142 - How Could the Villainous Young Master Be a Saintess?

--- Chapter 142: Overstepping Boundaries "Could you please keep today's events a secret, Your Highness?" "Let's just say nothing ever happened." Is it really about that? Mirexia thought as she looked at the cherry-haired girl standing before her with hands behind her back, leaning slightly towards Mirexia. This request was something Mirexia would agree to without hesitation. Not only had Vannesa revealed her identity to save her, out of both friendship and moral duty, Mirexia felt a strong sense of obligation to keep this secret without any conditions. Moreover... Reflecting on the experiences shared with the girl in front of her through thick and thin, vivid images wove together—moments when the girl stood by her side even during the darkest times. A delicate layer of blush crept onto Mirexia's face, her body unexpectedly enveloped in a heated sensation that she could not quite comprehend. It was as if the very presence, expressions, and slight gestures of the cherry-haired girl were tugging at Mirexia's emotions, dictating her joy and sorrow. Was she always like this? Definitely not. No one had ever sparked such peculiar emotions and flutters within her before. This unfamiliar feeling left Mirexia a bit at a loss, as if she had ventured into an uncharted territory she had never treaded before. Yet, it was irresistibly captivating, much like a bear tempted by honey, willing to endure bee stings just to savor the sweet nectar. Perhaps she had discovered a hidden side of her childhood friend, or perhaps it was the solace and reassurance of entrusting her trust to someone reliable. Or maybe, it wasn't as complicated as that—the scent and allure of the cherry-haired girl's presence were simply too intoxicating. Conflicted emotions churned within her heart, rendering her speechless. Gazing at the dazzling cherry-haired girl, Mirexia still found it hard to believe that this radiant, enchanting beauty was the same childhood friend she had known since they were young. That familiar blue-haired boy had, unbeknownst to her, blossomed into a graceful and charming beauty. Contemplating this, Mirexia felt a surreal sense, as if she were caught between two worlds. It was challenging to reconcile the blue-haired boy from her memories with the cherry-haired girl standing before her. Yet, here was the undeniable fact: her childhood friend, present all along, as faithful as ever. This person had never cared whether she was the Queen of Carmela, nor about the accolades and achievements she garnered. Never had they cared about her exceptional qualities—only that she should be happy and content. In stark contrast to those nobles who only admired her glamorous appearance, indifferent to the scars and struggles behind it, this person stood by her during her most vulnerable times, soothed her wounds, and calmed her emotions. Mirexia was suddenly grateful that this person, this girl who had saved her from calamity, was indeed her childhood friend. And she was glad it was her. "Ah." Mirexia nodded. "Thank you for understanding, Your Highness. I always knew you were the one I could trust the most~" Vannesa wasn't surprised at Mirexia's resolute response. In fact, it was because the person she saved was Mirexia that she revealed her true self without reservation. Having known her childhood friend so well, Vannesa knew for sure—even when disregarding their friendship—that Mirexia, a fundamentally upright person, would never betray a benefactor. Vannesa couldn't fully trust Aesphyra, couldn't completely depend on Shikondell, or anyone, for that matter. But with Mirexia, she felt assured. This confidence stemmed not only from her deep understanding of Mirexia but also from her certainty in Mirexia's integrity. Among many protagonists, Aesphyra was the most enigmatic, hard to figure out. Shikondell, while not untrustworthy, didn't have the mutual support level Vannesa needed, not to mention she doubted Shikondell’s intellect sometimes. As for other protagonists, some even wished harm upon her, like that pair of golden elf sisters. Ishtiya, too, was overly assertive and not deeply affiliated with her yet. Simply put, no protagonist, except Mirexia, met all three criteria: a strong relationship, deep familiarity, and assured morality. Mirexia, in her original character, was straightforward, sometimes rigid, which often led to her being labeled as ‘hardworking’ or a ‘workaholic’ by many players—a testament to her reliability. Especially considering her status as Mirexia's childhood friend, rescuing her added an unbreakable bond. She had significantly raised her likability in Mirexia's eyes, possibly deeming Mirexia a truly good friend now. Thus, Mirexia would be even more inclined to keep her secret. However, Vannesa vaguely remembered a discussion from her past life about a hidden storyline related to Mirexia. It supposedly showcased an unknown aspect of Mirexia. In hindsight, she regretted not exploring it further for a deeper understanding of Mirexia. Even parents cannot know every secret or aspect of their children, let alone childhood friends. Naturally, people harbor sides they wish to keep hidden. This is true for Mirexia as well. But the moral compass and benevolence of a good person always prevail over darker inclinations. Though curious about the hidden storyline that exposed more of Mirexia, Vannesa refrained from probing—it would be quite discourteous. Ultimately, it wasn't Vannesa's concern. All she needed was to recognize Mirexia as a trustworthy friend, know that kindness was reciprocated, and that was sufficient. Hearing Vannesa call her the most trusted person, a soft blush colored Mirexia’s cheeks. She then spoke softly, perhaps not realizing the slight hint of grievance in her voice. "You haven’t even explained why to the person you trust the most." Mirexia didn’t understand why such a slightly reproachful remark slipped out before she could catch it. She couldn’t possibly