Mo Wan glanced over the contents of the letter. The paper was covered in elegant handwriting that was as graceful and beautiful as a work of art. Suddenly, her anger vanished.
Mo Wan held the letter with both hands and read the contents carefully:
[We parted too hastily, and there was no time to discuss many matters in detail.
I believe you will understand why I hurried you away from the church. The church is not a suitable place to discuss our private affairs.
I know you have many doubts in your heart regarding how I could see through your true identity at a glance.
The blood of arch-enemies flows within our bodies. As the Saintess, I am the sharpest blade against the Demon Race. Naturally, I must possess the insight to see through the disguises of my enemies and find the strategy for a fatal blow. Since the moment of my birth, I have carried such a mission.
I am also aware of the exile of the Demon Princess three years ago. I deeply understand the bone-deep pain of being betrayed by your own kind. As the Saintess chosen by the gods to save all living beings and relieve humanity from the suffering inflicted by the Demon Race, I, as a divine messenger, have no reason to drive you to your death. You are a victim of the demons as well.
At the same time, I know that even if the Demon Race betrayed you, it is still very difficult for a person to abandon their faith. Just as those who believe in Vesa will always be loyal to Vesa, I will not criticize your faith.
However, I need to see your sincerity. If you are willing to give your sincerity to me, I will naturally use the same kindness to soothe the pain you suffered among the demons.
The gift I have granted you is on the back of this letter.
It is a map. The marked location is the new home I have prepared for you. It is a home where you may reside permanently within the Holy City.
Nine lilies are planted in front of the house. Facing the main door, there are purple lilies on the left and white lilies on the right. In the middle are mixed white and purple flowers.
Of course, you may also sell the house for ten [Gold Coins] and return to your wandering and arduous journey. The choice is entirely yours.]
Mo Wan finished reading the letter.
She flipped the paper over. As expected, black lines gradually appeared on the previously blank back of the letter.
the lines formed a map of the Holy City. The circled location was in an area near the edge of the city.
Mo Wan stared at the paper.
After a long time, she looked at the twilight glow outside the window. She let out a long sigh.
'A home?'
The concept of home had gradually become blurred for Mo Wan.
She raised her hand to block the setting sun. The dim yellow light of the dusk shone through the gaps between her fingers and into her eyes. The silver ring on her middle finger, which was a size too large, was particularly conspicuous.
The letter did not mention why the ring could not be removed.
However, Mo Wan could guess the reason.
Iselyn had been emphasizing the individual in her heart. They were interacting in a private capacity, not as the human Saintess and the Demon Princess in opposing positions.
But a Saintess was still a Saintess. Iselyn could not cast aside her identity. The ring was a method to restrain her. It was the duty of the Saintess to protect humanity.
After thinking for a long time, Mo Wan placed the letter back into her [Spatial Ring].
She packed her belongings and prepared to check out of the inn to find her new home.
Mo Wan walked for about half an hour according to the markings on the map. She finally arrived at the place Iselyn had indicated.
There were relatively few people here compared to the city center. Most of them were commoners.
Taking advantage of the fading sunset, Mo Wan quickly scanned every house in the area. Only one house had flowers planted in front of the door.
Directly in front of the main gate, a pot of mixed white and purple lilies sat brightly in the center. If it were not moved, one would likely kick the pot when entering or exiting.
Mo Wan stepped up the stairs and reached out to grasp the doorknob.
"Zhiya!" (Creak!)
The door seemed to sense her arrival. Before she could apply any strength, the door opened automatically.
Mo Wan crouched down, picked up the pot of lilies, and walked into the house. A faint, refreshing fragrance greeted her nose.
Mo Wan sensed it carefully. It seemed almost identical to the scent she had encountered during her close contact with the Saintess this afternoon.
She looked around the interior. It was empty, but it was also very clean and tidy.
Every detail seemed to be telling Mo Wan that this house was the new home the Saintess had specifically prepared for her.
She placed the mixed flowers next to the window.
Mo Wan went to the bedroom and pushed open the door. Unlike the living room outside, the bedroom was equipped with a full set of furniture and bedding.
Everything was ready.
It was as if... Iselyn had long predicted that Mo Wan would go to the church to meet her, and then, she would see through Mo Wan's disguise.
