Chapter 142

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Volume 1 + Chapter 142: Abuse of Power

“Please keep what happened to me today a secret, Your Highness?”

 

“Let’s just pretend it never happened.”

 

So it was about this, huh?

 

As she looked at the cherry-haired girl standing before her, hands clasped behind her back and leaning slightly towards her, Mirexia thought.

 

Of course, she would agree without hesitation. Not only had Vanessa revealed her identity to save her, but out of loyalty, morality, and their friendship, she would unconditionally keep this secret for her.

 

And…

 

Recalling the experiences they had shared over the past days, the moments woven together, even in her most difficult times, this girl had never left her side.

 

Mirexia’s cheeks unconsciously flushed with a deep red, and her body inexplicably grew warm. The lingering heat seemed to persist, and she couldn’t quite understand what was happening to her.

 

It felt as if every move, every smile of this cherry-haired girl tugged at her heart, influencing her emotions.

 

Had she always been like this?

 

Certainly not. No one had ever stirred such peculiar feelings and emotions within her before.

 

This left Mirexia feeling somewhat at a loss.

 

She felt as though she had stepped into a completely unknown, uncharted territory, yet this sensation was so intoxicating, like a bear that had tasted honey, unwilling to let go despite the risk of being stung.

 

Perhaps it was because she had come to know a hidden side of her childhood friend, or perhaps it was the comfort and security of placing her trust and reliance in someone dependable.

 

Or maybe it was the realization that there was someone in this world who stood by her side, someone who understood her needs and considered her feelings.

 

Or perhaps, it was simply that the scent of the cherry-haired girl’s hair and her natural fragrance was so alluring, so captivating to her.

 

She couldn’t quite put it into words, only that there were too many emotions bottled up inside her, too complex to describe.

 

As she gazed at the radiant cherry-haired girl before her, Mirexia still found it hard to believe that this stunning, captivating beauty was the same childhood friend she had grown up with.

 

The blue-haired boy she had known so well had, without her realizing it, grown into such a graceful and elegant young woman.

 

At this thought, looking at the cherry-haired beauty before her, Mirexia felt a sense of disorientation, as if a lifetime had passed.

 

She found it difficult to connect the blue-haired boy from her memories with the cherry-haired girl standing before her, yet the familiarity was undeniable, constantly reminding her that they were one and the same, her childhood friend.

 

The one who had always cared for her, regardless of whether she was the Queen of Camella, regardless of her achievements or how exceptional she was, simply wishing for her happiness every day.

 

Unlike those nobles who only saw her glamorous side and paid no attention to the scars she bore, this girl would appear when she was hurt, when she dared not confide in anyone, when she couldn’t let others see her vulnerable side, soothing her emotions and healing her wounds.

 

Mirexia suddenly felt that it was a good thing, and fortunate, that the girl who had saved her in her time of need was her childhood friend.

 

“Alright,” Mirexia nodded.

 

“Thank you for understanding, Your Highness Mirexia. I knew you were the most trustworthy person~” Vanessa wasn’t surprised by Mirexia’s resolute response.

 

In fact, it was precisely because it was Mirexia she had saved that she had no qualms about revealing her true self in front of her.

 

Vanessa knew her childhood friend’s character all too well. Even setting aside their friendship, someone as upright as Mirexia would never betray a savior or do anything to harm them.

 

Vanessa couldn’t fully trust Aesphyra, couldn’t fully trust Shikondell, couldn’t fully trust anyone, except Mirexia. She was the one person Vanessa could trust completely.

 

This wasn’t just based on her understanding of Mirexia, but also her confidence in Mirexia’s character.

 

Among the many heroines, Aesphyra was the most enigmatic and difficult to figure out.

 

Her relationship with Shikondell wasn’t at a level where they could confide in each other, and it wasn’t that Shikondell had a bad character, but rather that Vanessa didn’t trust her intelligence. As for the other heroines, some even wished her dead, like those two golden elf sisters.

