Waurpel

58. Message in an Echo (part 1)

I felt a shiver run down my spine as the man extended his hand toward the wine cup in front of him.

I was sitting right next to him. I had tried sitting as far as possible, but it had only served to earn me some intense looks, forcing me to move.

I sneaked a glance in his direction. Luckily, it seemed like his attention had momentarily switched to the plate in front of him, and I was able to breathe for a moment.

His presence was overwhelming, let alone his attention. The ma...

Side Story 6. To control

“Well, it’s busted, Miss Scorn!”

I sighed.

“It’s Jace, Milord… And what’s busted?”

I asked as I perched myself on the side of the carriage to look down at where the strange, green fat man was sitting by the carriage.

“The wheel, that's what! Four spokes, burst all in one swoop! My, how unlucky...”

I felt the corner of my eye twitch.

A Diidkin out of luck… I feel played with.

Only a few minutes ago,  we were still merrily on ...

57. A Conundrum of Hate and Anger

-Alright, Silika. Focus. You can't just want it to move; you have to want it NOT to be there.- Jade signed.

I focused on the small black rock in front of me as hard as I could, but nothing happened. I let out a sigh.

-It's not working!- I complained.

Jade looked perplexed and turned to the bishop for help. 

Mili was also in the room, but she had succumbed to the summer heat and was snoozing in the shade of a bookshelf a few tables away.

The bishop explained ...

Side Story 5. Within the Woods, there is a House

I nervously looked out the window, staring at the root-infested streets of Alenia’s Sanctum City. I spat out the sunflower seed shell I’d been chowing down on. For some reason, they had this seemingly bottomless complimentary bowl at the centre of our room. 

Truly, the only saving grace of being stuck here for over a week: that and the fascinating sight of the overgrown city.

Galvian was lazily reading a book by a window alcove while wearing little more than underwear… ...

56. The Meaning of Family

I couldn’t sleep. 

It was so late when we got back home that once Mili had brought me to my room, she had immediately tucked me into bed, but so many things had happened that I couldn’t settle down.

Thoughts were bouncing around my head. Who was the old man downstairs? Black hair, golden eyes… Was he a Scorn kin as well? What about the strange person at the theatre? Why did he give me a signet? Why did Dad not like it? Why were the Mȓs so nice to me? Was it because I w...

Side Story 4. A Strange Coach Driver

The journey to Lakepoint had been long, but finally, I was here. Halfway to Evergreen… That is, if I had continued with my original itinerary.

I had much time to consider the idea of simply throwing the Silika’s stamp by the roadside and letting nature reclaim it, or again throw it into the raging current of a river… Finally, now facing Lake Alenia, I was considering closing my fist on this accursed family heirloom and throwing it as far as my arm permitted, and letting it sink in...

55. What the Wind Blew In

[This is so boring.] I mumbled to myself as I watched an old woman with a weird haircut make even weirder faces.

It was apparently called ‘Opera’ and was ‘very refined’. Lionheart explained that it’s a type of music, so I wouldn’t really get it either way.

After the break, there had been a more interesting performance by what Lionheart called ‘mummers’. The play didn’t have any spoken lines, so it had been pretty exciting to be able to follow along, but this ‘o...

54. The Red Ballet

[Mmmh…? Where?] I mumbled as I opened my eyes slowly.

Still in a daze, it took me a moment to take in the world around me. Everything was so… Green… and blue. The sun above me was blocked by leaves, making the light dazzle in all sorts of colours, only interrupted by the pale hue of the sky.

As I blinked a few times, I felt a palm softly patting my head. It was Dad, calmly looking around the park. He must not have noticed I had woken up already, so I simply looked at him. 2025-09-21 02:32:08 +0000 UTC View Post

53. Red Velvet

-Silika, be still. Otherwise, you will be late!- Mili signed again as she tried once more to button my dress.

More than a week had gone by since Dad had promised to take me out when I got better, and today is finally the day!

Unfortunately, my cold had gotten worse again after my short garden visit. The doctor had explained that it was probably because of a cool wind, and I had spent the next two days resting under heavy blankets again before I was even allowed back on the floor t...

Side Story 3. Colourful Woods

“What do you mean you don’t know the way to Alenia’s Sanctum?!”

I asked the plump man behind the bar.

He looked me up and down once more with his disgusting eyes. I was trying to ignore it, but his lecherous glances were wearing my patience thin and made my skin crawl.

For some reason, locals were extremely uncooperative, bordering on hostile. 

