Chapter 46
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Volume 2 + Chapter 46: “Who Else, But You Is Worthy of The Saintess’s Position?”
Since Aesphyra’s earlier question was cleverly designed to be a trap, making both choices sound alike, Vanessa, who answered without much thought and simply echoed Aesphyra’s wording, only realized the implications of what she had said after the words were already spoken.
“Oh~ So that’s how it is, you still can’t bear to part with me, right?” Aesphyra’s smiling face resembled a fox that had caught its prey, looking very much like a scheme that had succeeded.
“Miss Aesphyra!” Vanessa looked at Aesphyra with a mix of shame and anger, clearly accusing the other of setting a trap in her words, causing her to say the wrong thing.
“That won’t do, Miss Vanessa. Showing such a cute expression is completely tempting me. I might not be able to resist ‘eating’ you up, you know?~” Aesphyra slightly lowered her head.
‘Virtue + 100.’
‘Current Virtue: 4524.’
Vanessa’s words faltered. In an instant, the other’s warm breath was right in front of her, along with that flawless, exquisite beauty.
The amethyst-like violet eyes cast a lingering gaze, making her cheeks burn hot, and she swallowed her saliva in small gulps.
What, what is she going to do??
This posture, is she going to??
But, if she really does it, what should I do? I can’t move right now.
Am I just going to give in like this??`
How can that be? That’s my first kiss?? And it’s completely different from what I imagined!
If my first kiss were to be given to this harem protagonist, it’s something I wouldn’t even dare to think about!~
But, but, if she insists on doing it??
Actually, no matter what, Aesphyra did save my life just now. If it weren’t for her timely use of [Divine Blessing] to take me away, the situation would have spiraled out of control.
No, she has saved me more than once.
If it’s to repay the debt of saving my life….
No, one thing is one thing. Feelings are feelings, and repaying a favor is repaying a favor. That won’t do either!
Vanessa closed her eyes in resistance, lightly biting her lips. Her cherry blossom-like eyelashes trembled, and her subtle expression betrayed her current tension and rejection..
She seemed to be thinking about how to resist if Aesphyra really did it.
However, after a long time without any further action, Vanessa hesitantly and slowly opened her eyes, like an ostrich retracting its head and then slowly peeking out again.
When she opened her eyes, she found that Aesphyra had already retracted her head at some point, with no intention of doing what she had thought.
Wh-what? Was I just overthinking it??”
For a moment, Vanessa felt an overwhelming urge to cover her face with her wings in embarrassment.
“Pfft, Miss Vanessa is still so innocent and adorable~?”
“Of course, that can’t compare to you, Miss Aesphyra, a seasoned player in the game of love who falls for everyone she meets.” Vanessa silently averted her gaze.
Perhaps Aesphyra’s aura naturally had some kind of restraint over her, otherwise, Vanessa couldn’t understand why she was always so easily controlled by her.
It was the same whether she was in her male or female form.
“Huh? Miss Vanessa has always thought of me that way? Even though I’ve already expressed my feelings to you, and I’ve never held another girl like this before?”
“Of course, if Miss Vanessa has even the slightest unwillingness, I would choose to respect that, but~”
“One day, Miss Vanessa will willingly agree, you know~?” The noble silver haired doll cat still wore that confident smile.
Even though she’s so small.
“Miss Aesphyra, you are as presumptuous and rude as ever. That day will never come. To be frank, I’m not interested in girls, and I’m even less interested in you.” To get rid of Aesphyra, Vanessa had no choice but to continue pretending to be straight.
“But, still, thank you for helping me out of that predicament. In the future, if there’s anything I can help with, as long as it’s within my ability, not outrageous, and doesn’t violate morality, I will help you.” After saying this, Vanessa added in a low voice.
“Is that so~? I’m looking forward to it.”
“But, speaking of which, Miss Vanessa, aren’t you curious?~” Aesphyra said with a meaningful tone.
