Chapter 28. Elizabeth's Demand
Charles pretended to be oblivious to the underlying meaning of Elizabeth's words and calmly took a seat.
"Miss Elizabeth, what's the matter?"
"You said you needed the jelly. You seemed rather urgent about it, so I brought it here," Elizabeth replied and took a small box from behind her.
"Thank you. How much is it?" Charles inquired.
Elizabeth pushed the box directly into Charles's arms.
"Why the formality? It's a gift; it's not worth much anyway."
Elizabeth then entered the room and scanned the dimly lit space. "My love, why don't you find someone to keep you company? It can be quite lonely being all alone."
Before Charles could respond, Elizabeth closed the room door behind her and sat down by the edge of the bed.
Watching her actions, Charles felt a jolt in his heart. Staring at the pairs of eyes underneath the bed, he let out a cough and walked to the table to set down the box in his hand.
"Name a price please, I don't like to owe people favors."
The corners of Elizabeth's lips raised into a mischievous smile. A flush appeared on her face as desire glimmered in her eyes. "In that case, why don't you give yourself to me?"
"W-What...?" Charles stammered.
Before Charles could utter another word, Elizabeth raised the short wooden staff in her hand and tapped it against the oil lamp on the table. The oil lamp shattered instantly and darkness engulfed the room.
In the next moment, Charles caught a whiff of a fragrant scent as a supple figure pressed against him. Emerging from n0v@lbin☆, this material harbors clandestine details.
"Relax, my love, You must learn how to relax. It's already quite stifling out at sea," Elizabeth whispered into his ear like a seductress.
Charles's breathing grew rapid. Before he could say anything, in the darkness, a mass of softness pressed against his lips.
Even though Charles hadn't fully understood the situation, he wouldn't be considered a man if he felt nothing considering the circumstances. A lustful fire ignited in Charles' heart as he eagerly reciprocated.
When the air-stifling softness finally withdrew, rapid gasps sounded in his ears.
Just when Charles couldn't hold it in any longer, a squeak sounded from beneath the bed. The squeak felt like a bucket of cold water being poured over him, and instantly extinguished the lust in him. If it were any other matter, it might have been manageable. But the room was filled with a horde of light bulbs.
With a raise of his left hand, the invisible tentacles swiftly coiled around Elizabeth and pushed her away.
"Miss Elizabeth, I'm sorry, but I'm not really feeling up to it today."
Lily was about to approach James to greet him when she realized that the latter was now dressed in a tightly fitted suit when he was usually covered in grease. He even held an expensive bouquet of flowers in his hands.
He appeared nervous and the back of his suit was already damp with sweat.
"Let's quietly follow him and see what he's up to," Lily suggested.
James navigated through a series of twists and turns in the alley before arriving before a bakery.
Just then, a graceful woman in a dress emerged from the shop. James took out a small box from his pocket and knelt down on one knee. The crowd in the bakery erupted into applause.
"Wow! It's a proposal!" Lily shouted in excitement.
Witnessing the woman tearfully nodding and hugging James, a sweet smile lighted up Lily's face.
"How sweet," Lily remarked.
Watching them enter the bakery, Lily continued her path forward. Just then, her stomach growled loudly.
"Since Mr. Charles said I'm his crew member, he ought to give me a salary. Then I will be able to buy food for everyone."
The mice around her squeaked in agreement.
Scanning her surroundings, Lily noticed a grand clock tower in the distance. She then turned to the mice around her and said, "Everyone, my house is not too far from here. Let's go see my mother and then we can go back and ask Mr. Charles for food."
Lily then dashed off with the group of mice tailing her. This time, she learned her lesson and chose secluded corners to avoid startling others.
Once again, they arrived before the villa. The brown mice skillfully formed a tower for the white mouse to stand at the top to look through a window.
Pressing against the glass, Lily gazed intently at the family of three eating their meal at the table.
"Daddy knocked off so early today?" Lily wondered aloud.
Watching the laughter and conversation inside the house, tears welled up in Lily's eyes. She stood by the window until lunch ended. Upon seeing her mother coming out to dispose of the trash, Lily quickly hid to avoid being seen.
Lily continued to stare at her mother in longing. It was only when the woman entered the villa that Lily jumped into the garbage bin and searched for leftover scraps of food.
She picked up a fishbone and devoured the remaining fish meat off it. The brown mice rushed in and swiftly cleaned up all available food scraps.
Just then, Lily heard the joyful cheers of a little girl from within the house.
"Mommy and Daddy! Thank you for the birthday gift! I love you!"
Holding the fishbone in her trembling paws, the white mouse raised it up and showed it to the mice around her.
With tears streaming down her face, she sobbed, "See, I was right, wasn't I? Mommy's sweet fish soup is really delicious."