Volume 6, Chapter 81 – A Bittersweet Surprise

In the quiet bedroom, where dust motes drifted through the golden sunlight, a faint floral fragrance lingered in the modest space. Originally, the scent in the room would have been bitter, reminiscent of a pharmacy, but now it had been replaced by the deep orchid aroma of purple irises.

This was Nola’s bedroom. She was currently checking her attire in a floor-length mirror. Instead of her usual casual wear, she had chosen a white dress that matched her red hair, with a hemline that reached just to her knees. Previously, she had disliked such breezy dresses, feeling that her thighs might be exposed with the slightest movement, but after carefully dressing herself before the mirror, she had to admit that whether one was human or beastman, they truly were creatures that relied on their clothes.

Now, she was far more dazzling than before. Her long, fiery red hair seemed even more striking against the white dress, and her entire being had gained the youthful vitality of a young girl. If she were to stand on a grassy slope teeming with flowers while holding a bouquet, she might even be mistaken for an elf of the woods. Just walking out the door like this would surely draw the gazes of countless people.

Of course, she hadn’t dressed this way out of a sudden vanity; today was a special day.

She had finally gathered the courage to take the first step.

Today was the day she would convey her feelings to her beloved—simply put, it was the day of her confession.

Realizing this, Nola’s lips curled into a giggle she didn’t even notice. She pulled an envelope from her bodice, pinching a corner with her thumb and forefinger. The pink envelope didn’t suit Nola’s style at all, but it was indeed the result of her personally selecting and folding it, then placing the letter inside with her own hands. Only after confirming there were no creases on the envelope did she satisfiedly return it to its place.

“Hah..”

She couldn’t help but let out a long breath, talking to the person in the mirror as if to cheer herself up.

“I’ve made it this far, I can’t be nervous anymore…”

Over the past few days, everything that needed to be settled had been taken care of—be it the restoration work of the Weeping Mountains or the Fire Cat Tribe’s decision to support Tilulu as Queen. Everything had been handled properly, and Silvar had already delivered the first batch of grain to the tribe. There was no more business to attend to. Although not all the nobles in the tribe approved of Tilulu, the voices of opposition were quickly resolved. Now, she finally had free time to settle her lifelong happiness.

Colita had been right when she was drunk in the Elf Royal Capital: if you don’t speak your heart, the other person will never know what you’re thinking. Claire was the warning example—she had already suffered that loss once. Despite the various problems she faced now, if she didn’t take the first step, she would have nothing.

Especially now, after receiving guidance from Lady Goddess—that day, Ruth had told Nola not to hesitate over the things in front of her. Just because others failed didn’t mean she would. She had to prepare her sincerity and bravely speak her mind in one go. Even her current choice of attire and timing were Ruth’s ideas.

One point was particularly important, giving Nola a sense of enlightenment: Ruth had explained that Nola was currently in heat, so her choices might not be rational. From Fia’s rejection of Tilulu, it was clear that Fia was a person of principles. If Nola acted too rashly, Fia might reject the confession on the grounds that Nola was still in her estrus period. At the same time, Nola herself should wait until she calmed down before making a decision.

These words were like a prophecy, so Nola followed her Goddess’s advice completely and waited until today.

The fact was, even after her heat passed, the feelings in her heart for Fia hadn’t diminished at all. Every move Fia made attracted her, to the point that even a water cup Fia had used radiated an infinite temptation that she found impossible to resist.

She had to properly convey her feelings.

“Is Nola still not ready?”

Ruth’s voice came from outside the door. For the sake of her “daughter’s” lifelong happiness, Ruth had not returned to the Weeping Mountains these past few days.

Ruth continued to urge her.

“Caring too much about details will only make you miss the opportunity. That Elf Princess has been waiting for you for five minutes. Wait any longer, and her family might come over. Do you want to hand over a love letter in front of everyone?”

How could I ever have the courage to confess in front of Claire!

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At the thought of the possibility of Claire coming over, Nola’s legs went weak. If Tilulu’s warning example was the first hurdle in her heart, then Claire’s existence was definitely the second. She didn’t know how to face Claire. If Claire got angry, no matter what Claire said or did, she wouldn’t complain or resist; she only hoped Claire would forgive her and allow her to stay by Fia’s side, even if it was just as a servant.

Stopping her final checks, Nola hurriedly opened the door. Ruth, who had been waiting at the entrance for a long time, crossed her arms with a smile like an elder watching a junior.

“I went out of my way to notify her that my precious daughter had something to say just to call that Elf Princess over, yet you made her wait outside for so long. If it were me, I wouldn’t have been able to stop myself from pushing the door open to find you.”

“I… I’m sorry. I was just worried about whether my clothes were on right, or if my hair needed a bit more tidying…”

“No one notices those details. Be a bit bolder. Remember the points I told you. First, ask her to accept your letter, and then bravely explain your heart when you hand it over—something like ‘I can’t live without you’ or the like—and finally, give her a firm hug.”

“But those words… I’ll definitely be laughed at…”

Nola’s cheeks flushed instantly, and she lowered her head. Such sappy words were too difficult for her, let alone a direct embrace.

