Chapter 53: Her Lie

After confirming there were no eavesdroppers nearby, Rosa finally met Mowan’s gaze.

“Mowan, let me tell you, the Saintess has actually known for a long time that you’re a member of the Demon Race.”

“I…”

‘I already knew she knew.’

Mowan wanted to say that.

However, her subconscious instinct was still to protect Iserin. Moreover, what concerned Mowan more was…

“You knew I was a Demon?”

Mowan clenched her fists, her heart racing.

She felt a bashful urge to pull away from Rosa, yet she was afraid such a small gesture might hurt her friend’s feelings.

“Yes, the Saintess told me, but I don’t care…”

Seeing Mowan’s distressed expression, Rosa paused and gave an awkward smile.

“Alright, to be honest, I was very surprised when I learned your true identity from the Saintess. I couldn’t even equate your appearance with the words ‘Demon Race.’ But I got over it quickly. You are Mowan first and a Demon second. I believe that you are inherently a kind person. The quality of a soul has nothing to do with one’s race, and I won’t use racial prejudice against you.”

“Thank you, Rosa. Besides my… race, what else does the Saintess know?”

Mowan was deeply moved.

She had never dared to gamble on Rosa’s trust, yet she hadn’t realized that Rosa already knew her true identity.

“Well… I don’t know how much she knows. But I also know that you are the Demon Princess, right? You are Movier, the Demon Princess who was exiled three years ago and the sole heir to the current Demon King.”

Rosa’s expression became very serious.

She knew her words might strike a nerve, but this heartfelt confrontation was necessary.

After acknowledging past pains, she would help Mowan walk out from the shadows of her history.

Mowan frowned.

“Your cousin, Laedel, told me all of this,” Rosa explained.

“How did you find her?”

“Well… it was a coincidence. I saw a missing person poster for you in Valos City. Your cousin has been looking for you. I was curious, so I went to the location on the poster, and then I met her.”

Mowan’s eyes scanned Rosa’s body, searching her gaze for any hint of forced reluctance.

“She didn’t do anything to you, did she?”

“No, she didn’t.”

Hearing that Mowan’s first thought wasn’t her own situation but whether Rosa had been mistreated by a Demon made Rosa incredibly happy.

Just like Mowan, she felt that Mowan’s current predicament was far more worrying than her own safety.

“Do you understand now? Staying by the Saintess’s side is too dangerous. If she finds out you’re the Demon Princess, she might not be so merciful to you.”

Realizing the purpose of Rosa’s visit, Mowan felt an inexplicable surge of anger.

However, she tried her best to remain calm.

“Rosa, are you trying to help Laedel persuade me to return to the Demon side?”

Of course, she wasn’t angry at Rosa; she was angry at Laedel.

Why drag Rosa into this? Why make Rosa the mediator?

“I didn’t mean it like that. I’m just telling you the facts because I’m worried about your safety. Think about it. The Saintess might not know you’re the Demon Princess. She probably just thinks you’re an ordinary Demon, which is why she gave you a chance. But if you… well, if you become even slightly selfish or if she grows suspicious, your situation will become very dangerous.”

“The Saintess won’t hurt me. She is kind. She isn’t like other Saintesses; she has her own standards. I won’t do anything to harm humans, and I have a clear conscience. Why should I leave her?”

“Do you really think so? You didn’t even dare to tell me you were a Demon. You clearly know what the concept of the Demon Race is in Visari, don’t you?”

“I’m sorry, Rosa. It was wrong of me to hide it from you. I was indeed very afraid that you would cut ties with me if you knew I was a Demon.”

“It’s fine.”

Rosa smiled and waved her hand.

“If I were in your shoes, I wouldn’t dare tell anyone either.”

“But since the Saintess already knows I’m a Demon and has no intention of executing me, I have reason to believe she won’t do so in the future.”

A flicker of guilt rose in Mowan’s heart.

In reality, Iserin knew everything, but Mowan didn’t want to tear down the lie Iserin had woven for Rosa.

She chose to help Iserin maintain that deception.

“But she doesn’t know you’re the Demon Princess, Mowan. You have to understand the weight of the blood flowing in your veins.”

Mowan grit her teeth. Her gaze toward Rosa carried a hint of resentment.

She had already decided to give up her identity as the Demon Princess.

Why did people keep reminding her over and over again?

It was one thing for Laedel to do it, but now even her best friend was repeatedly emphasizing her status as the Demon Princess.

She hated this bloodline.

She hated her identity as a Demon.

If she had been born human, she could have loved Iserin openly.

If she had been born human, perhaps that afternoon when she said she loved Iserin, Iserin would have replied, ‘Me too.’

But she wasn’t.

Under Rosa’s deliberate emphasis, the feeling of being the Demon Princess was stronger than ever.

At this moment, Mowan felt as if her blood was like molten iron, searing her bone marrow.