To be honest, Mo Wan still felt a bit uneasy.
However, the thoughtful arrangements made by Iselyn produced a thick warmth in Mo Wan's heart. This warmth suppressed the unease.
At this moment, she only wanted to lie down on the bed.
She only wanted to properly feel her own room, a new home that belonged to her.
For three years, she had followed the [Azure Crystal Squad]. She either stayed in inns or slept in the wilderness. She had never possessed a stable home.
Mo Wan put down her bag and lay on the bed.
She closed her eyes and felt the tranquility of her surroundings.
This was a sense of security that an inn could not provide.
Afterward, Mo Wan briefly tidied up her new home. Then, she went out to eat.
When she returned after dinner, Mo Wan sat in the house and stared blankly for a while.
She did not know why she had settled into this new house so comfortably. She had no intention of refusing the kindness of Iselyn.
Yet, she trusted Iselyn for some unknown reason.
Perhaps it was because... in her memory, a Saintess was generally an existence on the same level as a Demon King. They possessed power that could destroy heaven and earth.
If the Saintess wanted to kill an exiled princess like her, it would be as easy as crushing an ant.
When the absolute power gap did not bring her danger, that sense of power difference became Mo Wan's sense of trust toward Iselyn.
After all, she had nothing. She had been abandoned by the Demon Race. What could the Saintess possibly want from her?
Therefore, Mo Wan could only believe that Iselyn held pure goodwill toward her.
Once she understood this, Mo Wan gathered her clothes and walked to the bathroom.
She was pleasantly surprised to find a wooden tub installed in the bathroom. Although it was not as wide as a bathtub, it was enough for a person to sit and soak comfortably.
She opened the lid of the water storage tank. The tank was filled with water. Mo Wan filled the tub without hesitation.
She untied her ponytail and let her purple hair fall.
Mo Wan washed her hair thoroughly and tied it up with a towel. Then, she sank comfortably into the tub.
Mo Wan thought of her life among the demons three years ago.
In the royal palace of the Demon Race, she had her own sleeping quarters. There was a bathhouse the size of a swimming pool in her quarters. Mo Wan could extravagantly fill the pool with warm water and enjoy the entire pool alone. She could swim freely in it.
She missed her former life as a princess immensely.
She missed the days when she did not have to lift a finger for food or clothing.
She missed her mother who had passed away early. She missed the woman who had brought her into this world. She missed the maternal love that she had only felt for a few years, yet remained etched in her heart.
Suddenly, Mo Wan shed tears.
She raised her hand and clumsily wiped the tears falling from the corners of her eyes.
She thumped her chest and ordered herself not to be so sentimental. However, as her fist hit the soft, cotton-like weight of her body again and again, a strange thought appeared in her heart.
She looked down.
Then, she turned her head away with a slight blush.
She did not expect that at eighteen years old, she had already developed quite well.
Mo Wan remembered that she was quite plain three years ago. During the time when she had no source of income, she could even go without wearing underwear.
"Gulu gulu..." (Bubble bubble...)
Mo Wan's body continued to slide down. She gave up on tormenting herself.
It had been a long time... since she had cried out loud.
In the inn, she did not dare to make too much noise for fear that people passing by would hear her. It was even more impossible to do so when sleeping in the wilderness with [Rosa].
She emptied her mind. She wanted to withdraw her excess sorrow.
She crawled awkwardly and clumsily, as if her hands did not belong to her.
Having received a high-level education, Mo Wan knew where she could go and where she could not. Some paths would lead to bloodshed once stepped upon.
She had always been very cautious.
Mo Wan touched the ring on her finger. It was soaking in the warm water and felt pleasant. Mo Wan had a sudden idea and used magic to heat the ring.
In an instant, the slightly scalding water temperature stung her with a bit of pain.
Even though she no longer missed her hometown, she still could not control the emotions surging like a tide within her heart. She no longer restrained herself and allowed the tears to slide down her cheeks.
She was truly very tired.
But today was a great salvation for her.
The face of Iselyn appeared in her mind. It was a face with cold skin and a faint smile on the lips. Mo Wan only felt incredibly at peace. Gradually, she fell asleep in the tub.