Chapter 60: A Day Off for Sick Leave
“No... don’t!”
At the break of dawn, I jolted upright from bed.
Furrowing my brows, my eyes flickered with unease, and beads of sweat dotted my delicate cheeks, from my forehead down to my chest.
“Hah... hoo...”
My chest rose and fell rapidly as I gasped for breath.
Quickly placing my small hand over my chest, I tried to calm myself.
Beneath my trembling eyelashes, I lifted my gaze slightly, my eyes landing on the old wall clock. The hands pointed to just before 5 o’clock—around 05:05.
Shifting my gaze to the window, the sky outside was just beginning to lighten.
Damn it, another nightmare!
...
Have you ever experienced nightmares?
Lately, I didn't know why, but I kept having them.
I couldn’t recall the specifics, but they were terrifying enough to jolt me awake.
Normally, I loved to sleep in, but recently, I’d been waking up early, frightened out of my wits.
“Hoo...”
Still breathing heavily, I reached up to rub my temples. This kind of sleep quality was worrying.
Just yesterday, my period started, and now I was being scared awake by nightmares. I didn’t know what was going on lately; I just felt uncomfortable.
“Erika?”
A gentle voice sounded.
My earlier flustered movements had also woken up Gladys.
“Ah... Gladys, sorry for waking you.”
“It’s okay.”
Shaking her head, Gladys reached out her jade-like hand, her slender fingers gently brushing aside the sweat-dampened strands of my hair.
“Another nightmare?”
“Mm...”
“It’s alright, I’m here.”
As she spoke, Gladys wrapped her arms around me, her red lips gently pressing against my ear.
Sure enough, she took my earlobe into her mouth.
“Hiss~”
I inhaled sharply, my previous fear vanishing. My little tail stood upright, my whole body tingling as if electrified.
“Gladys!”
“Feeling better now?”
“A bit better... but...”
“That’s good.”
Smiling slightly, Gladys’s hand slowly moved downward, her palm gliding over my chest and finally resting on my lower abdomen.
Her hand began to gently massage, and her soft voice sounded again.
“Still hurting?”
“A... a little.”
Blushing, I answered softly. At that moment, I resembled a frightened little kitten.
I knew she was referring to the cramps from my period.
I still couldn’t forget how I returned yesterday, bloodstained below, crying to Gladys.
It was so embarrassing...
“Take the day off and rest. Don’t go to the academy today.”
As she massaged my lower abdomen, Gladys said softly, “Look at you, all sweaty. Since you’re awake, go wash up.”
“Okay.”
...
The first rays of morning sunlight broke the silence of the night.
As time passed, the sound of wheels rolling over the streets echoed through the Imperial Capital. Merchants were already bustling about, starting their day early.
Sunlight filtered through the green leaves, and under the shade of the trees, the air carried a hint of leafy fragrance. People were already out jogging, ready to embrace the beautiful day.
I had just finished bathing, my grayish-white hair still damp, exuding a jasmine fragrance.
Now, I wore a very loose camisole dress, with a sanitary pad tucked inside my panties. I walked with a slight sway, holding a cup of sweet water in my small hands, approaching the table by the window.
Outside, the green leaves rustled in the breeze, and a ray of sunlight streamed through the window, casting a warm glow on my cheek. It felt so pleasant.
Gently lifting the sweet water Gladys had made, I took a sip with my small mouth.
“Ugh... so sweet.”
Just one sip, and I set the cup down, turning to look at Gladys, who was still tidying up on the other side of the room.
“Gladys, I’m hungry.”
“I’ve prepared something for you.”
As she spoke, Gladys brought over a plate of cooked vegetables—carrots, greens, and the like...
Alongside it was a bowl of porridge with red dates.
Seeing this, my expression immediately soured.
“Uh... Gladys, this portion is yours, right? Did you bring the wrong one?”
“It’s yours.” Raising an eyebrow, Gladys smiled.
“No... meat?”
“Right now, your body is better off with these.”
“Oh...”
Wearing a bitter expression, I looked at the plate of vegetables, then raised my eyes to blink at Gladys, trying to appear as cute as possible.
“Gladys, I suddenly don’t feel hungry anymore.”
“Eat up.”
She could clearly see through my little ploy. Gladys had been trying to correct my dislike for vegetables.
“Can I eat later...”
“Eat now.”
“Gladys, aren’t you going to sell medicine today? I’ll go with you, okay?”
“No need.”
Shaking her head, Gladys reached out to pinch my cheek, “I’ll leave after I see you eat.”
“Ah...”
She wouldn’t leave until she saw me eat?
I was utterly dismayed.
It was supposed to be a perfect morning, so why was I being subjected to such torture...
I tried to pick up a carrot with my small hand, my face contorted as if I were grabbing a snake that might attack me—both disgusted and afraid.
“Eat.”
She gave the command, and Gladys wasn’t in a hurry. She stood nearby, arms crossed, watching me.
There was no way out.
I closed my eyes tightly, revealing my little tiger teeth, and took a small bite of the carrot.
As I began to chew, my lips moved in a wavy line, biting very gently...
That crispy, raw taste made me feel utterly miserable.
I could swear, compared to the deliciousness of meat, this carrot wasn’t even one percent as tasty—no, not even one ten-thousandth!
“Good girl~”
Gently rubbing my head, Gladys smiled.
She was already dressed in formal attire, her slender and voluptuous figure wrapped in a long dress, exuding an elegant charm that was enviable.
Carrying a backpack, Gladys looked ready to leave.
“Erika, finish all the vegetables. No wasting. Also, don’t forget the porridge and that cup of sweet water.”
“Got it.”
“I’m off now.”
Recently, Gladys had started a business selling healing potions. The daily expenses of this household were entirely supported by her alone.
She put on her shoes, and before leaving, she reminded me.
“If there’s nothing urgent, just rest at home today and wait for me to come back.”
“Mm.”
I nodded obediently, acting like a good child, secretly hoping Gladys would leave quickly.
“Click.”
Hearing the door close, I immediately pushed the plate of vegetables aside without a second thought.
“Not eating, not even if I die!”
Muttering to myself, I lay back on the bed in boredom, staring at the ceiling, trying hard to recall the nightmare I had earlier.
This nightmare had been bothering me for days, but strangely, even though it felt terrifying, I could never remember what it was after waking up.