Chapter 124: A Calculated Apology

“Were you not just expressing regret for Julie? Had she not committed those acts, she would surely not have fallen to such a state. Though you are a collateral relative, Julie is still your family, is she not? You watched her grow up; seeing her like this, it must pain you deeply.”

Lovelenica felt a shiver run down her spine as she listened to Lucia’s earnest words. She harbored no genuine concern for Julie; her sole intention had been to provide cover for Julie’s ill-advised remarks.

Indeed, if they had truly shared a bloodline, Lovelenica might have felt a fleeting pang of regret and sorrow for such a willful and thoughtless junior. However, she and Julie were not only unrelated by direct blood but not even of the same clan.

Julie was merely a member of her elder sister’s retainers, and she had been utterly disrespectful toward Lovelenica. How could Lovelenica possibly feel even a shred of pity for her?

Just as Attestor had asserted, Julie’s humiliation was entirely her own doing. If Julie consistently displayed such an arrogant and overbearing temperament, then everything she suffered was a consequence of her own actions.

Lovelenica would offer her no compassion whatsoever.

Yet, a thought occurred to Lovelenica. While she harbored none of the sentiments Lucia described, Lucia’s words had inadvertently provided a perfect opening.

Continuing along this line of reasoning would make Lovelenica’s subsequent statements sound far more plausible.

Therefore, even if Lovelenica felt no such emotion, she had to feign it for now, following the path Lucia had unwittingly laid out.

“Alas.”

Lovelenica quickly composed herself, releasing a heavy sigh. Then, adopting a tone of profound regret, she echoed Lucia’s sentiments.

“Indeed, as the third daughter of the Crimson Family, Julie is far too disappointing. In the abbey, she failed to learn kindness, preferring to form petty cliques and constantly plotting mischievous schemes.

On one hand, she sought to usurp your position as Saintess, and on the other, she was a junior from my own clan. It is truly vexing.”

“I am sorry, Teacher, I…”

Hearing Lovelenica’s lament, Lucia was instantly overcome with guilt. Believing she had caused her teacher distress, she began to offer an apology, but Lovelenica halted her with a wave of her hand.

“No, you needn’t apologize. From beginning to end, Lucia, you have done nothing wrong. You have always diligently pursued your cultivation, while Julie constantly interfered with you.

Moreover, the title of Saintess was personally bestowed by the Pope. No matter how much Julie might scheme, she could never change that. Why does she not understand? It is her own vanity that has ruined her.”

At this, Attestor felt a stir of emotion. Coming from a branch family of a prominent clan herself, she had witnessed the ugly faces of many dissolute youths within such families. She found such individuals pitiable and thus agreed with Lovelenica’s words.

Imeline, however, did not trust Lovelenica’s words; in fact, she found them rather peculiar. Lovelenica and Julie had previously engaged in a heated argument right in front of them, both sides displaying intense animosity, as if the other were no family member at all.

While such behavior was not uncommon among manipulative nobles, where siblings might even kill each other for power, what struck Imeline as strange was that after such a bitter quarrel, Lovelenica could still harbor feelings of regret for Julie.

This was truly intriguing.

Such words could only mean one of two things: either Lovelenica was inherently kind-hearted, cold on the outside but warm within, a soft-hearted girl, or Lovelenica was merely putting on a performance at this very moment.

Considering Lovelenica’s earlier treatment of Lucia, she hardly seemed like a kind-hearted person. Even if she had changed recently, it certainly didn’t prove her inner goodness.

Therefore, Imeline leaned more towards the latter, believing Lovelenica was acting. Though she harbored some doubts, she said little, offering only a few casual assents, eager to hear what Lovelenica would say next.

“Teacher…”

Seeing Lovelenica’s sighing demeanor, Lucia momentarily didn’t know how to console her and could only listen as Lovelenica continued.

“Her boasting in the square today, a part of it is actually my responsibility…”

“Hmm? What do you mean?”

Hearing this, Imeline couldn’t help but frown. Lovelenica, however, continued her explanation.

“She had never even seen those Black-robed Mages who attacked us, so it would have been difficult for her to pretend. When she returned to the outpost, she wondered why I took so long to get back. That’s when I told her about the attack.

Had I not informed her, she certainly wouldn’t have been able to speak so coherently. She probably wouldn’t have even thought of pretending they had dealt with the Black-robed Mages. So, yes, it is my responsibility. Otherwise, she would not have suffered such humiliation.”

After Lovelenica’s explanation, Lucia and Attestor both appeared to have an epiphany. Imeline, however, narrowed her eyes, her expression growing even more serious.

“So that’s it! No wonder everyone in Julie’s squad didn’t know what to say; only Julie could answer everyone’s questions.”

Lucia nodded, not only harboring no suspicion towards Lovelenica but readily accepting her explanation as perfectly logical.

“I wondered why Julie could answer so naturally, as if she had personally fought those Black-robed Mages. So it was you, Teacher, who told her. Oh…”

Attestor’s reaction was almost identical to Lucia’s. Lovelenica’s actions in protecting them during the battle had already made her see Lovelenica in a new light. Actions and thoughts in battle were largely subconscious, and from Lovelenica’s movements, she could feel that Lovelenica genuinely protected them.

Thus, she had temporarily set aside her prejudices against Lovelenica. Now, with the earlier groundwork laid and Lucia’s trust, Attestor harbored no doubts about Lovelenica.

“Lady Lovelenica, this is not your fault. Julie is ill-intentioned. Even if you hadn’t told her, she likely would have used other excuses or methods to pretend she earned those points herself. You needn’t blame yourself too much.”

“Mm.”

Imeline also assented, but her response was brief, merely a soft “Mm.”

Seeing their reactions, and realizing they believed her explanation, Lovelenica felt a great weight lift from her heart. She offered them a faint smile.

“Thank you, I feel much better now.”

Lovelenica believed she had successfully covered for Julie, but the reality was quite different. The moment her final words were spoken, Imeline had confirmed that Lovelenica was far from innocent.

This was why Imeline had suddenly grown so serious. She had only outwardly agreed with Lucia and Attestor, but deep down, she had already concluded that Lovelenica was no benevolent figure.

Imeline had previously considered the possibility that Lovelenica was unaware of some dark secret hidden within the Crimson Family. However, after Lovelenica uttered those words, this possibility was completely erased.

For the Crimson Family undoubtedly harbored issues behind the scenes. Based on this premise, Julie’s ability to provide information about the Black-robed Mages proved a connection between the Crimson Family and these Mages. Lovelenica’s current words were clearly an attempt to clear Julie of suspicion.

No wonder she had earlier expressed regret for Julie; those were all merely pretexts, with the ultimate goal of covering for Julie, fearing they might discern something.

Upon closer reflection, Lovelenica’s actions didn’t quite align with what she had just said. She and Julie were constantly at odds, almost quarreling upon sight. Julie’s current predicament should have been a cause for celebration for Lovelenica.

How could she possibly feel compassion for Julie? Given the severe deterioration of their relationship, Lovelenica’s continued efforts to cover for Julie only further underscored the terrifying secret hidden within the Crimson Family.

This also proved that Lovelenica was not as naive as she appeared; everything prior might have been an act. Imeline now regarded Lovelenica with increased vigilance. Watching Lucia and Attestor gradually place their trust in Lovelenica, Imeline felt an overwhelming sense of danger.

She had to quickly find compelling evidence to uncover the Crimson Family’s hidden secrets. Otherwise, Lucia and Attestor would only fall deeper into peril.

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