“Then, Miss Aesphyra, aren’t you curious why I appeared here and turned into a six-winged being to fight the Demon Pillar?” Vanessa, of course, knew what Aesphyra was asking, how she had managed to bring her to this deserted lawn in an instant, so she countered with a question.
“Of course I’m curious, but does Miss Vanessa plan to tell me?”
“Then, does Miss Aesphyra plan to share your secret with me?” Vanessa didn’t answer but instead asked back.
“If Miss Vanessa is willing to share her secret with me, I’d be more than happy to do so.”
“What a coincidence, Miss Aesphyra, I was thinking the same thing.” Vanessa responded with a meaningful smile. “If Miss Aesphyra can open her heart to me, it might not be impossible, you know?”
Vanessa’s implication was clear. She knew Aesphyra wouldn’t reveal these things to her, so she didn’t plan to ask, just as she had told Aesphyra in the ruins, she wasn’t interested in Aesphyra’s secrets and had no intention of prying.
Aesphyra’s thoughts were not much different from Vanessa’s. After all, these were Vanessa’s secrets. If she wanted to tell her, she would have done so already.
Unless Vanessa was willing and actively confided in her, she wouldn’t ask.
And Vanessa only said this because she was certain Aesphyra wouldn’t confide her secrets to her.
“So, Miss Vanessa means she’s willing to share her secret with me? Alright then, I’ll tell you all my secrets~” Thinking the conversation would end here, as keeping each other’s secrets was an unspoken understanding, Vanessa was caught off guard when Aesphyra spoke up.
“I’ll tell you all my secrets. As for your secrets, Miss Vanessa, it’s fine. You can tell me whenever you feel like it, or never tell me at all.”
“Actually, I am….”
“Wait, stop!” Seeing that Aesphyra was really about to start revealing her secrets, Vanessa couldn’t maintain her composure and quickly called for a halt.
She never expected Aesphyra to trust her so much, really daring to lay her cards on the table.
But she already knew most of Aesphyra’s secrets, so why bother listening again??
Moreover, if Aesphyra told her, there would be no turning back.
Vanessa had a premonition that if this happened, their relationship would become quite delicate.
Imagine, if Aesphyra laid everything bare for her, she couldn’t just remain indifferent, right??
This was also Aesphyra’s way of showing her trust, making her understand that she was a completely trustworthy presence in her heart, that she wouldn’t lie to her or deceive her.
Of course, Aesphyra might mix in some falsehoods with the important information, but what if she didn’t??
And if Vanessa happened to know her secrets, and if Aesphyra’s account contained no lies, should Vanessa reveal her own secrets??
Not saying anything, Vanessa herself would probably feel a bit guilty.
Although Aesphyra said sharing her secrets was free, and Vanessa could choose not to say anything, but in this world, there’s no such thing as a free lunch. Often, free things are the most expensive.
Seeing Vanessa’s hurried attempt to stop her, a faint smile appeared on Aesphyra’s lips. Everything was under her control.
Under certain specific conditions, sincerity is a surefire tactic.
The most necessary condition among these is that the other person is kind-hearted and has high moral standards.
And high moral standards come in levels. Those who would sacrifice themselves to save unrelated people are basically at the pinnacle of moral standards.
Such people, even if they accidentally learn someone else’s secrets, would never reveal them, especially when the other person trusts them so much and openly shares their secrets.
Bound by the shackles of morality, Vanessa would be even less likely to reveal her own secrets.
Most importantly, doing this shows Vanessa her trust and greatly strengthens their relationship.
As for whether to tell the truth, Aesphyra, of course, wouldn’t deceive Vanessa. If Vanessa wanted to hear, she would tell everything truthfully.
But before she could even start, Vanessa chickened out, saying she didn’t want to hear anymore and wouldn’t let her continue.
If Vanessa could move or still had magic, she would probably cover her ears with her wings to avoid hearing Aesphyra’s next words.
This kind of thing would definitely involve karma, and how could she dare to do that?? Moreover, it’s karma related to the protagonist, if she got involved, could she ever escape??
