Several days had passed since then.

Celitia sat at her desk, reading by the sunlight streaming through the window.

The afternoon slanting sun passed through the fluttering gauze curtains, falling on the wooden desk and gilding its edges with a dazzling golden border.

The rustling sound of turning pages continuously echoed in the bedroom, until a series of knocking sounds arose, covering it up.

Celitia didn't get up, nor did she respond, as if she hadn't heard the sounds from outside.

The knocking continued for a while before finally stopping, then the door handle turned as someone opened the door from outside and walked in with measured steps.

Her fingertips turned another page of the book. Celitia didn't turn her head back, saying flatly: "I didn't invite you in."

"Ah, sorry."

A somewhat cool voice sounded from behind her as Kassy pretended to be surprised and covered her mouth.

"There was no response to my knocking, so I thought Master wasn't here."

Celitia couldn't be bothered to turn around, only curling her lips disdainfully.

The shoes she had taken off were clearly placed right at the entrance—Kassy couldn't possibly not know, she was just playing dumb.

The elf carried a watering can in her hand, walked to the side of the desk, leaned forward, and watered the plants on the windowsill.

Watching the clear water overflow the soil in the pot and seep out from the bottom of the flowerpot, Kassy smiled with satisfaction.

"Who taught you to water flowers like this?"

Celitia's gaze swept outside the window, and she couldn't help but comment coldly.

"Coming to water them in the middle of the day—fortunately it's winter now. If this were summer, this poor flower would have been killed by your watering long ago."

"Master..."

Kassy lowered her head pitifully, staring at the girl at the desk with eyes full of resentment. "You never used to say such things."

In the past, she had always been so patient and gentle, tolerating them without limits.

It seemed that no matter what wrong they did, they could ultimately be forgiven.

All her ruthlessness was only reserved for enemies.

This also gave Kassy enough fantasy.

A few days ago, Celitia had given her harsh words, and Kassy had restrained herself for a while, only obediently acting as a cleaning maid without doing anything extra.

As the days passed one by one, thinking that Celitia's attitude had softened somewhat, Kassy's old habits began to resurface.

Having once been favored, Kassy still harbored a sense of fearlessness even now.

Moreover...

Kassy's gaze falling on Celitia became even more intoxicated.

Although Master's personality had changed and her words had become harsher, her heart had become softer. Compared to her formerly seemingly invulnerable self, she was much more endearing now.

That forcibly supported sense of brokenness was sweetly heart-stirring.

As long as she persisted a bit more and showed more consideration, she would definitely be able to gain her forgiveness and return to her side.

"I was just too lazy to say it before." Celitia shifted her attention back to the book in her hands, answering carelessly. "And now, rather than considering your feelings, it's more important to consider my own feelings."

Kassy put down the watering can and looked at Celitia with resentment.

"Of course I know that watering at noon is bad for plants. But Master has locked herself in her room, so Kassy had to find an excuse to come in."

Kassy slowly walked behind Celitia, placed her hands on Celitia's shoulders, and began gently massaging with her slender fingers.

"Master's mood hasn't been very good these past few days, and your interaction with Princess Sophia seems a bit strange too. Did something happen?"

Celitia said coldly: "That has nothing to do with you."

She had thought that she and Sophia had disguised things well enough these past few days, but she hadn't expected Kassy to still notice.

Then again, they had been so careful, afraid of overstepping boundaries by even a step.

Probably not just Kassy—there should be more people who had noticed, they just hadn't asked about it to their faces.

"Of course it's related."

Kassy replied softly, "Princess Sophia is such an excellent person, shining bright like the sun. Even watching from afar, I feel dazzled. If Master wants to be with Princess Sophia, there would probably be many, many concerns."

"So?"

Celitia raised an eyebrow slightly, her knuckles tightening a bit as a questioning syllable escaped from her throat.

The massaging hands applied a bit more force, and Kassy leaned down, moving closer to Celitia's ear, a hint of small satisfaction jumping in her eyes.

"The one who understands Master best, is closest to Master, and shares fate with Master—isn't that me?"

Looking at the earlobe so close at hand, Kassy forcibly restrained the urge to bite it, breathing like orchids near Celitia's ear.

"Why not turn around and look at me? Kassy is right behind Master, always, always waiting for Master to change her mind..."

Celitia's hand turning the page paused slightly.

She calmly closed the book in her hands, turned her body sideways, and turned her head back as requested.

Wild joy floated in Kassy's emerald eyes, with expectations almost overflowing from her face.

"Interesting."

The girl raised an eyebrow slightly, her misty purple eyes containing surprise, her words full of sarcasm.

"You want me to turn around and look at you—to see how you're scheming to cut off my retreat?"

Being questioned like this, Kassy immediately changed color, her cheeks turning pale as she shook her head frantically.

"Master, I know you still don't trust me, but I really already know I was wrong and will never dare again… Moreover, I was just acting on behalf of Her Majesty Flora and Lord Kristin at most. I could only be considered an accomplice..."

The elf spoke hesitantly, revealing a trace of grievance and longing in her eyes.

She genuinely felt that she was neither the planner nor the executor—at most, she had just helped those two.

Since Master hadn't actually died... she should be forgivable, right?

Celitia looked at her strangely.

If Kassy had been tougher and willing to admit what she had done, even though Celitia never planned to forgive her, she could at least view her with a peaceful mindset.

But from beginning to end, Kassy only thought about shirking responsibility.

The things she had done seemed like they were all forced by others.

"You want to say that it was all Flora and Kristin's fault and had nothing to do with you?"

Celitia asked coldly, "And as long as I didn't die, those things can be written off?"

Only then did Kassy suddenly realize that in her words just now, she had been shirking responsibility a bit too much.

She hurriedly shook her head vigorously, trying to remedy the situation:

"Of course not. All these days, I've been reflecting every day, regretting every day, and trying my best to make amends..."

Celitia let out a cold laugh from her throat, staring intently at Kassy:

"Then tell me, who saved you, who sent you to my side, and what exactly are they planning?"

"I already explained to Master a few days ago—it was Countess Meilenn who redeemed me from prison."

Kassy's expression became even more aggrieved.

"But I always wanted to return to Master's side, and only after repeated pleading did I get this job opportunity from the Dean..."