The room fell into silence.
Only the soft breaths of two people intertwined in the night.
But Sylvia didn’t fall asleep immediately.
Her mind kept replaying the events of the day.
The pope’s gaze had indeed been strange.
And those Knight Commanders.
Their expressions were complicated as well.
“What exactly do they want?”
Sylvia pondered silently.
“It doesn’t feel like just a simple diplomatic reception.”
“Forget it, there’s no use overthinking.”
She shook her head.
“Besides, with Mother and Sister here, nothing dangerous should happen.”
“All I need to do is play the role of a decorative princess.”
Having come to this realization, Sylvia felt considerably lighter.
She closed her eyes, ready to sleep.
Just then, Avira suddenly spoke.
“Sister, are you still awake?”
“Yeah.”
Sylvia responded softly.
“What’s up?”
“I have a question for you.”
Avira’s voice sounded uncertain in the darkness.
“If one day…”
“If Sister did something very, very bad, would you still like me?”
Sylvia was stunned.
The question came out of nowhere.
“What do you mean by ‘very, very bad’?”
“Well…”
Avira hesitated.
“Like… killing many innocent people.”
“Or doing something unforgivable.”
Sylvia thought for a moment.
“Why do you suddenly ask this?”
“Just want to know the answer.”
Avira’s voice was soft.
“Sis, will you answer me?”
Sylvia sensed the change in her sister’s emotions.
She reached out and held Avira’s hand.
“Sister, you are my most important family.”
She spoke earnestly.
“No matter what happens, that will never change.”
“Even if you really do something bad?”
“Even if you did something bad.”
Sylvia nodded.
“I might get angry, I might be sad, but I wouldn’t stop liking you.”
“Because you’re my Sister.”
Avira gripped her hand tightly.
“Thank you, Sister.”
Her voice carried clear emotion.
“Hearing you say that makes me feel relieved.”
Sylvia was a little worried.
“Is something wrong, Sister?”
“No.”
Avira shook her head.
“I just suddenly thought of that question.”
“If anything really happens, you must tell me.”
Sylvia said.
“Though I might not be much help, at least I can be there for you.”
“Okay.”
Avira smiled.
“I will.”
They chatted a little longer before finally falling asleep.
In the quiet city of Dawn’s Light.
The little princess of the Blood Clan and her Sister slept embraced.
Morning sunlight streamed through crystal-like window panes into the room.
Sylvia still buried under soft silk blankets, her silver hair scattered across the pillow.
Last night’s banquet had truly been exhausting.
Those burning gazes.
Those inexplicable words.
And Mother’s silent contest of gifts with the humans.
Every second made her want to disappear into the ground.
***
Knock, knock, knock.
A gentle and respectful knocking sounded.
“Your Highness, His Holiness the Pope respectfully invites you to the Radiant Cathedral.”
A cautious voice came from outside the door.
“The Emperor especially wishes to show you the Supreme Sanctuary.”
“There, the most sacred relic ‘The First Light’ is enshrined.”
Sylvia poked half her head out from under the blanket.
Her silver hair messily stuck to her pale cheek.
Her blood-red eyes blurred with the unwillingness to get up.
“What? Going out again?”
Her voice held obvious reluctance.
Avira, already dressed, sat in the corner of the room polishing her sword, Wail.
Hearing this, her hand paused.
A dangerous gleam flashed through her crimson eyes.
“That annoying old man again?”
The thought of going to a crowded place made Sylvia’s social anxiety instantly flare.
The Radiant Cathedral.
The name alone evoked a super serious, sacred place.
Countless eyes would be watching her again.
Whispering, pointing.
She wrapped herself tighter in the blanket.
Only her blood-red eyes visible.
“I don’t want to go…”
Her voice muffled.
Clearly feeling wronged.
The attendants outside heard the displeasure in the princess’s tone.
Immediately panicked.
“Th-this is His Holiness the Pope’s sincere invitation…”
“The First Light is the most precious relic of our Holy Radiance Alliance, it’s an honor to…”
Shing.
Avira drew her sword.
The blade flashed a cold light in the morning sun.
“Who dares disturb my Sister’s sleep.”
“I’ll cut off their head!”
Silence fell instantly outside the door.
Then came panicked voices:
“P-Princess, please calm down! I will—”
At that moment, the door was gently pushed open.
Ophelia entered with elegant steps.
She wore a perfectly tailored black Kingdom gown.
Her silver-white hair pinned high with an Obsidian Hairpin.
A divine-level presence silently spread from her.
The air in the room grew heavy.
“Mother.”
Seeing Ophelia, Sylvia obediently sat up from under the covers.
Avira sheathed her sword and respectfully stood aside.
Ophelia approached the bed.
She extended her pale, slender fingers.
Gently tidying Sylvia’s messy silver hair.
“What do they want to show you?”
Her voice was calm.
But the pressure hidden within made the attendants outside tremble.
“The Radiant Cathedral, and the First Light.”
Sylvia answered honestly.
Her tone carried obvious unwillingness.
“Sounds like a lot of trouble…”
Ophelia’s blood-red eyes narrowed slightly.
She thought for a moment.
To her, Sylvia’s use of “trouble”
was clearly an instinctive reaction to such overwhelming forces.
As a being with divine status, a daughter would naturally sense power of the same level and react in some way.
“It’s good to go see it.”
“Huh?”
Sylvia froze.
Her blood-red eyes full of disbelief.
Mother actually agreed?
Ophelia gently stroked her silver hair.
A deep light flashed in her crimson eyes.
“Let them understand what so-called holy light means.”
“Compared to you, it’s nothing.”
Her voice was as calm as still water.
Yet carried absolute pressure and certainty.
“But Mother, I’m really sleepy…”
Sylvia tried a last plea.
Her voice soft, with a hint of coaxing.
“If you go, you can rest when you come back.”
Ophelia’s touch remained gentle.
“Be good. Obey.”
Sylvia knew a decision made by Mother was hard to change.
She helplessly nodded.
Her silver hair shimmered faintly in the morning light.
“All right…”
Avira muttered beside her in discontent:
“Mother, can’t Sister sleep a little longer?”
“Those humans are so annoying…”
“Avira, you’re coming too.”
Ophelia glanced at her.
“Protect Sylvia well.”
“Of course!”
Avira instantly perked up.
A fanatic light ignited in her crimson eyes.
“If anyone dares disrespect Sister, I’ll cut off their head!”