Standing in place and thinking for a while, she saw that Celitia had already walked some distance away, so Ariel hurried to catch up.

"Are you unhappy?"

Not understanding anything about beating around the bush, Ariel asked directly.

"Why would I be unhappy?"

Hearing Ariel's question, Celitia replied faintly, "If Sophia finds a suitable engagement partner, I should bless her, shouldn't I?"

Should you be asking me that?

The words "unhappy" are clearly written all over your face, aren't they?

Even the usually straightforward Ariel couldn't help but complain inwardly.

It would have been fine if Celitia hadn't refuted, but her refutation actually helped Ariel guess her thoughts.

She was worried that once Sophia had an engagement partner, she would focus all her attention on that person and thus ignore her.

Ariel thought she could understand this feeling.

"Actually, when I was little, I had similar worries."

Ariel racked her brains, digging up a topic from deep in her memory to try to console Celitia.

"After Sophia was born, I felt that from then on, Father and Mother would only focus all their attention on her. I had finally regained family and received their care, but in the blink of an eye, I would lose it again... I was once very anxious and uneasy about this.

But actually, I was overthinking. Things didn't happen as I imagined. Although Sophia did indeed take away some of their attention, neither Father nor Mother neglected me because of it."

Ariel really had no experience comforting people, so her words came out haltingly.

"You should trust Sophia—she won't neglect you as a friend just because she has a new love."

And to be honest...

Ariel even felt that Sophia paid too much attention to Celitia.

Because of this, she had initially found Celitia somewhat disagreeable, though she had gradually changed her opinion recently.

From childhood to now, Ariel had never had any friends her own age, dedicating herself entirely to self-improvement.

Having never experienced it, Ariel didn't know whether the kind of attention they paid to each other was normal between friends.

She only felt, vaguely...

A bit envious.

Celitia remained noncommittal and casually responded: "Is that so?"

From that long string of halting words, Celitia could tell that Ariel was already trying hard to comfort her.

However, how effective it actually was remained questionable.

"If such a thing really happens, then you can come find me," Ariel thought seriously. "I'll help you."

Celitia was startled, looking at Ariel's determined expression and realizing she wasn't joking, couldn't help but ask with amusement:

"How would you help me? By scolding Sophia?"

"Of course!" Ariel didn't hesitate. "If Sophia really becomes so fickle as to cast aside a friend she once treasured, I'll definitely lecture her until she corrects herself!"

"Even if it means falling out with Sophia again over this?" Celitia asked.

"That's right," Ariel's voice was especially resolute. "I will only stand on the side of truth."

Celitia looked at her in surprise, and gradually, her eyes took on a hint of barely suppressed laughter.

How should she describe it? She hadn't expected Ariel to be so stubborn—so foolish it was almost cute.

She couldn't help but chuckle: "The Saintess really isn't good at comforting people."

From their conversation just now, Celitia had already seen that if she really went to Ariel about this matter, she would definitely make things worse one hundred percent of the time.

Never mind helping Celitia—even Ariel herself would end up falling out with Sophia again.

Of course, there was no need to tell Ariel this, lest she become embarrassed and angry and punch her—something she definitely couldn't withstand.

"This, this..."

Even so, Ariel was very embarrassed, her face flushing with two patches of red like the evening glow that dyed most of the sky outside the window.

"I... I know I'm not good at comforting people," Ariel muttered quietly. "But, but... is it really that obvious?"

Ariel had been troubled by this quite often.

When she wanted to get along well with others, as soon as she showed a smile, they would keep their distance as if they had seen something terrifying.

When she wanted to comfort others, she could never empathize properly and would be looked at with the strange expression of "only the Saintess would do such a thing."

When she wanted to give others advice and help, she would unknowingly become bossy and instead be disliked for being too controlling.

For example, regarding how to have a good relationship with Sophia, she had done terribly and still couldn't figure it out at all.

Seeing Ariel's troubled appearance, Celitia couldn't help but smile, and her previously low mood unknowingly improved considerably.

"It's nothing. Being able to always stick to the principles you believe in and never backing down no matter what is a rare and good thing."

"Is that so?" Ariel frowned, still very troubled. "But everyone thinks I'm too fierce and unreasonable."

Celitia thought it wasn't strange that everyone had this impression.

After all, in her previous impression, Ariel's name was equivalent to a lioness.

The kind of lioness that would pounce and bite your throat as soon as you met.

However, through this period of interaction, Celitia discovered that Ariel wasn't entirely as she had imagined.

Although she indeed had aspects of being extremely controlling, completely unable to listen to others, and quick to explode with anger.

But...

"Aren't you trying hard to comfort me and think of solutions for me? Although it's quite clumsy comfort and probably ineffective solutions... it's still your sincere intention."

Celitia smiled slightly, her tone light but especially firm.

"I think you're already very good as you are now—there's no need to change for other people."

Listening, Ariel gradually became somewhat dazed.

She had grown accustomed to being that person who appeared glamorous on the surface but was actually feared and avoided by everyone, existing only in admiration and cheers from afar.

She had been troubled by this and wondered whether she should change to fit in with them, but didn't know where to start.

But Celitia was saying that her current self was already very good.

Ariel could tell this wasn't just to placate her, but her sincere words.

No need to... change for other people?

Once again, when trying to comfort Celitia, she had instead been comforted by her.

Her appearance looked fragile and breakable, yet she had a heart that was sufficiently firm and strong, yet gentle and perceptive.

The twilight from outside the window crept in, covering the girl's dark brown lashes with a layer of dancing golden-red light.

She turned her head slightly, her somewhat pale cheeks reflecting the evening glow from the horizon, her lips curving very gently in an incredibly soft expression.

"Thank you, Ariel."

In that instant, Ariel froze.

As if something had crashed between her ribs, heavily striking her heart, making that heart beat violently.

At the same time, the church bells suddenly rang out, one chime after another, clear and melodious.

The heartbeat and bell chimes resonated with each other, continuously echoing in her ears.

"No... I should be the one thanking you."

Ariel seemed to understand a little why Sophia cared about her so much.