Knowing Aesphyra’s secret would bring her no benefit, and besides, she already knew most of it, right?? If Aesphyra told her, she would be burdened with moral responsibility.
Why take on unnecessary responsibilities for a secret she already knew??
Vanessa never expected that one day, the trick she used on Mirexia would be used on her in the same way by someone else.
This is probably what they call karma.
“After this, Miss Vanessa’s situation might become quite troublesome, don’t you think?” Aesphyra said in a leisurely tone.
Needless to say, Vanessa understood what Aesphyra was referring to.
On the surface, the Saintess family was basically extinct. Now, with her, who possesses the perfect Saintess family traits, appearing openly in front of everyone, it would definitely attract the attention of the Church of Radiance.
Ordinary people might think it was the Goddess or the Saintess manifesting, which, in reality, it was, but once this matter reached the ears of the Church of Radiance’s higher-ups, they would definitely investigate thoroughly.
Unless there was a high-ranking official within the Church who would cover for her, guiding the incident to be seen as the Goddess manifesting, but that was almost impossible.
It seems Aesphyra, unlike other heroines, had some understanding of the current state of the Church and knew some inside information.
As the protagonist, it’s normal for her to have such intelligence. After all, before enrolling, Aesphyra could obtain the personnel list of the Camella’s church.
“This will cause quite a bit of trouble for Miss Vanessa, who is hiding in the Carillian Academy, won’t it?”
“Trouble? I have no intention of interacting with them, nor am I interested in them.” Vanessa was silent for a moment, then spoke indifferently.
“Everything before was just my personal actions, not because I wanted to show off or had any aspirations for their power.”
“But Miss Vanessa, not everyone will interpret it the same way,” Aesphyra said. “I have to remind you, those in higher positions tend to be more sensitive. Even the smallest hint of something questionable, they won’t overlook.”
“Thank you for the reminder, Miss Aesphyra. I’ll keep it in mind.”
“If Miss Vanessa needs my help, just say the word~?” Aesphyra said with a smile.
“No need, it’s too much trouble for you.” Vanessa wasn’t someone who liked to owe favors. If it were someone like Mirexia, a close friend, that would be one thing, but with someone she’s only slightly acquainted with or not close to, Vanessa didn’t like owing them anything.
The last favor, she had already repaid by saving Aesphyra, but she hadn’t repaid these few times yet.
Vanessa was afraid she would owe Aesphyra too much and wouldn’t know how to repay her in the future.
“Besides, this isn’t something Miss Aesphyra alone can handle.” Vanessa said.
The Church of Radiance was a behemoth to any individual. Not even a country could stand against it, let alone a single person, even if that person was Aesphyra. Before she grew stronger, it was impossible.
“Can I take this as Miss Vanessa testing me?~”
“Please don’t try to take my troubles upon yourself. Even if you do, I won’t thank you, Miss Aesphyra.” Vanessa averted her gaze.
“Actually, if Miss Vanessa had a bit more ambition and was interested in the Saintess’ position, I could completely….”
“Please don’t say such things. I have no interest in the Church of Radiance or the position of the Radiance Saintess, and I never will. If possible, I’d rather never have any interaction with them.” Vanessa interrupted before Aesphyra could finish.
“Is that so?” Aesphyra gazed at Vanessa with a smile, saying nothing for a long time before finally speaking.
“People never know what their future holds, after all, people’s thoughts are always changing. Every stage of life brings different thoughts and changes.”
“If Miss Vanessa ever changes her mind and urgently needs help, you can come to me, you know~?”
“Miss Aesphyra, are you suggesting you want to help me usurp the Saintess’s position??” Vanessa’s tone carried a hint of playful mockery.
“How could that be called usurping? You’re the last of the Varelis bloodline to awaken its power, your blood is pure, your claim rightful and just, acknowledged and blessed by the Goddess herself, and you saved the people in their time of need.”
“Who else but you is worthy of the Saintess’s position?”
