SAINTESS [Chapter 129: Pretty Cute] (Patreon)

‘Did we have a guest over?’

Winnie wondered after noticing an extra pair of shoes in the entryway when he came inside.

‘Who could it be? Don't tell me it's that silver haired furball again? Lately she'd been coming over all the time, was it because her place hadn't been cleaned properly recently?’

The shoes were the brown loafers standard-issue at Carillian Academy. They were part of the girls' uniform, so it was impossible to tell who they were.

But judging from the size, they looked about the same as Aesphyra's.

So it really was that silver haired furball?

That girl has been showing up more and more often lately. No need to think, Shikondell will never be able to refuse a friend's suggestion to come over as a guest.

The only question was what she was here for this time.

Winnie was thinking this as he slipped into his slippers and walked into the living room, only to freeze when he saw a golden haired figure sitting on the sofa.

Only then did he realize he'd guessed wrong. The visitor wasn't Aesphyra, but…

When Winnie came in from the entryway and appeared in the living room, the figure on the sofa noticed too.

Almost at the same time, their gazes met in midair.

“It's you??” Winnie spoke first, clearly surprised that the person in his dorm was her.

“U-um… it’s been quite a while,” the blonde elf stammered. Sitting on the sofa with her hair pulled into a high ponytail, she grew visibly anxious the instant she caught sight of Winnie.

'Virtue + 150.'

Current Virtue: 12199.

“Milian?” Winnie recognized the blonde elf sitting on his living-room sofa. Caught off guard, he blurted out, “You? You were resurrected?”

At that, Milian's eyes went hazy. She lowered her head and said nothing.

Uh. Uh.

Winnie realized that what he had said sounded wrong. He had only just met her, yet he was already asking whether she had won the resurrection match, making it sound as though he wasn't happy to see her at all.

“Ah, no, I didn't mean it like that. I mean… it's good you're okay.” Winnie scratched the back of his head and sat down on the other side of the sofa.

“Last time, you really did some on me.” The two sat in silence until Winnie broke it first.

Today, Milian wore the student uniform of Carillian Academy, consisting of a light-blue blouse and a deep-blue pleated skirt. Her wheat-gold hair was tied into twin tails with pale-blue ribbons, each strand cascading gracefully like flowing water. Bathed in sunlight, her slender legs appeared almost luminous, highlighting the delicate, fair complexion characteristic of a high elf.

Slender legs clad in pristine white over-the-knee socks, radiating the freshness, energy, and carefree spirit of youth.

“Um… sorry.” Hearing Winnie speak, Milian's heart tightened.

'Virtue + 80.'

Current Virtue: 12279.

“Why are you apologizing? I'm not blaming you.” Seeing her like this, Winnie let out a soft sigh.

"You're not blaming me?"

“I'm the one who got saved, what right do I have to blame you?” Winnie looked at Milian seriously. “I owe you my life. I'm just glad you're fine, don't make it so I don't even get the chance to repay you.”

“Repay or anything… you don't have to.” Milian said awkwardly. She didn't really want Winnie to speak to her that way.

“They… did something to you that was completely improper, didn't they?” What Milian didn't need to be spelled out.

“They're them. You're you. Why would you make up for it like that?” Winnie murmured softly. “I can't stand them, sure, but that doesn't stop me from being grateful to you, Milian.”

“To be honest, I think I've misunderstood you in a lot of ways. I owe you an apology for that.”

“H-huh?” Milian was started.

“Milian, you're a really brave girl. I admire you.”

“Ugh, ugh!” Milian’s cheeks turned bright red at Winnie’s earnest words and sincere attitude. With her hands resting tensely on her knees, she kept her head lowered, too embarrassed to meet his gaze.

'Virtue + 100.'

Current Virtue: 12379.

“You're really not hurt anymore?” Winnie kept asking as he looked her over, perfectly intact now. “Or… after coming out of the Demon God Domain, are there any side effects or restrictions? Soul instability, something like that?”

