Odette overestimated the seven year old body of hers. Therefore, the push resulted in her falling on top of the broken shards. However, despite the pain, Odette didn't even wince.
But the fact that her body was this weak displeased her.
Odette, nonetheless, had no right to be angry at her mother. This happened because of Odette being not strong enough. The superior ones ruled over those on the bottom, and right now, Valentina had that privilege. But soon enough, it will be Odette.
Odette's eyes unfazed gaze disturbed Valentina. Even though she knew her daughter was more mature those of their age, this composure Odette showed seemed too odd. Valentina strangely felt exposed and ridiculed.
"Quit looking at me! Look down, Useless Brat! What a wastrel! You have been getting too disobedient these days! You need to learn your place! That's why, you will be locked away and given no food for three days. That ought to teach you manners and gravity of the situation. Losers have no position here."
Odette agreed on her mother with that last statement.
'Mother, if you get scared away of me so soon, what about the future? It wouldn't be that fun anymore.'
Odette sighed and stood up before expressing, "What a pity, Mother. I am afraid I can't abide by that. You see, Father is planning on taking me to the Palace tomorrow. And it would be best to not injure me further. You wouldn't want to create disadvantages for me, right?"
Odette gently smiled at her mother.
Valentina was seething in rage. She wanted to badly punish Odette, seeing how impudent the girl was getting. But Odette was right. She still had to train, and harming her would create an obstruction.
Valentina took in a deep breath before spatting, "Last chance for you."
Valentina did feel there was something amiss about Odette. How could she keep on smiling after this? It was as if the situation was slipping out of her control. It felt as though the strings were in Odette's hand.
Odette greatly resembled her father, Damian, right then, and instead of that comforting Valentina, it gave her a certain psychological pressure.
"Understood, Mother."
°°°
Odette stared at the snacks and tea prepared for her. Not having an appetite, she stared at them in boredom. Both her hands and forehead was bandaged due to the injuries.
Finding that to be bothersome, Odette had intense urges to rip them off of her hand.
However, wanting the wounds to heal faster, she held back her urges.
The door to the room opened, and a boy walked in. His footsteps made Odette raise her head towards him. The corner of her lips was curved up.
A hint of nervousness and fear was there in Dennis's eyes. He lowered his gaze, not daring to meet Odette's eyes. Sharp as he was, he already guessed why he had been called here.
"I knew I wasn't wrong to choose you," Odette commented. Her tone holding amusement.
Although she complimented him using a cordial tone, the nerves in him still didn't calm down. Nevertheless, the pressure on him was lifted slightly for Odette sounded genuinely pleased.
"Thank you, Lady Odette," he responded— somewhat meekly.
"You ordered for Adrian to be prisoned. You really understood how things work around here within this short time and established your dominance. How impressive!"
Her praises made Dennis feel shy and proud. Maybe he had done a good job this time.
"I am not worthy of such praises, Lady Odette," he modestly responded.
He did deserve those compliments. After all, he got the workers here to follow his commands and imprison Adrian. Actually, the fact that he thought of imprisoning Adrian impressed Odette. As expected, he played his role well.
"There is no need to be humble. Do you know that Adrian would have been killed if I hadn't interfered? So, how does it feel? You know, almost killing someone?"
Odette had a friendly grin on her face, but her words felt bone-chilling to him. All of a sudden, the atmosphere felt intimidating, and anxiety arose inside him. There was something about Odette— that he wasn't able to pinpoint— which made him feel frightened.
Moreover, he did feel unsettled by those statements of hers. He merely thought Adrian would punished. Never did he think his actions would push Adrian to his death. He felt guilty at that.
Odette chuckled. "You don't need to be afraid. I am actually proud of you. If you want to stay here, do keep on humoring me like this."
It was terrifying. He understood what type of person Odette wanted to carve him out to be— someone selfish and without a conscience. Although the idea of that disgusted him, he cared more about Odette's approval.
That was enough to submerge the guilt he felt.