Mowan wondered what she had said that caused Iserin to feel dissatisfied.
Could it be that she had appeared too concerned about Rosa, making Iserin jealous?
No, no matter how she thought about it, that did not seem possible.
Considering the cause and effect, the things the Princess said today were indeed somewhat dangerous.
Since the Princess was willing to confide in her, she would certainly confide in her most trusted Sister Iserin as well.
When Iserin heard it, she would surely think the Princess was letting her imagination run wild, which would be another piece of ironclad evidence of the Princess’s disobedience.
“She… told me some things that seemed quite terrible.”
Mowan recounted every word Princess Croll had said to her to Iserin as accurately as possible, without hiding anything.
She wanted to show her absolute True Heart in front of Iserin—zero deception, zero lies, and full sincerity.
“But I do not think that way. Even we of the Demon Race cannot absolutely control those monsters. For humans to want to control those monsters in batches and train them into an army… I think that is far too much of a pipe dream. Moreover, starting a war would be beneficial to neither side. I believe the King of Visa would not be so irrational as to proactively break the rare peace we have at this stage.”
“Indeed, she is simply overthinking.”
Lately, Croll had indeed discussed her ideas with Iserin.
However, Iserin had dismissed all of them.
“War will not come. Thousands of years of history have left us with profound lessons; there are no winners in the end of a war. The only ones who pay the price for war are the innocent masses. If His Majesty the King truly had such intentions, I would be the first to stand up and clearly state the people’s outcry to him.”
“Mhm, that is for the best. I also sincerely hope the people of both nations can live and work in peace, with no more conflicts.”
As a modern person who had come from Earth.
Mowan knew that peace was hard-won.
When she was among the Demon Race, she had advocated for handling matters peacefully, abolishing the Imperial System of the Demon Race, and transforming the Demon Race into a nation of Democracy.
“Do you really think so? As the Demon Princess… do you truly think that?”
Iserin’s gaze softened slightly.
“Yes. Although I paid a tragic price for it, I believe that what I did was not entirely useless. I think that in the short term, at least during my father’s generation, the Demon Race will not initiate a war.”
Suddenly.
A faint fragrance wafted toward her, and Mowan was embraced by a patch of warmth.
She was pressed tightly against Iserin’s soft chest.
Although Mowan knew this situation was quite improper, her body followed its instincts and hugged Iserin back.
“You have worked hard.”
If this hard work was the price for meeting Iserin, Mowan felt that fate had not betrayed her kindness.
Iserin stayed with Mowan until late at night, leaving Mowan’s home only when it was close to her usual bedtime.
Before Iserin left.
Mowan was still secretly thinking that it would be nice if Iserin were willing to stay the night.
It was so late; it must be unsafe to return to the Church alone.
But on second thought, if the Saintess encountered thugs on the road, it was likely the thugs who would be in danger.
Mowan could feel that the relationship between her and Iserin had quietly changed.
It had become more intimate.
However, this intimate relationship was covered by a layer of blurry fog.
While Mowan was lost within it, she also could not see the path ahead clearly.
Mowan was certain she was willing to give her True Heart to Iserin.
But what about Iserin?
Mowan did not yet know Iserin well enough.
She did not know if Iserin’s intimate actions toward her were done with a purpose, or if they came from a genuine desire to be close to her.
After all, Mowan was the Demon Princess.
It was highly possible that Iserin would choose to comply with her desires just to keep her there.
Mowan did not want Iserin to be close to her for a purpose.
She also wanted to obtain Iserin’s True Heart.
Mowan knew this thought of hers was too greedy.
But she could not help it.
She felt she had already fallen for it; she greedily wanted to crave more from Iserin.
She hoped she could truly bring happiness to Iserin and be able to treat Iserin as a person, accepting all of Iserin’s various emotions, rather than treating her like a god as the followers of the Church did.
***
Two days later.
Mowan paced back and forth in her house.
Two days ago, Iserin had said that today was the day Rosa would return to submit her mission report.
Mowan hesitated over whether she should go to the Church to disturb Iserin and ask if Rosa was back yet and where she was staying.
Perhaps her inner thoughts were heard by Iserin.
At high noon, Iserin stepped through her front door.
“Your friend is back. She said she wanted to see you. I had the Nun receiving her say that you had gone out to treat someone’s illness and would be back at noon.”
“Is it Rosa?”
“Do you have any other friends besides her?”
“No. So, where is she now?”
Mowan’s eyes lit up, filled with an unhideable joy.
“At the Church. Come with me.”
“Wait a moment, ten minutes, very quickly!”
Mowan ran back to her room.
She rummaged through her wardrobe for clothes; she had to wear her most beautiful outfit for Rosa to see.
It was not because she liked Rosa.
Nor was it the mood of a woman dressing up for her lover.
It was purely out of their bond as best friends.
Mowan knew Rosa too well.
Rosa sincerely hoped she was doing well.
Rosa was not the type of person who feared her sister was suffering while also fearing her sister was living like a Princess.
If she could let Rosa know she was living well and was happy and joyful now, Rosa would also be sincerely happy for her.
It was out of this sentiment that Mowan dressed up so meticulously.
She opened the bedroom door.
Iserin was standing right at the doorway.
Mowan looked up slightly at Iserin.
“Sister Iserin?”
Iserin’s gaze swept straight across Mowan’s body.
Mowan could not understand the emotion in Iserin’s eyes.
It did not seem like happiness, nor did it seem like anger.
Of course, it could not be jealousy either.
But Mowan could see that Iserin was thinking about something.
“In front of her, do not casually speak of our relationship. ‘Sister Iserin’ is only a name for us in private.”
“Mhm… I will be careful.”
“Let us go.”
Mowan took a soft breath.
She felt a bit annoyed with herself for being overly excited, completely failing to consider Iserin’s feelings.
After all, Iserin wanted to be friends with her, yet the person she considered her best friend was Rosa.
But I do not just want to be your friend, Lady Saintess.
Mowan watched Iserin’s back.
Her relationship with Rosa would only remain at the level of best friends, but Mowan wanted to go a step further with Iserin.
However, she could not say it out loud.
It was not the right time, Mowan could not be sure if Iserin could accept her, and because Mowan knew her current state was just a momentary impulse—her feelings for Iserin were more of an idealized image of a lover she had constructed in her head.
Iserin walked out of the house, then suddenly stopped and turned to look at Mowan.
“Also, do not tell her that you live here.”
“Why?”
“Because I worry your friend will feel a sense of imbalance. She, who is loyal to the Church, risks her life every day to carry out missions, while you, who are unfaithful to the Church, receive special treatment from me.”
“True. I will carefully consider our conversation. Rest assured.”
She closed the door.
Bathed in the midday sun, Mowan and Iserin successfully arrived before the gates of the Church.
After half a month.
Mowan finally saw that blue-haired girl again.
Rosa, standing at the entrance, also immediately spotted Mowan in the distance.
She waved excitedly at Mowan until the two of them approached her.
“Lady Saintess, Mowan… are you finished with your work?”
Iserin nodded and turned to Mowan.
“I will give you half a day off. Go. Cherish this rare reunion between friends.”