It was strange really, the people of Sunvale were renowned for their calm and chalorous demeanour, but as soon as...

52. From Across the Azure Sea

I grit my teeth as the wind whipped my face and made the creaking floorboards of the ship whine. 

“Coloviath, you useless piece of garbage, couldn’t you have made something more useful than a drifting piece of wood to cross these seas?”

“Now, now, my lady. It is the kins who designed this vehicle, not your brother.”

I turned to the voice.

Bluish-grey skin, crossed golden eyes and hair as dark as midnight.

“Eyzo.” 

I looked him up and...

51. On the Wall

-He coming!- Mili signed to me from the door.

Excited. I quickly added some finishing touches and hid my work behind my back.

As I stood straight, I noticed Mili was chuckling while looking at me. I angrily put my index finger to my mouth to tell her to be quiet. She would ruin the surprise! With an exaggerated motion, she covered her mouth, which only annoyed me more, but I dropped it and focused my attention on the door.

The curved handle slowly started turning. My excitem...

50. Sick Day

-Life is pain. Please just end me.-

-My lady. Is just a cold.-

-Yes, and it has ravaged my body. Please, Mili, I’m asking for mercy.-

She sighed visibly.

-Is only three days. You better soon.-

I waved her off.

-No, I swear I can see the light.- I signed before extending my hand toward an imaginary point towards the ceiling.

-Where you learn weird words like that? Sit up already.- She signed with a defeated look as I posed dramatically on the carpet ...

49. By the Fireplace

My soaked clothes and the cool wind made me shiver as I was carried down the hallway.

As we got closer to the open door leading to my room, I tried to tell Dad about the monster, but the way he held me made it so I couldn’t sign to him.

[Monster! Monster! There’s a monster! Careful! Monster!] I yelled as we got close, realising he was about to step in, but he didn't stop.

He crossed the threshold, lamp in hand, but to my surprise, there were no monsters. My window was st...

48. Night Terrors

-Goodnight, my lady. Have good dream.-

Mili signed after tucking me into bed, Darkie at my side.

-Goodnight, Milie. See you tomorrow.-

She smiled and headed for the door, waving as she did.

I turned to my side and looked at the window. It was the beginning of summer, and the sun was still high in the sky even when it was time for me to go to bed.

I rolled back and lifted Darkie above me, his golden buttons staring straight into my eyes.

I brought him back d...

Announcement: Patreon Update

Hello!

I just wanted to say a quick thank you to all of you for being early contributors to My Quiet Life! As the public release of Volume 1 is coming to an end, I would like to announce a change to my Patreon's pricing structure.

If you are currently subscribed, don't worry, you will be keeping your benefits and won't be affected by the price change!

Thank you so much for being here and for your continued support!

Waurpel

Side Story 2. Knightly endeavor

There we have it. 

The horses stink, my ass hurts, and, to top it ALL off, my scalp feels like it’s turning medium-rare… 

At least my blond hair wasn’t as much a heat magnet as it could have been. I hear that PEOPLE with darker hair will feel the heat twice as much. I wonder how that works?

I looked up at the bright yellow sphere high above us, not a single cloud in view.

Ah… The scalding summer sun of Sunvale… Quite the fitting name. There has to b...

47. What is a Father?

Without any warning, Silika crumpled to her knees right before my eyes just as I entered the house.

“What’s going on?! Alzan! Get a doctor immediately!” I ordered the head butler, who nodded and immediately rushed out of the door.

I looked back at Silika, but her expression was blank.

“Uhng…” She let out in an unintelligible moan as tears pooled in her eyes. 

Panicking, I tried to reach out to her, but she fe immediately recoiled, falling backward with...

46. An Attentive Girl

Stash rushed to give me some water. He said a few words to the girl, who looked shocked.

-I apologise, my lady. Ḿĺ is still learning.- He signed hastily before wiping the rest of the food that had splattered down my chin.

-My sorry! My sorry!-  The girl signed repeatedly. 

She looked completely distraught as she repeated the hand sign over and over again. She looked like she had just broken an expensive vase… Somehow, meeting someone more clumsy than I made me...

45. Heritage

Stash smiled in a somewhat dry manner.

-It is as I was just saying, those with Meiriem blood usually cannot eat meat. It could even kill them, in fact.-

Was that really true? Am I going to die? Why did they let me do this? I didn’t know!

-Be at ease, my lady, this doesn’t appear to affect you. Otherwise, we would have seen some serious symptoms by now.-

-I…Is that so?- I signed nervously.

