[Pride and Prejudice] Red and Black Queen

In the dark night, the candlelight in the library exudes hazy white light, which is quickly blocked by tall bookcases.

A woman in a black robe leaned on an old bookshelf, holding an ancient book, waiting there silently, like a hunter waiting to catch her prey.

She saw that the commander on George's side could no longer suppress George's achievements, she saw everyone looking up at George in fear, and she felt abundant emotional energy being continuously absorbed into her body.

The enemy army was defeated, and the comrades greeted George like heroes, but under those wild cheers, there was a deep fear of George hidden.

Although the enemy army is terrifying, George, who can kill a ship of officers overnight and cut off their heads, is even more terrifying.

At least, the enemy still looks like a person, and George looks like a devil!

Now not only the enemy is afraid of George, but even the people in his own team are afraid of him.

The system worried: [In this case, I'm afraid it will be bad for George, right?Could someone deliberately suppress him into a devil?For example, the commander, Lord Baron North? 】

Joe and George laughed simultaneously.

The candlelight in the library fell on the woman's lips through the gap in the bookshelf.

The woman raised her hand to her lips, and said to the system: "If this is the case, then there is no need to worry, because when it comes to exorcising demons, or identifying whether a person is a devil, no one can meet the requirements better than me. .”

The system suddenly realized, [Yes, after all, Dorian Gray was persuaded to be kind by you, and now everyone in the capital knows that you are very good at exorcism. 】

Regardless of whether they believe it or not, once they meet someone who seems to be bewitched by the devil, it should be Joe who has more say.

Joe laughed, "That's why the people in this seminary hate me so much, it's because my reputation is getting bigger and bigger."

System: [You and George really complement each other. 】

Joe and George were in different scenes from each other, but they tilted their heads at the same time, put their fingers on the peak of their lips, and showed exactly the same smile.

The enemy troops on George's side have already retreated, and their army has also been notified that they will return to the capital someday.

Joe's eyes moved away from George and fell closer to himself.

She heard the voices of two priests in the library corridor—

"The Bishop thinks highly of Claude Frollo, and it is said that he wants to recommend him to become the bishop of an important diocese this time."

"What can he do at such a young age? In other words, what kind of family background is he, and why is he so valued by the bishop?"

"What kind of family background? Of course it can't compare to you and me, but I heard that he has a good brain and can learn everything at once. He has learned many languages ​​and knows medicine."

"Since you know so much, why don't you just go to preach? Hasn't he always advertised himself as devout?"

"Hmph, some people are really lucky."

The two muttered about Claude Frollo, full of jealousy and unwillingness.

Since the emotional energy is delivered to the door, there is no reason for Joe to let it go.

The two who were sucked by Joe fell into a state of emptiness, and even forgot what they were talking about just now.

After the two left, the person whom the two had just talked about also came to the library.

Claude looked melancholy, pale, and limped in the dark library, like a pale soul.

Although he looked normal, Joe knew that he was covered with cuts and bruises under his tight black robe.

However, no matter how painful his body is, it is far less than his mental pain. The education he has been having and the desire that involuntarily breaks into his heart are pulling him all the time.

Joe was holding a book, and as he reached the shelf, he walked out suddenly and bumped into Claude again.

But this time, he couldn't bear it anymore, he even shook and fell to his knees.

Joe looked startled, and hurried to help him.

Claude, on the other hand, hurriedly hid as if he was going to be scorched by the flames.

Joe's hand paused for a moment, then retracted again.

"Excuse me, Monsieur Claude Frollo, are you all right?"

Claude opened his mouth, as if he wanted to explain, but before his voice came out, he stopped his movements first.

He hugged his black robe tightly, wrapping himself like a pitch-black bat.

He turned his head and said stiffly and hoarsely, "I'm fine."

"Why is Miss Wickham here so late?"

Joe smiled wryly, "I'm sorry to disturb you, sir. I came to the library to read because I was worried about my brother's situation and couldn't sleep."

Claude was silent.

He remembered what Jo had said to him, that her brother had gone to war.

He lowered his head, clutched the pendant on his chest, and said piously and firmly: "It will be fine, God will bless him."

Joe smiled, "I also believe that God will bless him. Even though he is so annoying and his faith is not firm, I am willing to exchange everything I have for his safety."

Joe's words entered Claude's heart.

If his own younger brother went to the battlefield, he might not be able to sleep peacefully.

Claude's mouth seemed to have his own consciousness, subconsciously said: "Is there anything I can do for you?"

As soon as he finished speaking, he regretted it.

Immediately, he felt ashamed of himself for regretting it.

He not only violated his own heart, violated his beliefs, but also violated his own morality.

Joe thoughtfully: "Then, would Mr. Claude Frollo accompany me to the chapel to pray?"

Claude Frolock said respectfully: "This is my honor."

On the way to the chapel, the distance between him and Joe became wider and wider, and finally, he trailed far behind Joe.

When Joe turned his head, he gritted his teeth again and pretended nothing had happened.

In fact, the wounds on his back and thighs were bleeding continuously. The blood slid down his skin and was hidden in the black robe, but it almost soaked his shoes and socks.

Claude's face was covered with cold sweat, but he was extremely thankful that it was a night when he could not see clearly.

