CA - Chapter 190
Chapter 190
“Is His Highness the Holy Son waiting for me?” Reese’s gentle voice came from behind. The crowd parted to let her walk to the Holy Son’s side. Curious and appraising gazes shifted between her and Monica.
Due to Reese’s deliberate actions, Monica had remained largely invisible since arriving at the Central Church. No one dared to approach and speak with her.
After Reese appeared, the Holy Son withdrew his attention from Monica. He gave Reese a look, then walked past Monica and Tang Qiu and out of the grand hall.
Once they were some distance from the hall, the Holy Son quietly asked Reese, who was beside him, “Is Monica staying at your manor?”
Reese shook her head and replied flatly, “No.”
The Holy Son was somewhat dissatisfied with this answer. “She is your sister. You should take better care of her.”
Reese said nothing, merely curling her red lips, but her eyes held no trace of a smile.
The Holy Son noticed Reese’s coldness. He shook his head in disapproval and said, “Reese, jealousy does not suit you.”
“Is that so?” Reese lifted a hand to her chin, her green eyes appearing somewhat dim against the light. She said nonchalantly, “But don’t you quite like it this way?”
The Holy Son shook his head and chuckled, seemingly acknowledging her words. When no other Cardinals were present, the Holy Son was very relaxed around Reese, even the arrogance in his brow lessened a few degrees.
The Holy Son still had many matters regarding the suppression of the Black Witches to report to the Pope, so he didn’t chat with Reese for long before they went their separate ways. Before they parted, the Holy Son, still thinking of Monica, added a few more instructions for Reese. “Monica is your twin. I believe she must also be an exceptionally talented person.”
“After this matter of suppressing the Black Witches is over, bring her to your manor.”
The Holy Son reached out and stroked Reese’s hair, saying meaningfully, “There is still one position left for a Cardinal. It could belong to Monica.”
He gently brushed the back of his hand against Reese’s cheek, shaking his head slightly, his tone tinged with a hint of wistfulness. “The first time I saw you, when I was eighteen, I thought the robes of a Cardinal were the most suitable clothes for you.”
Noble and flamboyant, as stunningly beautiful as a blooming red rose. Although Reese’s somewhat disheveled state at the time had slightly diminished that beauty, he had still been captivated.
If Reese was a red rose blooming brilliantly in the day, then Monica was a blue rose quietly blossoming in the night.
He had a unique love for roses, so regardless of the type, the Holy Son wanted to plant them in his own “garden.”
Reese lowered her head slightly, naturally avoiding the Holy Son’s hand. The Holy Son unconcernedly dropped his hand and turned to leave with the Holy Knights.
Only after the sound of footsteps grew distant did Reese lift her gaze to glance at the Holy Son’s back, a flash of coldness and disgust crossing her face before vanishing instantly. She turned expressionlessly and headed back the way she came.
Reese had expected Tang Qiu and Monica to be gone when she returned, but to her surprise, they were still at the entrance to the hall. She walked over to them and said, “Let’s go. Mario is waiting outside.”
Reese had already composed herself by the time she returned, but Tang Qiu still sensed that something was amiss. She turned her head to look at Reese for a moment, and just as she was about to speak, a graceful figure suddenly appeared before them, blocking their path.
Tang Qiu stopped and looked up at the newcomer with some surprise.
Reese looked at Phoenix blocking their path and said expressionlessly, “Does Your Highness the Holy Daughter require something?” Though her tone was flat, the impatience within was still audible.
Phoenix looked at Tang Qiu and said in a low voice, “I’m here for her.”
Hearing that the visitor was here for her, Tang Qiu smiled slightly, meeting her gaze naturally. “It’s a pleasure to meet you,” she said softly. “I am Grace, a Bishop from the Gosse Church.”
Phoenix stared at Tang Qiu for a moment before speaking. “My name is Phoenix.” As she spoke, she reached out, attempting to take Tang Qiu’s hand.
Faced with Phoenix’s outstretched hand, Tang Qiu vigilantly raised her arm to avoid the touch. Almost at the same instant she dodged, Reese saw Phoenix’s intention and shot out a hand to grab her wrist.
Reese warned in a low voice, “Phoenix.”
Phoenix was a little surprised by Tang Qiu’s conscious defense. She glanced at Tang Qiu and calmly withdrew her hand.
Having witnessed Kama’s abilities, Tang Qiu had been on guard ever since she realized the Holy Son and Holy Daughter might be descendants of the mysterious God Race. After all, who knew what other abilities the God Race Descendants possessed.
“You two go back first.” Reese gave Tang Qiu a look, signaling for her to take Monica and leave first. Then she glanced at Phoenix and said flatly, “You, come with me.”
With that, she turned and walked away.
The Holy Daughter lowered her eyes and followed behind Reese.
Tang Qiu rubbed her wrist, her gaze shifting from the retreating figures of Reese and the Holy Daughter. She turned to Monica beside her and said softly, “Let’s go first.”
