“We’re going home.”
She picked up Dolosa in her arms, her voice carrying an unwavering firmness that brooked no argument.
Behind them, in the shadows at the mouth of the alley, a golden figure stood silently.
Once the two disappeared from sight, the figure faded away as well.
“Heh, so you’re watching them that closely, too?”
Claudious gazed at the two as they walked away, and at the vanished golden figure.
His mirror-like pupils reflected the faint outline behind Liang Lai’s neck. Black veins appeared in his pupils—marks left by the roots of the Crystal Crown spreading.
In the Main Bedroom of the Garden of Purity, Liang Lai was carefully cleaning the scrape on Dolosa’s knee with a cotton swab dipped in medicine.
Moonlight filtered through stained glass outside the window, casting rainbow-colored spots on the floor.
“Does it hurt?”
Liang Lai gently blew on the wound.
“Next time you want to go out, remember to tell me.”
Dolosa pinched her teddy bear’s ear, sneaking glances at Liang Lai’s profile.
She noticed faint dark circles under her eyes, a clear sign of how anxious Liang Lai had been during the search these past few hours.
A strange mix of satisfaction and guilt gnawed at Dolosa’s heart.
Why… does it hurt, but also feel so good?
“Liang Lai,” she hesitated, “if—just if—I did something really bad…”
The sound of the doorknob turning suddenly interrupted her.
Delucia stood in the doorway, clutching her pillow, the Six-Pointed Star Pupils glimmering in the darkness.
“Mama,” she spoke timidly, “I had a Nightmare…”
Dolosa’s body tensed instantly.
But unexpectedly, Liang Lai only said gently, “Tonight, I want to spend some time alone with Dolosa, all right? Asterys is in the room next door.”
Delucia’s pupils contracted for a moment, but quickly returned to their obedient look.
“All right, Mama.”
She nodded obediently, but as her shadow withdrew, it maliciously wrapped around Dolosa’s ankle.
When the door closed again, Liang Lai suddenly let out a sigh. She pulled Dolosa into her arms, resting her chin lightly on Dolosa’s hair.
“I’ve been reading some Parenting Books lately (actually, she was just recalling those short videos she’d watched in her previous world).” Her voice was muffled. “They say parents shouldn’t ignore the feelings of their eldest child because of a new one…”
Dolosa could feel her fingers trembling ever so slightly.
“I know better than anyone what Parental Abandonment feels like…”
Liang Lai knew it all too well—how it felt to be led by her birth parents to the orphanage’s gate, that panic and helplessness, shivering in a thin cotton coat in the dead of winter, huddled by the iron door of the orphanage, chasing after her parents’ departing figures, stumbling and falling into the snow.
The snow that day was so heavy, it made her head spin with cold, tumbling her about, the tiny stones in the snow scraping her cheek, but she couldn’t feel the pain on her skin.
Because what hurt more was her young heart…
Dolosa froze, Liang Lai’s warmth seeping through her pajamas, reminding her of those endless cold nights in the Underground Sanctuary.
She suddenly realized this hug was different from all the others. Liang Lai was showing her vulnerability—for the first time, a human was revealing their weakness to her.
Liang Lai’s fingers gently combed through Dolosa’s golden hair, while moonlight filtered through the gauzy curtains, casting mottled patterns on the sheets.
Suddenly, she spoke, her voice so soft it almost vanished into the night.
“Little Duo, I’ve known for a long time that you’re different from everyone else.”
Dolosa’s body went rigid, her heart pounding as if it would leap out of her chest.
Liang Lai’s palm pressed comfortingly against her back, continuing, “When I found you near the Sanctuary, I noticed the calluses and scars on your hands… Those aren’t things ordinary children have.”
Yes, even though Liang Lai hadn’t realized anything was wrong at the time, after fully integrating into this world, she understood much more now.
Dolosa’s nails dug unconsciously into her palm.
She remembered that day, crawling out of the underground, covered in blood, Liang Lai’s silver hair shining like an angel’s halo in the sunlight.
“I don’t know who you’ve gotten involved with, but it must have something to do with the False Pope.”
Liang Lai’s voice was calm, without reproach.
“Your crystal talent is too exceptional, and your sense for danger is far too sharp… None of this is a coincidence.”
“Little Duo, I know your birth parents… are people from the Church, but that’s entirely their fault, not yours.”
Dolosa’s throat tightened.
Should she confess everything now?
Tell Liang Lai that she once worked for Claudious, that her initial approach was all for a mission?
Would Liang Lai push her away at once?
Would she… just like her father and mother, throw her back into the Underground Sanctuary?
“But I’ve never thought you were a bad child.”
Liang Lai suddenly cupped Dolosa’s face, her violet eyes shining in the darkness.
“Nurture matters more than nature. You’re still so young, your life is only just beginning. As long as someone truly cares for you and gives you the right guidance, you’ll definitely grow into a kind and upright person.”
Tears suddenly spilled from Dolosa’s eyes.
Liang Lai’s trust was like a blunt knife, slowly slicing through her conscience.
She opened her mouth, but Claudious’s threat echoed in her ears.
“How do you think Liang Lai will treat a traitor for a foster daughter?”
“I, I…” Her voice was choked. “What if I’ve done very bad things…?”
Liang Lai shook her head gently and hugged her even tighter.
“The past doesn’t matter. What matters is who you want to be now. As long as you’re willing, this will always be your home.”
Dolosa buried her face in Liang Lai’s shoulder, tears soaking through her pajamas.
She wanted so badly to confess everything—to reveal her identity, to admit she knew exactly who her father was, to say his name aloud—but fear bound her tongue like chains.
What if—what if Liang Lai’s forgiveness was only because she didn’t know the truth?
What if, after learning everything, those gentle eyes would fill with disgust?
What if Liang Lai, too, would fear that supreme power?
Some people are kind, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be cowardly or timid.
It’s human nature to avoid harm. Even if Liang Lai really did become afraid, Dolosa felt she could never blame her.
Liang Lai had already done enough.
“Go to sleep.”
Liang Lai dropped a kiss on her forehead.
“Tomorrow is a new day.”
Dolosa lay awake in the darkness, listening to Liang Lai’s breathing gradually become steady.
She gently clung to the hem of Liang Lai’s clothes, like a drowning person grasping the last piece of driftwood.
She had to make a choice—should she stay by Liang Lai’s side in peace, be a good child, and in the end, let Liang Lai make use of her, whether as a worthy Pope Successor or to help Liang Lai fulfill her dreams? Or… should she follow her own heart, listen to Claudious, and seek “revenge”?
She had to decide.
So, what would her decision be…?