Chapter 80 Part 2: There’s an Idiot!

The game ended hastily amidst Motifiel’s repeated blunders.

After returning to her room, she flopped onto the bed in frustration, burying her face in the soft pillow.

“So embarrassing,” she muttered gloomily, “if this keeps up, I’ll be kicked out as a fool before I even finish the mission…

Ahhhh!!

How I wish I could become Human!

She rolled over, staring blankly at the ceiling.

Suddenly, she noticed a picture hanging on the wall—a group photo of Liang Lai and several children.

Motifiel moved closer for a look, only to notice something glowing behind the picture frame.

Curious, she took the frame down and found a small crystal hidden behind it.

The crystal emitted a faint blue light and felt icy cold to the touch.

“What is this?” she murmured, instinctively slipping the crystal into her pocket.

At that moment, footsteps sounded outside the door. Motifiel hurriedly hung the frame back up and pretended to tidy the bedding.

“Motifiel?”

Liang Lai pushed the door open.

“Are you settling in okay?” “Y-Yes!”

Motifiel stood up straight, nervous, her hand unconsciously touching the crystal in her pocket.

“It’s wonderful here! It’s a thousand times better than where I used to live!”

Liang Lai smiled, “That’s good. Oh, right, tomorrow I’m going to take you shopping for some new clothes. The ones you have now are all getting worn out.”

“New clothes?” Motifiel’s eyes lit up.

“Yay~”

Looking at the innocent, cheerful child before her, Liang Lai couldn’t help but smile.

“Oh, right, tomorrow I’ll take you shopping, and the day after, I’ll

take you to register your identity. Then, I’ll arrange for Delucia to teach you some basic Etiquette.

After all, you’re my child now—you have to learn these things.”

It really wasn’t that Liang Lai wasn’t in a hurry, but all the clothes at home had already been divided up among the other children, leaving only a clean Nun’s Habit.

Motifiel really did need some regular clothes to change into besides the Nun’s Habit.

Motifiel nodded, feeling both eager and anxious.

She touched the crystal in her pocket, suddenly wondering if this thing might be a Saint Crystal?

After Liang Lai left, she couldn’t wait to pull out the crystal to study it.

The crystal shimmered with a strange glow in the moonlight, and something seemed to be flowing inside.

-“Is this… is this the power of a Saint Crystal?” she whispered, pressing the crystal to her forehead.

However, nothing happened.

“Hmph, it’s nothing at all!” she grumbled angrily, tossing the crystal aside.

Motifiel lay in bed, but she tossed and turned, unable to sleep.

The thought of facing so many things she wasn’t good at again tomorrow made her head ache.

As she lost count of how many times she’d turned over, she suddenly remembered the Library that Liang Lai had shown her during the day—maybe there were books there about Human customs.

With that thought, Motifiel gave up on sleep altogether, excitedly jumping out of bed and dashing to the Library.

Inside the Library, Motifiel rummaged around and actually found two books about Human Etiquette.

“Great!”

Motifiel hugged the two books like treasures, spinning in place, overjoyed—she was even happier than when she thought she’d found a Saint Crystal.

And so, Motifiel spent the whole night in the Library.

The next morning, Motifiel came to the dining room brimming with confidence.

She gracefully pulled out her chair and sat down, her movements so proper that even Dexilensi gave her a second glance.

“Good morning.” She smiled, then gently laid her napkin across her lap.

Liang Lai looked at her, raising an eyebrow.

“You’re improving.”

“I-I practiced a long time last night.” Motifiel smiled, picking up her knife and fork to start breakfast.

This time, her movements were much smoother—still a little stiff, but at least she didn’t make a spectacle of herself.

However, at the very last bite, her hand shook, and the egg on her fork slipped, dropping right into her cup of milk.

Another burst of laughter erupted at the table.

Motifiel blushed as she fished the egg out, annoyed with herself.

This time, she couldn’t blame ignorance of the rules—she was just clumsy.

After breakfast, as promised, Liang Lai took her shopping for clothes—but not in the Dustfolk District; they went to the Church District instead.

