Volu 4 – Chapter 8: One Glance for the Truth—Confird as Love
In Crown Manor’s library, four of us were gathered around the long table. Wenfu served tea with quiet efficiency, slipping easily back into her usual role as soon as we returned. She even brought out a maid outfit from her holand. According to her, the maid industry in her country was highly developed—which explained her exceptional knack for taking care of others.
Teresa could more or less imagine why the demihuman maid industry flourished. After all, who could resist the allure of soft, sweet beast-eared maids? Cultural exports like this naturally beca booming industries.
“The Demon Race was most likely born from resentnt. No—I'm nearly certain. They were born of resentnt.” I sipped the tea Wenfu had brewed as the others quietly mulled things over.
The tea was smooth and sweet, with none of the bitterness I'd co to associate with it. Despite clearly being made from tea leaves, it didn’t leave a harsh aftertaste.
I had always hated bitterness. That’s why I avoided tea, even if it was only slightly bitter.
Back when Bilodis invited to drink tea with her, I’d always find excuses—“Suddenly need the bathroom,” “A bit busy today,” or even “Slept wrong and my butt hurts”—all as flimsy as saying your phone ran out of gas. But in the end, she’d always catch with that gentle smile and pin down at the table to properly drink with her.
That was part of why I used to privately call her “that devilish old cow”—for her persistence and, well, her figure. Naturally, she punished plenty for that.
Ah, mories. They're both a blessing and a curse.
I once thought being tickled into submission by Bilodis was the peak of my humiliation. But after regaining my mories, I realized it was just the tip of the iceberg.
Back then, she used to “discipline” regularly. Like the ti she caught sneaking wasabi into her teacup—stripped , tied my arms behind my back, and spanked while I was bent forward on the floor…
I rembered her kneeling gracefully on the bed, drinking tea like a proper lady while I was bound in the middle of the room. Every now and then, if she felt like it, she'd swat my backside again, all while ignoring my desperate protests.
Recalling that was enough to make my face flush with sha.
So mories should’ve stayed buried.
Still, I had to admit—Bilodis never once punished in front of others. She always preserved my dignity in public. That much, I was thankful for.
“Teresa, are you okay?” Wenfu’s voice pulled from the spiral.
“Hm? Why do you ask? Of course I’m okay.”
“But… your ears suddenly turned bright red.”
“……Did they? You must’ve imagined it.”
Across the table, Astrid and Yimi turned their gazes toward , eyes full of suspicion.
Unlike outsiders, they knew well: red elf ears ant embarrassnt.
“Ahem—anyway, I’ve basically laid everything out now.” I smoothly changed the topic. “In summary, for the sake of peace on this continent and prosperity among the lightkind, I believe it’s necessary for us to return to Ruglian.”
“But that’s just my opinion. What do you all think? I’ll respect your choices.”
“After all that, how could I say no without looking completely heartless?” Felicia’s response was expected.
“Uuuh… since everyone else says so, Wenfu will just follow the team.” Wenfu shrank back a little. Her previous experiences in Ruglian had given her recurring nightmares, but hearing how serious it sounded, she didn’t want to hold anyone back.
Besides, if she could contribute—no matter how little—to the lightkind’s cause, she’d gladly do it.
Even if she was scared.
As for Yimi and Astrid—no need to ask. Fellow Elves, and technically, I was their queen.
After the plan for the sester’s field course was set, I began introducing Yimi to Felicia and Wenfu.
“This is Yimi, one of my kin. For certain reasons, I’d like her to join our team.”
“Eh? She’s a Gold Elf too?” Wenfu looked up in surprise at the petite blonde girl about her own size.
Ever since joining Clarity of Sun and Moon, she’d t more Gold Elves than most people did in a lifeti.
“You’re the leader. Your word goes,” Felicia said playfully, resting her cheek on one hand. Then she blinked—realizing she’d made a slip—and subtly covered her mouth.
“Leader?” Astrid frowned. “Wasn’t Dylin our captain?”
“Oh—right. My bad.” Felicia cast a brief apologetic glance toward . I didn’t mind.
My attitude today likely gave the impression that our team had no secrets left. So she’d slipped. I’d already moved past it.
“Speaking of which—where is Dylin?” Astrid asked. “Classes start tomorrow, and he hasn’t even returned to the dorm. Isn’t that odd?”
“He’s actually already back.” I replied, lips curled in a subtle smile. “You just didn’t see him yesterday since you spent the whole day in your room.”
“He left this morning for… sothing. Who knows what.”
“Is that so…” Astrid didn’t seem to notice the deeper aning in my words.
So Dylin was back…
For so reason, the thought of seeing him again tomorrow—once classes began—filled her with inexplicable tension.
Not excitent. Not happiness.
Sothing more awkward… more anxious.
She didn’t understand when that shift in feeling had occurred. But the idea of seeing him now made her hesitant.
She couldn’t figure out what had changed inside her. She just chalked it up to shyness.
The discussion dispersed after that.
With the sester starting tomorrow, everyone had preparations to make. Wenfu resud her usual duties as head of the Clarity of Sun and Moon cooking team.
“Um, Miss Yimi, what’s the book you’re reading? It’s all in Elvish—it looks really advanced!” Wenfu leaned over, spotting the thick to in Yimi’s hands.
