Chapter 109: Why is she so beautiful?

She thought she was hiding it well.

However, the next evening, Liang Lai arrived at her room carrying a delicate little Incense Burner, her face wearing that same gentle smile as always.

“Villeres, I’ve noticed you haven’t been sleeping very well lately, and your complexion looks a bit pale.”

Liangcai placed the Incense Burner on the bedside table, her tone natural and caring.

“Is it because you’re still not used to the new environment?

Or have you been having nightmares?”

Villeres’s heart clenched suddenly—she almost thought her disguise had been seen through.

Forcing herself to calm down, she lowered her gaze, acting timid.

“N-no, it’s just… just a little… um, trouble sleeping in a new bed…”

Liang Lai smiled knowingly and didn’t press further. Instead, she gently opened the lid of the Incense Burner.

A faint, elegant fragrance began to spread, soothing and subtle, not overpowering, yet strangely calming.

“This incense is made from Soothing Flower, Moonlight Grass, and a touch of Sleepbark. It helps calm the mind and aids sleep.” Liang Lai explained softly.

Then, with her fingertip, she dabbed a bit of ash and casually drew a few extremely ancient pacifying Runes around the Incense Burner.

Villeres’s pupils contracted ever so slightly. Those Runes… they weren’t the usual Blessings of Light employed by the Holy Court, but rather something much older, closer to nature’s protective symbols, even carrying a trace of subtle, secret effect that harmonized conflicting energies.

Such things might have only ordinary effects for humans, but for someone like her—one of the Darkspawn, subtly repelled by the environment of Light—this was simply a timely gift.

This couldn’t possibly be a coincidence!

How did Liang Lai know?

Did she see through something?

Or… was this just a thoughtless act?

Villeres’s heartbeat suddenly quickened. She lifted her eyes, carefully studying Liangcai’s expression.

Yet on Liang Lai’s face, there was only pure concern and a hint of “I hope this can help you” in her expectant gaze—not a trace of probing or suspicion.

After finishing the Runes, she patted her hands and said gently, “Just light it for a short while before bed. It should help you sleep better. Don’t worry, it’s perfectly normal to need time to adjust when you first come here. Treat this place as your own home, and let me know if you need anything.”

After speaking, she smiled soothingly at Villeres, then turned and left.

Villeres was left alone in the room, watching the curling blue smoke, inhaling a scent that eased even the faint pain deep within her blood.

Her entire body was frozen in place.

What a strange feeling… Is this what it feels like to be cared for by someone else? Well, well, Motifiel had also cared about her before—that’s why the two of them had become good friends.

But this time, it wasn’t some distant observation of kindness toward others—it was real, falling directly on her, subtle and meticulous, perhaps even seeing through some of her hidden discomforts.

This care was precise, timely, and seamlessly protected her.

Liangcai… she was definitely not a fool like Motifiel.

She possessed a kind of deeply hidden sharpness and insight, perhaps even unknown to herself.

Her kindness wasn’t a mindless, indiscriminate goodwill, but a gentleness truly woven into her bones, filled with wisdom and respect.

She might not know Villeres was Darkspawn, but she had certainly sensed her “discomfort” and offered help in the way least likely to embarrass her.

“Treat this place as your own home…”

Those words echoed in Villeres’s ears. For the first time, they didn’t provoke her usual mockery or sneer; instead, she felt only a gentle softness within her heart.

She walked slowly to the bed, reached out her finger, and lightly touched the still-warm wall of the Incense Burner—then, as if scalded, quickly drew her hand back.

The frozen surface of the lake in her heart, under the steady onslaught of that warmth, finally issued a clear, shattering crack.

She had to admit it.

Motifiel was right.

Liangcai’s kindness was real.

But this reality left her with an unprecedented fear and… helplessness. If Liang Lai’s kindness was real, then what did her own disguises and calculations amount to? If this place truly could become a “home,” then what should become of the way she’d always survived?

A strong urge to confirm something overtook her—she sprang to her feet and nearly ran from the room.

In the corridor, Liang Lai hadn’t gone far, walking slowly toward her own quarters.

“Saintess! P-please wait a moment!” Villeres’s voice held a note of urgency and tremor even she herself hadn’t noticed.

Liang Lai stopped at the sound, turning around, her face a little surprised but still gentle.

“What is it? You don’t like the incense? Or do you feel unwell somewhere?” As she spoke, she instinctively moved to come back and check.

But Villeres moved first, grabbing Liangcai’s wrist.

Her motion was a bit rushed, and she even forgot to control her strength.

Liang Lai frowned slightly, but didn’t pull away—she simply looked at her with those clear, violet eyes, puzzled.

“I… I have something I want to ask you.” Villeres’s voice was very low, her gaze locked tightly onto Liang Lai.

“Right now—can I?”

Liang Lai glanced at her hand holding her wrist, then at her grave, even struggling expression, and nodded.

“All right. Let’s talk in your room.”

The two of them returned to Villeres’s room, and the door closed softly.

Villeres let go, took a deep breath, finally steeled her resolve, looked up, and met Liangcai’s eyes, voicing the question that had lingered in her heart for so long:

“Saintess… have you never once doubted me? You treat me so well, take me in, care about me… Aren’t you afraid? Aren’t you afraid that maybe… maybe I’m not what I seem? Aren’t you afraid I might be someone hiding ill intent behind a friendly mask? Why… why can you trust a stranger whose origins are unknown so easily?”

Her tone was laced with doubt, but deeper still, a hope to be convinced—a hope she herself hadn’t realized.

Liang Lai listened quietly, her face showing none of the shock, displeasure, or offense Villeres had anticipated.

She only tilted her head a little, her gaze still gentle, even knowing—as if she’d expected this question all along.

“Of course I’m afraid.”

Liang Lai’s answer was light, but it struck Villeres’s heart like a stone thrown into water, stirring up even greater waves.

Villeres was stunned—she hadn’t expected such a direct answer.

“I’m human too, of course I feel fear and suspicion.” Liangcai’s tone was calm, as if stating the most ordinary fact.

“A wounded girl of unknown origin appears out of nowhere—how could I possibly be completely at ease?”