At the entrance of the monastery, the ornately decorated carriage was already prepared. The two draft animals were purebred black horses, and the Holy Kingdom’s emblem was carved on the carriage’s side.
Beside the carriage, several fully armed adventurers were already waiting. These people were the strongest team in the area, and the dean had spent a lot of money to hire them.
The leader of the group was a man named Kailun.
He came from a noble family, with neatly trimmed short light brown hair, wearing polished light armor, and a sword studded with gems hanging at his waist.
His face bore the typical arrogance and elegance of a noble swordsman.
The moment Shirley was helped out of the gate by the dean, Kailun’s eyes immediately lit up.
Although Shirley still had a scar on her face, under the morning sunlight and her white holy robe, she radiated a particularly sacred and gentle aura.
“Beautiful Sheng Nu.”
Kailun immediately took off his helmet and performed a very standard noble salute toward Shirley, his tone both respectful and amazed.
“I am Kailun, the guard captain for this mission. Please get into the carriage. Her safety is guaranteed by my sword and my honor.”
Shirley smiled politely at him, a smile like a spring breeze.
“Thank you, Lord Kailun. I entrust this journey to your care.”
After saying that, instead of getting into the carriage herself, she turned around and firmly grabbed Victor’s hand, who was standing behind her.
“Brother Victor, let’s get into the carriage.”
Kailun’s smile froze on his face.
His eyes, originally full of admiration, immediately flashed with disgust and displeasure when he saw Victor’s calloused hands and coarse linen clothes.
“And who is this?” Kailun’s voice turned several degrees colder.
“My friend, Victor.”
Shirley didn’t pay any attention to his tone and pulled Victor toward the carriage.
Victor could feel Kailun’s cutting gaze.
It was a condescending scrutiny, full of contempt.
Victor did not retreat.
He raised his head and coldly stared back with his emerald-green eyes, like a wild wolf guarding its prey.
The carriage moved, slowly advancing along the official road leading to the Holy Kingdom.
The group stopped to rest by a scenic lake.
The lake water was so clear that one could see the bottom, with blue sky and white clouds perfectly reflected.
Kailun immediately began to display his gentlemanly demeanor.
He had someone lay down an expensive rug, bring out delicate pastries and red wine, and even pulled a small velvet box from his pocket.
When opened, it revealed a huge sapphire necklace.
“Your Highness.” Kailun knelt on one knee and offered the necklace to Shirley.
“This gem comes from the deep southern sea. Its color is as enchanting as your eyes.”
Shirley politely took a step back, still maintaining a distant smile.
“Thank you for your kindness, Lord Kailun.”
“But I cannot accept such a valuable gift.”
“Besides, I already have an accessory that I like.”
She lightly touched the somewhat worn silver-white cross around her neck.
Kailun’s hand froze midair, his expression turning somewhat ugly.
But he didn’t give up. Instead, he turned his gaze to Victor, who was sitting nearby gnawing on dry bread, his eyes full of provocation.
“Indeed, after all, some things aren’t something just anyone can enjoy.”
Kailun raised his voice deliberately, then spat heavily onto the ground, right next to Victor’s foot.
Victor’s hand gripping the bread tightened abruptly.
The familiar, icy fury surged from the depths of his heart again.
‘I want to kill him.’
This thought churned wildly in Victor’s mind.
Anyone who had designs on Shirley, anyone who tried to measure her worth with money and status, disgusted him utterly.
But he couldn’t move.
He was just an errand boy, a bastard.
The person across from him was a noble, a knight escorting them.
If he threw a punch, Shirley’s path to becoming the Sheng Nu would be ruined.
He could only endure.
This feeling of powerlessness gnawed at his heart like a poisonous snake.
Shirley keenly noticed Victor’s distress.
She refused Kailun’s next attempt at flattery, quickly walked to Victor’s side, and took his hand.
“Brother Victor, come take a walk with me by the lake.”
When they reached the lake, the wind was blowing.
Shirley stopped and looked at him with concern.
“Brother Victor, what’s wrong with you? Are you feeling unwell? Or did that guy Kailun upset you?”
Victor turned his head away, biting his lips hard, saying nothing.
Shirley suddenly stopped, deliberately puffing out her cheeks as if angry.
“You won’t tell me, will you? If you don’t tell me, I won’t talk to you anymore!”
That sentence struck like a sharp knife, piercing Victor’s last line of defense.
“Not talk to me?” Victor spun around abruptly, losing control of his emotions, and shouted:
“Right! You’re right not to talk to me!”
Shirley was startled, frozen in place.
Seeing her frightened expression, Victor clutched his head in pain, his voice trembling.
“You are the future Sheng Nu, an angel blessed by holy light!”
“And me? I’m just an errand boy! A poor, low-born bastard looked down on by everyone!”
“I shouldn’t even be on this road. I’m not worthy to stand by your side at all!”
“Look at that Kailun—he has status, money, and noble blood!”
“He can give you everything!”
“But all I can do is hold you back!”
“I—”
Before Victor could finish, Shirley suddenly rushed forward and firmly silenced him.
Not with her hand, but with her lips.
The girl’s warm body pressed tightly against his chest, trembling, yet filled with unwavering determination.
Her lips were soft and warm, with a clumsy urgency.
She gently kissed Victor.
Victor’s mind went completely blank.
All the anger, inferiority, and resentment dissipated in that sudden kiss.
He smelled the faint milky scent from Shirley and felt her rapid heartbeat.
After a long while, they parted, both gasping for breath.
Shirley’s face was as red as a ripe apple.
She turned away, not daring to look at Victor, her voice as soft as a mosquito’s hum, yet spoken with absolute certainty.
“Don’t ever say things like that again.”
“Don’t ever abandon me.”
She lifted her head again, her clear eyes brimming with tears, shining with unprecedented light.
“I like you, Brother Victor.”
“Not just as a friend.”
“It’s the kind of like that wants to be with you forever.”
Victor stared at her, dazed.
There was only one thought in his mind.
‘She likes me too.’
‘She doesn’t care that I’m a bastard, that I have no status.’
‘She’s mine too.’
At that moment, all of Victor’s morals, reason, and class distinctions collapsed.