Second Life's Revenge

Laura walked inside the estate, not noticing all the servants looking at her. They whispered to each other and were surprised to see Laura back in the house.

They all thought she would never come back and realized they were all worried for nothing. Laura looked at her dress and only noticed now that it was dirty.

'Well, what do you expect when you spend the night in the forest.' she thought.

Laura continued to walk to Count Harrison's office and hoped that he wouldn't get mad. Laura knocked on the door before entering the office and as soon as she took a step in the Count ran towards her and gave her a hug.

Laura was startled and waited for the Count to release her.

Count Harrison pulled away from Laura and checked if she got any injuries. He noticed Laura's wrist had a mark, and he grabbed it gently and looked at it. His face had formed into a frown and slowly placed her hands down.

"Are you alright?"

"I'm alright father. I'm sorry I caused trouble."

"It's alright as long as you are safe."

"I'm really sorry."

"Tell me where did you go?"

"I...was asked by an elf to save his brother. Of course, I couldn't bear to not accept it."

"Such a kind soul you have. But next time inform us first, is that clear?"

"Yes, father."

"Now tell me what happened."

Count Harrison asked Laura to take a seat and tell her the story. Starting from where Recalled for Laura, then saving Do from a rock. Laura, however, didn't mention anything about the shadow who pointed a knife to her neck and had tied her hands and legs.

Not only that, but she also wanted to keep it a secret that the Duke was roaming around their area. She thought that they were doing something with their investigation. She also hoped that Erwin had caught the shadow.

"That reminds me. Tine found your necklace. You should go and grab it after you take a bath."

"Do I smell that much?"

"No, that's not what I meant silly."

"I'm just kidding, father."

"Go now. You'll feel much more refreshed after, and Lester will make sure we don't lose sight of my precious daughter again."

"Yes, master."

Laura stepped out of Count Harrison's office and walked back to her room. Mary who walked by her side couldn't stop asking questions about the elves she had met.

Laura felt like she would get a headache if Mary kept asking questions, so she tried to dismiss the idea.

"Mary, can you stop asking questions please?"

"I'm so so so sorry. It's just that I really want to see one."

"I understand. If I see them again, I'll make sure to let you meet them."

Mary nodded her head like a dog and was excited to meet one. She hoped to meet them sooner and become friends with them. Laura looked at Mary's shining face and laughed internally.

'Where did the tired Mary go?'

Lester opened the door to Laura's room and stayed outside while Mary prepared the bath. Laura got a box out of the secret cabinet and was relieved to see that the journal was still there. She wouldn't know what to do if it had gone missing.

Even Tine doesn't know about it and there's no way she would be able to find it. Laura was lucky that Lester knew a secret cabinet in her room. That was because Laura also never knew about it.

"Miss, the bath is ready."

"Okay, coming."

Laura placed the box back into the secret cabinet and made sure it was closed. She entered the bathroom and removed her dress and dipped her foot in first to test the temperature before dipping her body in.

"Please call me if you need anything."

"I will."

Laura buried her face in the warm water and held her breath till she couldn't hold it anymore. She lifted her face out of the water and was in deep thought. She wondered if she should write a letter to Erwin to thank him for rescuing her.

But then she thought she might be mistaken. Laura slapped her cheeks with both hands and shook her head. She thought it was impossible for Erwin to be there. Besides, how did he know that she was there? Many questions entered Laura's mind, and she was left without an answer.

'I should write a letter to him.'

A few minutes later Laura got out of her bath and changed into a new set of clothes. Mary helped Laura dry her hair as Laura thought, what to write to the duke. She thought how embarrassing it was for her to be seen like that.

But still, she needed to thank him.

"Who are you writing to Miss?"

"It's nothing. Just trying to write what I had felt when I entered the forest."

"I see."

Laura tapped her pen on the paper and thought hard, what to write, but nothing came into her head. Laura suddenly sat up and startled Mary. What if she invites Erwin to her birthday party?

