Holding Selis’s hand, Meilin fluttered through the streets of Anna Town like a graceful butterfly, weaving freely until they finally reached the Back Mountain.
This was her secret base, the only place from her childhood where she could forget her troubles.
But at this moment, the Back Mountain was nothing more than a somewhat empty garden, with lush green leaves swaying in the breeze.
The imagined Sea of White Lilies was silently absent.
Meilin’s smile froze on her face. She looked around in confusion, her expression visibly falling, her voice filled with helplessness and disappointment.
“Sorry, I’ve only ever been here in the summer before, so I always thought these flowers bloomed all year round.”
Ever since boarding the carriage to Anna Town, she had been eagerly anticipating Selis’s reaction to the Sea of White Lilies, but now, her wish was utterly dashed.
She should have realized earlier that the white lilies only bloom in summer—and now, it was still too early.
Seeing the light in her eyes dim, Selis smiled gently.
“It’s okay, Meilin. The flowers will bloom soon.”
With that, she stepped slowly to the center of the garden, closed her eyes, and slightly raised both hands, palms facing upward.
At the same time, a soft, pure golden light began to flow around her, like the warm glow of the morning sun.
“Lady Selis, this is…”
Without opening her eyes, Selis’s voice was soft, almost like a chant.
“Do you know? The most beautiful moment of a flower is not the instant it blooms, but the ‘anticipation’ it holds beneath the soil—when it strives to absorb nutrients, firmly believing it will one day break through the earth.”
“All I can do is slightly accelerate that long-lasting ‘anticipation.’”
With her words, the golden halo rippled outward like waves, brushing across the garden’s soil.
Soon, the green stalks sprouted at an astonishing speed, stretching their leaves.
Finally, at their tips, pure white buds bloomed in the most perfect form.
Within just a few breaths, the once empty garden transformed into a swaying, pristine Sea of White Lilies.
A rich yet delicate fragrance filled the air. Under the moonlight, each petal emitted a faint, hazy glow.
“Wow…”
Meilin stood rooted to the spot, her aquamarine eyes wide, reflecting the entire sacred white sea. For a moment, she even forgot to breathe.
A gentle evening breeze blew as Selis picked a blooming white lily.
She leaned close to the flower, tilting her head, and smiled at Meilin. “I received the feelings you wanted to convey to me.”
As if struck by a powerful, overwhelming happiness, Meilin snapped back to reality and rushed to Selis’s side, hugging her tightly.
Perhaps from too much force, Selis fell backward onto the garden floor, with Meilin landing on top of her, unwilling to let go.
Petals drifted down like raindrops upon them.
After a long moment, Meilin rubbed against Selis’s chest, murmuring, “I wish, I really wish time could just stop like this…”
Caressing her back, Selis smiled but said nothing, allowing Meilin to indulge in her affection.
It felt like returning to childhood—lying in the garden, she could be so carefree.
After an unknown length of time, Meilin whispered softly:
“So, when summer really comes, will they bloom again?”
“Of course. This Sea of White Lilies is just a miracle brought by magic. The real flourishing flowers are still yet to come.”
“Real flourishing flowers?”
Meilin whispered again, glancing up at the sky before hurriedly climbing off Selis.
“Ah! It’s getting late. Dinner must be ready by now. If we don’t head back, my mother will worry!”
With that, she took Selis’s hand once more and led her homeward.
As they passed through the flower sea, Meilin seemed a little dazed, as if everything had returned to the past.
Happiness filled her heart, causing the corners of her mouth to rise unconsciously.
Meilin’s mother, Madam Mariel, hadn’t waited long for their return.
When Selis and Meilin arrived home, she had just brought out the dishes.
Though bedridden for many years, her cooking skills hadn’t declined much.
The dishes were still very tasty, earning Selis’s praise.
After dinner and washing the dishes, Madam Mariel deliberately avoided Meilin, taking Selis to the second-floor balcony.
She took a heavy Money Pouch from her pocket and without a word tried to place it into Selis’s hand.
“Instructor, this is the money the Empire gave to our family. I’ve kept it in this pouch and barely used it.”
“Madam, what is this for?”
Selis pushed the pouch back, but Madam Mariel looked at her sincerely, worry etched in her eyes.
“Actually, I can tell Meilin came back for another reason, right? If she has caused you any trouble, I apologize on her behalf.”
Bowing deeply, her aged body seemed to grow even older in that moment, and even her once youthful face gained a few more wrinkles.
“Please take this money as compensation for her. We don’t ask for much—we only want to continue living an ordinary life. If this isn’t enough, just say so, and I’ll do my best to gather more…”
With a hint of pleading, Madam Mariel grasped Selis’s arm, unwilling to let go.
As Meilin’s mother, how could she not see her child’s troubled heart?
Since Meilin returned home, she had known she was lying but chose not to expose her.
Still, Selis shook her head and said:
“Madam, you really misunderstand. It’s nothing. She will always live here in the future, and you can continue living like this.”
“Please put it away. Don’t think too much.”
Pushing the Money Pouch back into Madam Mariel’s arms, Selis’s gaze fell on the corner of the corridor where the moonlight revealed the silhouette of a young girl.
“Really? I can tell Meilin has something on her mind. Why exactly did she come back?”
“No matter the reason, with me here, everything will be fine.”
After much effort, Selis convinced Madam Mariel to calm down.
The girl’s shadow then disappeared around the corridor’s corner.
She heard everything?
Originally intending to talk with Meilin, Selis thought better of it and decided to give her some privacy.
Since collapsing in the garden and getting her dress a little dirty, Selis went to the bathroom after persuading Madam Mariel.
The bathroom was filled with mist as she took off the soiled long dress.
Standing before the full-length mirror, she turned slightly to look at her back.
What should have been fair and smooth skin was now covered with bright red whip marks.
As the Saintess of the Empire, it seemed she had suffered brutal abuse in secret.
After admiring them briefly, she curved her lips and stepped toward the bathtub.
But just then—the bathroom door suddenly opened.
Meilin entered, clutching a change of clothes, her face clouded with worry.
The next second, she saw Selis holding her chest, her expression gradually replaced by shock.
“Sorry! I didn’t know you were inside!”
With that, she immediately took two steps back and slammed the bathroom door shut.
Knock, knock, knock—
Leaning against the bathroom door, Meilin’s cheeks flushed red, her heart pounding rapidly.
Despite the misty air, she clearly saw Selis’s perfect figure.
She didn’t consider herself easily tempted, but such an alluring form still stirred her imagination.
But soon she recalled something, furrowing her brows as the thoughts of desire gradually faded.
…Was it just a trick of the light?
Had she really seen… whip marks on Selis’s back?