Chapter 66: A Desperate Gamble

Lovelenica gazed at the faintly glowing crystal ball, wavering on whether to answer Liliana’s summons.

Liliana had stipulated that she must see Lovelenica at least once a month. Only half a month had passed since their last conversation. Surely, refusing Liliana’s call this time wouldn’t matter, would it?

While Theresa would undoubtedly report her return to the Royal City to Liliana, Liliana would only know she was back, not her exact whereabouts. What if she had left again after returning?

Or perhaps she was simply resting, coincidentally missing Liliana’s call?

‘In any case,’ Lovelenica mused, ‘there are far too many excuses for not responding immediately. This time, I’ll just pretend I didn’t sense it.’

However, just as Lovelenica was about to climb into bed, a subtle pressure suddenly settled in her heart, as if warning her.

She turned around, a flicker of apprehension in her eyes, to stare at the crystal ball still faintly glowing on the table. There was no magical link, yet she distinctly felt a sense of being watched.

‘I am watching you.’

Lovelenica could almost feel the petite figure standing right before her, silently mocking her.

“Tsk…”

‘Still no escape?’

Lovelenica clicked her tongue in exasperation. In the end, she approached the crystal ball, injecting it with mana to establish the magical link.

The image within the crystal ball instantly sharpened, revealing the familiar castle and Liliana still seated upon her throne.

“What’s wrong? Your expression seems rather displeased. Why did it take you so long to respond to me?”

This time, Liliana offered Lovelenica no pleasantries from the outset. She lounged on the throne, looking down, her elegant legs propped on the armrest, revealing a glimpse of her inner thigh.

Yet, Lovelenica had no inclination for such illicit glances. Faced with a being who could torment her at will, plunge her into agony, and even seek opportunities to end her life, even an angelic beauty held no appeal.

“…You can see me?”

Instead of immediately answering Liliana’s question, Lovelenica posed one of her own, laced with suspicion.

“Of course.”

Unexpectedly, Liliana showed no anger at Lovelenica’s interrogation; instead, she genuinely answered her query.

“Haven’t I told you before? I am a being who can control destiny. Whatever you attempt, I can see it with perfect clarity.”

Liliana delivered these words, which made cold sweat trickle down Lovelenica’s back, in an utterly indifferent tone.

A chill instantly settled in Lovelenica’s heart. If Liliana truly saw her every move, as she claimed, then wouldn’t Liliana know all about her previous actions, such as stealing blood bags?

No wonder Liliana had summoned her so urgently; she must have discerned Lovelenica’s rebellious intentions.

If Liliana could witness her every action, how could Lovelenica ever escape her grasp?

At this realization, a wave of despair washed over Lovelenica.

“So, why didn’t you respond to me immediately just now?”

Liliana reiterated her previous question.

Lovelenica’s mind raced. Seeing her actions didn’t necessarily mean Liliana could understand her thoughts.

Lovelenica believed that nothing she had done thus far explicitly revealed rebellious intentions. If Liliana lacked mind-reading abilities, she shouldn’t be able to confirm any thoughts of betrayal.

She fought to suppress her internal panic, yet her voice still trembled slightly.

“Because… I just returned from a mission for the church. I was utterly exhausted and simply wished to rest…”

“Oh? So you were merely tired?”

Liliana raised an eyebrow, casting a sidelong glance at Lovelenica before speaking again.

“I thought you might be harboring some ill intent, perhaps trying to defy me. But it seems you were just weary…”

Liliana’s words sent a shiver of dread through Lovelenica. Didn’t she already know Lovelenica’s true intentions? What was the meaning behind saying it aloud? Was she trying to test her?

‘A test of obedience, then!’

A sudden thought sparked in Lovelenica’s mind: What if Liliana was merely bluffing?

Perhaps Liliana didn’t actually know everything. Perhaps she was only pretending, using this tactic to pressure Lovelenica into revealing all her recent actions.

‘Could such a possibility exist?’

Lovelenica gritted her teeth, ultimately deciding to take a gamble. She would only confess a portion of her recent activities to Liliana.

If Liliana truly knew everything, then Lovelenica would merely face a more severe punishment, not death. After all, Liliana still needed her to carry out missions and manipulate Lucia to eliminate other Fantasy Creatures.

However, if she answered truthfully, she would be playing right into Liliana’s hands. She would never know if Liliana could truly see her every move, making her path to rebellion even harder.

‘Then… I’ll take that chance!’

“Sister, I…”