“Rosa, I’ll explain things to the Saintess. There’s nothing wrong with us meeting. You definitely won’t go around telling people about my identity, and I’ll make sure she feels at ease. When the time comes, we can meet often. And… stop associating with my cousin. If you see her again, tell her to go back to our homeland immediately. That’s all for now. We’ll meet again later and talk about the details. I need to go find the Saintess.”

Rosa nodded.

If Mowan had a prior appointment with the Saintess, they had already been delayed for quite a while.

“Where are you staying?”

“I—I’m staying at the church. If you want to find me, just ask the Saintess. She’ll call for me.”

“You’re lying!”

Rosa grabbed Mowan’s hand, preventing her from running away.

Mowan turned back to see Rosa staring into her eyes with utmost seriousness.

“How could the Saintess possibly let a Demon stay in the church?”

“I… fine.”

Mowan confessed.

“The Saintess arranged special housing for me. She doesn’t allow anyone to enter or leave freely, not even the Princess. I have to ask the Saintess first. If she agrees, I’ll tell you where I live.”

“Mowan, are you still hiding something from me? Are you really happy by the Saintess’s side? If this is truly the life you want, why can’t you even tell me where you live?”

“I’ll tell you. I promise I will. But the Saintess has a rule that I must notify her of my actions first.”

Mowan felt deeply conflicted.

On one side was her best friend, and on the other was her lover.

She desperately wanted to tell Rosa where she lived and hoped Rosa could visit often.

However, she knew Iserin was extremely controlling and possessive.

If she told someone else where she lived without Iserin’s permission, Iserin would surely doubt her True Heart.

She didn’t want Iserin to doubt her.

“Fine. You’re a Demon, so it’s normal for her to keep a tight leash on you.”

Rosa let go of Mowan’s hand.

“What about you? Rosa, where are you staying?”

“I haven’t rented an inn yet. I rushed to find you early this morning and didn’t expect to spend the whole day searching. Let’s meet at the old place. If you want to find me, I’ll be there.”

“Okay.”

Mowan nodded.

“By the way, regarding your cousin Laedel… just between us, don’t tell the Saintess she’s here. I don’t think she would be as lenient toward other Demons as she is toward you.”

“Mm…”

At the mention of her cousin, Mowan’s expression instantly darkened.

Rosa saw every change in Mowan’s face.

She felt that there must be some unresolved misunderstanding between the sisters, and she believed that clearing up such things between family members was more important than anything.

“I’m going back to the church to find the Saintess. You should go back and rest. If I successfully get the Saintess’s permission, I’ll come find you.”

“Alright. Goodbye.”

Actually, Mowan didn’t have a prior appointment with Iserin.

She just missed her. Usually, Iserin would already be at her home by this time.

She was worried Iserin might be too busy to visit tonight, so she wanted to go to the church to see her.

Mowan stopped in front of the church gates.

The nun at the entrance said nothing to her, which meant Iserin was still inside.

Mowan lowered her gaze.

She thought about what Rosa had said and remembered the lie Iserin had used to deceive her—the claim that Rosa had been sacrificed.

She raised her right hand and gently stroked the silver ring on her middle finger, the one Iserin had given her.

Rosa’s staff was still stored inside.

Just now, she had been too anxious to find Iserin and ask about Rosa that she hadn’t thought to return the staff.

Now that she thought about it, Iserin must have demanded that staff from Rosa, right?

To… deceive her.

To trick her into feeling moved. Iserin had gone so far as to lie about her best friend’s death and even handed over Rosa’s staff as a memento to make the lie more believable.

Such a cruel lie… how could Iserin have said it?

Mowan’s chest tightened with a pain that made it hard to breathe.

She couldn’t help but wonder if all of Iserin’s tenderness was just a lie, and if their romance was nothing more than a fleeting illusion.

In the end, Mowan didn’t enter the church.

She turned and left.

She didn’t dare face Iserin.

She didn’t have the courage to face that truth.

But she didn’t want to go back to Rosa either; she felt that Rosa’s concern was being exploited by Laedel.

She would save Rosa, of course, but first, she had to untangle her own chaotic state of mind.

Mowan returned home, left the door wide open, and leaned against the doorframe.

She clutched her chest and closed her eyes.

Recalling every detail of her time with Iserin and the feeling of the miracle Iserin had brought her the previous night, her anxious mood slowly began to settle.

No matter what, she had witnessed Iserin stop a war with her own eyes.

That was an unalterable fact.

“Mowan…”

A familiar, gentle voice whispered in her ear. Mowan’s body stiffened.

Iserin walked through the door and stood before Mowan.

She gazed at Mowan’s pale face with a serene expression, her eyes filled with concern.

“What’s wrong?”

Mowan looked into Iserin’s red pupils, staring at that sacred and flawless face.

As a fresh fragrance filled her nose, she almost habitually opened her arms and hugged Iserin.

“Rosa isn’t dead. Why did you lie to me?”

Mowan hugged Iserin tightly, hoping for a reasonable explanation.

No…

Iserin would definitely have a reasonable explanation.

Iserin must have had no choice but to lie to her.