CHAPTER 266: HOUSE ARREST

Aristia left her room and headed to the parlour.

She took a deep breath before nodding to the guards to open the door.

The guard opened the door and Aristia stepped in, then he closed the door behind her.

The whole family was there in the parlour, sitting on the same couch and staring at her.

"Tia," Wilson called her name in a stern tone.

Aristia looked up at him. "Yes, papa?"

Wilson’s face still was unsmiling, but it had softened compared to before.

"Why did you go past the border? You’re not usually so irresponsible." He asked calmly.

[I don’t know if he already knows about the mythical land, but I can’t tell him about it. I don’t know what he’ll do if he finds out about it. I can’t take any chances.]

Aristia took a second before she replied, sticking with the story she had formed. "I didn’t know that would happen, that I would slip and hit my head on the rock. I just wanted to see what the other forest was like."

"So you decided to put yourself in danger and make everyone worry? That’s not an excuse. You refused to let Adeline go with you, and you didn’t think it was necessary to inform anyone." Wilson said.

Catherine sitting beside him was silent. She was aware that Aristia acting like this wasn’t good. Not to talk of the worry and heartache it had caused them, most especially, herself. What if Aristia was not just injured, but died? What would happen then?

Alaric remained silent too. It wasn’t like he could say anything. Seeing his sister bleeding in the head had scared him.

"I’m sorry, papa. I was wrong," Aristia lowered her head. "I’ll accept whatever punishment you feel is right."

Aristia was sorry for deceiving them, but like she said earlier, she couldn’t take any chances.

The parlor was silent before Wilson finally said, "Very well. You will receive punishment."

Aristia was left wondering what kind of punishment Wilson would give.

She just stood in the middle of the parlour, waiting for several seconds. Wilson seemed to be thinking of what punishment would be best for her.

[Whatever punishment he gives me, I’ll accept it without question.]

Finally, Wilson spoke.

"You are to attend a tea party four times a week for two months, and you will only leave the Estate for the tea parties you attend. You can not make or have the cooks make any snacks or your recipes for you. You are not allowed anywhere else in the Estate apart from the mansion until a month is over."

After he finished, Aristia didn’t know what to feel.

[So, I’m basically on house arrest, except that I’m mandated to attend tea parties. He knows that I don’t enjoy attending tea parties.]

But she knew she was at fault, so she lowered her head.

"I accept my punishment."

"Good. You can return to your room, now." Wilson nodded.

Aristia left the room and he let out a faint sigh, rubbing his eyebrows a bit warily.

This daughter of his...

No one would be able to imagine what he felt when he heard from Adeline that she hadn’t returned from the forest.

He had ordered for a search in the forest, and even Orrivale, but nothing.

The more minutes ticked by, the more his heart felt unease and concern.

He tried to contact her daemon, only to realize that he couldn’t. That could only mean that something had happened to Aristia, so the communication was blocked.

Seeing his wife shed tears of worry made his heart ache.

Then finally, to his relief, they found Aristia.

More like she alerted them where she was.

They rushed over to see her, only to see her standing in front of a bush. Her head seemed to have hit a stone and was bleeding.

Wilson felt anger bubbling in his chest. What was she doing in that part of the forest without telling anyone? Why would she do such a dangerous thing?

He knew that he couldn’t just let this slide. He had to punish her, even though this would be the first time he did so.

His daughter was usually so careful and sensible. He couldn’t understand why she would suddenly act impulsive. He wondered if they were giving her too much freedom.

Back in Aristia’s room.

She plopped down on her bed with a small sigh.

"I already said that I’ll accept my punishment. I can’t go back on my word. Besides, it’s not like I can disobey."

She turned around and stared at the ceiling, thinking about the events of that day.

Thinking of how the water would turn her upside down and she would appear either in the mythical land or back in Amberale, a thought entered her mind.

"Could it be that the mythical land is under ours? No, no. I think it’s better to ask if it’s upside from our world." She whispered.

Unbeknownst to herself, she had already subconsciously started referring to this world as her world, and no longer ’the book world’.

Millie didn’t answer. She probably didn’t know the answer too.

The sky was quickly darkening.

Just then, Adeline entered.

"Princess, it’s time for dinner."

"I’m coming," Aristia replied.

She made her way to the dining room.

[Even though papa said that I can’t make my modern food, it’s fine. The food here is delicious too.] So for that punishment, she didn’t feel much pain.

[Also, it’s not like I actively leave the Estate. So that’s not much of a punishment for me. The only punishment is not leaving the mansion, and attending tea parties, but at least Wade will be there. The only problem is the feeling of confinement. But like I said, it’s okay.]

That was what she thought as she walked with light steps, but that soon changed when she reached the dining room.

Looking at her plate, her mouth almost fell to the floor in disbelief.