Since coming to the Central Church, Monica had gained some understanding of the tense and complex relationships among the Church’s upper echelons. She looked at Reese’s back, suppressed the worry in her heart, and followed Tang Qiu in the opposite direction.
There were many empty prayer rooms near the grand hall. Reese avoided the crowds and found a relatively secluded spot. Seeing no one else around, she stopped. She turned and leaned against the door, her arms crossed as she stared at Phoenix with a blank expression.
Phoenix watched her quietly, initiating the conversation. “You’ve protected Monica well.”
“Have you two reconciled?”
Reese said with displeasure, “What does that have to do with you?”
“I’m concerned about you.” Phoenix paused, then continued, “You can tell Monica the truth now.”
“Bearing the hatred in her eyes must be difficult for you, too. If you need, I can explain for you…”
Before she could finish, Reese interrupted her. Reese let out a self-deprecating laugh, her tone icy. “What do you want me to tell her?”
“That her sister is the Holy Son’s lover?”
“Hmm?” Reese reached out and grabbed the Holy Daughter by the collar, pulling her closer. She enunciated each word, “Or should I tell her what I’ve been through all these years to save her life and keep her from being defiled by the darkness?”
“Should I recount it to her, piece by piece, describing my most disgraceful and wretched moments in detail to earn her guilt? To make her heartbroken and desperate, to make her think she truly has a great sister.”
“Is that what reconciliation between Monica and me looks like to you?” Reese’s green eyes were frosted over with ice. “Someone like you would never understand,” she said mockingly.
“The truth is the most foolish and useless thing.” Reese coldly pushed Phoenix away.
She had never thought of telling Monica these things, because there was no need. It was enough for her to bear it alone. Besides, she wasn’t that noble.
Everything she did was also for her own life, just to survive.
It was just that sometimes, Reese felt a sense of injustice. Why was it her… who had to experience all this? But if she were to return to that moment when a choice had to be made, she would still choose this path without hesitation.
Let her dear sister live under the light. She would bear all the darkness and disgrace.
Phoenix’s emotions wavered. She frowned, and after a moment of silence, she said in a low voice, “…I’m sorry. I was being presumptuous.”
Reese sneered but said nothing.
The atmosphere grew cold. Phoenix sighed. “Actually, I came to find you to remind you to be careful recently. The Pope might send people to investigate you.”
As she spoke, she thought of Tang Qiu again. “By the way, who is that blonde bishop with you?”
Reese replied flatly, “She’s my person. You’d best not touch her.”
Having said that, she had no more patience to stay. Reese straightened up and turned to leave, but she stopped after taking just one step.
“Phoenix.” Reese turned her head and stared into Phoenix’s eyes, her tone serious. “You’d better warn the Holy Son not to lay a hand on Monica.”
“Otherwise, regardless of his status, I will find a way to take him down with me.”
Reese curled her lips, but her eyes held not a hint of a smile. “You know I never joke.”
Late at night, Reese returned to the manor. A priest came forward and whispered something in her ear. She nodded, unfastened her cloak, and handed it to the priest before walking toward the garden.
Tang Qiu was sitting alone in the garden, reading a book. The night wind tousled her hair, and occasionally a few mischievous strands would block her eyes, which she would gently brush aside.
The sound of footsteps approached from a distance. Tang Qiu looked up from her book just in time to meet the eyes of Reese, who had walked over and sat down opposite her. She closed the book, set it aside, and said with a smile, “Monica brewed this tea for you.”
She pushed the exquisite teapot on the table toward Reese.
Reese picked up the teapot and filled the cup in front of her. A few faded petals floated on the surface. She glanced down at them, then lifted the cup and took a sip without much concern.
Tang Qiu leaned back in her chair, observed Reese’s expression, and said tentatively, “The Holy Son’s attitude toward Monica today was a bit strange.”
Reese hummed in agreement and said flatly, “I will protect her.”
Tang Qiu rubbed the now-cold cup, musing, “The Holy Son and the Holy Daughter… are they the legendary God Race Descendants?”
Reese paused, giving Tang Qiu a somewhat surprised look. “You know about the God Race Descendants too?”
She recalled how Tang Qiu had dodged Phoenix’s attempt to take her hand earlier that day, and a look of understanding crossed her face. “You’ve had contact with a God Race Descendant before.”
Her statement was an assertion, not a question.
Tang Qiu didn’t hide it, nodding in acknowledgment. “I know a God Race Descendant. She has the ability to prophesize and can also transmit her thoughts through touch.”
Reese took a sip of tea and added, “Besides what you’ve mentioned, I know of another one of their abilities.”
“Through touch, the Holy Daughter has a chance to view a portion of the other person’s memories.” Although it was only a chance, and not a very high one, it was still a shocking ability.
“Oh?” Tang Qiu was surprised. “Then what about the Holy Son?”
The abilities of the God Race Descendants were truly endless, and each one was astonishing.
It was hard to imagine just how powerful the God Race was at its peak.
“The Holy Son can’t do anything.” Reese pursed her lips. “He’s the good-for-nothing of the God Race.”
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