Chapter 50: Secret Hugs and Cuddles in the Cabin!

Perhaps it was because the Cat God disliked Phyllis’s thoughts, or maybe it was for some other reason.

In any case, Phyllis ultimately failed to establish a connection with the Cat God.

Priestess Iona wasn’t surprised by this.

After all, the Cat God wasn’t someone anyone could just casually communicate with.

Even the few High Priestesses like her found it difficult to easily contact the Cat God.

After all, that was a god!

After a day of training, Phyllis dragged her tired body to the dining room for dinner.

“Good evening, Phyllis!”

A Catkin girl, also a Candidate Saintess, greeted Phyllis.

“Mia, good evening!”

Phyllis casually returned the greeting to the Catkin girl.

That Catkin girl was named Mia, a lively and cheerful orange cat.

Not only was she a head taller than Phyllis, but her build was also more than a size larger.

Mia and Phyllis had entered the Sacred Ground around the same time and had a fairly good relationship.

Carrying her tray, Phyllis found a corner seat by the window and sat down.

She didn’t have much of an appetite, her mind still occupied by Iona’s words from the afternoon:

“If it is some vile thing… it will only bring divine punishment.”

It weighed heavily on her heart.

Was it truly impossible for her and Carola?

Could a Catkin and a member of the Blood Tribe, a Saintess and a Blood Princess, really not be in love?

“Phyllis, why do you feel so distracted today?”

Mia, carrying her own tray, sat down opposite Phyllis, blinking her amber eyes curiously.

“I-it’s nothing,” Phyllis scooped a spoonful of fish soup, absentmindedly.

“Maybe I’m just… a bit tired from training.”

“Is that so?”

Mia leaned in a little closer, lowering her voice.

“I heard that High Priestess Iona is giving you special treatment. Not only did she change your room, but she also gave you private meditation guidance this afternoon? Is that true?”

“It’s just… just normal instruction~”

Phyllis’s cat ears twitched.

“Really?”

Mia clearly didn’t believe her and pressed further.

“High Priestess Iona said she arranged it because she was afraid I might get kidnapped again like last time.”

Phyllis explained.

“That makes sense. But it’s really nice,” Mia sighed enviously.

“High Priestess Iona is so gentle and powerful. Getting her help means your chances of becoming a full Saintess are definitely high! But…”

Mia’s tone shifted, a mischievous smile appearing.

“That question you asked before, ‘Can a Saintess get married?’ has spread among the Candidate Saintesses, you know~ Everyone is guessing if our little Phyllis has a crush on someone?”

Pfft!

The mouthful of fish soup Phyllis was drinking nearly sprayed out.

Her little face instantly flushed red.

“Who, who spread that! Absolutely not! I… I was just curious when I asked!”

“Aw, don’t be shy,” Mia laughed even more happily.

“Tell me about it! Is it one of the lucky guard brothers here in the Sacred Ground? Or someone you met outside? Don’t worry, my lips are sealed!”

“No, no! Really, no! Mia, stop guessing!”

Phyllis shook her head like a rattle drum.

Her heart was in turmoil.

If everyone found out her “crush” was not only not a Catkin but a powerful, yandere member of the Blood Tribe, and not even male…

She simply couldn’t imagine what would happen.

After barely managing to deal with the gossipy Mia, Phyllis practically fled back.

“Wrong way.”

Looking at her old cabin, Phyllis patted her head in annoyance.

She had walked out of habit, not yet accustomed to having moved.

“Since I’m here, I might as well check if I left anything behind.”

Phyllis pushed open the wooden door of the cabin.

After closing the door, she looked around.

It had been cleared out very thoroughly.

Only the basic furnishings remained in the room.

And it had been cleaned spotlessly.

Phyllis nodded, then twitched her cat ears, confirming there were no other tribespeople nearby.

Leaning back against the door, she took out the mirror magic tool from her bosom and called softly.

“Carola, are you awake?”

The bat decoration on the mirror magic tool emitted a light.

Then it gradually transformed. Soon, Carola appeared before Phyllis.

“Finally remembered me? I saw you chatting quite happily with that orange cat. ‘Guard brother,’ huh?”

Carola’s tone carried a hint of jealousy.

“That was all Mia’s nonsense! I, I wasn’t thinking about any guard brother…”

Phyllis hurriedly explained.

“I was only thinking of you…”

Phyllis’s voice grew smaller and smaller, ending in almost a mumble.

“Good that you know better!”

Carola’s voice sounded a bit happier.

“But that Catkin named Iona actually made you live next to her? How irritating.”

“It’s to protect me…”

Phyllis tried to explain, but thinking of the scene when Iona closed the door and those suggestive words, she felt uncertain again.

“Protect?”

Carola scoffed.

“I think she has ulterior motives.”

“But…”

Carola’s tone shifted, carrying a hint of excitement.

“This is good too! Right under her nose, I can still be with you anytime, even… taste you. Just thinking about it is fun, isn’t it, kitten?”

Phyllis felt her cheeks heat up, and her heart began to beat faster again.

This secret, somewhat forbidden closeness made her feel both fearful and… stirred by a strange flutter of excitement.

“N-not tonight!”

Phyllis quickly said.

“And I just moved in. What if there’s any noise…”

“Then here is fine! I’ve already set up a barrier anyway.”

Carola moved closer from behind, wrapping Phyllis in her embrace.

Phyllis felt enveloped by the familiar scent of her body.

“Here is okay…”

Phyllis’s legs felt a bit weak, and she leaned back into Carola’s embrace.

“Did you miss me?”

Carola rested her chin on top of Phyllis’s head.

Her white hair cascaded down, tangling with Phyllis’s black hair.

Her arms were casually wrapped around Phyllis’s waist, seemingly gentle but with a force that didn’t allow escape.

“I… I missed you…”

Phyllis could feel the softness pressed against her back, making her face even redder.

“So good.”

Carola chuckled softly, her fangs lightly grazing the tip of Phyllis’s ear, causing a shiver to run through Phyllis’s body.

“Carola.”

Phyllis turned around in Carola’s arms to face her.

In the dim light, Phyllis saw Carola’s blood-red eyes like flowing gemstones, now focused intently on her.

Her skin seemed to emit a faint glow, the whole sight breathtakingly beautiful and somewhat bewitching.

“What is it?”

Carola looked at Phyllis, puzzled.

“Because you’re so pretty…”

Phyllis answered honestly, reaching out a finger to touch Carola’s cheek.

It was cool and smooth.

Carola caught Phyllis’s mischievous hand, brought it to her lips, and gave it a light kiss, her lips brushing against Phyllis’s fingertips.

“Will you drink blood tonight?”

Phyllis asked softly.

“No, not tonight. Just holding you like this is enough.”

Carola hugged her even tighter, the two of them pressed together almost seamlessly.

“Occasionally, just holding you like this feels nice too~”

Carola’s voice grew lower, carrying a tender note.

“My Phyllis, my kitten who belongs only to me.”

Phyllis felt like she was about to melt into a puddle.

She buried her face in the crook of Carola’s neck, nuzzling.

“Mmm… I only belong to Carola…”