Celitia thought that Gorman had been right to hide his identity all along.

If possible, she really didn't want to get involved in these matters.

According to Gorman, she only had a quarter of the bloodline and originally might not even have awakened her inherited memories.

Yet it had come to this...

Was it because she had caught the attention of that mysterious "Goddess of Night"?

Thinking of the strange mark that had appeared on the inside of her wrist and the sudden eruption of bizarre power, Celitia fell into silence.

She realized that cooperating with Gorman was indeed a path she had no choice but to take.

"Alright, I agree."

Celitia quickly gave her answer.

If she was destined to embark on an unknown path, she could only seek more possibilities while being forced to accept it.

"Agreeing so quickly?" Gorman smiled at Celitia. "I haven't even mentioned the second condition yet."

"I don't think I have any reason to refuse," Celitia said flatly. "So, what is the second condition?"

Gorman's slightly serious expression softened:

"The second condition is that, while keeping it from Sophia, please don't refuse our compensation. This comes from parental guilt and is the feeling we urgently want to express. So please don't keep us at arm's length, alright?"

Celitia slowly lowered her eyelids.

Refusing to acknowledge her relationship with them, not letting them tell Sophia the truth—in the end, all of this was Celitia's own selfishness.

For Gorman and Marianne, how could they have wanted to mix up their children?

She was suffering because of this, but they were also suffering deeply because of it.

It wasn't Gorman and Marianne's fault. She should give them a chance to relieve their pain.

Celitia struggled for a long time before finally nodding slowly:

"Alright, I agree to this condition too."

Marianne breathed a huge sigh of relief and hugged the girl tightly, choking up again:

"My daughter... thank goodness... I'll never lose you again..."

Gorman's face showed traces of fatigue. He was truly tired this time.

"Alright, I need to rest for a while—it should really just be a while. When I wake up, have Augustus come see me."

Marianne looked at him worriedly: "Are you really... going to be okay?"

Marianne had only understood the gist of what Gorman had said.

Without doubt, Gorman wasn't ill but was caught in a crisis.

"It's fine. You should trust your husband's abilities." Gorman smiled at her. "As long as you're all well, that's the greatest support for me."

He waved his hand. "Alright, you should go out first and have a good talk."

Despite her lingering worries, Marianne chose to trust Gorman and nodded gently at him.

"Let's go."

Taking Celitia's hand, Marianne led her out of the bedchamber.

After walking out, both spoke in unison:

"Your Majesty the Queen."

"Celitia."

Before Celitia could say goodbye, Marianne intercepted her words:

"Walk with me in the garden, Celitia."

Seeing the undried tear tracks at the corners of Marianne's eyes, Celitia couldn't bear to refuse and nodded.

The hand holding hers gripped very tightly. Celitia struggled a bit but couldn't break free.

Looking up at Marianne's profile and feeling that determination, Celitia had to give up.

The two walked hand in hand, shoulder to shoulder, onto the gravel path of the garden.

However, contrary to Celitia's expectations, Marianne didn't continue with mother-daughter emotional topics.

"Last night, I had the guards investigate all the ball guests, and we really did uncover quite a few petty criminals."

Marianne's voice was slightly cold. "At my birthday ball, so many people dared to fish in troubled waters. This time I'll make sure they learn their lesson."

"Of course," Celitia responded. "We can't let these audacious people go."

Marianne's words made Celitia involuntarily recall Bren, who had disappeared into black shadows under her hands.

If that erupting power truly came from demonic bloodline and that mysterious Goddess of Night...

Could she tell Marianne about these secrets hidden in her heart?

While Celitia was conflicted, Marianne suddenly spoke:

"Besides that, there are some other troubling matters that concern me—someone went missing at the ball."

Celitia's heart jumped: "Who?"

But the name Marianne said next was unexpected for Celitia:

"Charlotte disappeared. Yesterday, her father Fels searched all night, and this morning he came specifically to see me. I've already sent guards to search through the night, but still got no results. I could only advise him to go back and rest first."

"What?" Celitia blurted out. "Charlotte too...?!"

"Too?" Marianne keenly caught that word. "It seems you might know some inside information. There were indeed other missing persons besides Charlotte at the ball."

Celitia's voice became increasingly hoarse: "I... I don't know anything."

Feeling the wariness in Celitia's words, sadness appeared on Marianne's beautiful face.

"I am your mother, Celitia. You don't need to worry that I would harm you."

Marianne's voice was extremely firm. "No matter what happens, I will be by your side, always protecting you."

Celitia was slightly stunned.

That indescribable feeling surged in her chest again.

Like stumbling around outside, not knowing how many walls she'd hit, how much criticism she'd faced, how many dangers she'd encountered, and when wanting to escape, there would always be someone behind her lighting a lamp to guide her home.

Very... warm.

"Your Majesty Marianne," Celitia's voice was slightly hoarse, "do you really believe those things His Majesty Gorman said?"

"You mean about the demon race, the surface and inner worlds, and another goddess?"

Celitia nodded.

"Of course," Marianne was very certain. "Gorman has no need to lie to me."

"But," Celitia asked hesitantly, "if the demonic bloodline and power all come from an evil god..."

"I don't care about evil gods or whatever," Marianne's voice was unwavering. "I only know that Gorman is my husband, and you are my daughter."

Celitia continued: "But if this bloodline and power would bring harm to this world and wouldn't be accepted by the Church..."

"What harm have you caused? Haven't we all lived this way for so many years?"

Marianne smiled coldly. "As for the Church, they have no business interfering in our affairs."

Getting such a decisive answer, Celitia fell silent again.