Ruth couldn’t help but roll her eyes. She knocked Nola on the head as if disciplining her own daughter.

“You could say ‘I’ve found the person most important to me’ in front of me back then, but now that it’s just for that Elf Princess, why are you being so shy? Don’t worry about whether it’s shameful or not; getting what you want is what’s real. If you don’t get it, you have nothing. Didn’t you say you’ve already suffered from not speaking up?”

Although she knew Ruth’s words were correct, Nola still lacked the courage to agree directly. She tucked her tail and responded weakly.

“I… I’ll try my best…”

“It’s not trying your best, it’s a must. Don’t come looking for me crying later, regretting why you didn’t cast aside your pride and give it your all. I’ll wait for you right here. Go on out. She’s under that tree to the left of the entrance, hiding in the alley.”

Not wanting to see Nola dally any longer, Ruth simply pushed Nola’s back, forcing her out of the entrance hall. She then quietly shifted into her ghost form, passing through the ceiling and walls to arrive at a bright red-tiled roof, overlooking her foolish daughter from afar.

Whether it was a coincidence or some sort of premonition, Fia hadn’t chosen to wait for Nola in the plaza in front of the mansion entrance. Instead, she chose a secluded corner near the plaza, under a tree shielded by garden plants. She also seemed exceptionally nervous, constantly peeking toward the intersection as if waiting for the moment Nola stepped out of the residence.

She definitely saw through it.

Sitting on the sloping roof, Ruth’s lips curved into a smile. As the Princess of the Kingdom of Death, she had peered into the memories of countless souls. Even without experience in love as a human, she could spot the signs. When Nola was fighting her, she let Fia hear a statement like “I’ve found the person most important to me,” and combined with her own mysterious notification for Fia to come over, and Fia waiting for so long without impatiently pushing the door in… clearly, this Elf Princess realized her daughter had fallen for her.

It was something to look forward to.

Even though she wasn’t the one in love, Ruth felt an unexpected sense of trepidation and nervousness. This wasn’t the fear faced against a strong enemy, but a longing for something beautiful. It was something that could never be experienced in the unchanging world of the undead. She couldn’t help but feel a flutter in her heart, even thinking how wonderful it would be if she were human. The new things she had seen over these few days were richer than the life she had spent over the past hundred years, reaching a point that left her dazzled.

No, this thought is too weak.

She quickly denied the wavering in her heart and concentrated on waiting for the moment Nola walked out of the door.

That moment arrived soon, but her brow furrowed.

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What is going on?

Just as Nola was about to walk out the door, a White Tiger girl with flowing gray hair and white fluffy ears on her head arrived before Fia first. This girl was dressed in purple finery, like a unicorn born in a sea of lavender; she had obviously dressed up carefully before coming over. This girl kept her hands behind her back, also pinching something like an envelope. From her shy, blushing expression, what she was about to do was likely identical to Nola.

Ruth had seen this White Tiger girl before; this was the girl named Tilulu Lujue, the soon-to-be crowned Queen of Cold Night.

For two people to choose the same day, and even the same moment to confess—how could such a thing happen?

Even Ruth had never seen such a scene. She immediately thought of stopping Nola from leaving, but it was too late. Nola had already stepped out of the gate, then after a bit of observation, spotted Tilulu walking toward Fia. Naturally, Nola froze on the spot.

Now there’s trouble…

Whether the Elf Princess rejected Tilulu or accepted her, it wouldn’t make things easy for Nola.

Tch, this seed of polygamy! Lecherous! Shameless!

Ruth cursed loudly in her heart, but she quickly stopped because she remembered that what her daughter wanted to do was something similar. What she really needed to worry about was what would happen if the Elf Princess wasn’t “polygamous” enough.

What on earth is this?

The world of the living is truly complicated.

While Ruth was worried, Nola’s heart was also suspended at its peak. She saw Tilulu, and she also discovered the letter Tilulu was hiding behind her. Without a doubt, Tilulu was doing the same thing as her.

Wasn’t Tilulu rejected? How is she still…

She swallowed hard with difficulty, her legs following along slowly as if out of control. Hiding at a corner of the wall, she carefully peeked at the meeting between Tilulu and Fia. Although there was a certain distance from the tree where Fia was, and the early spring breeze was quite noisy, she was a Fire Cat with excellent hearing. As long as she pricked up her cat ears, she could still hear the conversation between Tilulu and Fia.

Blushing, Tilulu handed a light purple envelope to Fia with both hands, seemingly exceptionally embarrassed. One of her feet was unconsciously tracing circles. Fia’s face was full of surprise, her mouth hanging open.

“This is…?”

Looking at the thing in her hand that could be called a love letter, Fia’s eyes were filled with bafflement. Before she came, she had guessed that Ruth’s notification was likely because Nola wanted to do something like a confession. Thus, she had prepared herself early and was waiting for Nola to come out. She hadn’t expected the first person to arrive would be Tilulu.

“This is for… for Lady Fia…”

Without looking at Fia’s face, Tilulu turned her head away, her hands behind her back. But Fia could still tell from Tilulu’s pink cheeks that she was being shy.

