While saying this, Kassy tried to hug Celitia's arm.

The moment she touched her hand, Celitia shook her off.

"Since you always like to overthink things, then use that fingernail-sized brain of yours and think carefully about what Sophia's attitude toward this matter really is."

Celitia couldn't be bothered to explain to Kassy.

Sophia had Kassy keep it from her precisely because she was worried Celitia would object. Now that she was volunteering to go herself, Sophia would be too happy to even blame Kassy.

Kassy: "..."

This sharp tongue was something she wasn't quite used to, yet it felt somewhat familiar.

Master clearly never used to speak to her like this.

She really hoped Master could be more tactful and patient with her like before...

Kassy's gaze toward Celitia became even more resentful.

Just then, sounds came from downstairs—someone had returned.

"Kassy? Are you here?"

Sophia's voice rang out from outside as she climbed the stairs, walked through the corridor, and hurried toward the bedroom with its door left open.

Kassy quickly stepped back, hiding beside Celitia, reaching out to grab the watering can from the windowsill while putting on a nonchalant expression.

"Kassy?"

Sophia walked to the doorway and peered inside, immediately spotting the thin figure with light gray long curls sitting at the desk.

She was instantly stunned, an involuntary trace of guilt appearing on her face.

"Lily, so you're here?" Sophia coughed lightly. "I thought you would go ask Teacher Meilan for guidance this afternoon."

"That was the original plan."

Celitia responded casually, turning her head back from the chair.

"But Teacher Meilan had something come up suddenly today, so the arrangement was canceled."

"I... I see..."

Already feeling guilty, Sophia didn't dare look at her and quickly shifted her gaze to Kassy beside her.

Looking at this, Sophia also felt something was wrong—why was Kassy holding the watering can upside down?

The two guilty parties looked at each other, and Celitia, watching this, couldn't help but find it amusing as she spoke calmly:

"I heard from Kassy that you plan to meet Saintess Ariel this afternoon?"

"You... you know?"

Sophia's eyes widened in apparent disbelief, and she couldn't help but glare fiercely at Kassy.

Kassy fumblingly turned the watering can right-side up, slightly hunched her back, and gave Sophia an innocent and flattering smile.

"Yes," Celitia nodded, "can I go with you?"

"Eh??" Sophia's eyes widened even more.

She had thought that after Celitia found out, she would definitely be angry and demand that she abandon this decision.

Honestly, Sophia was a bit like a startled bird now.

Just now she had been so frightened her heart was pounding, afraid that Celitia would once again propose to leave this place.

"You mean you want to go with us?" Sophia couldn't help but confirm once more.

Celitia nodded again.

Only then did Sophia completely relax, letting out a long breath from her chest.

Thank goodness.

She hadn't been disliked by Celitia because of this arbitrary decision.

This should also mean that Celitia wasn't as resistant to seeking help from the Church as before, right?

Sophia didn't know if her choice was correct, but this was the only way she could think of to help Celitia.

No matter what, she hoped Celitia could be saved from that boundless suffering.

Watching Sophia's relieved expression, Celitia pursed her lips slightly, feeling somewhat uncomfortable.

The reaction she had shown that day and the words she had spoken must have deeply hurt Sophia.

As a princess, she should have been heaven's favored daughter.

Celitia preferred to see that Sophia who was like the blazing sun, holding her head high, fearless of everything.

Not like now, watching her expression carefully, treading on eggshells, afraid of the slightest displeasure.

But Celitia didn't know how to speak to her about it.

Once the dark flames in her heart ignited, they could never be extinguished.

She could only endure, suppressing them with all her reason, hiding them in the deepest part of her heart.

If she accidentally said something unnecessary...

Then this wall she had worked so hard to build would come crashing down, revealing to her those dark things she didn't want her to know.

Her lips trembled slightly, but in the end Celitia couldn't say anything, only asking quietly: "When are we planning to go?"

Sophia could sense that Celitia's emotions seemed to have changed slightly, but she didn't dare ask.

"Let's get ready and leave." Sophia chose to answer Celitia's question. "I arranged to meet Ariel at Cassia Cathedral. It's a bit far from the academy, so we should leave early."

She paused slightly, explaining quite reluctantly: "Ariel really hates people who aren't punctual."

"Then I'll go prepare too."

Kassy said softly, carrying the empty watering can as she walked toward the door.

Looking at the nightgown Celitia was wearing, Sophia also stepped back, planning to leave.

"Sophia."

But Celitia called out to her, her voice clear and ethereal, echoing continuously in the quiet bedroom.

Sophia stopped in her tracks, looking up in confusion: "What is it?"

Celitia looked quietly at Sophia, gazing deeply into the girl's clear, boundless sky-blue eyes.

Even knowing that letting Kassy contact Ariel might cause consequences greater than the benefits.

But Celitia not only didn't stop it, she even took the initiative to step forward herself.

Perhaps it was because she was already tired of hiding and had begun to wait for the day when the truth would come to light.

She wanted to know—if Sophia learned about everything she had been concealing, what would her reaction be?

Would those eyes burn with anger, wanting to tear her to pieces?

Celitia faintly showed a bitter smile.

Maybe she was actually secretly looking forward to that moment's arrival.

But this crazy thought only flowed through her mind for a moment before being forcibly suppressed by Celitia.

"No, it's nothing."

Celitia said softly, slowly curving her lips upward, showing Sophia a smile.

"I'm very much looking forward to meeting that famous Saintess."

Sophia nodded without understanding: "Then I'll wait for you in the living room."

Turning to leave the bedroom and closing the door, Sophia stood stunned at the doorway for a long time without taking a step.

Just now, Celitia seemed like she wanted to say something to her but didn't say it.

And her final smile seemed to contain indescribable sadness.

Sophia slowly pressed her hand tightly to her chest.

This heart kept rising and falling with her joys and sorrows.

She wasn't used to it, yet she was willing to accept it.

What exactly did she need to do to truly enter her heart...