 

Isatia’s personality was too strong, and their interactions were still shallow.

 

In short, among all the heroines, only Mirexia met the criteria of having a close relationship, being well-understood, and having a trustworthy character.

 

In the original story, due to Mirexia’s upright and somewhat rigid personality, her romantic progress was often tinged with tsundere tendencies, earning her the nickname “the honest one” or “the workaholic” among players.

 

And this was the true value of the original story’s designated honest one!

 

Especially since her identity was Mirexia’s childhood friend, and now, she had also become her savior.

 

With all the effort she had put into raising Mirexia’s affection, Mirexia’s feelings for her should now be at the level of a close friend.

 

This meant Mirexia would be even more determined to keep her secret.

 

However, Vanessa vaguely remembered that in her past life, while browsing Mirexia’s route, she had stumbled upon a post about Mirexia’s hidden route, which seemed to reveal some unknown aspects of Mirexia.

 

She now regretted not clicking into it back then, as it would have given her a more comprehensive understanding of Mirexia.

 

Even parents couldn’t know all their children’s secrets and faces, let alone a childhood friend?

 

But this was normal. Everyone had dark sides and secrets they didn’t want others to discover, without exception.

 

However, a good person’s moral bottom line and kindness would always outweigh those dark thoughts and evil intentions.

 

On the other hand, Vanessa was indeed curious about what Mirexia’s hidden route revealed about her. But curiosity aside, prying into someone’s secrets was quite rude.

 

In the end, it wasn’t something that concerned her directly. She only needed to know that Mirexia was a trustworthy friend, someone who would treat her well in return, and that was enough.

 

Hearing Winnie say that she was her most trusted person, Mirexia’s cheeks flushed with a hint of peach, and for some reason, she softly said, “You’re not even willing to explain why to your most trusted person.”

 

Mirexia didn’t know why she had uttered such a slightly resentful remark, but by the time she realized it, the words had already slipped out.

 

She couldn’t very well tell Vanessa to take it back, could she?

 

“Pfft, Your Highness Mirexia, are you feeling a bit emotional~?” Vanessa, hearing this, clasped her hands behind her back and circled around Mirexia with a smile, cupping her face. “How adorable.”

 

“You… you should at least let me know what trouble you’re in, otherwise…”

 

“Hmm? Otherwise?” Vanessa pressed with a smile.

 

“…My father would worry,” Mirexia said with a serious expression.

 

“Oh~ I see, we certainly can’t have His Majesty the King worrying,” Vanessa replied with a meaningful smile.

 

“Actually, it’s not that I don’t want to tell you, Your Highness Mirexia.”

 

“Then what is it?”

 

“I’m afraid you might not believe me if I told you.”

 

“Your Highness Mirexia, there are countless eyes watching me in the shadows.”

 

“Who are they?” Mirexia, having already guessed the reason, wasn’t surprised and continued to ask.

 

“A group of lawless individuals, so lawless that even His Majesty the King might not be able to deal with them,” Vanessa said with deep meaning.

 

“…” Mirexia fell silent.

 

Some things were better left unsaid. Mirexia was smart, and even though the King hadn’t discussed these matters with her, she could somewhat infer the situation.

 

“Your Highness Mirexia, you must understand that the Church of Radiance has been without a Saintess for three generations,” Vanessa said, then left Mirexia to digest the information.

 

Vanessa’s words carried multiple implications. It could mean that the current Valeria family had lost the protection of the Church of Radiance, making her a target for those with ulterior motives. Or it could hint at something even more unsettling.

 

“So, what are your plans?” Mirexia asked after a moment of silence.

 

“My plans? Your Highness Mirexia, regardless of the past, I’m now just an insignificant village girl in the kingdom. What plans could I possibly have?”

 

“I quite like my current life. Living freely like a wild crane is nice, isn’t it?” Vanessa turned her back, leaving Mirexia with her silhouette.

 

This was as good as an answer.

 

“I understand,” Mirexia nodded. “I respect your wishes and will keep your secret.”