If it was daytime, the keen Miss Wickham would have noticed that every step he took would leave a bloody footprint.

He tried to slow down his breathing, pretending that his body was not in pain.

At this moment, Joe suddenly turned around.

Claude froze and stopped.

Joe looked at him for a long time, but didn't say much, turned around and continued walking.

Claude breathed a sigh of relief.

The moment he exhaled this breath, there was not a single part of his body that was not uncomfortable.

Finally arriving at the chapel, Claude felt that his whole body was about to collapse, and his robe was even more soaked.

Joe knelt before the statue, closed his eyes and prayed.

Claude moved slowly to her side, his legs softened, and he knelt down and sat down.

He smiled wryly and thought: After kneeling like this, it might be difficult to stand up again, because he has no strength at all. After that, if Joe wants to leave, he will continue to stay and pray, so that she will not see his situation.

Why did he keep hiding from Joe?

Claude just had a vague premonition that if Joe knew about his injury, it would be difficult for him to return to the beginning.

Fortunately, Joe has been praying silently, without asking him anything.

Claude prayed earnestly, however, there was no god in his mind, it was all Miss Wickham.

Miss Wickham is on the statue, Miss Wickham is in the book, and the angels and demons he imagined are all Miss Wickham.

Claude opened his eyes blankly, looking up at the tall statue in front of him in a daze.

Wasn't he punishing himself enough?Why is he still...

...He felt like he was sliding towards hell.

No!

Claude closed his eyes again, tried to clear his mind, and prayed silently.

Originally, his method had already worked, but soon, he thought of Miss Wickham again.

Miss Wickham is everywhere—

She swung the whip at him, lifting his chin with the whip.

She put on the penance belt for him, gently flicking the black blood-stained belt with her thin white fingers.

He fell to the ground on his back, naked and in a state of distress. She raised the basin and poured cold well water directly on his face and wounds.

The cold water was also mixed with the fragrance of roses from her body, so that even if he drowned, he couldn't help breathing with his mouth wide open, hoping to inhale more fragrance.

The icy water rolled over his body, and the next moment, the body in his body turned into a prairie fire, an erupting volcano, and scorched him dry.

Claude Frollo opened his eyes suddenly, but his mind was dizzy. When he regained consciousness, he found that only Jo's worried expression was in his sight, and her hand was still attached to his face. The face approached slowly.

Why is his delusion getting stronger and stronger!

Claude suddenly despaired, couldn't help giving up on himself, and said in a hoarse voice: "Miss Wickham, you win, you win!"

When her forehead touched his, he suddenly lost his voice.

Like a dried up fish, he could only open and close his mouth weakly, as if he was whispering something.

Joe backed away slowly, and said softly, "Mr. Frollo, what do you want to say?"

She turned her head sideways, pulled the hair around her cheeks, and put her ears against his lips.

At such a close distance, he almost kissed her with a slight movement of his lips!

His eyes widened even further.

Why hasn't he opened his eyes and woke up yet!

When will this damn illusion disappear!

Joe: "Mr. Frollo, are you still conscious? If you are still conscious, please answer me."

Claude struggled in pain: "What do you want me to say? Merciful Miss Wickham, please forgive me and let me go."

Joe said helplessly: "Mr. Frollo, this is reality, are you confused with your dream?"

Claude blinked blankly, thinking slowly.

It was a long time before he realized what Joe had said.

His pupils constricted for a while, and the dull feeling brought by his heavy and painful body was finally sent back to his brain.

He felt that he seemed to be pillowed by something warm and soft, and this Jo Wickham before him really existed, the real Miss Wickham.

He suddenly wanted to sit up, but his heavy body put too much burden on him, he only moved slightly, and once again fell into the warmth and softness.

Claude looked at Miss Wickham in front of him, wishing he could dig a hole to bury himself, his pale face showed a sick flush.

He said in pain and shame: "I, I, I... God! What did I do?"

He struggled to raise his hands, covering his face.

He felt his face was hot and sweaty.

He said in a muffled voice: "Miss Wickham, yes, I'm sorry, I didn't wake up just now, please treat what I just said as nonsense!"

Qiao Wen said: "It doesn't matter, Mr. Claude Frollo, are you feeling better? Just now when you were praying, you suddenly tilted and fell down. I had to let you lie on my bed Leg, unbutton your shirt so you can breathe, how do you feel now?"

Bad, terrible!

Claude was desperate.

Sleeping on... Unbuttoning the clothes...

Did she touch him when she untied it?

A small piece of skin on his chest suddenly became hot.

He was afraid in his heart, afraid that his faith would collapse, the vow of chastity would be broken, and he was even more afraid that Miss Wickham would become the devil in his heart.

However, at the same time, his heart, which was bound by layers of chains of belief and morality, couldn't help but secretly rejoice.

This burst of joy was like a mouse under the statue of the god. It was obviously humble, cowardly, cowardly, and greedy, but it ran around and gnawed the statue in his heart boldly, bringing about a complete disaster.

Claude struggled to turn his body sideways, trying to curl up.

He held down his ripped collar, his face was pale, with a pitiful look that he couldn't bear after being "ruined".