“No. My soul was completed by the Primordial Sacred Tree. I'm fine now.” Milian shook her head.

"Good." Winnie nodded.

They might've played games with him, but Milian was their princess, of course they'd spare no effort to save her.

"Really… I'm sorry."

“Didn't I just tell you to stop saying sorry?” Winnie finds her current state kind of funny.

At that moment, she looked like a meek, wronged little wife, completely lacking the arrogant, sharp-tongued bratty attitude she had shown earlier.

And the way she kept saying sorry… it was getting more and more like Shikondell.

An elven family tradition??

“This apology isn't the same as the one earlier.”

“Then what are you apologizing for this time?” Winnie was amused.

“If it wasn't for me, you wouldn't have had to go to the Elven Forest.” Milian lowered her head.

“That's a strange way to put it. I chose to go, how's that your fault?” Winnie raised a brow. “You were left behind in the Demon God Domain. Was I supposed to abandon you? No matter how dangerous the Elven Forest was, I had to go. Even if the hope was slim.”

"Mm."

'Virtue + 100.'

Current Virtue: 12479.

“Milian, are you sure you’re all right?” Winnie asked once more, his brow furrowed as he studied her with concern.

“Of course I'm okay. Why do you keep asking if I'm okay?” Milian didn't understand.

“Because you're acting weird today.” Winnie stated firmly, so much so he couldn't help wondering whether something unclean had possessed her.

“Where'd your bratty little-gremlin vibe go? Without it, I almost can't recognize you.” Winnie said in surprise. “Don't tell me it's because you stayed in the Demon God Domain too long?”

“What are you talking about? What ‘bratty little gremlin’?” Milian puffed out her cheeks indignantly.

“There! That’s it! That’s the attitude I remember!” Winnie slapped the table excitedly.

“What the heck? Do you actually want me to be rude to you?” Milian asked, still puffing out her cheeks.

“No, it’s just… the way you’re talking to me right now doesn’t really fit your usual personality.” Winnie stroked his chin thoughtfully.

“You humans are always putting these weird labels on me!” Milian protested, awkwardly tapping her index fingers together. Then, with a hint of insecurity, she asked, “Do you really think I’m that spoiled and unreasonable?”

“Do you want the truth or a lie?” Winnie couldn't resist teasing her, seeing that expression.

“Of course the truth. What's the point of a lie? Might as well not say anything.”

“Of course there's a point. At least lies sound pleasant.” Winnie curled his lips.

“Hmph! What kind of talk is that? Do you think this princess is the kind of elf who deceives herself? I want the truth!” Milian crossed her arms. Her cheeks puffed up; her fair skin flushed rosy, making her look extremely cute.

“Oh, the truth? The truth is… yes.” Winnie nodded.

“Waah, What! You actually said that??”

'Virtue + 50.'

Current Virtue: 12529.

“You're the one who told me to speak the truth. You can't demand I only tell the truths you want to hear.” Winnie grinned at her reaction.

“Well, it's not that…” Milian turned her head away. “I mean, I kind of know it myself… You really don't like the 'spoiled and unreasonable' type, do you?”

“Wouldn't say I dislike it. Every personality has its good points.” Winnie said calmly. "Why do you care whether other people like it or not? Just be yourself. You've got plenty of qualities other people don't, don't you?"

“Hmph! You're as slick-tongued as ever!” Milian said, delighted inside, who wouldn't like being praised, having someone speak in line with what they wanted to hear? And Milian was childish by nature; she liked that kind of thing even more.

'Virtue + 50.'

Current Virtue: 12579.

“Then… if you say you don't dislike it, that means you like it?” Milian asked, pretending it was casual.

“Yeah. Sometimes that personality of yours is pretty cute.” Winnie smiled.

'Virtue + 100.'

Current Virtue: 12679.

“W-who compliments people like that? So direct??” Milian said it on the surface, but just looking at the Virtue changes made it obvious, she was extremely pleased to be called cute.