 

“Thank you~” Vanessa stepped closer to Mirexia, hands behind her back, leaning slightly forward, looking up at the girl who was slightly taller than her. “I knew Your Highness Mirexia was the most reliable.”

 

As she gazed at the captivating girl before her, Mirexia unconsciously took a step back. Whether it was due to the crimson surroundings or not, her translucent skin seemed to take on a faint blush.

 

Taking a step back while speaking to someone was quite rude, but honestly, it was somewhat beyond her control.

 

“So, we just have to wait for the power of this demon god’s plane to dissipate, right?”

 

“Yes, this is merely an extension of the demon god’s plane, created using the soil of the Terraria continent as a medium. There are no main followers of the demon god here, nor the demon god itself. We just need to wait for a while, and it will disappear on its own.”

 

The two stood side by side.

 

“Your Highness Mirexia.”

 

“You didn’t used to call me that.”

 

“Huh? Isn’t that better?” Vanessa tilted her head in confusion. “It’s polite and doesn’t cause any trouble for you, right?”

 

Hearing this, Mirexia was momentarily at a loss for words.

 

What Vanessa was referring to was the awkward relationship they had before. To avoid misunderstandings, Vanessa had always addressed her with a suffix.

 

Indeed, it was a very proper form of address, but…

 

She couldn’t help but feel that Winnie was emphasizing the distance between them, suggesting that they were no longer the close, inseparable childhood friends they once were.

 

“From now on, just call me by my name.”

 

“Eh? Is that really okay?” Vanessa asked again. “I still feel it’s a bit inappropriate.”

 

“Why is it inappropriate?”

 

“I feel it’s a bit presumptuous. Your Highness Mirexia is a princess of the kingdom, the future Queen of Camella, while I’m just a fake who’s managed to survive to this day under the guise of being a descendant of the goddess, living a somewhat decent life thanks to the grace and generosity of the Camella royal family. How could I do something so improper as to disregard our statuses?” Vanessa spoke with emotion, her peach-colored eyes filled with a pitiful charm that made one’s heart ache.

 

Hearing this, Mirexia opened her mouth, a strong sense of guilt welling up inside her. Looking at the girl before her, she didn’t know what to say.

 

Yes, the fact that Winnie had ended up like this was partly her fault. If she had taken the time to pay more attention to her childhood friend amidst her busy schedule, perhaps things wouldn’t have turned out this way.

 

Ultimately, wasn’t it because she couldn’t control the false rumors in the capital and was unaware of Winnie’s needs when she needed her most?

 

Even though she couldn’t think of a solution, she still felt a deep sense of guilt.

 

If only she had a way to help.

 

As her childhood friend and companion, not being able to do anything for Winnie made her feel truly guilty.

 

“Virtue +200.”

 

“Current Virtue: 7284.”

 

Receiving the notification of the increase in virtue, Vanessa maintained a pitiful yet brave expression on the surface, but inside, she was overjoyed.

 

Hehe, sorry, Your Highness Mirexia, I didn’t mean to say those things to make you feel guilty.

 

It’s just that I really, really want virtue~ I’ve become addicted to farming virtue, and there’s no helping it.

 

So, I’m really sorry. I’ll definitely make it up to you in the future.

 

Vanessa clasped her hands together in her heart, silently making this promise to Mirexia, as if it could alleviate some of the guilt she felt.

 

After all, she wasn’t taking the virtue for nothing; she would compensate Mirexia in the future. As for how, there were many ways, and she could think about it slowly. But once the opportunity for virtue was missed, it was gone forever, right?~

 

Vanessa also noticed the downside of farming virtuefrom someone as virtuous and honest as Mirexia, it increased her sense of guilt and remorse.

 

While Mirexia’s virtue was easy to farm, making her a walking ATM, it wasn’t like farming from someone like Aesphyra, a scummy woman who could be farmed without any sense of guilt. Even if she farmed all the virtue from Aesphyra, Vanessa probably wouldn’t feel any guilt.