Volume 1 Chapter 62: Just A Misunderstanding

[Author's Note: For bonus chapters, the goal is

25 Power Stones for 1 Chapter

50 Power Stones for 1 Chapter

Every Week]

Volume 1 Chapter 62: Just A Misunderstanding

Pepper, who was waiting for Carmilla to say something to her, only received a brief glance before Carmilla looked towards the opening again. Before Pepper could talk again, Eve suddenly pulled her close.

Eve: "Pepper, stop annoying Master. You don't want to be kicked again."

Upon hearing what Eve said about being kicked by Carmilla, Pepper suddenly remembered the time when Carmilla kicked her in the stomach. When she asked why Carmilla needed to kick her so powerfully that she flew across the cave, Carmilla replied that she had only kicked her 'lightly.' However, even now, Pepper still vividly remembers the pain in her stomach and back.

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While thinking of that memory, Pepper can't help but subconsciously rub her stomach where Carmilla had 'lightly' kicked her.

After remembering those memories, Pepper looks towards where Carmilla is, checking if she is paying special attention to her. However, she notices that Carmilla is to focused on looking toward the opening, and Pepper lets out a sigh of relief.

Pepper: "Phew, luckily master wasn't paying attention to me, so I'm safe for now."

Pepper said that so softly that Eve didn't manage to hear on what Pepper said properly.

Eve: "Did you say something, Pepper?"

Pepper was too bothered in thinking about Carmilla's reaction, to hear what Eve had said properly.

So she asked.

Pepper: "Could you repeat that, Eve?"

Eve: "I asked if you said something?"

Pepper: "Ah, don't mind me. I'm just murmuring to myself."

Pepper replied with a wave of her hand, indicating that she wouldn't share what she had been murmuring about just now.

Eve: "Is that so?"

Pepper: "Enough about me. Why doesn't master want to explain it herself and has she asked you to explain it to me?"

Eve: "Alright, would you prefer a long or short explanation?"

Hearing that, Pepper didn't even think and quickly replied.

Pepper: "The short one, please."

Eve: "Okay, Master Carmilla is angry at you."

Hearing that, Pepper was terrified, knowing that Carmilla was angry at her again. She hurriedly looked toward where Carmilla was, only to see that Carmilla didn't even react to what Eve had said.

Now, Pepper was even more terrified, wondering what Carmilla might do to her. She anxiously waited for Eve to say more, as Pepper didn't even know why Carmilla was angry at her since she hadn't done anything to provoke her anger.

Terrified by the uncertainty of Carmilla's reaction, Pepper continued to wait for Eve to say more. As she heard nothing further from Eve, her mind began to stop dwelling on what Carmilla might do and instead turned her attention toward Eve, waiting for any additional information.

Pepper and Eve engaged in a staring competition for 10 seconds or more. Despite the tension, Eve remained stoic, maintaining her gaze on Pepper without uttering a word.

Amidst her swirling negative thoughts, Pepper's patience wore thin. She couldn't wait for Eve to initiate a conversation any longer, so she took the initiative to speak up.

Pepper: "Is that all there is to it?"

Hearing that, Eve replied to Pepper.

Eve: "Yes, you're the one who chose to listen to the short version."

Pepper felt frustrated upon hearing what Eve said, but she managed to calm herself down. She realized that Eve was right; she had chosen to listen to the short version without giving it much thought.

Pepper: "You're right. Can you please tell me the long version, please?"

Eve: "That would be fine. Master was angry at you, or should I say annoyed at you, because..."

But before Eve could continue to explain further, Pepper suddenly cut her off.

Pepper: "Wait, wait, wait. What do you mean by 'annoyed' at me and not angry?"

Pepper was very tempted to shout at Eve, but upon remembering that Carmilla was near where the both of them were talking, she restrained herself, knowing that just a slightly louder voice could be heard by Carmilla.

So, Pepper had to keep her voice at a minimum. However, if you listened carefully to her tone of voice, you could hear her frustration with what Eve had said.

Eve was confused by Pepper's reaction, as she had only corrected the word she had used. Instead of "angry," she had changed it to "annoyed," since this word seemed more fitting. So, she asked Pepper, seeking clarification.

Eve: "Don't the words 'annoyed' and 'angry' have the same meaning?"

Hearing what Eve said, Pepper was flabbergasted by how Eve thought that the two words had the same meaning. However, she still answered.

Pepper: "No, of course not! The words 'annoyed' and 'angry' are different and have distinct meanings. So, Eve, how did you think that these two words are the same?"

As the realization sank in that 'annoyed' and 'angry' carried distinct connotations, Eve felt a twinge of regret for inadvertently causing Pepper undue anxiety. The impulse to extend her apologies tugged at her, but Pepper's ensuing inquiry halted her in her tracks.

In the ensuing silence, as Eve grappled with reconciling the unintended confusion, the importance of precise communication unfurled before her. A single word, chosen without much thought, had unfurled a misunderstanding that now demanded clarity and explanation.

Eve remained silent, her mind engrossed in contemplation.

Pepper, noticing Eve's thoughtful demeanor, exercised patience, allowing Eve the space and time to gather her thoughts and initiate the conversation at her own pace.

Eve didn't keep Pepper waiting for too long and began to explain.

Pepper: "When master said that she was starting to get annoyed at you, and then she suddenly kicked you across the cave, that's when I thought the words 'annoyed' and 'angry' had the same meaning."

Upon hearing that the reason behind Eve's misconception about the words 'annoyed' and 'angry' was due to her and Carmilla's interaction.

Pepper started to calm down and let out a sigh of relief. She was relieved now that she had confirmed that Eve had indeed mixed up the two words.

Pepper: "Phew, you scared me there for a moment, Eve. It seems that master might only be slightly annoyed with me for now, and she's not angry at me. If she were angry, she might have already taken more drastic actions. Since I'm still fine, master is probably not really angry."

As Pepper spoke, her tone began confidently, yet it gradually wavered into uncertainty. The memory of Carmilla's unpredictable mood swings weighed heavily on her mind. While she began discussing the matter with assurance, the more she delved into her explanation, the more her confidence gave way to a sense of doubt. Carmilla's past behavior had been a mix of playful and serious moments, often transitioning without warning. Pepper found herself second-guessing the current situation, unsure if Carmilla's seriousness was genuine or simply part of her unpredictable demeanor.

But dwelling on these thoughts felt futile, as predicting someone's mood was inherently challenging.