Yisela curled up in Seraphina’s arms, deliberately swallowing the last bite of her little cake into her belly.
She wiped her mouth with her tiny paw and proudly raised an eyebrow at Sylvanas.
She even wagged her tail, clearly showing off the exclusive affection she enjoyed.
Sylvanas sat on the soft chair with her arms crossed, her face still sour as if she’d eaten something rotten. She glanced at the little silver dragon, whose face was full of satisfaction, then spoke in a cold voice.
“Now that you’ve finished eating, you should behave yourself and stop acting so unruly. Remember, this is the Temple of Light, not the Dragon’s Nest where you can do whatever you want.”
“I haven’t caused any trouble in front of you!”
Yisela immediately poked her head out from Seraphina’s arms and glared angrily at Sylvanas.
“You’re the one who’s always looking for trouble with me. Saintess never said a word against me, so where do you get off telling me what to do?”
“If I don’t tell you what to do, am I supposed to just let you sleep here all day and have everyone in the Temple gossiping behind your back?”
Sylvanas raised an eyebrow, her tone carrying a hint of impatience.
“You don’t really think everyone in the world can tolerate your mistakes like the Saintess, do you?”
“Let them gossip if they want. I don’t care!”
Yisela craned her neck and talked back. She rubbed her little head deeper into Seraphina’s arms.
“As long as Saintess doesn’t mind me, that’s fine. I can’t control anyone else!”
Sylvanas was so angry she let out a laugh, tapping her fingers on the armrest.
“The Holy Light Kingdom is already not very peaceful. You’ve been clinging to the Temple all this time, causing countless troubles for the Saintess. But you have no self-awareness at all.”
Seraphina gently patted Yisela on the back and spoke in a soft, soothing voice to ease the tension.
“Alright, alright. Stop picking on her. She doesn’t understand these things yet.”
“That’s exactly why she needs to be taught. You can’t just keep spoiling her.” Sylvanas turned her gaze to Seraphina, her expression turning serious.
“Do you really think I enjoy quarreling with this brat? The Elders in the Temple have long been dissatisfied with you keeping her here.”
Yisela immediately lifted her head, a look of defiance on her face.
“What right do those Elders have to be dissatisfied with me?”
“I haven’t even eaten any of their food!”
“If they hate me so much, I’ll just go to the Elven Forest. I don’t want to stay here and take their crap anymore!”
As soon as she said that.
Sylvanas’ expression shifted slightly. Instead of agreeing, she furrowed her brows even more tightly.
“Don’t even think about it. The Elven Forest is even less welcoming to you.”
“Why not!”
Yisela sat up straight, her small body rigid.
“People in the Temple despise me, you despise me too, so why can’t I go to the Elven Forest?”
“I didn’t provoke your Elven Clan back then!”
As she said this, Yisela’s voice noticeably weakened.
“You still have the nerve to say you didn’t provoke them?” Sylvanas was genuinely amused.
This little menace had run into Elven territory countless times, even ruining the Elven Princess’s coming-of-age ceremony.
“I went to give the Elven Princess my blessings that time! We’re friends.” Yisela’s little face turned red with anxiety.
“Even if you really went to give blessings, the Elders and my people would never accept you.” Sylvanas’ tone grew heavy, her words slow and deliberate.
“If I brought you back to the Elven Forest, before you even caused any more trouble, the Clan Elders would join forces to throw you out, even attack you directly. At that point, I wouldn’t be able to protect you.”
Seraphina gently grasped Yisela’s little hand and took over to explain the reason.
“And it’s not just that. The Elven Forest is nourished by natural force. The succubus curse on you would be aggravated by that power.”
“If you really went back, the curse would flare up more frequently. You’d feel cold all over, your magic power would drain away. That agony would be several times worse than what you experience in the Temple.”
“Only holy light power can gently suppress your curse and slowly nourish your body. That’s why I have to keep you by my side.”
“But…”
“But if I stay here, I’ll drag you down.”
Yisela’s eyes reddened slightly, and her voice dropped.
“No one can take you away from the Saintess.” Sylvanas spoke up first, her tone carrying an inexplicable certainty. After saying that, even she was a little startled, then she turned her face away and added.
“I just don’t want you to go to the Elven Forest and cause me more trouble. Keeping you in the Temple is the safest approach.”
“See, don’t overthink it.”
Seraphina reached out and rubbed the top of Yisela’s head.
“I’m here. No one can drive you away. I’ll protect you.”
“But they’ll make things hard for you!” Yisela looked up at Seraphina, her voice tinted with a nervousness even she didn’t realize.
“As the Saintess, handling these matters is my duty.”
“Besides, recently the borders of the Holy Light Kingdom have been harassed by dark fiends. The knights stationed there have suffered heavy casualties.”
“The holy light barrier at the Holy Mountain has developed several cracks, and magic power has been leaking continuously.”
“The Elders in the Temple have already blamed all of this on you.”
Sylvanas stated bluntly.
“They say it’s because the curse on you has polluted the holy light power, causing the barrier instability and border unrest. They’re now demanding that the Saintess dispose of you.”
“They’re talking nonsense!”
“I never did any of that!”
“I haven’t even set foot on the Holy Mountain, so how could I have polluted the barrier?”
“They’re framing me!”
Just then, the door was knocked urgently.
A Temple Knight bowed outside and reported in a flustered tone.
“Saintess, Your Majesty the Elven Queen, all the Elders have gathered in the Council Hall. They say the cracks in the holy light barrier have expanded. Please come immediately.”
Seraphina’s gaze darkened slightly. She stood up slowly.
“I understand. I’ll be right there.”
“Saintess, you can’t go!”
Yisela immediately grabbed her hand, her little face full of worry.
“If I don’t go, this matter truly won’t be resolved.”
Seraphina crouched down and tidied Yisela’s slightly messy silver hair.
“Wait quietly in the room for me. I’ll be back soon.”
“I’m not waiting!”
Yisela clung tightly to Seraphina’s arm, her attitude very firm.
“I’m going with you!”
“I’m going to tell them myself. None of that is my fault!”
“I won’t let them bully you!”
Sylvanas also stood up, straightened her sleeves, and glanced at Yisela.
“Let’s go together. That way, this brat won’t stay in the room overthinking and cause a real mess.”
“If the Elders really start making trouble, I can help say a few words on the side.”
“After all, I don’t want you to get kicked out and cause even more trouble.”
Yisela paused. Instead of calling Sylvanas an old hag as usual, she awkwardly turned her face away and muttered quietly.
“Who… who asked you to help…!”
“But… going together is fine!”
“I’m not afraid of them!”
“Then let’s go.” Seraphina smiled helplessly. She took Yisela’s little hand and turned toward the door.
Yisela tightly gripped that warm hand belonging to the Saintess. Her little steps followed closely, and for the first time, a fierce longing stirred in her heart.
How she wished she could grow stronger quickly—not to play pranks or seek revenge.
But to protect the person who had always protected her. She never wanted the Saintess to be put in a difficult position because of her again.
Sylvanas followed behind the two, watching the large and small figures ahead. She let out a soft sigh.
The path of revenge she had originally planned had long since changed.
She needed to brace herself. There was a confrontation ahead.