Harmony

Philicia, sitting at her desk, pressed her lips together, looking at Helen, the Sea Elf reporting to her, with an unreadable expression.

“Indeed, yesterday, when I was with Princess Selina, I suddenly noticed that Her Highness seemed a bit unusual—her cheeks were flushed, and her consciousness also seemed a bit blurry…”

Helen carefully recalled yesterday’s scene, recounting it truthfully.

“It was on the street, and many students were watching, so I couldn’t intervene directly. I originally planned to help when Her Highness got closer to the dormitory, but unexpectedly, Her Highness inexplicably turned into building number one, and then when I caught up, she was already…”

Helen didn’t continue. Of course, Philicia already knew what happened next.

“Alright, I understand about this matter.”

The blonde girl rubbed her forehead, a hint of fatigue and helplessness on her delicate face, and her emerald eyes held a big sister’s worry for her younger sister.

“Your Highness, why don’t we just reveal our identities? Princess Selina is all alone at the Academy of Revelation and could easily be targeted by ill-intentioned individuals and get into trouble.”

Helen anxiously reminded her.

The Elven race, unlike other races, had an extremely low birthrate. Moreover, the entire pure-blood Elven royalty could only rely on the blessings of the Sacred Tree for their arrival.

The entire Elven Kingdom had only these two princesses, and an accident happening to either of them was something the Elven race could not accept.

“The Academy is safe for now. Continue to monitor her. As for revealing our identities…”

The blonde girl looked down at the pile of documents waiting to be processed in her hand.

The commercial trade cooperation between the Vampire and Elven races had just been finalized and was now at a critical juncture. As the main person in charge for the Elven race, she could not afford any slack.

In this situation, even if she wished to acknowledge her sister, the timing could only be postponed.

More importantly, that girl was intentionally avoiding her. Forcing a meeting might not be a good thing.

‘Oh, right…’

Philicia seemed to have suddenly thought of something. She took out a pre-prepared crystal from her office drawer and pushed it towards Helen.

“You should have met my sister’s maidservant, right? Her name is Crispin. If you get a chance, give this to her.”

“This is?”

Helen carefully picked up the crystal, examining it closely, and then her expression changed dramatically.

“Your Highness, this is your exclusive Space Crystal.”

“Indeed, this is my Space Crystal. Selina should have had an identical one to mine, but hers seems to have been used during the rescue of those Wood Elf sisters last time.”

Philicia nodded, explaining at the same time.

“This won’t do, Your Highness. Princess Selina’s Space Crystal can be re-applied for from Her Majesty the Empress, but if you directly give her yours, then in a moment of crisis, who will ensure your safety?”

Helen asked anxiously.

“I’m not important. I stay in the Academy year-round, under the protection of the Four Knights of Revelation. But my sister is different. I know she bears a responsibility completely different from mine. If we were to use an analogy for us sisters…”

“I am the shield defending the city; she is the spear attacking it. Compared to a shield, an offensive spear is more easily broken. She needs this crystal more than I do. Besides, after the semester ends, I can apply to Mother again.”

Philicia shook her head, a gentle smile always on her face. Her eyes held a big sister’s utmost trust and love for her younger sister, and the outpouring of these emotions fell entirely into Helen’s sight.

She took a deep breath, and then her gaze became firm.

“I understand, Your Highness. No matter what, I will protect Princess Selina’s safety.”

With that, Helen carefully put away the Space Crystal and pushed the door open to leave.

As the sound of the door closing echoed, Philicia quietly put down the quill in her hand. She leaned back against the chair, looking a bit tired, but her eyes continuously flashed with regret and vexation.

‘Seriously, she runs into trouble but isn’t willing to come to her older sister. Selina, when will you be willing to rely more on the strength of your family?’

“Are you nervous?”

Walking side by side, the Dragon Saintess suddenly asked.

“Ah, no, not at all…”

Being suddenly asked if she was nervous, Selina’s response was a bit awkward for a moment.

“From the moment we came out, your body muscles seem to have been constantly tense.”

“Perhaps I don’t go shopping much and just aren’t used to it?”

“No, I think you’re probably not used to this outfit.”

The Dragon Saintess spoke bluntly.

Her inner thoughts exposed, the blush that had just faded from her cheeks seemed to rush back again. Selina felt that in this state, she was utterly clumsy, completely manipulated by the girl.

‘It won’t do. It seems I still can’t fully integrate into this mode of interaction with girls.’

If she were in combat, no matter how critical the situation, she could maintain absolute calm for confrontation and strategizing.

But now, the person beside her wasn’t an enemy, and the setting wasn’t a battlefield. Just casual conversation while shopping almost made her break out in a sweat.

‘Are girls’ perceptions really that sharp?’

“Actually, don’t worry too much. My situation is similar to yours; I didn’t willingly change into this outfit.”

The Dragon Saintess turned her head to glance at Selina’s expression, then resumed looking straight ahead, speaking calmly.

“Eh?!”

“It’s exactly what you’re thinking. If I’m not mistaken, your attire must have been chosen by that girl named Crispin, right?”

“Mine is pretty much the same. I originally planned to just wear a simple school uniform when going out, but I didn’t expect that as soon as she heard I was going shopping with a friend, she went all out and arranged this entire outfit for me…”

Though narrated in a very detached tone, it actually made the girl beside her let out a chuckle, and the slightly awkward atmosphere instantly brightened. Selina’s inner discomfort vanished in an instant.

“So that’s how it is. It seems we’re kindred spirits, then.”

“Indeed.”

A faint curve also appeared at the corner of the Dragon Saintess’s lips.

Just like that, the two girls, who had previously had a slight distance between them, walked even closer together. Aurelia subtly glanced at the girl’s hands, neatly clasped over her stomach, then she very naturally extended her own hand, wrapping it through the gap in the girl’s arm, intertwining them.

At the same time, she opened the parasol in her other hand, holding it over their heads.

Looking at the girl’s somewhat complicated expression, she merely explained in a calm tone.

“It’s nothing. Once, a stranger, like me, held an umbrella for me, shielding me from wind and rain. And now, I am merely using the same method to respond to a girl who, like my past self, was feeling awkward.”

As she spoke, Aurelia’s hand slowly slid down the girl’s delicate arm, gradually touching her palm. Her fingers gently parted the tightly clenched fingers, and as their palms met, their five fingers intertwined and lightly clasped together.

The entire process of this action was completely controlled and led by Aurelia. She was like a gentle yet assertive older sister, both guiding Selina to adapt to this feeling and subtly drawing their relationship closer.

Two figures hidden behind a tree furtively peeked out, then coincidentally bumped their heads together. Both turned abruptly to look at each other, finally revealing understanding smiles.

Seeing the increasingly harmonious atmosphere and intimate gestures between their two mistresses.

The red dragoness Norin and Crispin exchanged glances, both revealing smug smiles of a plan well-executed.