Chapter 30
Inside a small bedroom, two figures could be seen, one small, the other tall.
The taller figure was a woman who appeared to be around thirty years old, with black hair and matching black eyes. She was Stephanie, Elara's cold and distant tutor. Yet, unlike her usual stern expression, a faint smile rested on her face today. It was subtle, but unmistakably there.
Instead of her usual attire, she wore a deep violet dress embroidered with golden patterns. The dress had short sleeves that reached her wrists, and she wore matching high heels of the same color.
It was a very conservative dress. After all, both men and women of the faith were expected to preserve their modesty, so revealing clothing was almost nonexistent.
Judging by her outfit, it was obvious she was preparing for an important event. As she helped the little girl put on her white dress adorned with golden accents, her eyes continuously scanned the room.
"Stop fidgeting. Today is an important day for both you and the Saint," Stephanie reminded her once again after noticing how nervous the little girl seemed. "It's an important occasion, so don't embarrass your father, alright?" she added, warning her not to cause any trouble.
Elara gripped the hem of her dress tightly. Whether she was trying to calm herself or simply relieve her anxiety, it didn't escape Stephanie's notice. She quietly continued adjusting the dress without saying another word for several minutes.
A soft sigh escaped Stephanie's lips as she watched Elara.
"It's already been a year since I became her tutor. I have to admit... she's changed. No... we've both changed over time. Without realizing it, I've probably grown attached to this curious and energetic little girl... but she's the Saint's daughter..."
As she reflected, an old memory resurfaced in her mind.
Several months ago, at the beginning of their relationship, the two of them had been sitting side by side on a couch, quietly watching television. Other than the sounds coming from the TV, the room was completely silent.
It didn't seem like a lesson, nor was the program educational. It was simply an ordinary television series. Outside the window, the night stretched endlessly beneath the silver glow of the moon.
As the show continued, Stephanie noticed something unusual about Elara.
The little girl had become completely absorbed, her lips pressed into a thin line. Following her gaze, Stephanie quickly realized what had caught her attention.
On the television, a group of girls from various backgrounds laughed and played together, happily enjoying a day out.
At that moment, Stephanie understood.
Elara desperately lacked companionship. Other than her father and herself, the little girl had no one to play with.
Stephanie continued watching in silence.
She didn't know what she should do. Her duty was only to educate the Saint's daughter according to the Saint's wishes, nothing more.
As her thoughts spiraled, Adam's words resurfaced in her mind.
"Help her... and guide her."
Those words finally pushed her to make a decision.
After hesitating for several moments, Stephanie turned toward Elara and asked in her usual cold tone,
"How about we play a game?"
Caught off guard, Elara turned toward her with a confused expression.
"...Huh?"
It seemed she hadn't understood what Stephanie had said or couldn't believed what she heard.
"I said... would you like to play a game with me?"
Stephanie repeated herself, but as she looked into the innocent eyes of the little girl, her normally cold voice unconsciously softened.
Elara's eyes immediately lit up.
"Yes! I'd love to!"
From then on, the two spent the rest of the night playing all kinds of games.
More often than not, Elara defeated Stephanie at nearly every game, but the mature woman noticed something more important.
Little by little, Elara became more open and expressive.
The little girl's cheerful laughter echoed throughout the house.
Fortunately, Stephanie thought, Adam wasn't home that evening.
Without his presence, she even found herself letting out a quiet laugh.
They continued playing for hours, and with each passing moment, the distance between them grew smaller.
Two lonely souls slowly found comfort in one another, one carrying the pain of losing her younger brother, the other suffering from a lack of affection.
Returning to the present, just as Stephanie finished helping Elara get dressed, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed outside the room.
The footsteps were gentle and rhythmic, as though their owner was in no hurry.
A knock suddenly came from the door.
Both of them turned toward the sound, and after a second or two, the door slowly opened.
A young man who appeared to be in his early twenties entered the room.
He was tall, with pale skin, black hair streaked with golden roots, and wore a white priest's robe decorated with silver and golden embroidery.
It was none other than Adam, the father of Elara and the Saint of the Church of the Sun.
As soon as he entered, he slowly walked toward Elara, whose eyes remained completely fixed on him. Stephanie quietly watched from the side.
The warm smile on Adam's face seemed capable of captivating anyone, instantly filling the room with warmth.
Until then, Elara had remained silent.
The moment she saw him, she ran toward him at full speed.
Stephanie let out a small sigh of exasperation and gently shook her head.
"Dad!"
The little girl threw herself into his arms, burying her face against his chest as Adam bent down to catch her.
"How are you?" Adam asked softly while gently stroking her hair.
Instead of answering, Elara simply smiled brightly.
Seeing how excited his daughter was to see him, so excited that she had apparently forgotten all the anxiety she had been feeling moments earlier, Adam let out a quiet sigh.
He then turned toward Stephanie, who had remained respectfully to the side.
"And how are you?" he asked with the same gentle tone.
The mature woman smiled faintly before lowering her head slightly in a respectful gesture, placing one hand over her left chest.
"I am very well, Your Holiness, thank you for your concern. I was just finishing helping Elara get dressed before bringing her to you."
She gave her report calmly.
Adam looked at her a moment longer with his golden eyes before shifting his gaze back to Elara.
"Thank you again for taking care of Elara, even outside your working hours. As you know... I have no one else I can entrust with this responsibility."
He sincerely thanked Stephanie for everything she had done for Elara throughout the past year.
Stephanie gently shook her head.
"Please don't worry, Your Holiness. It truly isn't any trouble for me."
Adam noticed her gaze lingering on Elara for a brief moment before she looked away.
"Alright, Elara. Don't keep Stephanie any longer. Go finish getting ready. After all... today I'm going to introduce you to everyone, alright?"
Adam's words caused Elara to stop in place.
She slowly looked up at him and asked in a voice as soft as a whisper,
"...Do I have to?"
Adam simply answered with a gentle nod.
With obvious reluctance, Elara let go of him.
"It seems she isn't particularly excited about such a grand occasion... or about having spent an entire year learning etiquette. But today is an important day... for her... and for Solaria... Lucia..."
Adam silently watched his daughter's back as she walked away, lost in thought.