I Killed The Main Characters

Chapter 143: Answer To Me! [2]

"Oh, but don't feel too ashamed."

Noah continued, an ice shard materializing in his hand, its jagged edge glinting in the light as he held it dangerously close to the boy's neck.

"After all, someone in your position has to make sacrifices, right?

Though, I could make you a better offer—end it here, slowly, painfully…

Imagine how much it'd spare you.

No more pretending. No more shame."

The boy's defiance melted into fear, and he swallowed hard, his voice barely a whisper.

"I… I'm sorry."

Noah sneered, letting the ice shard dissolve.

"Then keep your mouth shut."

He turned his back, satisfied, and addressed the crowd once more.

"Consider this your only warning.

If any of you dare bother Ariana about this nonsense, I'll take it as a personal offense.

And trust me when I say, I don't handle offenses kindly."

The group fell silent, too stunned to argue or protest as Noah turned back toward his room.

Without a word the group left clearly harbouring more fear towards the infamous Noah.

As the last of the students hurried off, murmuring among themselves and casting wary glances back, silence settled over the dimly lit hallway.

Only Ariana and Noah's maid remained, both lingering awkwardly near his door.

With the maid visibly trembling under his gaze.

She could feel it.

An intense, unwavering stare that made her shrink even though he hadn't uttered a single word yet.

The maid's heart pounded in her chest as she lowered her gaze, refusing to look him directly in the eye.

She knew this feeling all too well.

Each time she made the slightest mistake, no matter how minor, Noah's reaction was enough to leave her regretting it for days.

She could already feel the storm brewing, his gaze boring into her with that cutting intensity.

She tried to steel herself, mentally preparing for whatever was about to come.

But the weight of his stare was like a physical force pressing down on her.

"Oh, gods."

She thought, her mind racing. Continue your adventure at ???

"He's going to make my life a living nightmare for this, isn't he?

I left his door open… something so simple, so stupid, and now he'll probably come up with some horrific task just to make me pay."

She gulped, wiping her sweaty palms against her skirt, but her hands wouldn't stop shaking.

"Maybe… maybe he'll make me polish all the floors in Silvercrest Hall.

Or… worse… make me scrub the alchemy lab by hand!"

She felt her face pale at the thought.

"No… no, he wouldn't do that.

But, oh, it's Noah Ashbourne—of course he would."

Without warning, Noah stepped forward and smacked her lightly on the head.

She let out a sharp gasp, her eyes widening in shock as her head snapped up to look at him.

"Ow!"

She exclaimed, her voice a bit too loud as she clutched her head, barely keeping herself from bursting into actual tears.

She wasn't really crying, but the cry of frustration escaped her, raw and uncontrolled, as she could feel a stinging heat where he'd tapped her.

"I-I'm so sorry, young master! I didn't mean to—"

Noah crossed his arms, a smug smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.

He looked down at her as though she were some kind of amusing, pathetic creature, his voice dripping with disdain.

"Really?"

He sneered, his tone laced with arrogance.

"You're three years older than me, and yet you're whining over something as minor as a little smack?

Honestly, if I didn't know better, I'd think you were the one who needed a babysitter."

The maid's cheeks burned with embarrassment, but she didn't dare meet his gaze.

She was used to his condescending attitude, his mockery whenever she made the slightest mistake, yet every time it stung like the first.

She struggled to keep her face from crumpling as he continued.

"It's almost cute, you know."

He continued, his tone softening ever so slightly, though the mockery was still thick in his voice.

"A maid, older than me, acting like a child.

Crying over a tap on the head.

You really should try to grow up sometime.

Or are you going to cry every time I correct your mistakes?"

"N-No, young master."

She mumbled, swallowing hard, her fingers tightening around the edge of her apron.

She was desperate to escape his scrutiny, but his words kept her frozen in place.

Her pride stinging under his relentless teasing.

He raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed by her response.

"Pathetic."

He muttered, barely loud enough for her to hear.

"Can't even do something as simple as shutting a door properly without turning into a sniveling mess."

The maid forced herself to nod, biting back the indignation simmering inside her.

She felt humiliated, utterly small, as he regarded her with that smug, arrogant look.

And yet, beneath his cold words, there was something infuriatingly dismissive about him.

As if he found her reaction amusing, almost endearing in some twisted way.

She hated that about him.

That he could reduce her to this state of shame with a few simple words and that he clearly found some strange satisfaction in it.

After a moment, he sighed, waving his hand dismissively.

"Run along now."

He ordered, his voice as sharp as ever.

"And try not to make the same mistake again.

I don't have time to deal with your childish blunders every day.

Understand?"

"Yes, young master."

She managed to whisper, her voice barely above a murmur.

She gave a shaky bow, her entire body trembling with a mix of fear and humiliation.

Before finally gathering the courage to step back, eager to escape his unyielding gaze.

With one last hurried nod, she turned and almost sprinted down the hall, grateful to be out of his sight.

As she fled, Noah watched her go, the smug look never leaving his face.

He waited until she was out of sight before letting out a quiet scoff, almost to himself.

"Honestly," he muttered, rolling his eyes.

"Some people just don't know how to handle a little discipline."

Ariana, still shaken, managed to step forward, her voice wavering.

"N-Noah… I'm sorry.

For, um, slamming you into the wall.

I… I didn't mean to.

I was just… scared."

Noah didn't respond, only pausing at the doorway before glancing back at her, his face unreadable.

She fumbled slightly, pulling herself together as she added.

"And… I brought the blazer back.

Clean, just like you wanted."

For a moment, Noah's gaze softened just enough to be noticeable, and he gave a slight nod.

"Thanks."

He said simply, the single word carrying a surprising weight as he stepped into his room.

Shutting the door behind him with a finality that left Ariana standing in stunned silence.

"..."

"Thanks?... "

Ariana muttered.