Liang Lai eventually gave in and brought the black-haired girl back to the Court of Purity.
After all, abandoning such a “fragile and helpless” girl alone outside was simply incompatible with her doctrine and her kind nature.
However, seeing all the resentful children at home, Liang Lai truly didn’t have much intention of adopting her.
She simply arranged for Villeres to temporarily stay in a guest room and gently said, “You can settle down here for now and focus on recovering from your injuries. Don’t worry about anything else. When you’re feeling better, we’ll think of a solution together.”
Villeres continued playing the role of a frightened, grateful victim, her eyes brimming with tears as she nodded timidly.
“Thank you, Saintess, you are so kind… Mmm~ I-I won’t cause you too much trouble~!”
But how could she be content with being just a temporary guest? Her goal from the very start was to stay—to get close to the core and become the best at completing her task!
From her very first day in the Court of Purity, Villeres began her skillful performance and earnest flattery.
Her attempts to please Liang Lai were meticulous and without flaw.
In the morning, she would rush ahead of the nuns and other children, carefully bringing a cup of honeyed warm water—at just the right temperature—to Liang Lai’s door, her voice as soft as water could be.
“Saintess, are you awake? Have some water to moisten your throat. I’ve tested the temperature—it’s not too hot.”
At lunch, she would quietly remember Liang Lai’s taste preferences, and then “coincidentally” move the dishes Liang Lai liked closer to her, or “inadvertently” mention:
“This stew seems a little bland? I remember the Saintess herself said she liked it with a bit more flavor last time. Shall I get you some salt?”
When Liang Lai read, she would quietly sit not far away, a book in her own hands (of course, she didn’t take in a single word), but the moment Liang Lai showed even a trace of fatigue, she would immediately approach, massaging her shoulders with just the right pressure, her tone full of concern.
“Saintess, you must be tired? Don’t work yourself too hard.”
She even clumsily tried to learn how to bake cookies.
The first time, she nearly set the kitchen on fire; the second, she baked a tray of black charcoal.
But on the third try, she actually produced some edible, adorably shaped cookies, and then, with a face full of shy anticipation, she offered them to Liang Lai.
“Saintess, would you please try these? It’s my first successful batch… I hope you’ll like them…”
This persistent, slightly clumsy but heartfelt devotion struck directly at Liang Lai’s soft spot, making her affection for this “pitiful yet sensible” girl grow exponentially.
Not only that, Villeres was well aware that targeting only Liang Lai would get her nowhere.
She began to win over the other children in the Court of Purity as well.
Of course, Motifiel—who knew her inside and out and was being threatened—was the sole exception.
To Dolosa, she maintained a respectful yet properly distanced attitude, never trying to get too close, but always offering sincere praise.
“Dolosa, your Crystalization Ability is amazing~ I’ve never seen such pure power before.”
Dolosa usually just glanced at her coldly and ignored her, but as the saying goes, no one hits a smiling face; at the very least, she didn’t drive Villeres away again in public.
Of course, there was another reason Dolosa didn’t want to pay attention to Villeres…
Villeres had the biggest breasts in the entire Court of Purity! Dolosa had always believed that Liang Lai definitely preferred mature women with big breasts! So Villeres’s arrival brought her quite a sense of crisis.
Big breast crisis.jpg.
With Dexilensi, Villeres catered to her interests, discussing profound topics from Church scriptures or the application of power, occasionally raising a naive-sounding yet shrewd question, satisfying Dexilensi’s sense of superiority and desire to express herself.
Toward Asterys and Delucia, she showed great curiosity and friendliness.
Even though Asterys and Delucia always watched her with knowing, teasing eyes, she could still keep a straight face and compliment them, “Your shadow play is incredible—you two are just too cute!”
Of course, Asterys and Delucia always acted surprised on the surface, but in truth, they had already sensed Villeres’s strange disguise.
To Illucy, she was gentle and patient, gifting her beautiful, though inexpensive, homemade dried flower specimens, then softly chatting with her.
She could even exchange a few words with Morgana, showing a keen interest in her witchy tales and odd anecdotes, making Morgana feel this newcomer was actually pretty nice—certainly easier to get along with than Dolosa.
Throughout the entire Court of Purity, only Motifiel was left out.
Villeres treated Motifiel with polite detachment, even with a hint of coldness and warning that only Motifiel could sense.
To others, it simply seemed like the new girl wasn’t yet familiar with everyone—nothing out of the ordinary.
But Motifiel knew otherwise.
She could only watch helplessly as Villeres, with her brilliant acting, gradually infiltrated this home, watching as Liang Lai, Mother, grew ever warmer toward her, and seeing how the other sisters, though not necessarily fond of Villeres, at least no longer excluded her.
And what about herself? She couldn’t say anything, couldn’t do anything.
Every time she saw Villeres look at Liang Lai with that dependent, adoring gaze, it felt like a cold hand was clenching her stomach, making her so uncomfortable she wanted to vomit.
Every accidental glance Villeres shot her, full of warning, left her on pins and needles.
The immense psychological pressure and guilt nearly crushed her.
She was terrified the truth would be revealed, terrified of losing her current life, and even more terrified that Liang Lai would be hurt.
She became withdrawn and listless, often dazed and losing her appetite, unable to sleep well at night.
The eyes that once sparkled with foolish innocence were now brimming with anxiety and fear.
One afternoon, a week later.
Motifiel once again sneaked alone to the most secluded corner of the Court of Purity’s back garden, crouching behind a cluster of flourishing white roses, burying her face in her knees, her shoulders trembling.
She didn’t dare to cry out loud, only silent tears streaming down as she felt like she was suffocating.
Why… why did things end up like this…
She only ever wanted to protect this home…
Just as she was drowning in her own sorrow and helplessness, two sets of footsteps approached, growing closer.
“Eh? Mother Liang Lai, look, is there someone crouching behind the rosebush over there?” That was Morgana’s voice.
“It seems so?”
Liang Lai’s gentle voice held a trace of concern.
“She’s been by herself a lot lately… Is she not feeling well?”
The footsteps stopped beside her.
Liang Lai crouched down and gently patted Motifiel’s shoulder.
“Xiao Mo? What’s wrong? Why are you hiding here crying all by yourself? Did someone bully you? Tell Mother, and I’ll make sure they’re taught a lesson.”
Feeling the warmth of Liang Lai’s palm and hearing her concerned words, Motifiel’s tears flowed even harder.
How she longed to pour out all her grievances and fears, to throw herself into Mother Liang Lai’s arms for protection and comfort.
But she couldn’t.
Villeres’s threats gripped her throat tightly.
She suddenly lifted her head, her eyes and nose red from crying, looking like a little rabbit.
She gazed at Liang Lai’s worried, gentle face, opened her mouth, but her throat seemed blocked—she couldn’t utter a single word.
In the end, she only shook her head hard, tears rolling down her face in big drops, then buried her face even deeper in her knees, unable to stifle her broken sobs.
She couldn’t say it.
She didn’t dare say anything.
Liang Lai looked at her daughter, clearly troubled but unwilling to speak, and felt an ache in her heart.
She gently pulled Motifiel into her arms, softly patting her back.
“There, there. If you don’t want to talk, then don’t. Everyone has their own little secrets, Mother understands. Mm, I’ll stay with you here, so don’t be afraid…!”
Morgana also crouched down nearby, uncharacteristically quiet, her violet eyes filled with confusion and sympathy.
She poked Motifiel’s arm.