I was momentarily flustered by the unexpected situation, but upon closer inspection, there was really nothing strange about Lilian being here.
Considering Lilian’s excessive kindness and unnecessary meddling, it’s not surprising she would willingly extend a hand to someone who had betrayed her.
She is the kind of person who would reach out even to those who have tormented her.
Who knows, she might even want a friendly relationship with me.
And anyway, why should I be shrinking away?
Have I ever stolen Lilian’s precious friend or spread rumors that slander her?
The choice to leave Lilian was Arien’s own, and any malicious rumors surrounding her were merely the result of the gossip-loving young ladies.
I have done nothing wrong.
Even if there were a mistake, there is no evidence that I did it.
My anxious heart began to calm down little by little.
Looking at her with a feeling of goodwill in my large eyes, I filled with vitality as if the curtain of a play had risen and shouted,
“Wow…! Saint!”
I approached Lilian with a bright smile, shyly and harmlessly grinning as I lightly held her hand.
“I can’t tell you how surprised I was to hear the news…! A battlefield, how admirable!”
As my flattery bordered on admiration, Lilian raised one eyebrow slightly before breaking into a gentle smile.
“Oh my, is that so?”
Her response came in a bright voice, accompanied by a radiant smile, showing that she didn’t seem uncomfortable with me.
Indeed, Lilian possessed a nature that could not reject those who approached her kindly.
“Really, what a pushover she is.”
For reasons unknown to me, unlike before, I didn’t feel that inexplicable discomfort bubbling up towards Lilian.
Though I felt a slight sting from our hands joined together, it was a mere minor inconvenience that I could tolerate compared to before.
Back then, I was filled with the impulse to sweep her away right before my eyes.
If it was like this, then perhaps nurturing a good relationship with Lilian might not be such a bad choice after all.
“What a pleasure it is to meet you in a place like this.”
“Hehe, I’m also glad to see you after such a long time. However, Lady Blanc.”
Lilian lifted our joined hands to show me and unnecessarily intertwined her fingers.
Every time her fingers slowly slipped between mine, a strange feeling akin to clothes being stripped away brushed against me.
“I seem to recall you teaching me that grabbing someone’s hand so casually is quite rude, Lady.”
“Yes?”
“I had to endure countless criticisms for being an ill-mannered commoner because of this habit.”
With a cold smile devoid of warmth, Lilian stepped closer to me. That distorted smile carried a confusing chill that trickled down my spine.
As I was about to step back, she wrapped her arms around my waist first and whispered.
“Just, just a moment…”
“In that case, what kind of punishment should Lady Blanc receive?”
With that remark, Lilian fiercely pulled my waist towards her.
Caught off guard by her unexpected strength, I found myself enveloped in her embrace without any chance to resist.
“Ugh…?”
The moment our skin touched, nausea surged through me, making the world spin.
She was looking down at me with a gaze that lacked warmth, piercing through me with cold eyes.
“Just like what you did for Lady Blanc, I can repay you in kind, can’t I?”
Her smile was filled with clear malice, mocking my actions. I froze momentarily at her unexpected demeanor.
“What the hell…? Lilian isn’t the type to say things like that!”
Normally, she would hold me accountable with a confident gaze, but I’d never seen her mock me like this before.
“Ugh…!”
As Lilian’s hand gripped my waist tightly, a sharp pain surged throughout my body.
I pushed her away with all my strength. While Lilian hesitated at my unexpected action, I took a step back and barely created some distance.
“Are you saying I did something wrong to the Saint? It sounds like I committed some kind of heinous deed.”
“Oh, wasn’t that the case?”
Lilian covered her mouth slightly, quietly laughing. That calm yet seductive smile was far too different from the usual Saintly image.
“What is this…?”
Who are you?
Where is the bright and confident Lilian I knew, and why is there some mysterious dark figure standing here?
Does a battlefield really change a person’s personality?
“…I don’t care.”
Even if her personality changes, a person’s nature never changes.
Lilian is a good person. Unlike the corrupt Viviana, her goodness is an immutable fact established in the game.
There was also a setting showing her vulnerability to human tears.
“Well, it seems there’s some misunderstanding.”
Secretly digging my nails deep into my legs, the sting crawled all over my body, and tears began to well up in my eyes.
“Did I… perhaps hurt the Saint’s feelings…?”
My voice was filled with tremors.
Lowering my gaze slightly, I directed a quivering look at Lilian.
“If you just tell me, I’ll fix it… I really mean it. I don’t want things to go sour between us, Saint…”
As the tears streamed down my cheeks, Lilian’s pink eyes flickered slightly. Just as she opened her mouth with a subdued gaze.
“…You.”
“Lilian.”
Before Lilian could continue speaking, Arien quietly slipped between us.
Arien gently wrapped her hand around mine in a comforting manner and patted my head lightly.
“Don’t be too harsh on Tina. She’s someone who has stayed by my side during tough times.”
“…You two have grown quite close.”
Feeling her touch, I slowly exhaled the breath I’d been holding.
Lilian stared at me, being pampered by Arien, for a while before offering a faint smile that seemed lacking in something.
“I’m sorry, I’ve become a bit sensitive lately, so I unconsciously acted sharply.”
“…No, I may have initiated holding your hand.”
“I’d like to treat you to some refreshments as an apology. Is it alright if I invite you to our mansion?”
“Yes?”
“His Majesty the Emperor granted the land and mansion for my contributions in this war. I really want to host you there.”
With a bright smile and eyes full of anticipation, Lilian’s face looked exceedingly pure.
It was an extreme contrast to just a moment ago.
“That’s wonderful, Tina. Lilian is truly kind. I’m sure you two will get along well.”
Arien patted my back as if relieved.
“If only Lady Blanc is okay with it, how about going right now?”
Lilian took a step closer, her cheeks faintly flushed. Arien nudged me gently toward her as if encouraging me, signaling me to agree quickly.
“Oh, no. I have other commitments.”
Instinct whispered to me. That I must never go to Lilian’s mansion.
I hastily broke free from Arien’s embrace and politely declined.
My instinct was telling me. I shouldn’t go to Lilian’s mansion.
“Oh my, would another day work for you? How about tomorrow?”
Lilian took a step closer with a regretful expression. In reflex, I took a step back from her.
“I, I have a promise with my mother tomorrow…”
“Is that so? Then how about this weekend? Would that work for you?”
“This weekend, I have an appointment with someone I know…”
“Someone you know? Who is it?”
“I, I don’t think Lilian would know who it is.”
“Hmm… then how about next week? Do you have any appointments then as well?”
“That, that time is…”
“That time is?”
“Another… appointment…”
“…”
A heavy silence enveloped the room, and a cold atmosphere began to swirl around.
Arien wore an awkward expression, while Lilian stared at me with unreadable eyes.
In the brief silence, Lilian quietly smiled and scratched her head awkwardly.
“Indeed, you are the flower of high society this year. It seems your schedule is busier than mine as a Saint. Hehe.”
“Uh, uh, it accidentally turned out that way…”
“It can’t be helped. Please let me know when is a good time for you, and I will invite you then.”
“I’ll, I’ll do that!”
At my bright response, Lilian stood up with a gentle smile.
“It seems you’re busy, so I will take my leave now.”
“Huh? You’re leaving already, Lilian?”
“Yes, I’ve heard all the stories I wanted to hear. See you later, Arien.”
“Uh, yes… sure.”
After leaving a farewell to Arien, Lilian gave me a quick smile and then slowly exited.
In the room where the Saint had vanished, a short silence lingered.
I stared at the closed door, biting my lip before turning my gaze to Arien.
“…Arien.”
What on earth did you say?
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