Chapter 37: Subtle Changes

“Thank you for your hard work.”

“It’s no hardship at all to serve you, my Lady Saint Child.”

“We’ve benefited greatly. Who would’ve thought you could lure the Black-headed Kite with smoke? I’ve got to tell the brothers about this when we get back.”

Enoch’s affirmation seemed to dispel their exhaustion.

Though the paladins standing at the temple gates all wore weary expressions, they couldn’t help but smile at the corners of their lips.

Enoch, just as travel-worn as the rest, smiled back, offered a few words of comfort, and after explaining how to distribute the spoils, went straight inside the temple.

Night had fallen.

The marble corridor was deserted, not a single soul in sight.

The sound of white boots tapping against the stone—“tap, tap”—echoed endlessly, intensifying the silence all around.

Enoch stopped at Lulumia’s bedroom door, but her hand paused just as she was about to touch it.

She took a moment to compose herself, smoothing out her wind-tousled skirt and pale blue hair, then placed her right hand on the door handle.

With a soft “click,” the door opened.

To Enoch’s surprise, Lulumia’s room wasn’t completely dark—her bedside magic lamp gave off a dim, golden glow, and she was already fast asleep.

Silver hair spilled across the pillow like a waterfall, and the lamplight traced out her delicate nose and long lashes.

Her sleeping face was especially serene, as if lost in a pleasant dream.

Really, leaving the lamp on?

If the High Priest saw this, she’d definitely say it was a waste.

Enoch sighed quietly.

A few days ago, while hunting in the great northern forest near the royal capital, she hadn’t felt much about being away.

But when the paladins mentioned, “We bought a cute magic automaton,” on the way back to the temple, Enoch instantly remembered—there was someone still waiting for her at the temple.

So she’d practically run the whole way back, heading straight for Lulumia’s room the moment she arrived.

Now, seeing Lulumia sleeping quietly on her bed, she could finally relax.

Is this what it’s like to keep a kitten?

Enoch found the idea funny.

Other people’s Saint Childs bought magic automatons as servants or attendants, but she alone had bought a decorative vase.

She’d originally planned to set Lulumia free after erasing the psychological shadow she’d caused, but after all that had happened, this magic automaton seemed oddly well-suited to her own temperament.

Lost in thought, Enoch was about to turn off the lamp when she noticed a piece of paper propped up on the desk, weighted down by a flower crown and a glass jar.

She leaned in to read: “For Sister Enoch, don’t tire yourself out too much~ Lulumia (>^ω^<)”.

She couldn’t help but laugh at the little emoticon at the end.

What’s this?

A cute little cat’s paw print?

Looking back at the sleeping Lulumia, Enoch picked up the flower crown and glass jar.

The jar was filled with sweet-smelling honey, and though the flower crown was a bit wilted, it didn’t stop Enoch from putting it on.

I must’ve come home too late…

Bathed in the dim lamp light, the tension in Enoch’s battle-worn face eased.

This flower crown must have been made by Lulumia alone at home, going out to pick wildflowers when she had nothing else to do, patiently weaving them together.

Enoch could picture the little dragon girl waiting and waiting in her room, nodding off as she waited for her to return as promised.

It was just that she’d come back too late—even the flowers had wilted.

Gradually, a hard-to-name feeling welled up in Enoch’s heart.

Renting Lulumia might have been an impulsive decision for her, but to Lulumia, Enoch was everything.

When Enoch left the temple, Lulumia could only pour all her hopes into waiting for her to come home.

Had she been too cruel, always dismissing Lulumia’s words as a child’s nonsense, never taking them to heart?

In the end, how did she really view Lulumia?

Nominally, she was her magic automaton, but Enoch always treated her like a neighbor’s child, thinking, “She’s so cute like this.”

If she really intended to keep Lulumia by her side, this attitude would be irresponsible—after all, Lulumia had no combat ability at all, and keeping her close would only put her in danger.

Enoch took off the flower crown, gazing at it in the lamplight and sinking into thought.

She did have family, but her relationships with them were poor.

Aside from Shalina, no one had ever prepared something for her like this after she came home from a long trip.

That’s why this seemingly cheap gift from Lulumia truly touched her heart, making her feel she wasn’t alone in the world—someone cared for her, needed her.

Her gaze fell back to the note in her hand, and she let out a long sigh.

She’d always thought of Lulumia as a cute little animal, but Lulumia genuinely saw her as an older sister.

It was time to seriously consider the future.

With Lulumia as her magic automaton, she was bound to be drawn into the struggle for the Saint Child.

At the very least, she needed to give her the means to protect herself.

I’ll take her to practice magic tomorrow.

With that decision made, the conflicted look on Enoch’s face gradually eased.

She looked at Lulumia’s sleeping face, then at the cute little cat drawn on the note, and couldn’t help but smile.

How adorable.

It feels like I’ve found a treasure.

She quietly turned off the bedside lamp for Lulumia, picked up her gifts from the bedside table, and left the room.

Then, she raised her brows, looking down the corridor, where Shalina stood with her hands folded in front of her, waiting respectfully.

Enoch’s tone turned calm as she walked over and led Shalina down the empty hallway.

“Has anything happened these past few days?”

“Yes. His Eminence the Cardinal is very displeased with you. He even came looking for you earlier and almost discovered your absence from the temple. Also, the Blackstone Saint Child is stirring up trouble, spreading malicious rumors about you.”

“All within expectations. Anything else?”

“No, that’s all.”

