Just as Celitia was in turmoil, not knowing what to say, Luna suddenly stood up from the chair beside the bed.

"I'll go check on how Mom's medicine is coming along. Your Highness, Lily, please continue your conversation."

Luna was quite restless and uncomfortable, feeling as if she had somehow interrupted Sophia and Celitia's private conversation.

Watching their intimate gestures, Luna admitted that a small sourness involuntarily arose in her heart.

Lily no longer had only her by her side.

But... Luna also felt genuinely comforted.

Lily finally no longer had only her by her side.

She hoped that Lily and Princess Sophia would definitely get along well.

With such thoughts, Luna stood up and hurried outside, carefully closing the door behind her.

In the vast palace chamber, only Celitia and Sophia remained.

Sophia also realized that her involuntary action just now seemed somewhat ambiguous.

She hurriedly withdrew her hand, a faint blush rising on her face as she looked at Celitia, momentarily unsure how to continue the conversation.

Celitia lowered her head and calmed her breathing.

That moment of wavering was quickly locked away in the depths of her heart.

"About your question just now..."

Celitia slightly closed her eyelids and let out a sigh from her throat.

"Sophia, I'm very clear that there are things one can do and things one cannot do. However, there are things that, even knowing they shouldn't be done, must still be done."

Knowing something was inadvisable yet doing it anyway—this was her choice.

"I don't regret it. Even if I could do it over, I would make the same choice."

Sophia murmured:

"Even knowing it would hurt yourself, knowing you might become critically ill in that dark, cold dungeon, you would still definitely do it?"

Sophia thought that if she and her mother hadn't arrived in time, perhaps she would truly never see a Celitia who could speak and laugh again.

Even so, would she still not regret it?

"Yes." Celitia nodded seriously.

Sophia fell silent.

She suddenly understood that for Celitia, the first priority was never herself.

"It's just that if..."

If there had been no Sophia, or if she had been certain that no one would come to help...

Celitia curved her lips in the slightest smile, her expression carrying a faint hint of bloodthirsty intent.

She probably would have struck even harder to eliminate future troubles.

"If what?" Sophia asked in confusion.

"Nothing."

Celitia's expression gradually softened.

Fortunately, she was there.

Looking at the girl's gentle smile, Sophia only felt even more pained in her heart.

Previously, Sophia had held some fantasies about Celitia's life, but after experiencing yesterday's events, she understood the reality of Celitia's situation.

Despite being a noble, she was unloved, looked down upon, and lived worse than a servant.

Once something happened, her parents would only favor their son and even abuse her to vent their anger.

Sophia suddenly understood Celitia and comprehended those sharp spikes that kept everyone at a distance.

If Sophia herself had been in such circumstances for a long time, she would probably have been even sharper and more distrustful of people's hearts than Celitia.

"Damn it, just move into the palace!" Sophia blurted out. "From now on, the palace will be your home, and I'll protect you!"

"Don't use crude language. Mind your etiquette, my Your Highness the Princess."

Celitia didn't know whether to laugh or cry as she extended her index finger and placed it in front of Sophia's lips, signaling her to be quiet.

"That's only because they deserve to be cursed!"

Sophia was unconvinced and grabbed her hand, clasping those slender fingers in her palm.

Celitia slowly shook her head:

"When I was in the dungeon, I thought about some things."

Sophia asked: "What things?"

"I remember there's supposed to be a competition at the end of the month, right? You said there would be generous rewards."

Money and honor, and supposedly, the winner could have one wish granted.

Sophia was stunned: "You can't be serious, Lily. Do you want to participate in the competition?"

"Yes. I refused before, but now I've changed my mind."

Celitia said quietly, "I want to take Luna and the others away, buy a shop in Cassia, and open a small store. At first I thought there was no rush, but now it seems the sooner the better. This competition is a very good opportunity."

"But didn't you say you couldn't participate?" Sophia became anxious. "You have no battle energy or magical power, you don't know martial arts or magic—how can you win in the competition?"

Celitia said seriously:

"I've thought about it. This competition uses a group system where one side wins between red and blue teams, so I still have hope of winning. If I'm not mistaken, this competition isn't entirely about individual martial prowess but more about the level of military strategy. The court wants to select excellent leadership talent, right, Princess Sophia?"

Having her intentions seen through by Celitia in one stroke, Sophia found herself unable to nod and could only squeeze out words after a long time:

"If you just want Luna and the others to regain their freedom and get enough money to purchase property, such a small matter—I could easily help you accomplish it."

"No."

Celitia looked at her, mist swirling in her pupils as she spoke extremely slowly, "Sophia, I've already used you once. So this time, I will definitely accomplish it through my own abilities."

"What do you mean 'used'?" Sophia stared at her blankly. "You're not talking about me and Mom rescuing you from the dungeon, are you?"

Celitia nodded.

"How is that using anyone?"

Sophia simply couldn't understand. "Even setting aside the causes and consequences, you're my friend. I rescued you based purely on my own thoughts!"

"Then let's put it differently," Celitia didn't argue and smiled slightly at Sophia. "This time, I don't want your help."

She spoke word by word, slowly and with extreme determination.

"Things I can accomplish through my own abilities, I will accomplish myself, no matter what price I pay... I don't want to rely on others' help."

Sophia was momentarily speechless.

In the days she had known Celitia, Sophia had gradually come to understand her.

She knew that beneath that delicate, frail appearance that seemed like it would fall at the slightest breeze lay such a proud, determined, and persistent heart.

It was just that being categorized by Celitia as "others" made Sophia feel a little hurt.

"You're always desperately working hard for those people, always constantly pushing yourself..."

Sophia murmured, "Clearly those aren't your responsibilities—there's no need to take everything upon yourself..."

"I've told you before, Sophia."

Celitia's voice was gentle and calm. "What I do is only for myself, not for other people."