“Just a historical record. This library happened to have a copy, and I usually read it to pass ti.”
“Whoa! You read sothing that heavy to kill ti? Miss Yimi, you’re amazing!”
“N-Not really…” Yimi blushed under the praise. But anyone could tell—her pride was absolutely glowing. She was loving it.
Soon, it was dinnerti. Everyone ca down from the third floor—right as Felicia returned from training outside.
Clad in fitted gear, her fair skin glistening with sweat, Felicia carried a small bag in one hand and a paper parcel in the other. She looked up at as I descended the stairs and smirked.
“Teresa, you really are too charming—drawing all the bees and butterflies.”
“Felicia-classmate, such sudden praise catches off guard,” I replied with a straight face.
“I’m just stating the facts. Honestly, if I were a boy, I’d be madly in love with you,” she said—half-joking, half-serious.
“Oh, this was in your mailbox. Thought I’d pass it along.”
“I don’t subscribe to any newspapers. We’re not a paper recycling station either.”
“How an! You're calling heartfelt love letters from confused, blooming teenage boys wastepaper? If they heard their dream girl call them that, imagine the heartbreak.” Felicia handed the paper bag, a grin tugging at her lips.
Her words drew every gaze in the room—including that of a silver-haired Elf lady descending the stairs with feline grace.
“…Love letters?”
“What? Don’t tell this is your first ti getting any?” Felicia blinked.
“Love letters… you an letters filled with romantic words, handed to soone of the opposite sex for reasons beyond their comprehension?”
“…Beyond comprehension? Their intent is pretty clear, isn’t it?” Felicia laughed. “I counted. There were sixty-three letters in the mailbox. That’s enough to fill a whole drawer.”
“So… they want to marry ?” I tilted my head.
That made Astrid pause mid-step.
“Don’t put it like that! No one just gets married out of nowhere these days. They’d want to date first, see if you’re compatible…”
“Dating without the intent to marry—isn’t that just playing around?” I mused seriously.
“.........”
Felicia was stunned. Her expression turned odd. Sohow, Teresa's words sounded less like those of a lively teenage girl and more like sothing a conservative elder would say.
“I an… fair point. But how would you know unless you try? And how do you know they’re not sincere?”
“They’ve only seen my face. They know nothing about my personality or inner self, yet still wrote those letters. Isn’t that… rash?”
“They only want to marry my appearance, don’t they?”
“............”
Felicia didn’t know what to say. When it ca to matters like this, Teresa was oddly earnest. Pure, even.
Off to the side, Astrid let out a quiet breath—like so weight had been lifted from her chest.
“What are you going to do about them, then?”
“I’ll reply to them all. One by one.” I said seriously. This wasn’t sothing to be taken lightly.
That answer made Astrid tense again.
“But there are sixty-three of them…”
“It’s fine.” I took the bag from Felicia. “I won’t be eating dinner tonight. No need to prepare my share.”
“Eh? Oh… okay.” Wenfu nodded. Skipping one al wouldn’t harm an Elf. Then she asked, “What about Dylin’s portion?”
“No need for him either,” Felicia cut in. “Teresa said he had sothing outside this afternoon. Probably won’t make it back.”
“Oh…”
Astrid silently watched climb the stairs. Her rational side knew Teresa wouldn’t accept those frivolous confessions.
But she couldn’t help feeling uneasy.
Strange.
She realized sothing was wrong.
Why was she even worrying about this? Whether Teresa accepted them or not—what did that have to do with her?
Why was she so caught up in it?
“Astrid, are you okay? Are you feeling unwell?” Felicia’s voice brought her back.
“I’m fine.” She looked up and noticed everyone at the table staring at her. She hadn’t touched her food. She’d just… spaced out.
“Really?” Felicia raised an eyebrow. Yimi said nothing—but her gaze was odd.
“Maybe Wenfu’s cooking isn’t to your taste tonight?” Wenfu asked, concerned.
“Not at all.” Astrid shook her head, then looked at Felicia, hesitating. “Felicia-classmate, have you ever…”
“If there’s sothing on your mind, just say it.” Felicia’s tone was playful, but her eyes glead. Seeing Astrid like this—so hesitant—was adorable in its own way.
“…Have you ever been in love?”
“Sure, though maybe not the kind you’re imagining.”
“?”
“But if you’re curious, feel free to ask. I am very experienced~”
Astrid’s expressions said it all. Even if she didn’t speak, Felicia could tell.
This Elf girl… was in love.
Not surprising. Even Elves feel spring awake. And honestly—it wasn’t hard to guess who she was in love with.
Who else?
“If—hypothetically—a girl gets really upset when soone confesses to another person, and her mood depends entirely on whether the confession is accepted…”
“Diagnosis: love.” Felicia answered without hesitation. “Definitely love.”
“But… it could be just as friends—” Astrid tried to argue.
“Pffff… oh my little Astrid,” Felicia giggled. “You’re that jealous and you still think it’s just friendship? Please. No one gets possessive like that over just a friend.”
“............”
Astrid froze, unable to respond.
There was one thing she hadn’t said out loud.
The other person… was a girl too.
So what did that an?
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