica rolled her eyes, grumbling under her breath. “Go see an eye doctor if you’re seeing things that aren’t there!”
She had barely slept the night before, and the early hour didn’t help. With an exasperated sigh, she threw off the quilt and climbed out of bed.
The village chief and his family were busy preparing breakfast in the kitchen. Veronica greeted them all, then washed up and got herself ready. Still, it was early, so she decided to take a walk outside.
The morning air was cool and crisp, and the mist hovered gently above the pond’s surface. Flowers along the roadside were covered in dewdrops, sparkling like tiny diamonds in the soft morning light. The sky above was cloudy, giving the whole scene a peaceful, almost ethereal feel. Veronica strolled around the village, appreciating the beauty of the countryside.
As she wandered toward the southern end of the village, she reached the old rice fields and spotted an ancient millstone, a relic from the past. She paused to admire it, but then her attention was drawn to a man limping past, his face obscured by a copper mask. His shabby clothes matched his strange, solitary appearance. The man leaned heavily on a walking stick as he moved slowly, his eyes hidden beneath the mask, creating an eerie, unsettling aura.
Veronica studied him curiously, but the man’s gaze met hers for a brief moment, his eyes cold and unreadable.
“Good morning, mister…” she began, but before she could say more, Melissa appeared out of nowhere, greeting the masked man cheerfully.
“Good morning!” she called, her voice full of friendliness. But the moment the man turned to look at her, Melissa froze, her expression faltering under his icy stare.
Veronica saw the fear in her friend’s eyes, and within moments, Melissa darted to her side, clutching her arm and falling silent.
The man continued on his way, disappearing into the distance. Melissa let out a long sigh of relief, her chest heaving. “Oh my God, I was so scared. Why is there such a man in Dawnpol Village?”
Veronica raised an eyebrow, her voice laced with suspicion. “Why are you following me?”
Melissa, not one to hide her feelings, answered honestly, “Hehe, I thought I might run into my Prince Charming if I followed you. And besides, didn’t you say you’d help me ask him out again? You haven’t done it yet.”
Veronica stared at her, unable to suppress a grin. Despite Melissa’s strange obsession, Veronica couldn’t help but find her endearing. “Just be patient. I’ll try my best to arrange it.”
The two of them wandered through the village, returning to the village chief’s home for breakfast. Later, they went up the mountain again to continue their work, moving goods for the next few days. Since Dawnpol Village was at the farthest edge, everything had to be brought there before being sent to other villages, making it a long, tiring task.
Veronica worked tirelessly, her energy barely holding up as the days wore on. Seeing her dedication, Melissa praised her constantly, wiping her sweat and offering water as if she were her personal assistant.
Hendric, watching this from the sidelines, couldn’t hide his growing frustration. “Why have I never seen you be so nice to me? I’m your father!” he grumbled, glaring at Melissa in jealousy.
Melissa, however, was unbothered. “Dad, Veronica’s my best friend now. Since she’s nice to me, I have to be nice to her too,” she replied matter-of-factly.
Hendric’s irritation was clear as he wiped the sweat from his brow. “Am I not nice to you?”
Melissa shrugged, not sparing him much attention. “You’re nice, but our relationship is different from mine with Veronica.”
Hendric simmered for a moment, but his anger faded when he saw how innocently Melissa defended their friendship. However, his annoyance flared up again when he saw her handing Veronica another bottle of water.
Veronica, while initially uncomfortable with the extra attention, had grown used to it over the past few days. Hendric could only watch in green-eyed envy, but there was nothing he could do about it.
As Veronica rested in a chair, trying to recover from the day’s work, Melissa sat beside her and pouted. “Veronica—uh, no, Roni—when will you help me ask my Prince Charming out again? I miss him so much.”
At those words, Veronica choked on the water she was drinking, and she hastily spit it out, spluttering.
“Hey, are you okay?” Melissa hurriedly patted her on the back, wiping her mouth with a towel.
Veronica coughed a few times before finally managing to speak. “Why would you miss him? You barely know him.”
Melissa looked at her sheepishly, her eyes sparkling with hope. “Well… because…”
Before she could finish, Hendric’s voice thundered from across the yard. “Get your butt over here at once, Melissa!”
“Oh, Dad, you’re so annoying! Why interfere when I’m chatting with my bestie? Hmph!” Melissa stuck her tongue out playfully, but it was clear Hendric’s temper was about to boil over again.
