Silphiel was in such high spirits that even the noodles tasted exceptionally smooth.
The love potion had already been mixed into the bowl. Oblivious, Gao Ying devoured every strand!
She’d eaten hers at the exact same moment too—strictly following her bestie’s instructions!
*Heh. Gao Ying, let’s see you escape my grasp now.*
Soon, her bowl was empty. Silphiel set it aside, ready to observe Gao Ying’s reaction.
*According to Haierjia’s notes… will he suddenly pounce and lick my feet?*
*Or drop to his knees shouting, “Silphiel, marry me!”?*
*Ugh. As the perfect Holy Maiden, that’d be so troublesome…*
Yet the thought made her heart flutter. *Ah, vanity’s sweet taste!*
Her gaze landed on Gao Ying—and her chest jolted.
It felt like the birth of a universe: chaotic, overwhelming, waves crashing inside her.
Her cheeks burned crimson. His ordinary face now glowed like a shoujo manga hero’s under a perfect filter.
*Gao Ying is so handsome!*
*I want to bear his children.*
Silphiel froze. *What?! Where did that shameless thought come from?*
She shook her head hard, trying to banish the pink haze.
But when she looked again—that piercing, heart-stopping feeling surged back!
In a single glance, fantasies flooded her mind:
*I’ll marry Gao Ying! “The Holy Maiden is the Hero’s destined lover”—it’s the Goddess’s divine decree! Who dares oppose it?*
*I’ll wear a lace-trimmed gown, walk beside him under blessings, with the Pope himself presiding over our grand wedding!*
*How many kids after marriage? One? Two? No—a whole soccer team!*
Just imagining it made her flush, giddy as if she’d swallowed honey—
*Wait! Why am I thinking this? I’d never marry that guy!*
*He’s my pawn. Once I’ve used him up, I’ll kick him away. What’s wrong with me?!*
But the pink thoughts clung like stubborn flies. Head throbbing, Silphiel slammed her forehead onto the table—
***THUD!***
Gao Ying and Rodrika jumped, noodles halfway to their mouths.
“What’s wrong, Silphiel?” Gao Ying asked, bewildered.
Rubbing her dizzy head, she forced a laugh. “Just… swatting a fly.”
*A fly?* Gao Ying frowned. *Why bash your head for that?*
He didn’t dwell on it—Rodrika’s hopeful stare was fixed on his half-finished bowl. He’d only eaten half, wary of Silphiel’s cooking despite Sophia’s earlier checks.
Rodrika’s eyes burned with hunger.
Gao Ying sighed. “Want the rest?”
She nodded eagerly. Silphiel’s noodles were divine.
“No!” Silphiel blurted, then clapped a hand over her mouth. Under their stares, she stammered, “I-I’ll make Rodrika a fresh bowl. No need for leftovers.”
“Really? Thank you, Silphiel!” Rodrika beamed.
Silphiel stood, covering her eyes. She couldn’t look at Gao Ying—every glance sent butterflies crashing through her ribs. Sweet. Torturous.
She fled to the kitchen.
But the ache worsened. *Seeing him makes my heart race… not seeing him makes me ache.*
*What’s happening to me?!*
Watching Rodrika and Gao Ying chat earlier had felt like a knife to her chest.
Chopping vegetables, realization struck: *Gao Ying ate the noodles… but I’m the one acting lovesick. Did I…*
*Did I take the wrong potion?!*
Her hand jerked. The knife sliced her finger—
“Ahh!” Blood welled. The pain only deepened her despair. *Where did it go wrong? Did Haierjia mix up the labels?!*
That scatterbrain! Silphiel wanted to scream. Tears pricked her eyes as blood dripped, forgotten.
“Silphiel? I heard you cry out.” Gao Ying rushed in.
She turned. *He’s so unfairly handsome right now…*
He grabbed her hand, casting the healing spell he’d learned days ago. The cut sealed slowly.
“You cut yourself? Be more careful.”
“I… don’t feel well…” She tried to pull away, but her traitorous body leaned into the warmth of his palm.
*This potion is too strong! I should hate being touched by him—but it feels… sweet as honey.*
*Get out. Find Haierjia. Get the antidote. Now.*
“Rest upstairs,” Gao Ying said gently. “The spell heals wounds, not sickness.”
*He’s right. We’re Hero and Holy Maiden—we must keep up appearances.*
“I should go home—” The words died. Instead, she nodded shyly, snatching her hand back. She climbed the stairs slowly, pausing to glance back at him multiple times.
*Why am I staying?! Find the antidote!*
*But… where else would the Holy Maiden sleep? Not the maids’ quarters…*
She lay on Gao Ying’s bed. His scent clung to the sheets. Her face burned.
Alone, the bittersweet ache swelled. Memories surfaced—real ones, even the dreamt intimacies.
Strangely, she felt no disgust. Only longing.
Later, when Gao Ying brought medicine, Silphiel’s pent-up emotions nearly spilled over—
Just as things spiraled, the door burst open. Rodrika rushed in, breathless.
“The Sage of Stars is coming!” Her curious eyes widened. “But… what does ‘exploring the origins of life’ mean?”