It was Motifiel’s first time seeing so many beautiful clothes.

She darted excitedly between shops.

“Does this one look good?” She picked up a dress she fancied.

“It looks great~”

Liang Lai gently ruffled her hair, “Wear whatever you like—no need to ask me. I’m just here to pay~”

Motifiel stared dazedly at the beautiful woman before her.

Is… is this the ‘villain’ their Leader warned about? She actually seems… kind of nice~ Like, like an Angel… No, the Darkspawn should fear Angels…

On the way back, Motifiel hugged her new clothes, a warm feeling in her heart.

She snuck a glance at Liang Lai’s profile, and suddenly

felt that completing her mission didn’t seem so important anymore…

“Liang Lai Mama,” she asked softly, “if I—um, I mean, if I made a mistake, would you forgive me?”

Liang Lai stroked her head gently.

“Of course I would. Everyone makes mistakes; what’s important is to recognize and correct them.”

Motifiel lowered her head, feeling a swirl of emotions.

She touched the crystal in her pocket, suddenly unsure if she should continue with this mission…

No!

Motifiel shook her head vigorously, trying to clear her mind.

Humans and Darkspawn are sworn enemies!

Damn it! She was just bewitched by those awful Humans! After returning to the Court of Purity, Motifiel found the other children playing in the garden.

She hesitated for a moment, then walked over.

“W-want to play together?” she asked timidly.

Dolosa snorted and turned away.

She never welcomed new children, after all—she just couldn’t stand anyone else getting close to Liang Lai.

But Asterys and Delucia nodded.

“Come on.”

Motifiel was overjoyed and hurried to join the game.

Naturally, it ended with Motifiel losing her balance and falling flat on her face.

The children burst out laughing, but this time there was less ridicule and more friendliness in their laughter.

The reason… well, no one would

deliberately pick on a fool, since people like that wouldn’t think of vying for Liang Lai’s affection; and even if they did, they wouldn’t really know how.

Motifiel laughed along with them. Though her knees hurt from the fall, her heart felt inexplicably happy.

That night.

While washing her hair, Motifiel accidentally got shampoo in her eyes, and started wailing in pain.

“What happened?!”

Liang Lai burst into the bathroom, only to see Motifiel stark naked.

Her eyes widened and her cheeks flushed—unsure whether to close her eyes or rush to help.

Y-Yes, she treated the girls she brought home as her own children!

But, no matter what, it was still a fully developed body, and she…

…really did feel shy!

Meanwhile, Motifiel continued her wailing.

“Don’t rub!”

Liang Lai finally chose to help, hurrying to rinse the poor child’s eyes with clean water.

“Close your eyes, it’ll be fine soon.”

Motifiel obediently complied, feeling the gentleness of Liang Lai’s touch.

In that moment, an unfamiliar feeling crept into Motifiel’s heart.

Late at night, Motifiel lay in bed, recalling every detail of the day.

She was truly tired tonight—after sleeping so late last night and spending most of the day out, she’d used up a lot of energy.

Darkspawn need to sleep to recover their strength too, so Motifiel rolled over and soon drifted into dreamland.

In her dream, Motifiel was a child again.

“N-no, stop! Don’t hit me!” she shouted, abruptly waking up.

At that moment, the door was gently pushed open.

Motifiel quickly hid her hand under the blanket, pretending to be asleep.

“Motifiel?” Liang Lai called softly, “Are you asleep?”

Motifiel didn’t dare respond.

“Strange, I could’ve sworn I heard something… thought you were having a nightmare.” Liang Lai muttered.

Liang Lai stood by the bed for a while, sighed softly, then bent down to plant a gentle kiss on Motifiel’s forehead.

“Good night, little Mo,” Liang Lai whispered almost inaudibly.

Motifiel’s heart almost stopped.

After Liang Lai left, she sat up abruptly.

That kiss… was so gentle.

Tears welled up inexplicably in Motifiel’s eyes. She wiped them away and lay back down on the bed.