In the end, Mo Wan was the first to break the silence. She could not bear Iselyn holding her tail for such a long time.
"Saintess, did you not say you had something important to discuss with me?"
"Yes. But before that, I needed to learn more about you." Iselyn let go of the tail. She looked at Mo Wan with a meaningful gaze. "After seeing your reaction, I am relieved to entrust the Princess to you."
"Eh?"
'What reaction?'
"As a member of the Demon Race, giving your tail to someone else signifies either absolute trust or submission. You let me play with it without any resistance. Does that not mean you are willing to follow my arrangements?"
"I suppose so. I certainly trust you, Saintess." Mo Wan paused for a moment. "After all, you said in your letter that if I gave you my sincerity, you would return the kindness."
Mo Wan spoke indirectly. she wanted to show that her willingness to let Iselyn touch her tail was not an act of submission.
Mo Wan would never submit to Iselyn. She never would.
The Demon Race had abandoned her. She had not abandoned them.
Even if she cut ties with them completely, she was still a person from Earth. She was Chinese, not a person of Vesa.
She would not submit to the Saintess like a believer of the Church of Vesa.
Today, Mo Wan finally understood her own beliefs. She had never been a religious believer.
That was why she could not swear those superstitious oaths. It was as simple as that.
"I see. Given your performance, I have decided to give you more benefits. I will give you extra favor. I will guarantee your happiness and your safety. If you wish, I can even introduce you to a life partner."
"That... that... that is not necessary!"
Mo Wan waved her hands hurriedly.
"It may not be necessary now, but that does not mean it will not be necessary later. Mo Wan, I am happy you chose to stay here. I hope your heart can stay here as well."
Iselyn pointed at her own chest.
She could have meant this house, or she could have meant inside her heart.
Mo Wan felt dazed. she could not help but think of the latter, even though she knew Iselyn likely meant the former.
"I will stay here permanently," Mo Wan replied with absolute certainty.
Her heart was already settled here. The only risk was if Iselyn betrayed her by revealing her true identity and executing her in public.
"Very good. Tomorrow, come to the church entrance. The Princess is a willful child. When she goes out on adventures, she often cannot bring too many guards. Too many people would make the King notice her movements. It would be perfect if an expert who understands monsters and monster toxins protects her."
"Understood."
"How much do you want for a monthly salary?"
"This... let us go by the number of missions instead. I will ask for payment based on the mission difficulty."
Iselyn stood up and smiled.
"I thought you would not ask for payment. After all, we are friends."
Mo Wan widened her eyes.
'Even friends should not work for free!'
Mo Wan always felt that the closer the friendship, the more important it was to keep clear accounts. It was not about being stingy, but about mutual respect.
"I have my own standards. I only take what I believe I deserve. I will not be greedy, Saintess."
"Heh... my point is that I do not lack money. I only lack a sincere heart."
Mo Wan froze. She finally realized what Iselyn meant.
She bit her lower lip. She felt extremely frustrated with herself.
'How could I think she wanted free labor? As the Saintess, how could she be short on money?'
If she refused the payment, the Saintess would surely force it upon her anyway.
Rosa was right. Mo Wan lacked experience in dealing with people. She did not understand the ways of the world.
"Remember to arrive on time at ten o'clock tomorrow."
"Okay."
Iselyn walked past Mo Wan toward the door.
Mo Wan felt a bit discouraged.
Once again, Iselyn was leaving at a time that left her wanting more.
Mo Wan followed behind Iselyn to see her out.
"Right, do not come too early. The Princess likes to sleep in. She will only be late; she will never be early."
"Understood."
Mo Wan nodded.
Iselyn left a small smile behind and disappeared into the street.
Mo Wan closed the door.
She went back to her room and climbed into bed. She pulled the covers over herself.
Her long, thin tail retracted into her pants. It wrapped playfully around her thigh. Mo Wan hugged her pillow and rolled over.
She could not sleep.
She had slept for half an hour in the bathroom earlier, and the conversation with Iselyn had kept her awake.
Her brain was in a state of high excitement.
'Sincerity.'
The words Iselyn said before leaving echoed in her mind.
The reason Iselyn gave her special treatment and wanted her sincerity was clear. Iselyn wanted her to turn over a new leaf. She wanted Mo Wan to stop thinking about returning to the Demon Race territory to inherit the throne. She wanted Mo Wan to live in the Holy City as a citizen of Vesa.
She never planned on going back anyway...
The succession of the throne was not her concern.
Her father was not infertile. He could easily marry another queen and father a Demon Prince or another Demon Princess. He could pass the throne to the next generation.
Mo Wan sighed.
She wondered if she could truly be friends with Iselyn. Did she have the right to be friends with the Saintess?
Iselyn was like an angel. Her beauty was otherworldly. Even Mo Wan did not dare to have any improper thoughts about her.
The tail on her thigh crawled up a bit higher.
Mo Wan suddenly remembered her own identity.
'Why do I not have the right?'
'I am a Princess too! I am the Demon Princess! Even if I have been exiled, the blood of the Demon Royalty still flows in my veins!'
'Besides, it is not like I have zero improper thoughts about her.'
Thinking about what she had done in the bathroom made Mo Wan blush. Now that she was in a calm state, why was she pretending?
'Who was the one using the Ring of Monitoring given by Iselyn to heat things up?'
'But... friends should not have those kinds of thoughts, right?'
Mo Wan shook her head.
She told herself she did not have improper thoughts. She just happened to think of Iselyn at that specific moment.
With her mind racing, she eventually fell asleep.
When she woke up the next day, it was still very early.
The sky was just beginning to brighten.
She stretched out on her large bed.
'So comfortable.'
Having her own home, her own room, and her own bed felt wonderful.
For the past three years, she had lived like a traveler. She had slept on single beds so small that she would fall off if she rolled over.
Speaking of the traveler life...
'Oh no!'
She had not told Rosa she was leaving.
Everyone in the Azure Crystal Squad had the habit of waking up early. Rosa would definitely go to her room to call her for breakfast.
If Rosa found out she had checked out, would she think Mo Wan wanted to cut ties with her?
Mo Wan jumped out of bed.
She hurriedly retracted her tail. She hid her horns and changed her pointed ears into human ears.
She put on her clothes and ran toward the inn where they had been staying.
She found Rosa's room.
Mo Wan knocked on the door.
A moment later, the door opened. The blue-haired girl inside looked surprised to see Mo Wan.
"Good morning, Mo Wan. Why did you run here so early? Is the work at the church okay?"
"Church work?"
"Yes. The Saintess found me last night. She said you have been recruited as a priest for the church. You will accompany the Saintess to heal the sick. She said you are leaving the Azure Crystal Squad."
"Uh..."
"Is that not true?"
Rosa tilted her head and watched Mo Wan intently.
"I suppose so. I am working for the Saintess now. The Saintess and the Princess are very close."
"Then is that not a good thing? Why did you come here so early? Did you miss me?"
Rosa laughed softly.
"Yes..."
Mo Wan nodded.
She felt her conscience sting. In reality, she had not been missing Rosa. She had completely forgotten about her yesterday. She had been too focused on moving into her new home to notify her best friend.
However, Iselyn had actually visited Rosa last night. She had made up a story and even said goodbye for her.
Mo Wan thought about it quietly.
It was a thoughtful gesture, but Iselyn should have consulted her first. By telling Rosa she had left the Azure Crystal Squad without her knowledge, it felt like Iselyn was completely blocking her path of retreat.