Seeing Celitia's expression, Sophia found it extremely novel.

"I thought you weren't afraid of anything, but you're actually afraid of mice?"

Celitia's cheeks flushed red in embarrassment, and she shouted in desperation:

"So what if I'm afraid?! Creatures like mice should be extinct from the earth!!"

Very few people knew that a certain former commander of the Templar Knights, who struck fear into people's hearts, had such a small weakness.

This weakness had existed since her previous life and she still couldn't overcome it.

These tiny creatures with pointed snouts, super long tails, and what felt like countless dirty things...

Wouldn't it be strange NOT to be afraid of them?!

Seeing that Sophia was still fiddling with that mouse repeatedly, Celitia broke down:

"Throw it out! Immediately! Right now!!"

"Oh..."

Sophia thought this little thing was quite cute, but since Celitia had spoken, she could only regretfully carry the mouse outside.

Throwing the gray mouse toward the grass outside the garden, Sophia waved at it:

"Go quickly, little thing. Don't come here again next time."

When Sophia returned, she found that Celitia had already changed her shoes and was repeatedly mopping the floor in the kitchen.

Her obsession with cleanliness was indeed still the same as always...

Just as Sophia was thinking this, Celitia looked up, and her first question was: "Did you wash your hands?"

Sophia answered weakly: "Not yet..."

"Go quickly!"

"Oh..."

The dignified Princess was being ordered around by Celitia like a little wife, yet she wore a somewhat silly smile on her face.

Worried that Celitia would mind, Sophia carefully washed her hands thoroughly before returning to the kitchen.

Celitia had already toasted the bread and was walking out carrying a plate.

The broken plate fragments had been cleaned up, and the floor was mopped spotlessly clean.

It really felt quite domestic.

Without realizing it, a faint sweetness rose in Sophia's heart.

She sat down at the dining table, supporting her face with both hands. She didn't immediately start eating, only knowing to stare at Celitia with a silly grin.

Celitia couldn't stand being stared at like this and couldn't help asking: "What are you looking at me for?"

"I, I wasn't staring at you."

Sophia suddenly came to her senses, hurriedly covering her face and forcing herself to shift her gaze to the toast in front of her.

Celitia bit into her toast in frustration and said unhappily: "If you want to laugh at me, just laugh. You don't need to hold it in."

"I'm not."

Sophia tilted her head, secretly lifting her eyes to look at the girl's cheeks that still hadn't lost their blush and her expression of mixed shame and annoyance, a smile appearing at the corners of her lips.

"I just think... Lily is so cute."

Celitia was startled and embarrassedly lowered her eyes: "Don't use words like 'cute' to describe me."

"But you really are cute?" Sophia said with a smile. "If you're not convinced, you can also find a word to describe me."

"Wild person." Celitia said without hesitation.

"Eh??" Sophia's eyes widened.

Celitia quickly shut her mouth: "Nothing, you heard wrong."

"I heard it!" Sophia was both angry and amused. "You said 'wild person,' right!!"

As expected, Celitia was still Celitia—her tongue was still so sharp!

"I didn't say anything." Celitia refused to admit it to the death.

"I definitely heard it!!"

Celitia pretended not to hear, only focusing on eating the toast on her plate.

Breakfast time passed in this relaxed and pleasant atmosphere.

Sophia felt the timing was about right and finally asked the question that had been weighing on her heart:

"Lily, about what happened last night, would you be willing to tell me more details?"

Her long eyelashes trembled slightly. Celitia didn't dare look at Sophia's expression, only lowering her eyes and staring blankly at the empty plate in front of her.

She had so many secrets.

Discovering one would lead to another.

If those unspeakable things were known by Sophia, she would definitely feel fear and disgust toward her.

Clearly, she had once used every means possible to push Sophia away harshly, to make her stay far from herself.

But she didn't know from when, Celitia had become accustomed to her presence.

Actually... just a little bit...

She couldn't accept her leaving.

Her teeth bit tightly into her lower lip, leaving a deep mark on that thin lip.

After a long time, Celitia spoke with difficulty: "Can you please not ask any more, Sophia?"

In her misty purple eyes, Sophia once again saw that wasteland—vast and boundless, with not a blade of grass growing.

Her heart felt as if something was gripping it, waves of pain washing over her.

"I don't want to pry into your secrets. I just hope I can help you."

Sophia spoke earnestly, her expression gentle yet firm.

"What I said last night, every word was true. If possible, I'm willing to bear it together with you."

"I still say the same thing," Celitia's voice was slightly hoarse. "You'll regret it."

Sophia felt somewhat hurt: "Don't you trust me?"

Celitia remained silent.

Because human hearts could change.

No matter how many vows of eternal love there had been, when hearts changed and interests were no longer aligned, people would only want to reclaim everything they had given.

Why go to that point?

Looking at the silent girl, Sophia felt that her already gripped heart hurt even more intensely.

Had someone once promised her something, only to regret it later?

Otherwise, why would she show such an expression...?

Clearly still standing at the starting point, yet seeming to have already seen the shattered ending.

She sighed: "Fine, if you don't trust me, then you don't trust me."

Celitia's body trembled slightly, not knowing whether what she felt in her heart was disappointment or relief.

Had she given up?

A hand reached over from across the table, grasping her hand and firmly interlocking their five fingers.

Sophia smiled slightly, her face full of confidence: "Then I'll just work a little harder to slowly earn your trust."

Celitia looked up in a daze and saw the girl's bright smile, like a warm breeze rushing toward her.

This time, she didn't shake off Sophia's hand.

"If the curse has another attack, you must tell me!" Sophia insisted, "You absolutely cannot lock yourself in a room alone again! This is an order!! Hey, did you hear me? Hey, Lily!!"

Her tone was matter-of-fact, full of commands and firmness, yet it wasn't annoying.

For the umpteenth time, Celitia resigned herself to fate once again.

"I heard," she said almost in resignation, "Yes, Your Highness."

Getting Celitia's answer, Sophia's eyes brightened, and she gave her another radiant smile.

This not-so-smooth breakfast finally ended. With no time to clean up the aftermath, the two hurriedly left the house.

From the villa's garden came the crisp sounds of scissors trimming branches and leaves.

So there was someone responsible for tending this garden?

Attracted by the sound, Celitia couldn't help but glance in that direction.

When she clearly saw the figure bent over tending to the branches and leaves, noticing the flowing light blue long hair and pointed ears, Celitia's breathing couldn't help but pause.

What was going on?

Why was Kassy here?