Chapter 19: Saint

“You did well.”

As they ate dinner, the woman seated across from Mili suddenly spoke.

Mili, nibbling on her bread, froze mid-chew, cautiously raising her eyes to meet Seraphina’s, her expression filled with confusion.

Seraphina leisurely cut a small piece of perfectly roasted meat, savoring it slowly before elegantly setting down her knife and fork.

She dabbed her lips with a napkin to wipe away a trace of grease:

“But you didn’t hide anything, did you?”

“?” Mili blinked, bewildered.

Hide what?

She hadn’t hidden anything…

“Hmph.” Seraphina’s fingers interlocked, her lips curling into an ambiguous smirk, her eyes glinting with amusement. “No matter.”

This little thing really didn’t understand a thing.

Sometimes, her cluelessness was almost endearing.

Fine.

Some things didn’t need to be spelled out.

“Go on, eat.” Seraphina picked up her fork again, prodding the remaining food on her plate.

“I have things to tell you.”

Mili nodded obediently, resuming her small bites of bread.

“You need to understand—freedom is worthless to you.” She lightly tapped the edge of her porcelain plate, her voice calm as still water:

“It’s a luxury for the weak, a fool’s self-delusion. It only leads to confusion and, ultimately, destruction…”

“True power comes from control, from making others serve you.”

“Rather than living in fear out there, stay by my side.”

“Only I can absolutely guarantee your safety.”

Seraphina paused, her gaze lifting from her plate to lock onto Mili’s: “Freedom is worthless.”

“But your value could change the world. Understand?”

Mili’s bread-biting froze, too intimidated to respond.

“I’m generous, though.” Seraphina continued, her tone carrying a hint of magnanimity.

“In the future, if you wish, you can stroll in the private garden by the palace. I’ll have it cleared for you. It’s up to you.”

Mili’s small nose twitched slightly, but she remained silent.

Seraphina tilted her fork toward the bulletproof glass window:

“Of course, the protective measures will take time to perfect. Otherwise, the gray mist would corrode everything.”

“Until then, you can start some vegetable patches outside, grow what you’re good at.”

Leaning her chin on her hand, a spark of anticipation flashed in her eyes: “Who knows, maybe I’ll cook something with your vegetables for you myself.”

Cook herself?

Mili could hardly believe her ears.

This volatile woman…

Could cook?

Her mind conjured a comical image of Seraphina in an apron, fumbling in a kitchen.

But that thought was swiftly overtaken by deeper fear.

She’d seen this false kindness too many times.

“There are other arrangements for you.” Seraphina rose and retrieved an ornate box from a nearby cabinet.

“The Saintess Hall’s construction has begun. You’ll likely work there often.”

Saintess Hall…

Work…

Wasn’t this just corporate drudgery?

The unpaid kind…

Mili’s face soured as she silently grumbled.

“In a few days, I’ll personally take you to towns under Eisenburg’s control to show you off, let the people see their Saintess.”

“You need to build your image among them. It’s not hard—Evelyn will prepare scripts and plans. Just read them and act the part, no cowering.”

“You must make them know you, trust you, believe in you, adore you…”

“This is vital for Eisenburg’s future stability and expansion—and for me.”

Seraphina opened the box, revealing an exquisite, snow-white robe of superior quality.

The silken fabric shimmered like pearls, adorned with intricate golden embroidery along the seams.

The wide, layered hem was grand enough to trail on the ground, majestic and opulent.

The chest was embedded with glistening gems, glowing softly under the light, like a mythical garment…

“This is for you—wear it, and you’ll be [Eisenburg]’s symbol, the hope in the people’s hearts.” Her fingers caressed the fabric, her eyes filled with satisfaction.

“…”

Mili stared at the ornate robe, so grand it could swallow her whole, a wave of resistance rising within her.

Summoning her courage, she whispered:

“Um… Oasis wasn’t my doing… That valley was already good land…”

“Oh?” Seraphina gave a dismissive smile.

“Then why did others farm there for years, barely scraping by?”

“But the moment you arrived, yields multiplied?”

“I…” Mili opened her mouth, at a loss for how to explain.

Seraphina tossed the robe onto a chairback and stepped behind Mili:

“You’re too modest, my little Saintess.”

Her hands rested on Mili’s slender shoulders, her fingertips sensing the delicate skin through the thin fabric, her touch disturbingly intimate.

“You know,” Seraphina leaned closer, pressing heavily against Mili’s back, her warm breath grazing the girl’s ear.

“Only the strong have a voice.”

“The weak…” Her calloused fingers brushed Mili’s cheek.

“Are dominated…”

“Protected…” Her voice dropped low, her fingers sliding to Mili’s chin, forcing her to look up:

“And used.”

Mili trembled violently, trying to pull away, but Seraphina’s arms held her like a vice.

“You only need to remember one thing—” Seraphina’s gaze pinned Mili’s trembling eyes like a physical force.

“From the moment you stepped into Eisenburg, your past, your desires, ceased to matter.”

“What matters is that you’re mine now.”

“And you’ll only ever be mine…”

Her thumb grazed Mili’s trembling lips: “The outside world is too dangerous. Only by my side are you safe.”

“You know, I rarely feel this… desire for anyone.”

“But you’re different. I don’t want you out of my sight…”

“Please… don’t…” Mili’s voice broke into a sob, tears welling in her eyes.

“You haven’t finished eating.” Seraphina’s tone turned stern, grabbing Mili’s hand and shoving the breadstick back into her mouth.

“Look at you, thin as a rail. This feel is just too poor…”

Before finishing, her hands began roaming Mili’s body again.

“Those ignorant masses will go mad for you, offer you everything…”

“All you need to do is stand there, accept their worship, and show a miracle now and then. That’s enough.”

“—See? The world is that simple.” Her fingers circled Mili’s collarbone, savoring the girl’s subtle tremors, her heterochromatic eyes gleaming with greed:

“The weak are prey; the victor is king.”

“When you wield the power they crave, they’ll naturally grovel at your feet…”

Seraphina’s touch grew bolder, leaving red marks on Mili’s neck.

Her skin, recently pampered, was so fair that a light nip left traces, like blooming plum blossoms, stirringly beautiful…

“So lovable. Only you are this… delectable…” Seraphina murmured, biting Mili’s collarbone lightly, leaving faint teeth marks.

“Mmph…?!”

Mili whimpered in pain, her mouth stuffed, her body shaking uncontrollably.

“Be good. Keep eating.”