“It won’t be long before I have to go to the Royal Capital to take office. By then, I won’t have much time to accompany you, so I wanted to tell you my feelings this way…”

“Didn’t we agree to talk about this after Tilulu becomes an adult?”

Accepting the letter, Fia spread her hands with a bitter smile.

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However, Tilulu suddenly raised her head, her eyebrows arching unhappily, and even her tail swayed back and forth, revealing an aggressive posture.

“But that doesn’t stop me from telling you my feelings one more time, does it! You’re so unromantic! It wouldn’t hurt to just agree to me… Miss Claire doesn’t even mind. As long as I can be with you, I… I don’t mind being after Sister Anna and Sister Liti.”

“This isn’t something someone of Tilulu’s age should be considering, right?”

“You’re the one who insisted on pushing me onto the throne, you know! Do you think someone my age is suitable to be King?”

“Eh…”

That was indeed an irrefutable question. To be honest, a child of Tilulu’s age should be properly enjoying her childhood; it was far too early to be King.

It was just that Tilulu’s parents were gone, and there was no time for her to slowly learn how to be a Queen.

Fia’s troubled expression brought a look of satisfaction to Tilulu’s face. She let out a light huff like a young girl who was angry and needed comforting.

“Hmph. Anyway, I have to tell you my heart properly. If you forget me, I won’t just cry for you to see, I’ll go to Sister Claire and complain!”

Complaining to Claire is just too strange.

Fia didn’t know how to answer for a moment. Could it be that without her knowing, Claire had started treating Tilulu as a daughter? Then wouldn’t she be…

Fia’s gaze toward Tilulu became strange.

“Then I’m leaving! Sister Anna might still be waiting for me in the forest.”

“Ah, take care. Don’t work too hard and tire yourself out.”

Fia’s concern was instinctive, but Tilulu suddenly turned back as if remembering something. She pitter-pattered over to Fia, then suddenly jumped up like a little bird, her small lips pecking Fia’s left cheek once.

“Hey…”

“This is my mark~”

Tilulu gave another proud huff, but she couldn’t hide the shyness in her eyes. She quickly ran out of the secluded corner, looking more like a mouse that had been caught stealing food by its owner and was fleeing in panic.

Tilulu’s face might be as red as an apple right now.

Fia had that premonition.

This girl, who was like a daughter, a sister, and even carried the attributes of a child-wife, was becoming bolder and bolder. She didn’t know whether to call it a good or bad thing.

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Right, Nola.

She had come here to see Nola.

Fia suddenly remembered her purpose. She hurriedly looked toward the mansion entrance, but as it turned out, no one was there.

This guy is too slow.

But considering Nola’s easily embarrassed personality, it seemed within reason.

Then, out of the corner of her eye, Fia spotted a fiery red ear poking out from the corner of the wall. At first, Fia thought she had seen it wrong, but relying on an Elf’s excellent vision, she discovered this fiery red ear was twitching once every now and then.

Coupled with the seventh-rank mana feedback from [Magic Perception], it was eighty percent likely that stupid cat.

She probably saw Tilulu handing over a love letter or something and didn’t dare come forward. Considering all the problems Nola faced—like worrying about Claire’s opinion, or how the scene of her rejecting Tilulu might make her lose confidence—whether she accepted Tilulu’s letter or not was difficult for her. If she accepted it, Nola would feel superfluous; if she didn’t, Nola would feel if Tilulu had no chance, she wouldn’t either. Nola might have already started beating a retreat in her heart.

In all fairness, this would be an easy matter for her; as long as the feelings weren’t spoken, she could pretend not to know. But that would be unfair to Nola. An unrequited love was always bitter and arduous. Thinking of how Nola had drunkenly caused a ruckus in the bath after learning Claire and she were together… better not let her keep her feelings bottled up. She would face Nola using the method she had decided on during this time.

Fia put her hands on her hips and shouted loudly toward Nola without any reservation.

“If you don’t come out now, I’m leaving! Just how long are you going to dawdle!”

Finally, the ear poking out from the corner stopped twitching. Its owner seemed to be hesitating, and only after a long while did she walk out slowly.

Then, Fia saw Nola’s face, which looked as though she was about to cry. Her ears and tail were drooping together. Her reddened eyes and the crystalline liquid at the corners were all evidence of her sadness—or rather, there was already grief and bitterness in her expression, as painful as a heartbreak.

Huh?

Is she crying?

What is wrong with this guy?

Her mind full of question marks, Fia instinctively moved forward, but thinking of what she was about to do next, she stopped. She waited slowly for Nola—who was desperately adjusting her emotions and biting her lip—to come over, her eyes full of helplessness.

She hadn’t expected this brash Fire Cat would be a crybaby here. Although it was only to the extent of reddened eyes, it was enough to change one’s impression of her. Clearly her heat had ended, yet her emotional fluctuations were still so large.

Yet, thinking that the culprit was herself, Fia couldn’t bring herself to smile and forced her expression to remain tense.

I am truly a sinful person.