“Who’s making noise so early in the morning?”
Just as Finihiya was still struggling to deal with Mas, a cold voice tinged with a hint of familiarity suddenly came from above.
Following the voice upward, she saw a figure standing at the stairway entrance, ethereal and beautiful like a chilling blue flame.
“Darlian-sama.”
Mas glanced over, then immediately bowed respectfully.
Darlian descended the steps slowly, her tone laced with slight laziness.
“So it’s you, making such a ruckus this early. What’s the matter?”
“N-no… it’s nothing too important.”
Minister Mas hesitated for a moment, then cast a determined glance this way from his narrowed eyes hidden by fat, “I just hope Darlian-sama will fulfill the promise made earlier.”
Hearing Minister Mas’s words, Finihiya’s arched brows furrowed slightly, and a faint unease stirred in her heart.
She truly hadn’t expected that the reason Mas came here was because of her.
Darlian passed by her side, then continued down toward the main hall.
“You really don’t know when to give up, do you? But… I suppose I can understand your persistence.”
As the words fell, Darlian tilted her head this way, her mischievous eyes gleaming with a deeper meaning.
“If Darlian-sama understands me, then please…”
Before Mas could finish, Darlian cut him off.
“Do you want to talk about this here?”
“Follow me over there.”
“Yes.”
Mas quickly responded and hurried to Darlian’s side.
Seeing this, Finihiya cast a somewhat melancholy glance at their retreating backs. Just as she was about to pick up her suitcase and head to the carriage, Darlian’s flat, indifferent voice rang out again.
“This is a rare opportunity. I hope Miss Saintess will come too.”
Darlian’s words stunned her for a moment. Then she sagged her shoulders helplessly and slowly walked after the two.
Behind the conservatory was a small courtyard.
Finihiya walked along the garden path toward the pavilion at the center.
Various flowers were planted throughout the courtyard, each petal shimmering like wet with dew under the early summer sunlight.
Inside the pavilion was a small white table and chairs.
When she arrived, Demon Lord Darlian was already seated there, while Minister Mas stood respectfully beside her, speaking.
“Sit.”
Darlian gestured toward the empty seat opposite her.
Perhaps out of noble courtesy, Minister Mas pulled out a chair for her.
After nodding lightly in thanks to Mas, Finihiya sat down with dignity and grace.
“Darlian-sama, please reconsider.”
“I’ve made myself clear. Give up, Mas.”
“How can I? You promised me.”
Mas was still pleading with Darlian over the matter.
Finihiya only listened briefly to their conversation before her thoughts were drawn by the fragrant pastries in front of her.
Macarons, pumpkin cake, mousse cake…
If she had seen these early in the morning before, she would have found them too rich. But now, after nearly three months of harsh treatment by the Demon Race, eating such delicacies was a rare luxury.
Staring at the exquisite desserts, Finihiya bit her cherry-like lips lightly.
After hesitating for a moment, she glanced surreptitiously at the two still conversing, then quietly reached for a piece of pumpkin cake.
Crunch!
Taking a small bite, Finihiya covered her lips with her empty left hand, slowly chewing the cake.
She swallowed the whole piece quickly.
Lifting her teacup, Finihiya took a small sip of the milk-infused, creamy-colored black tea, then quietly took another piece of cake and ate in silence.
Darlian and Mas’s discussion continued…
Finihiya was slowly “cleaning up” the desserts on the table all by herself.
Darlian, chatting with Mas, noticed the quiet Saintess who kept stuffing food into her mouth like a little squirrel, and a strange expression flickered across her rose-colored cheeks.
“Darlian-sama! Did you hear that?”
“Hm?” Snapped back to attention by Mas’s voice, Darlian stared blankly at him. “What did you just say?”
“I want you to transfer ownership of Lady Finihiya to me.”
“Again with this?” Darlian’s well-shaped brows furrowed, “Didn’t I say I don’t want to hear about this anymore?”
“Ahem…”
Having eaten so many biscuits, Finihiya’s mouth had dried up, making her choke slightly as she swallowed.
When she tried to lift the teacup to moisten her throat, she realized it was already empty.
Seeing the bare bottom of the cup, a helpless expression flashed across her cheeks.
Just as she drooped her head in frustration, a small hand pushed the teacup toward her from the lowered gaze.
The small hand then withdrew after placing the milk tea in front of her.
Looking at the cup, Finihiya’s eyes showed a flicker of surprise and confusion, then she quietly looked up toward Darlian.
Of course, the tea had been pushed by Darlian.
At this moment, Darlian wasn’t looking over; she was still speaking to Mas.
However, the furrowed brows showed her patience with Mas was wearing thin.
“That’s enough!”
Darlian’s voice grew cold with displeasure, like ice frozen beneath the thick snow of the northern lands, carrying a biting chill.
“Darlian-sama…”
“I don’t want to hear about this again. You can leave.”
Noticing Darlian’s displeasure, Mas’s face showed a hint of fear, then he looked over here.
After considerable hesitation and inner struggle, his expression turned filled with resentment.
But…
In the end, he silently turned and left.
Watching Mas’s retreating back, Finihiya felt there was no reason to stay longer, so she slowly stood.
Just as she was about to politely bow and take her leave, Darlian’s indifferent voice sounded again beside her ear.
“Miss Saintess, won’t you stay a little longer?”
Though she wanted to refuse and leave, she knew doing so might offend Darlian, so she sat back down.
“You seem to really enjoy sweets.” Darlian gently brushed her glossy black hair with her fingertips, her profile like milk floating on white porcelain. “You seemed to have eaten quite a bit just now.”
“Mm…”
Finihiya mumbled vaguely in response.