Shalina, walking behind Enoch, bowed her head deeply.

Then, as if remembering something, she opened her mouth and muttered softly.

“About Lulumia…”

Enoch clicked her tongue, a flash of obvious displeasure in her brows.

“If you’re about to suggest I drive Lulumia away, save it.”

“No, I wanted to suggest that you might consider training her a little—at least give her some magical ability, so she won’t be so easily criticized.”

“Hmm?”

Enoch looked at her in surprise.

“Why the sudden change of heart? That’s not like you.”

“I…”

Shalina lowered her head even more.

“Certain things have changed my view. Just now, when His Eminence the Cardinal came looking for you, he was furious—he almost stripped me of my position in the church. It was Lulumia who spoke up for me, so I wasn’t expelled.”

“I see.”

Enoch nodded thoughtfully.

Everyone knew how stubborn Sandel could be—once he said something, he never took it back.

Shalina had been with the church since she was ten.

If Sandel really stripped her of all church duties, it would rob her of her very reason to live.

No wonder Shalina’s attitude toward Lulumia had changed so much.

This really was something significant.

Enoch’s expression softened.

“You’ve worked hard. I bear responsibility too—if he asks around a little, he’ll know I left. There’s no point hiding it. Tomorrow I’ll go and explain to the Cardinal myself.”

“Please be prepared for the worst.”

“I will.”

They walked on a while longer.

Shalina’s eyes lingered on the flower crown atop Enoch’s head—she’d noticed it early on, but only now did she mention it.

“The flower crown you’re wearing…”

“Oh, this? Lulumia made it for me. How does it look?”

Bathed in lamplight, Enoch turned around and smiled at Shalina.

The swirling hem of her skirt and her pure, beautiful figure left Shalina momentarily dazed.

It had been so long since she’d seen Enoch so relaxed.

She answered respectfully.

“It’s lovely. Lulumia put a lot of heart into it.”

“Haha, your attitude has changed so much I can hardly get used to it. Still, I can understand—being able to accept Lulumia is a good thing. I’ll take her to practice magic tomorrow. It’s late; don’t bother walking me back. Go and get some rest.”

“Yes, my Lady.”

Watching Enoch’s figure grow smaller and lighter, Shalina’s usually stern face softened a little.

She could barely remember the last time she’d seen Enoch this cheerful—as if she’d returned to being that carefree lark once more.

This magic automaton hadn’t just changed her; perhaps her appearance really was a good thing.

At the very least… everyone around was changing, too…

***

At daybreak, Lulumia sat up and checked her bedside table.

Seeing the flower crown and honey she’d prepared were gone, she breathed a deep sigh of relief.

Mission accomplished!

With these, Enoch wouldn’t think she’d just been lazing about in the temple.

She’d managed to muddle through these past few days.

She got dressed, grabbed her new wooden basin and towel to wash up, and finally brushed her hair, tying her silver locks into a literary, refined ponytail with a wide ribbon before hurrying out the door.

Since Enoch was back, she couldn’t go running to Cinderella’s place first thing in the morning—she had to have breakfast with Enoch and wait to see what the schedule would be.

But when Lulumia reached Enoch’s door, she found Shalina waiting there instead.

She’d expected Shalina to scold her for being lazy, but surprisingly, Shalina’s attitude was calm and gentle.

“Lady Enoch has already gone to the central temple to report to His Eminence the Cardinal. Before she left, she asked me to tell you not to wait for her for breakfast—she’ll find you later. Starting today, Lady Enoch will take you to practice magic.”

“Oh, oh…”

Lulumia answered awkwardly, feeling out of place.

Shalina’s attitude had changed so much, it made Lulumia suspicious.

She guessed it was probably because she’d helped Shalina out in front of Sandel last night, improving Shalina’s impression of her.

But just a couple of days ago, Shalina had warned her to leave Enoch as soon as possible, threatening violence if she didn’t—now, overnight, she’d become so respectful.

The sudden change was unsettling.

She turned to leave, but Shalina called her back.

“Is there something you need?”

Lulumia asked.

“About last night… thank you. I said some harsh things to you before. I apologize.”

Shalina kept her head down, not looking at Lulumia.

“It’s nothing. We’re both Sister Enoch’s attendants—it’s only right to help each other.”

Shalina started at that, her head drooping even lower as if she were ashamed.

“Yes… I apologize for my stupidity and narrow-mindedness.”

“Well, I’m off to breakfast. If there’s anything else, we’ll talk later.”

Lulumia acted magnanimous, brushing the incident aside.

She wasn’t really unconcerned, but there was no need to make a fuss.

Enoch had almost no servants, so all the chores fell to Shalina.

Now that Shalina had bowed her head in apology, pretending not to care was best for everyone.

Just as Shalina hadn’t expected her to stand up to Sandel, who knew when Lulumia might need Shalina’s help covering for her?

Either way, Shalina owed her now.

With those thoughts, Lulumia skipped off to the dining hall.

What she didn’t know was just how important her help last night had been for Shalina.

Shalina had been raised by the church since childhood, dedicating over thirty years of her life to its service.

If Sandel had truly expelled her, all that devotion would have been denied, and every priest would have scorned her.

Without any survival skills, leaving the church would be tantamount to a death sentence.

Even if Enoch found her a place to stay after being dismissed, for a woman of her age, alone and friendless, facing every dawn and dusk in a cold, empty room—the loneliness would have been unbearable.

But it would be a long time before Lulumia truly understood what her actions last night had meant.