Lilith reached out her hand toward Seraphiel, who was quietly watching her, seemingly uneasy but waiting for her decision.
“Lilith…”
Seraphiel gazed at the delicate, jade-like hand extended before her, at the figure that had haunted her dreams for the past ten years.
A gentle smile finally curved her lips.
The serene and dignified aura of a saint, cultivated over years, returned to her.
It was as if the dark, almost hysterical obsession from moments ago didn’t belong to her at all.
Surely, this stark contrast to her past self would spark some fresh curiosity in the trembling vampire princess.
After all these years… she could finally return to the days of being close with Lilith.
Cerville felt so moved she could cry.
It hadn’t been easy.
All those years of painstaking research, figuring out what methods could possibly tame Lilith, this wild horse who always broke free.
She was grateful to fate for bringing Lilith back to her side.
She couldn’t wait to resolve the issue of the Ideal Kingdom’s seal and return to the monastery where Lilith would be waiting for her.
The thought of Lilith obediently awaiting her return made Cerville hum softly to herself.
So, she reached out, wanting to take that familiar, cherished hand.
But before she could, Lilith’s hand suddenly lifted, retracting all but her middle finger, which she pointed at Cerville.
An international gesture of defiance.
Cerville: “?”
“What I, Lilith, love most is saying NO to self-righteous people!”
Lilith grinned, baring her teeth at the stunned Cerville.
“Even though your offer is tempting, I still refuse!”
“Why!” Cerville’s expression shifted like a Sichuan opera mask, cycling through emotions.
This damn vampire, after ten years, was still so infuriating! Not a single thing had changed!
If this weren’t just Cerville’s avatar, lacking the strength to challenge Lilith, she would’ve already rushed forward to wrestle with this infuriating vampire princess.
Even if she couldn’t win, she’d at least land a few slaps on this Asakusa vampire’s backside!
“Why! Give me a reason! What more do you want! I’ve compromised this much! I’ve done all this for you! So why do you still…!”
“Hold on, let me break it down for you,” Lilith interrupted, sensing the restless water elements around them, as if a storm were brewing beside the saint.
But she had her reasons for refusing.
“First, accepting a gift doesn’t mean I agree to your terms!”
“So, let me ask you: with my charm, do I need your special permission to woo the girls in the monastery?”
“…”
“And let me ask you this: if I develop a relationship with other girls, can you honestly say you won’t interfere at all? Like ordering the girls who respect you to keep me out of their rooms… leaving me no choice but to slink back to yours?”
“…”
“So why should I agree to your terms and be controlled by you!”
Lilith stood with her hands on her hips, confidently facing the now-frozen Cerville.
“I want to fall in love in the monastery! I don’t need your permission!”
“As long as I want it, your nuns don’t have the power to kick me out!”
“I don’t want to be interrupted by a jealous nag while I’m getting cozy with other girls!”
“I, Lilith, always take what I want, no compromises!”
“No one can dictate terms to me! No one can tame my wild, untamed heart!”
“But I’m not planning to leave just yet. Who knows, maybe when you’re back, we can… revisit some old positions in bed.”
“Honestly, I’m a little touched by you, Cerville. So, as long as you don’t meddle, I’m fine with us secretly getting back together.”
“After all, you’re a grand saint now. Being seen with a lowlife vampire like me might stir up some public criticism, right?”
“See, I’m still looking out for you. Honestly, I was planning to swing by and see you while traveling with some other girls… but who’d have thought you’d become a saint?”
“All these years, I’ve never forgotten you. And look at you now, all grown up and dependable.”
“Mhm, I’m really quite pleased.”
“So, I hope you can learn to be a bit more… magnanimous.”
“Oh, and about enrolling—sounds good. Don’t forget to send the money to my account.”
Cerville’s rigid expression seemed to sink into darkness as Lilith spoke.
Then, she laughed.
Though her face bore the saintly smile she was known for, beneath it lurked an abyss from another world, a pitch-black aura so intense it was almost visible.
This vampire! How could she utter the most shameless words under the heavens!
So, I’m supposed to provide the place, the people, and the money!
Then just watch you tangle with other women! And say nothing?
Sneaking off to meet me only when it suits you?
Heh…
Hehehehehe…
Sure, some masochists out there might thrill at this situation.
But Cerville was clearly not one of them.
If persuasion doesn’t work…
Then it’s time for threats.
It’s not like she’s defenseless just because Lilith’s fists are stronger.
Cerville had considered the possibility of rejection and had prepared countermeasures.
To deal with scum like this, being too kind was clearly a mistake.
“Then go ahead and leave.”
“Huh?”
Lilith had expected that even after her shameless speech, she’d have to keep bantering with Cerville.
She didn’t expect Cerville to just… let her go.
Was this some kind of reverse psychology?
Truth be told, Lilith was quite tempted by Cerville’s proposal…
But a saint like her… doing so much for her… it made Lilith’s conscience uneasy.
If one day… their relationship were exposed…
Everything Cerville had done for her would surely be condemned by the world.
They’d curse her as a lewd saint colluding with a vampire, letting a vampire defile female students in a world-renowned theological academy…
Even with divine favor, her position as saint would be untenable.
Worse, she might even be sent to the stake by an outraged church and mob…
Even as the de facto leader of the Eastern Church, human hearts are unpredictable.
There were surely those who resented the saint, cursing her downfall in the shadows.
Even if Lilith could save her… it wouldn’t matter.
Lilith didn’t want to see Cerville ruin her future because of her.
She’d worked so hard to become a saint… couldn’t she cherish it?
Sigh…
She didn’t deserve this.
Though reluctant, it was probably best to leave the monastery sooner rather than later.
“So… I’m going? I’m really leaving?”
Lilith rubbed her wrist, which Cerville had released, and glanced uncertainly at the saint, whose expression was eerily calm.
“Uh… I’ll also help gather intel on the vampires in the city… If possible, I’ll help the monastery deal with that trouble.”
“So, that’s that…”
Cerville watched as Lilith tiptoed toward the cathedral’s doors, turning back every few steps, and then spoke slowly.
“If you leave, I’ll tell the world everything you did to me.”
“I’ll let everyone know that the saint of the Eastern Church is a defiled woman, tainted by a vampire.”
“Lilith… what do you think…”
“Will happen next?”
Lilith: “I’m sorry, I was wrong… Please let me stay in the monastery… Great Saint.”
In the end… Cerville knew Lilith too well.
She knew Lilith wasn’t the type to ruin someone else’s life for her own sake.
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