Watching her reaction, an idea popped into Winnie's head.

So that was why people said every personality had its opposite.

This idiot Milian's level of stubborn pride might not be any less than his.

Of course, he didn't think he was that stubborn, just, sometimes he was a tiny bit unwilling to admit what he really felt.

“Then how should I praise you? Say, 'Milian, you're so spoiled and unreasonable'?” Winnie joked.

Milian shot him a reproachful glare with her olive-green, doe-like eyes, her expression filled with playful indignation. “Who told you to put it like that?!”

"Exactly."

“Eh? Winnie, are you back?” At that moment, the door to Shikondell's room on the second floor opened. The silver-haired elf girl stepped out, and when she saw Winnie, she looked surprised.

“Yeah, I'm back.” Winnie glanced at Milian. “Dell, we've got a guest, why didn't you tell me earlier?”

“S-sorry, Winnie.” Shikondell thought he was blaming her and rushed to explain. “Someone knocked earlier. I opened the door and realized it was Milian.”

“It's fine, it's fine. I didn't mean to blame you. Milian's my friend too.”

“Huh? Milian, were you chatting with Winnie just now?” Only then did Shikondell react.

"Hmm, we were."

“What were you talking about?” Shikondell asked curiously as she walked downstairs.

There was still some awkwardness between her and Milian, but Milian was her childhood friend. And Milian had saved Winnie, even nearly sacrificed herself, Shikondell was grateful, and their relationship had eased up somewhat.

Seeing the two of them getting along was something Shikondell was happy about. She just hadn't expected it. In the past, Milian had really disliked Winnie. When the two met, it was always a war of words, and not the same kind as with Aesphyra.

Shikondell didn’t know exactly what had changed, but even she could sense that the nature of Aesphyra and Winnie’s arguments had shifted. The tension and hostility between them had gradually faded, replaced by an increasingly subtle, indescribable atmosphere that was difficult to put into words.

"We were talking…"

“Ah, we were talking about how this guy is a masochist!” Milian seemed unwilling to let Shikondell know what she and Winnie had really been talking about. Before Winnie could finish, she cut in and answered first.

“??” Winnie's head was filled with question marks.

“Ah…?” Shikondell froze, then said helplessly. “Milian, you can't say things like that.”

“It's true! Who likes being shouted at?” Milian pouted, arms folded.

“Heh, we were just making small talk.” Winnie didn't care.

If it were Aesphyra, he might argue. But Milian?

Who would argue with a childish idiot? Besides, no one would believe her anyway.

Winnie only felt that this gold-haired dummy was adorably stupid, so he simply went along with her.

“I see. Winnie, have you eaten dinner?” Shikondell asked.

“No, of course I haven’t.” Winnie rested his head against one hand, smiling at her. “I was waiting until I got back so I could eat something you made. Besides, even if someone else wanted to treat me, I’d turn them down. I have to save my appetite for your cooking, Dell. Nothing else compares to what you make.”

“E-eh… ehh…” Shikondell's cheeks heated up.

'Virtue + 100.'

Current Virtue: 12779.

Hearing that made her truly happy, but saying such things in front of Milian felt unbearably embarrassing. She could only lower her head, staring at the floor as she hurried into the kitchen.

“Ah… i-is that so? Then I'll go cook now. Milian's here too, let's all eat together!” With that, Shikondell quickly slipped into the kitchen.

“So for a whole year she's been here, cooking for you and doing chores every day?” Watching Shikondell's back, Milian pouted and glanced at Winnie.

“Wrong. Not a year, one and a half.” Winnie corrected.

“Never would've guessed.” Milian looked at Winnie with a very strange expression.

If the Moon Elves found out their princess had one day become a human's cook, who knew what they'd think?

No, just the fact that Shikondell was willing to become a human's cook of her own accord was already shocking enough. Especially for Milian, who had grown up with her.

The night air was cool. The two of them sat in the living room, listening to the sounds coming from the kitchen, the creating a warm atmosphere.