Chapter 50: Even if it is a Forbidden Love

Everyone’s eyes were fixed on the two of them. The volatile atmosphere gradually dissipated, leaving only awkwardness between Sophia and Cecilia.

Sophia was the first to lose her patience under the scrutinizing gazes of the crowd, choosing to break the current state of affairs.

“Follow me.” Sophia sheathed her sword, turned around, and walked straight into the manor.

Seeing this, the others did not dare to stop Cecilia anymore, and could only watch as she followed Sophia through the manor’s main gates.

“Oh, coming.” Upon hearing her, Cecilia also followed behind Sophia. As she passed by the guard who had just blocked her, she did not forget to tilt her head up high.

“Hmph~”

Cecilia’s small leather boots clicked rhythmically against the ground, forcefully stepping with a sound that resembled metal armor.

Even though she had just been hit in the head by a pebble, Cecilia couldn’t help but feel a surge of joy in her heart.

In Cecilia’s view, Sophia’s appearance at this moment was undoubtedly the guidance of fate. Even the heavens were helping her find “Sister Selim”; otherwise, how could things be going so smoothly?

“Mm-hmm~” Cecilia couldn’t help but softly hum a cheerful little tune she had composed.

“Sigh…” Unable to help but let out a sigh, Sophia suddenly stopped in her tracks, nearly causing Cecilia to bump into her back.

“Is there a need to be this happy?” Sophia looked at Cecilia with a sense of helplessness. She thought the girl was simply happy to meet an old acquaintance in a foreign land, and thus held no guard against her.

After all, back in school, Cecilia had always been an optimist—or rather, a troublemaker—who frequently picked fights with Sophia just to duel her.

If it weren’t for the fact that she could collect a bonus from Cecilia’s father every time she won, Sophia wouldn’t have wanted to deal with her much at all.

Though she had been forced into it, Sophia had dealt with Cecilia many times and knew that she was an unexpectedly straightforward and innocent person.

“Of course there’s a need.” Cecilia blinked and crossed her arms, looking at Sophia. “Isn’t it worth being happy to encounter an acquaintance who can help me here?”

“Besides…” Cecilia drew her staff and pointed it at Sophia. “I also graduated early, just like you, Senior.”

“To think the first person of the same rank I’d meet after breaking through would be you, Senior Sophia.”

“If I didn’t have important matters to attend to right now, I wouldn’t be able to resist fighting you again.”

“You broke through?” A hint of surprise flashed in Sophia’s eyes as she looked at Cecilia. “Truly impressive talent. Your speed in reaching the Bright Moon rank was even faster than mine.”

“But let me off regarding the duel for now. I have matters to attend to and can’t get away.” Sophia reached out and pushed Cecilia’s staff back down, shaking her head as she refused.

“Fine, I’ll listen to you then, Senior Sophia.” Cecilia didn’t resist and obediently put her staff away without further pestering.

A flash of astonishment crossed Sophia’s eyes. She had expected that with Cecilia’s competitive nature, even if they didn’t fight on the spot, she would have at least tried to force a future engagement.

After all, Cecilia had always been someone who loved being number one.

“Cecilia, you’ve grown mature.” A sense of gratification flickered in Sophia’s eyes; she was happy to see her junior growing up.

“Yes, after all, in the past, someone taught me a lot.” Cecilia brushed a few strands of hair aside with a look of slight happiness.

“One must be calm and mature enough to become strong. Only then can I be an excellent partner, worthy of becoming Sel—”

Selim’s name almost slipped out, but she forced herself to swallow it back. Considering she was a girl and the person she liked was also a girl, Cecilia ultimately chose not to speak it aloud.

She didn’t want to cause extra trouble for Selim.

Although in Cecilia’s eyes, there was nothing particularly strange about her liking another girl.

Or to put it another way, from beginning to end, Cecilia simply liked that Selim who was willing to sacrifice herself for her, who cared for her, looked after her, and lived through life and death with her. It just so happened that Selim was a girl.

But this was, after all, a forbidden love not recognized by the world. If her father found out, he would probably faint from anger.

However, even if she couldn’t get her parents’ blessing, Cecilia still looked forward to staying with Selim forever.

It was with this in mind that she had a sudden spark of inspiration and secretly took a tenth of her family’s wealth, all to ensure their future married life wouldn’t be disturbed by the world.

She had plenty of money; she could support “Sister Selim” for a lifetime.

At this thought, a perfect smile bloomed on her face again as she whispered, “It’s nothing.”

“Speaking of which…” Sophia looked at Cecilia and easily read the meaning behind her smile.

“Could it be that Cecilia has someone she likes?” Sophia looked at Cecilia, who was about half a head shorter than her, and couldn’t help but reach out to gently pat the top of her head. “I’m really curious what kind of person could make Cecilia truly fall in love.”

“Hehe, that’s my secret. I won’t tell you exactly who it is, Senior Sophia.” Cecilia made a shushing gesture, placing her index finger against her lips with a playful smile.

Sophia suddenly thought of Cecilia’s daughter-obsessed father and couldn’t help but ask one more question.

“By the way, Cecilia, your father… does he agree with this relationship of yours?”

Cecilia’s body stiffened. She lowered her head to stare at the tips of her shoes. After a long silence, she faintly uttered, “He probably… or rather, he won’t agree for the time being.”

Sophia immediately regretted her meddling question and tried to salvage the situation.

“It’s, it’s okay…” Sophia laughed awkwardly while scanning her mind for something to say. “Oh right, do you remember that Senior named Linda who dropped out of our academy early?”

“Senior Linda?” Cecilia looked up, a hint of recollection flashing in her eyes, but she eventually shook her head. “I think I’ve heard the name, but I don’t remember her anymore.”

Sophia described it vividly, attempting to cheer Cecilia up again.

“Senior Linda was also the daughter of an Earl. To pursue her love, she ran away from home to be with her bard lover. They are living very happily now.”

In her view, the object of Cecilia’s affection was very likely someone like a traveling bard.

After all, didn’t these noble daughters love that sort of thing the most?

As for whether Cecilia was being deceived by the other party, Sophia didn’t care at all. After all, sometimes one must learn to let go of their savior complex and respect the destiny of others.

“Really… Is it true? Even a love not recognized by the world can result in happiness, right? Right?”

Expectation exploded in Cecilia’s eyes like bursting stars.

“Not recognized by the world…” Sophia caught that specific phrase in the girl’s words, and she suddenly thought of the relationship between herself and Selim.

Was it not the same for her and Selim?

Partly to encourage Cecilia and partly to encourage herself, Sophia looked at Cecilia and gave a heavy nod.

“Yes! Even if it isn’t recognized by the world, you will surely be happy!”