Felicia had long heard rumors about the Saint’s visit to Steinburg.
But she never expected the Saint to appear at this moment.
And to witness such a humiliating scene…
Hmph, let her see.
After today, the alliance marriage is impossible to continue. Both she and her sister have essentially lost all remaining value. Everything previously promised can no longer be fulfilled.
If that’s the case, what does it matter if it gets a little more embarrassing?
After all, the most disgraceful party isn’t her—it’s the Kafus family!
Just thinking about how the old fools in the family will be mocked behind their backs by other nobles because of today’s incident made Felicia smirk secretly.
“No need to bow.”
Saint Verennika’s tone was indifferent as she stepped onto the air, an invisible staircase seemingly forming beneath her feet, leading her up to the second floor of the banquet hall under everyone’s watchful eyes.
She glanced at Lord Alma, who lay sprawled on the ground. His pupils were dilated, yet he still showed signs of life, and his face bore the lingering traces of a tragic ordeal.
“Backlash from the curse magic?” Verennika glanced at Felicia.
“Perhaps,” Felicia replied, curious about what exactly Shari had done.
“Then it’s easy to handle.” Verennika bent down and placed her hand over Alma’s chest. A life-infused crimson light flowed from her palm into his body.
Everyone present saw it clearly.
Behind Verennika, a blood-red crescent moon emerged.
This was not a simple healing—it was the blessing granted by the Goddess of the Night, a portion of which was divided and bestowed upon Alma!
The effect was instantaneous.
In just a blink, Alma’s pupils refocused. His chest heaved with painful gasps.
“May the Goddess bless you.”
Verennika tapped three times on his chest, forming a crescent moon with her fingertips. She then raised her head, her starry, multicolored eyes turning toward Felicia. “Explain what happened.”
“It’s like this…” Felicia began to recount the situation just now.
While speaking, her gaze landed on the back of Verennika’s hand… on the pristine skin, there was a conspicuous black inverted cross mark.
Very familiar.
The last time she saw it was…
Shari’s neck bore the exact same mark!
…………
…………
“Phew, finally home.”
Shari jumped onto the balcony of her room, her heart racing uncontrollably as she thought about how high up she had been just moments ago, flying around on Ruya’s magic after so many years of neglect.
Fortunately, Ruya’s magical foundation was still intact. Although she hadn’t used magic in years, she never ceased learning it.
“Shari-nee, this is the Kafus family manor, right?”
Ruya’s eyes scanned the surroundings.
“Yes, normally only I, Anis, and Felicia live here. There are many empty rooms, so just pick one and stay for now.”
Shari’s tone was so casual that one might think she was the owner of the manor.
“It’s a bit awkward for me to live here…” Ruya said, thinking of how she had been forcibly engaged and now had to live under the same roof as her original fiancé. It didn’t feel comfortable no matter how she thought about it.
“What’s awkward about it? No one really cares.” Shari waved her hand dismissively.
“Hmm… if you say so, Shari-nee…”
“I’m going to make a late-night snack. Want some?”
“Shari-nee’s late-night snack? Yes, please!”
Ruya had just taken a step forward but stumbled slightly, leaning forward unsteadily.
Luckily, she held a staff in her hand, which helped her keep balance and prevented her from falling.
“Still feeling weak?”
“No! I feel much better than before! Just a little out of practice…”
It must be because of her physical condition… Shari thought. Ruya hadn’t walked on her own in years; there must be some muscle atrophy and joint stiffness.
Those couldn’t be fixed by magic restoration.
“Ruya, sit on the bed first.”
“Hmm… Shari-nee, what are you planning?”
Shari knelt down on one knee in front of Ruya, spread aside the skirt of her dress, and with her fingertips grazed down her calves, removing her over-the-knee socks.
“Uh! Shari-nee?!”
“Don’t move.” Shari’s palm covered Ruya’s calf, gently massaging the tense muscles, pushing outward with a soft touch as her warm hand stroked downward.
She cradled Ruya’s snow-white delicate foot in her palm, her fingertips caressing the smooth skin. When her thumb touched Ruya’s sole, she clearly felt a slight tremble.
“Sha… Shari-nee, this feels strange…” Ruya bit her lip and hid her face behind her hands, but her feet instinctively stayed still, allowing Shari to continue.
“Your body hasn’t fully recovered. You’ll need this massage every day from now on.” Shari recalled the techniques she learned from Lucifiel, gently kneading Ruya’s toes.
“E-every day?!”
“Without special methods to assist, recovery will be a very long process… Don’t you want that?”
“Of course not! In fact, it’s an honor…”
“Shari-nee!”
Suddenly, the door was pushed open.
Anis entered the room and immediately froze when she saw Shari holding little Ruya’s foot, with two over-the-knee socks casually tossed aside.
“…Sorry! I came at a bad time!”
Anis stared blankly for a few seconds before snapping out of it, blushing as she tried to slam the door shut.
But her action was stopped by another hand.
“You pulled a stunt like a forced marriage in public, do you think they’d be embarrassed by something this trivial?” Felicia pushed open the door, leaning against the wall to watch Shari and the others.
“You’re back so soon?” Shari thought Felicia would be tangled up for a while longer.
“Saint Verennika awakened Alma Steinburg and took control of the situation. After we explained what happened, she let us leave.”
Felicia crossed her arms, the usual coldness on her face softened somewhat, her eyes filled with complex emotions. “I can’t believe you had the nerve to bring someone here after the forced marriage.”
“You said I could stay until tomorrow.” Shari shrugged.
“I never said you could bring another woman back.”
“Don’t speak so formally. Ruya’s known Anis for a long time, and besides, your relationship isn’t simple either.” Shari’s tone was carefree.
She was just having her fiancé’s original fiancée live in her house with her… When she thought about it that way, it made her sound quite mean.
Shari glanced at the other three present.
After the forced marriage, everyone’s relationships seemed to have become somewhat complicated…
Forget it.
“The four of us living well together is better than anything else.” Shari said seriously.
“…Rogue.” Felicia clicked her tongue.
“If it weren’t for me, you’d have been forced to marry that little girl today. You should be grateful to me for that.”
“Your actions could lead to Anis and me being disowned by the family. Will you take responsibility for that?”
“Res… responsibility for what?”