But then she remembers that it would be bad if nonsense rumors started to spread about the both of them. Laura slouched, on her chair after Mary had stopped drying her hair.

"What should I do?"

"What's wrong Miss?"

"It's nothing, Mary."

'Forget it.'

Laura crumpled the paper and threw it to the trash bin. She forgot that the Duke was a busy person and it would be better if she did not bother her. Still, she decided to write a letter to express her gratitude.

"Mary, let's go and get my necklace back."

"Yes, Miss."

Laura walked out of her room and was headed to Tine's room. She couldn't wait to see the face of Tine. Laura knocked on the door, then entered Tine's room. Laura saw Tine sitting on a chair reading a book.

Tine dropped her book upon seeing Laura's face. She ran towards Laura and gave her a hug.

'What an actress.'

Tine wiped her tears and touched Laura's face. Laura felt disgusted and wanted to slap her hand off her face. Laura put on a smile and patted Tine's back.

"I'm sorry. I just feel overwhelmed after seeing you. I thought you disappeared because I have been distant from you." Laura smiled and acted along with Tine's act. She wondered how long Tine could keep up with her.

"Silly you, of course, I didn't do that. Why would I leave the estate because of that reason? Plus, I was just helping a friend."

"A friend? Who is that?"

"Secret," Laura smirked and sat on the chair. She looked at Tine's reaction and seemed like she wanted to know who it was.

Sadly, Laura thought that Re and Do would be more scared of Tine than the wolves' cry.

"I heard from father that you found my necklace."

"Of course I promised myself to give it back to you. How can the thief do such a thing and steal your necklace? Such a bad person. He deserves punishment."

"If the thief really wanted the necklace, he could have just asked me. I would have given it to him."

Laura's eyes turned cold while looking at Tine. Tine gripped her dress tightly and smiled uncomfortably. Tine thought that there was no way Laura knew that she was the thief.

"I really hope that the thief learns his lesson."

"I agree with you sister."

"Do you want to have the necklace Tine?" Tine's eyes flinched as she felt Laura mocking her. Tine felt her chest burning up and thought, what if Laura really knew about it?

Tine was scared to say a word wrong, and so she decided to gamble.

"Indeed, it is a beautiful necklace, but I don't think it fits me. I think it looks better on you."

"Is that so? If Tine says that it looks good on me, then I should keep it." Tine bit her lips and did not want to agree with the words she had said, but it left her no choice.

Tine really hated it as it felt bitter in her tongue. She stood up and opened the jewelry box and handed the necklace to Laura.

"Please keep it safe next time."

"Oh, don't worry. If my necklace gets stolen again, I'll definitely cut his neck off."

Tine sat back nervously as Laura looked at her closely. She avoided Laura's contact and pretended to be in a daze. Laura laughed softly after seeing a pathetic action done by Tine.

Laura thought of course, who wouldn't be nervous after making up a story full of lies? She handed the necklace to Mary and had asked her to keep it safe. After finishing a cup of tea, Laura stood up and excused herself.

Tine slowly brushed her hair and calmed herself down. She couldn't believe she needed to talk badly about herself. She also hated the fact Laura was mocking her. Tine bit her nails as she nervously thought about all the possible things Laura could do to her.

But for now, she knew that she needed to back out as she was walking on thin ice and not do anything to anger Laura. Because she knew that Laura had an idea that it was her who had stolen the necklace.

"Helga, we're going to stay low for a while. We can't fight Laura now. She knows too much and I hate it."

"Miss, please control your anger."

"I am. Can't you see what I'm doing?"

"I apologize."

"I can't believe I was that pathetic today. Where did that useless brat go anyway? I hope he comes today and I'll punish him all I want."

Laura happily walked back to her room. She missed the reaction Tine had shown her. She wished that Tine had revealed her true personality. But maybe she'll save it for next time.

'This is what you get for fighting me.'

After the incident, Tine stayed quiet and did not involve herself with Laura. But Laura knew that she should stay cautious at all times because she will never know when the predator will attack.

'Let's just hope that all things end well.'