The Glasses

The dishwashing room was quiet, save for the gentle gush of water.

Tears streamed continuously from the young woman’s eyes, her shy cheeks flushed like ripe apples.

Her sorrowful beauty, like pear blossoms kissed by rain, stirred an undeniable pity in anyone who beheld her.

Beholding Sally in such a state, Ewan felt an undeniable quickening in his pulse.

“Ewan, can’t you reconsider?”

Clenching her fingers, Sally nervously posed the question once more.

As if unseen ripples spread through the air, Ewan’s resolve began to waver.

‘Sally was so incredibly endearing.’

‘So remarkably virtuous.’

‘She could even prepare delectable pastries and exquisite meals.’

‘And her figure was absolutely stunning.’

‘If she became my partner, it would surely be perfect.’

‘Therefore, perhaps I should…’

****

*Snap!*

A sharp sound suddenly echoed through the room.

Sally startled, instinctively recoiling a step, her eyes wide with surprise as she stared at Ewan.

“What kind of scumbag am I, dammit!”

Ewan suddenly slapped himself, rousing himself from his thoughts. He gritted his teeth and declared, “Eating from my bowl while eyeing the pot? No, even a scumbag needs principles.”

‘What’s the difference between a scumbag without principles and a man who thinks with his lower half?’

‘Am I truly such a vulgar creature, merely lusting after her body?’

“So, I’m still sorry, Sally. I cannot accept.”

Ewan sincerely refused again, though this time his posture was lower, and his tone much softer.

To be rejected twice by the same person within two short minutes was, no matter how one looked at it, an incredibly cruel outcome for a young woman who had gathered her courage.

Ewan felt so ashamed he wished he could find a sack, throw himself in it, and endure a good beating.

‘Why must I be so handsome? If only I were a little more ordinary, I wouldn’t encounter such predicaments.’

“Is… is that so?”

Upon hearing Ewan’s final answer, Sally’s face crumpled into an expression of profound sorrow.

She took a deep breath, as if trying to hold back her tears, but they only flowed more relentlessly.

“It’s… it’s not your fault, Ewan. I was just too presumptuous.”

Like a heartbroken heroine in a drama who couldn’t accept a failed confession, Sally forced a smile more painful than tears as she slowly retreated.

Then, she turned and fled.

She nearly collided with a soft embrace.

“Oh my, what do I see?”

Anna Campbell had appeared at the doorway at some unknown point. She cast a chiding glance at Ewan. “Truly, it’s you, junior. In just a few minutes, you’ve already broken another young woman’s heart?”

“If I had agreed, *that* would make me a scumbag,” Ewan said with a wry smile, seemingly having anticipated her arrival.

“True.”

Anna nodded, then lowered her head, pulling out a handkerchief. She tenderly wiped the tears from Sally’s face, a glint of something shimmering in her hand during the process. “Don’t be upset, junior. We won’t bother with a scumbag like him.”

“Hey! You still think I’m a scumbag!”

“Oh?”

Anna paid no mind to Ewan’s protest. Instead, as she helped Sally wipe her tears, she seemed to discover something, uttering with slight surprise, “Sally, you’re so lovely, why do you insist on hiding behind these unsightly black-rimmed glasses? Girls should pay attention to their appearance, you know. Perhaps the outcome with certain scumbags might be different.”

“Hey! Senior!”

“I know a shop that specializes in custom-made women’s glasses. Would you like me to introduce you?”

As she spoke, Anna reached out to take Sally’s black-rimmed glasses, intending to wipe away the smudges of tears that had completely blurred them.

*Snap!*

Sally suddenly grabbed her hand.

Her head was bowed, her expression unreadable.

“No need, Senior. I appreciate your kindness.”

“But…”

Anna looked at Sally’s hand, a slight frown creasing her brow.

Before she could say anything more, Sally suddenly darted past her, rushing into the inner kitchen and slamming the door shut.

Amidst the rhythmic chopping sounds, Sally’s voice, thick with tears, drifted from within. “I’m sorry, please don’t mind me. Just let me be alone for a while.”

Soon after, uncontrollable sobs emanated from behind the door, sounding profoundly sorrowful.

“Junior, you truly are a profound sinner.”

Listening to the crying inside, Anna sighed, casting a meaningful glance at Ewan.

Ewan remained silent, offering only a bitter smile.

“So, shall we go?”

Ewan tentatively suggested.

Although leaving felt irresponsible, staying would only prolong the awkwardness.

It was better to let Sally have her peace.

“Alright,” Anna agreed with a nod.

After all, her objective had been met.

However, before they departed, she couldn’t help but cast one last, lingering look at the tightly shut kitchen door.

‘Something feels… off.’

Her gaze flickered to her wrist, where Sally’s grip had left a vivid red mark.

“Junior.”

“Hm?”

“Is Sally’s martial arts cultivation very strong?”

“I don’t know. She’s always been quite unremarkable. But since she attends martial arts classes, she shouldn’t be too weak.”

“I see…”

Anna withdrew her gaze, no longer dwelling on it.

For Sally’s sorrowful demeanor just now, by all appearances, didn’t seem like something that could be feigned.

Most likely, she was simply overthinking things.

****

After Ewan and Anna left, Sally remained hidden in the kitchen, weeping.

The tears flowed endlessly, as if they would never dry.

She was so heartbroken.

She liked Ewan so much, yet in the end, why had he still rejected her?

Was it because she wasn’t pretty enough?

It was true, compared to that woman in the maid outfit earlier, and Senior Anna, her own looks were far from outstanding.

She wasn’t beautiful, didn’t know how to dress up, and always wore those unsightly black-rimmed glasses.

Ewan surely wouldn’t like her.

“Ah, right.”

At the mention of black-rimmed glasses, Sally seemed to recall something.

“I almost forgot, I need to take off my glasses when there are no outsiders.”

And so, the black-rimmed glasses, soaked with tears, almost completely blurred, making it impossible to see, were removed.

The crying ceased abruptly.

As if an invisible darkness spread, her aura suddenly shifted, becoming as cold as the night.

Through the water-filled sink, she gazed at herself.

She gazed at *herself*… an entirely different person, displaying a sinister smile.

“Ah, why did it fail?”

“The last mental suggestion was so successful; otherwise, Ewan wouldn’t have stumbled upon this place by chance.”

“What a pity. He’s a duke’s son, after all. If he could be controlled, it would greatly aid the plan.”

“However…”

Sally showed no disappointment. Instead, she stretched her lips into a wide, excited grin.

The smile was utterly bizarre, her mouth nearly reaching her ears, like a… venomous snake flicking its tongue.

“This is truly a happy accident. I searched for so long before with no results, and almost got caught by that silver-haired woman…”

She gazed at her own hands. The thought of what she had felt just moments ago, touching those fair hands, made her involuntarily press her palms together, praying, “Indeed, great Moon, is it you who guides me?”

“If so, I will surely not fail your expectations. I shall bring your lost divine offspring before your throne.”

“Don’t you agree, Father?”

In the corner of the kitchen, a silent man continuously raised and lowered a cleaver.

Like a machine, he repeated a single motion.

On the cutting board before him, distorted shadows silently writhed. Then, like fish flesh, they were chopped into segments.

He picked up a piece and put it into his mouth.

Chewing.

Though it was merely a void of shadow, it made a sound like flesh and bone being crushed.

A moment later, he grinned, revealing blackened teeth.

“Delicious.”