-Absolutely, there is absolutely nothing for you to worry about, I gu...

44. Meal Plan

I was annoyed… angry even.

I was alone with Stash in the carriage. He had offered for Jade to come spend the afternoon at the residence, but she had to refuse since she had chores at the orphanage.

I was disappointed that she had declined, but that wasn't the reason I was in such a sour mood. 

The guilty lied with Lionheart.

-Where is he?- I asked Stash, barely hiding the emotions on my face.

For a few moments, he didn't say anything and simply smiled awkw...

43. Life Goes On

-... And eons passed without Farah Satyll’s prophecy coming to be. Until Matriarch Galivee, under the blessing of the Maiden, researched the benefit of ferrous glass to…-

Jade looked up from the leatherbound volume in my direction and frowned.

-Are you even listening?-

I blinked a few times. I was vaguely aware that she HAD been telling me about something, but the exact nature of the words she had been signing to me escaped me.

-Yeah, absolutely.- I signed back, bu...

Side Story 1. Last Day in Oblon

I let out a sigh of relief as I finally reached the main door of the estate. 

Today, I am finally leaving this accursed place. A single bag in hand, I slowly crossed the marble hallway. After a lengthy and excruciating exit interview, I had finally handed my keys to the head maid and graciously received the pension she had fought so hard to withhold from me. 

Not that I truly needed it after my sister’s ‘generous’ bribe, but 15 years of accumulated service would no...

42. Toy Store

The carriage rocked softly as it went up Plum Street. I'd been down this path many times, but today, my heart felt heavy as I felt it would probably be the last time I did.

I looked down where Darkie was nestled comfortably in my arms. We had gone a long way together. From my escape from the estate, to my stay at the orphanage, to the kidnapping just a week ago…Right now, I felt… conflicted.

I was happy, ecstatic even, that Lionheart had wanted me to become my family, but a pa...

41. The Choice Made

I stood in the middle of the orphanage’s dormitory, looking down at the bed I had slept in every night since my arrival in Evergreen. Wearing a dark green dress, everything around me looked just a bit smaller than when I first arrived. 

It's been almost half a year now. The blanket, which I would probably now find itchy, covered the small bedding, tucking over a thin pillow. 

It felt strange to be leaving this place behind. 

An older man, carrying a suitcase...

End of Volume 1!

This is the end of the first volume of My Quiet Life!

Thank you all for making this release a success! My Quiet Life has been a passion project I've been working on for nearly four years, and Silika's story has grown into something deeply meaningful for me.

For Patreon subscriber

Thank you all for coming in such great number to support this story! 

Your support is incredibly appreciated. I am not exactly well-versed ...

40. My Life

A sore throat and a buzzing in my head. Those were the first things that returned to me. I tried to open my eyes, but it was as if they were glued shut by some magic, so I gave up and basked in the morning sun warming my body.

Strangely, other than my throat and my head, the rest of my body wasn't uncomfortable at all. No pain or strain, not even a little stinging. Instead, it felt like I was floating on a cloud. A sunbeam hit my closed eye, disturbing my peaceful rest. I winced and spu...

39. Spring in Oblon

It had been a long winter at the Oblon County Estate.

Despite summer having reached us, a chill still ran through the house. 

After Silika’s disappearance, there had been a lot of commotion in the household. 

At first, the Marquess had been dismissive of the entire affair, seeing it as one less problem to deal with, but despite his best attempts, it had been impossible to keep rumours from spreading like wildfire. 

Some rumours claimed Silika had been ...

38. The Red Herring

The man continued watching us… I in particular. His gaze was unwavering, unmoving. Almost as if he didn’t even need to breathe at all as he stared straight into my soul.

His head then suddenly snapped to Vilger.

“It’s good to see you, as always, Vilger.” He declared in a weighted tone.

Vilger responded with a grunt.

“The pleasure doesn’t go both ways, ‘Oh Lord Commander’. You’ve gone over the line this time!”

“Oh, have I now?” the man re...

37. The Blue Palace

“I can’t believe this shit!” Chief Justice Milray Vilger cursed as I followed him through the corridors of the Blue Palace, home of the Judicial wing of the Kingdom.

“Counterintelligence, my ass! Nutjobs, all of them! Taking kids from the gods damned streets!”

It was only a few minutes ago that we had encountered him by luck on our way to his office to deliver the Archbishop's letter. 

Up until then, it had eluded me that the same man with whom I had fought si...