After a heated argument, Sophia and Ariel finally reached a conclusion.

Celitia would still stay at the church for the full week as originally agreed.

Ariel had to guarantee that she would cure Celitia's illness and ensure no similar situations occurred in the future.

In addition, as compensation for this incident, Ariel had to write a... self-criticism letter for Sophia?

When Sophia made this request, Celitia could clearly see Ariel's entire face turn dark.

However, since she was in the wrong this time, Ariel had no choice but to agree to Sophia's demand.

Watching Ariel leave in a huff, Sophia's tail was practically wagging with pride.

Total victory!

This was Ariel's self-criticism letter!

Sophia declared that once she received it, she would definitely have the entire paper professionally framed and hung on the wall for admiration!

Someone knocked on the door from outside—it was the medicine Ariel had sent for.

Sophia got up to open the door and took the medicine bowl from the person's hands. Under their surprised gaze, she cheerfully waved them away:

"You can go about your business. I'll handle this."

Celitia obediently sat up on the bed and reached out to take the medicine bowl Sophia was holding.

Sophia immediately hugged the bowl tightly, refusing to let go: "I'll feed it to you."

Sophia had been restraining herself for many days, always maintaining distance from Celitia and observing proper etiquette.

She only dared to stand at a safe distance, secretly watching the person she cared about.

Even if it was just for this brief moment, please let her indulge herself a little.

Celitia was startled and saw the deeply hidden persistence in the girl's eyes.

Her originally resolute heart unknowingly softened.

She sighed: "Alright."

Her azure eyes brightened by three degrees, and Sophia happily scooped up a spoonful of the medicinal soup, carefully blowing on it several times before bringing it to Celitia's lips.

"Come on, open your mouth, 'ah'~" she coaxed like speaking to a child. "There's candy as a reward after you finish!"

Celitia looked at Sophia like she was an idiot, pursed her lips, and a trace of disdain quickly flashed across her face.

But she still cooperatively said "ah" and obediently drank the medicine from the spoon.

Sophia smiled with her eyes curved into crescents, feeling that all the fatigue accumulated over these past days had dissipated in her response.

If only Celitia wouldn't torment her body like this, it would be perfect...

Worried that constantly complaining about Celitia might instead provoke her resentment, Sophia carefully asked:

"Did you go on a relief activity today? What did you do?"

Celitia thought for a moment and randomly picked a few interesting events to tell Sophia about.

As for being cornered by Ariel to change clothes... forget it, that was too embarrassing, better to forget about it.

"So many things happened. It sounds very tiring."

Sophia tactfully advised, "Relief activities are good deeds, but don't exhaust yourself to illness—that would be putting the cart before the horse."

Celitia shook her head: "Actually, I didn't do much. Getting sick this time was because I was a bit careless and caught a cold wind by the fountain."

Remembering what Ariel had said then, Celitia's eyes flickered slightly as she thoughtfully spoke:

"The relationship between you and Ariel isn't actually as bad as it appears on the surface, is it?"

Sophia gripped the spoon handle tightly, lowered her head somewhat awkwardly, and muttered quietly: "Anyway, I hate her."

"Why?" Celitia asked. "Since she's already the church's Saintess, there shouldn't be any actual conflict of interest between you two."

Sophia lowered her head and remained silent for a moment before reluctantly and slowly speaking:

"If there was someone who always walked ahead of you from childhood, and whenever you did something wrong, she would educate and scold you, and every time you met, it was nothing but lectures and warnings… And the people around you always compared you to her, saying you weren't as good as her in this way or that way... would you still like her?"

Celitia was momentarily speechless.

She could understand Sophia's feelings.

"Without doubt, Ariel is a once-in-a-century genius."

Sophia said quietly, her face gradually showing deep dejection.

"But I'm just an ordinary, mediocre person. A genius like her simply can't understand why I can't become like her."

Celitia sighed softly and reached out her hand, gently stroking Sophia's hand.

Her fingertips glided over like a dragonfly touching water, leaving behind a burning sensation on her skin, different from the usual coolness.

"I know you've already worked very hard."

After just comfortingly patting Sophia's hand once, Celitia quickly withdrew her hand.

"Don't put too much pressure on yourself, Sophia. Don't always think about turning in a perfect paper—sixty points is already enough."

Sophia said blankly: "But if that's the case, won't I fail to meet everyone's expectations..."

"So what? Everyone's expectations shouldn't become a burden you carry on your back."

Celitia smiled slightly, the storms she had weathered contained in her eyes, transformed into a peaceful and gentle ocean.

"What you need to do first is accept that there are things you can't do, accept that imperfect version of yourself… Then next time, try to work a little harder, try to exceed that imperfect self by just a little bit. Even if you can't do it, that's fine... after all, you're not a god, just an ordinary human."

Celitia's words were surprisingly comforting to Sophia.

Very wonderful.

Just being by her side, this heart could calm down, drawing from her the strength needed to carry burdens and move forward again.

This was her treasure, the treasure that Sophia wanted to hold tightly in her palms no matter what, absolutely unwilling to let go.

A strong impulse surged in her heart, wanting to disregard everything and hold her in her arms.

But Sophia ultimately held back.

She couldn't be so selfish, couldn't frighten Celitia again and push her further and further away from herself.

"Mm, I understand."

Sophia took a deep breath, the corners of her eyes slightly moist.

"Accept that imperfect self... then each time, exceed the previous self by just a little bit, right?"

"It's fine even if you don't exceed it," Celitia winked at her. "After all, throughout history, there have been plenty of rulers who got worse the more they tried—that's probably the mainstream trend. Maybe to you, you can't achieve the perfection you demand of yourself, but to me, you're already very perfect."

Celitia hoped that what she gave Sophia was sufficient support, not increasingly heavy pressure.

Moreover, Celitia actually didn't have that many demands.

She wanted wholehearted trust and promises that wouldn't change once spoken.

And she wanted her to be happy, wanted to always, always see her smile.

That was all.