ask Vannesa to disregard it once spoken, could she? "Hehe, Your Highness, is that a bit of resentment I hear~?" Vannesa chuckled, hands clasped, as she playfully circled around Mirexia, cupping her own face with a grin. “How adorable.” "At least tell me what trouble you encountered, otherwise—" "Hmm, otherwise?" Vannesa prompted with a teasing grin. "Uh, my father will be worried." Mirexia replied with a composed expression. “Oh~ Is that so? We certainly wouldn’t want to worry His Majesty the King, would we?” Vannesa replied with an understanding smile. “It’s not that I wish to hide it from you, Your Highness.” “Then what is it?” “I fear that if you knew, you might not believe me.” “There are countless eyes watching me in the shadows, Your Highness.” “Who are they?” Mirexia continued to press on, having already guessed the reasons. “A band of lawless individuals, so devoid of restraint that not even His Majesty the King might be able to deal with them,” Vannesa replied, her words laden with meaning. Mirexia fell into silence. Some things were better left unsaid. Mirexia was intelligent, and despite her father not having mentioned such matters, she could intuitively grasp the situation. “Your Highness, you must understand—the Church of Franghui hasn’t had a Saintess for three generations,” Vannesa left Mirexia with that thought, allowing her to ponder it on her own. Vannesa's words held layers of meaning. They could suggest that the Fasyris family had lost the Franghui Church's protection, making her a target for those with ulterior motives—a trouble she wished to avoid. Or perhaps it hinted at more sinister undertakings that were best left unspoken. "And what are your plans?" Mirexia asked after a momentary silence. "My plans? Your Highness, no matter what was before, I'm just a humble village girl in the kingdom now. What plans could I possibly have?" "I quite enjoy my current life. Isn't living like a cloud drifting across the sky desirable?" Vannesa turned away, her back facing Mirexia, answering her implicitly. "I see." Mirexia nodded. "I respect your wishes and will keep your secret." "Thank you~" Vannesa approached Mirexia, hands behind her back, leaning slightly to look up at the taller girl. "I knew I could always count on you, Your Highness." Faced with the enchanting girl standing before her, Mirexia instinctively took a step back, unsure if it was the crimson-tinted world causing a blush to tint her usually crystal-clear skin. Taking a step back while in conversation is rather impolite, but truthfully, the temptation was hard to resist. "So, we'll just wait for the power of this demon domain's extension to dissipate, right?" "Yes, this is merely an extension of the demon domain, conjured using the terrain of Terrilis as a medium. There are no principal vassals of the demon here, nor the demon itself. It will eventually disappear on its own." The two stood side by side in agreement. "Your Highness." "You didn’t used to call me that." "Eh? Isn't it suitable?" Vannesa tilted her head in confusion. "It’s polite and doesn’t cause any misunderstanding, right?" Mirexia found herself momentarily at a loss for words. Previously, their somewhat awkward relationship had necessitated Wenny to always add a suffix when addressing her to avoid any mistaken implications. Indeed, it was an appropriate form of address. However... It seemed to underline the distance Vannesa emphasized between them, indicating that they were no longer the inseparable childhood friends who shared everything. "In the future, just call me by my name." "Really? Is that okay?" Vannesa asked again. "It feels… inappropriate." "In what way?" "It feels like overstepping, Your Highness is a princess of the kingdom and the future queen of Carmela, while I'm merely an impostor, surviving under the facade of being a descendant of the goddess. I've only managed to survive this far thanks to the grace and benevolence of the Carmela royal family. How could I overstep such boundaries?" Vannesa spoke with such heartfelt emotion, her charming eyes filled with a pitiful allure that would trigger sympathy in anyone who heard her. Listening to her, a wave of guilt surged within Mirexia, leaving her unsure of what to say while looking at the girl in front of her. Indeed, the path that led Wenny to become who she is today was partly due to Mirexia's actions. If only she had devoted more attention to her childhood friend amidst her obligations, could all this have been avoided? In the end, her inability to control the unfounded rumors circulating in the capital, her unawareness during the time Wenny needed support the most, led to all of this. Though solutions eluded her, the guilt remained heavy on her conscience. If only she could help Wenny more. As her friend and childhood companion, the inability to assist Wenny left her deeply remorseful. "Virtue +200." "Current Virtue: 7284." Receiving notice of her virtuous increase, Vannesa maintained a facade of strength, despite the apparent vulnerability, filled with joy internally. Hehe, sorry, Your Highness, I didn’t say that to make you feel guilty. I just really need to boost my virtue score~. It's become somewhat of an addiction, and I can’t help it. So, sorry, I’ll definitely make it up to you in the future. Vannesa internally clasped her hands together, silently making a vow to Mirexia. Doing so seemed to lighten her burden of guilt. After all, it wasn’t as if she wouldn't repay Mirexia. She would find a way to compensate in the future. There were numerous ways to do so, and she had time to figure it out. But once the opportunity for virtue was missed, it wouldn't return, right? Vannesa also acknowledged the downside of exploiting the virtue of a fundamentally noble person like Mirexia—it increased her guilt. Mirexia, a dependable source of virtue, was unlike troublesome figures like Aesphyra, whom she could exploit without remorse. Even if she depleted Aesphyra's virtues, Vannesa wouldn’t feel a shred of guilt.