Seraphina buried her face deep in Movira’s chest. Her scalding tears quickly soaked through the other woman’s clothes.
She sobbed so hard she could barely breathe, her small fists weakly pounding against Movira’s shoulders.
“Sister! Where did you go… I was so scared… Those monsters outside… Waaah… I thought… I thought you didn’t want me anymore…”
Her words came out broken and fragmented, each syllable trembling in a way that shattered Movira’s heart.
“Never! I will never abandon you!”
Movira declared firmly.
She lowered her head and gently rubbed her warm cheek against Seraphina’s icy one.
“I’m here. I’ve always been here… I won’t leave you!”
Seraphina cried for a long time before her sobs finally quieted into soft, suppressed hiccups.
She lifted her head slightly.
Her tear-filled eyes looked at Movira once more, as if double-checking that this was not an illusion.
She reached out.
Her trembling fingertips gently touched Movira’s cheek.
Her body stayed pressed tightly against Movira’s, greedily drinking in the safety she had thought she had lost.
Even though Movira was already holding her so tightly, even though she could hear the other woman’s strong heartbeat, Seraphina still felt it wasn’t enough! The emptiness deep in her soul seemed to demand even more intimate contact to fill it.
A powerful instinct beyond words drove her forward.
Suddenly, she stood on tiptoe, cupped Movira’s face with both hands, and—under the other woman’s stunned gaze—pressed her lips to Movira’s with desperate need.
The kiss had no technique at all.
It was clumsy, awkward, and trembling, yet so forceful it seemed to pour every ounce of fear, dependence, and emotions she herself did not yet understand straight into Movira through the most direct and profound contact possible!
Now it was Movira’s turn to freeze.
She stood there stiffly, her mind completely blank.
She could feel the softness of Seraphina’s lips and, even more clearly, the overwhelming emotion behind the kiss—an emotion so intense it felt like it would burn her soul to ash!
There was no lust, only the raw need to survive and the desperate confirmation of belonging.
Their roles had completely reversed.
Movira suddenly felt like an innocent young girl, helplessly letting Seraphina—the one who “understood love”—kiss her with fierce intensity.
The moment stretched on as if it lasted a century…
Until Seraphina’s body went limp. Only Movira’s support kept her from sliding to the floor.
Her breathing evened out.
She leaned against Movira’s chest, head resting on her shoulder.
After the violent emotional explosion, her taut nerves finally relaxed.
She fell into a deep sleep.
Tears still clung to her lashes, but a faint healthy flush had finally returned to her cheeks.
Movira had lost completely this time.
She had feared this exact scene, feared Dekalorin’s death.
Her hesitation had nearly cost Dekalorin her life and had terrified Seraphina…
She had no idea how she spent the rest of the night. Sure enough, I still can’t do anything right.
She simply held Seraphina for what felt like hours…
The battle in town had left her with no small amount of pain.
Not physical pain, but something deeper—pain of the soul…
Even when she finally fell asleep, the blood still seeping from the corner of her mouth went unnoticed.
This night… was “sleepless.”
Dawn gradually broke. It was nearly noon before strong sunlight poured through the glass and filled the room.
Seraphina woke from her deep sleep, her mind still a little foggy.
She snuggled closer to the warm body beside her, gently tugged Movira’s sleeve, and complained in a soft, spoiled voice, mumbling sleepily, “Sister… what time is it already… Why haven’t you gotten up yet? Mm, I think I had a really, really scary nightmare last night…”
As she spoke, Seraphina rubbed her blurry eyes with the back of her hand.
As her vision slowly cleared, she sat up.
But the moment her gaze happened to sweep across Movira, Seraphina froze. Her hand stopped in mid-air.
The dried, dark streak of blood at the corner of Movira’s pale lips was like a bolt of lightning exploding in her mind!
“Ah—!” Seraphina could not hold back her cry. All sleepiness vanished in an instant.
She lunged forward, hands trembling as she reached for Movira’s cheek, yet afraid to actually touch her.
Her voice shook.
“Sister! What happened?! Is that… blood?! Are you okay?! Don’t scare me like this!”
Seraphina’s cry and sudden movement woke Movira.
Her eyelids fluttered a few times before she slowly opened her eyes.
She seemed to want to ask what was wrong, but the moment she tried to speak, a choking sensation surged in her throat.
“Cough… cough cough!”
Movira turned her head to the side uncontrollably and coughed violently.
With that cough, a mouthful of frothy bright red blood sprayed out, splattering across Seraphina, who had leaned in close.
Seeing the blood droplets on Seraphina’s chest, Movira hurriedly tried to apologize, but her hoarse voice broke with every word as more blood foam leaked from the corner of her mouth. “I’m… cough… sorry…”
“Don’t speak! Please don’t speak!”
Seraphina’s face turned even paler than Movira’s at the sight of her coughing blood.
Fresh tears poured down her cheeks.
She fumbled desperately to wipe the blood from Movira’s mouth and tried to soothe her breathing, but she had no idea what to do.
“How did this happen… Why are you coughing blood?! Sister, please don’t scare me!”
Movira forced down the surging blood in her throat and managed a weak, reassuring smile. She shook her head gently.
“It’s nothing… Don’t be afraid. I’m probably just… a little tired. Could you… get me a glass of water?”
“Water? Okay! Okay! Wait right there, I’ll get it right away!”
It was like a lifeline. The only order she could actually carry out.
She scrambled off the bed, not even bothering to change out of her blood-stained nightgown.
She grabbed a coat, threw it over her shoulders, and rushed out of the room on unsteady legs.
Her heart pounded wildly.
There was only one thought in her mind: Get water for Sister!
When she hurried downstairs and was about to burst into the kitchen, the scene in the living room made her pause for a split second.
Saint Eustacia stood there.
The pure coldness in her eyes had been replaced by exhaustion and worry.
Beside her stood several people in pure white priest robes, their expressions solemn.
They seemed to be finishing a conversation.
When Saint Eustacia saw the panicked Seraphina rushing down, she gave her a small, respectful nod.
But Seraphina barely glanced at them. She offered no response.
She only muttered “Water! Get water!” under her breath and dashed into the kitchen.
Her hands shook as she picked up a cup and filled it to the brim with warm water.
Without sparing another thought for the people in the living room, she turned and raced back upstairs like the wind.
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