Chapter 161: Anna, Here Me Out
Peiya took a towel and walked toward the bathroom. At first, she felt a bit nervous, because she had the feeling that Elise’s parents were looking at her just now.
But that feeling came quickly and went away just as fast. Soon, the uneasiness faded. Peiya let out a long breath and moved to a spot closer to the inner area. As soon as she stepped in, she felt something strange.
It was like someone else was there, and then she realized Elise was inside too. That made Peiya feel very awkward. But since she was already here, she decided to go in anyway. She slipped under the water, crouched down in the pool, and started blowing bubbles.
“If you want to drink bathwater, you don’t have to be so shy about it,” Elise said politely.
Peiya: ?
Is that really polite?
“I’m not! Why is your place a big pool? Don’t you have separate ones?”
“Yes, we do. It’s just that you didn’t find the right place. If you can’t figure it out, don’t blame the environment. There are separate sections over there. Want to go?”
“Forget it, too much trouble.”
Peiya kept diving underwater. Through the water, she could see a blurry white scene above the surface. She closed her eyes, not wanting to look anymore. But Elise swam over.
“I’ll help you.”
“I can do it myself.”
“Be good. What did you promise yesterday?”
“…Oh.”
Peiya blew bubbles as, unwillingly, she let Elise clean her from head to toe. Drops of water kept falling from the ceiling. Peiya stared at them as they hit the surface, getting distracted again and again. Elise gave a helpless smile and pointed at her nose.
“Am I really that scary? Can’t you just look at me?”
“No… it just feels weird. I can’t handle it.”
“Then you’ll be the one at a loss. I’m the only one looking at you. Not bad, you’re like a piece of art.”
“Get lost!”
Peiya tried to dodge, but under Elise’s urging, she still took a quick peek, then quickly turned away.
Nope.
Better not look.
It was too strange. Usually, the lighting wasn’t good, so she didn’t feel anything. But today, it was really…
“Your hair is still wet. Let me dry it for you.”
“Mm…”
Feeling the scent getting closer, Peiya held her breath. Luckily, the awkward moment didn’t last long. Soon, everything was done, and Peiya came out of the bathroom wrapped in her nightwear. But she still couldn’t stop thinking about what just happened.
More importantly, she barely looked the whole time, while Elise clearly got the better deal.
But Peiya didn’t want to think too much about it. What’s done is done.
After hesitating for a moment, she sneezed, then took the fruit Elise handed her and took a bite. They didn’t stay inside for long. Sitting in the changing room, Elise asked,
“You didn’t get hurt today, right? I saw you rushing in so many times. Aren’t you afraid of getting injured?”
“I’m fine.”
Peiya changed her clothes, but her mind was still stuck on what just happened.
“By the way… how do you even have that kind of… size?”
Peiya had never really understood this kind of thing. In her mind, it mostly depended on natural talent. But Elise’s “talent” was just too good, which made Peiya feel a little… jealous.
Well, not completely jealous. It just felt a bit scary, honestly.
“I don’t know. Want me to help you improve your ‘talent’?”
“That can be improved?”
“Yeah. That’s what I heard. Come here for a moment.”
“Huh?”
Peiya moved closer, and in less than a minute, she was completely defeated.
“I’m not playing with you anymore. You’re clearly tricking me.”
“It’s only been one minute. Of course there’s no effect yet. Are you really going to give up that easily?”
Peiya looked doubtful. She had no idea if this was real or not. But Elise looked so serious and upset that Peiya lowered her guard and moved closer again, holding a pillow tightly in her hands.
“There is a little effect. Look.”
Peiya opened her eyes, but honestly, she couldn’t see any difference at all.
“Really? I don’t see anything.”
“If you keep going for a full course, it will definitely work.”
“I don’t believe you anymore. I’d rather just eat papaya.”
Peiya no longer trusted Elise. Today she had really been fooled badly, she actually believed it. She went back to her spot and let out a long sigh.
The two of them waited until their hair was completely dry before returning to the main hall of the mountain fortress. There, Peiya saw Elizabeth and Wilson sitting seriously. She asked in confusion:
“Is something wrong?”
Elizabeth smiled. “It’s like this, Miss Peiya. We talked a bit and decided to tell you and Elise about Blackwater City. I know you came back for this.”
Wilson also nodded. “But children, that place is very dangerous. Think carefully before you go.”
“Okay.”
Peiya nodded and noticed Elise had also become serious. Peiya brought over two small stools, one for herself and one for Elise. The two of them sat at a distance and listened.
Wilson cleared his throat.
“Long ago, in the Eternal Night City, there was a force called the Goddess of Night. She was the Saint of our lineage, and she was the one who created the legend of Blackwater City. But one day, my ancestor suddenly witnessed the Saint fall from the top of the church. She died on the spot. No one understood how such a powerful Saint could die from just a fall. Soon, more and more doubts began to appear…”
“...Not long after the fall of the Night Saint, the mysterious Blackwater swept across the continent. Some people said it was the anger of the Goddess of Night. Others believed it was a kind of resistance. But no matter what, one thing is certain. The goddess had fallen, and everything began to change faster. After that, members of our royal family also faced different levels of discrimination. It was probably because the goddess’s protection disappeared. The bloodline we were once proud of became a curse hanging over us.”
Elizabeth nodded.
“That’s right. Elise, I never told you this before because I was worried this kind of corruption might harm you. But your father and I noticed that you’ve been secretly in contact with some merchant groups from Blackwater City. So we guessed you already know a little. We didn’t mean to hide it from you on purpose. We just hoped you could grow up safely. That’s our final wish as your parents.”
“I understand, Mother. But from my investigation, the goddess’s fall may have another truth behind it. I discovered this while traveling with Miss Peiya.”
“Me?”
Peiya pointed at herself, confused about how she suddenly got involved.
“Yes. Actually, Miss Peiya can use a holy light that is no weaker than the church’s power. That made me think, maybe one day, I could also awaken the goddess’s power again. But unfortunately, I don’t seem to have the same talent as Miss Peiya. When I was in the icy plains, I once heard a demon eagle say that I was overestimating myself. As a child of curse, I should try the curse of a demon god instead. I don’t know why it said that, but I feel that the goddess’s hope may also be connected to this curse.”
However, when Anthony and his wife heard their daughter’s words, what they focused on wasn’t the goddess, it was the holy light.
Peiya could use holy light? And not even from the church?
For a moment, they were speechless. After all, holy light was something people of royal power like them could only dream of. Sometimes, they even had to force themselves to cooperate with the church.
And yet this “wild” future son-in-law they picked up from nowhere actually had holy light.
Was there anything Peiya couldn’t do?
For some reason, a sudden thought came to them.
Maybe they should quickly “marry off” Anna and prepare a proper dowry for their daughter.
The main account is already useless… time to cash out what’s left.