The pure moonlight flowed over strange, bare branches, casting dappled patches on withered leaves. In the silent forest, only the rustle of fallen leaves sinking into moonlight could be heard. Icy frost lent a sharp edge to every scent—thorns, rotting leaves, and her own tears. Priestess Liz leaned against a fir tree, burying her face in her knees as she wept softly.

A youth with a sword had stolen her heart, only to leave without hesitation for a silver-haired woman. He walked into the perilous wilderness, discarding her heart on the ground. She wept for it; this vast, quiet forest could embrace a sentimental maiden.

Crunch, crunch.

The faint sound of crushed leaves reached her ears. The priestess instantly grew alert. Though she lived in comfort, it didn't mean she was foolish. Liz wiped her tears, stood up, and reached for the mace at her waist.

"Who's there?"

"Aelina."

A soft, clear voice dispelled Liz's wariness. She instinctively thought its owner couldn't be bad.

Wait—Aelina? That Silverhaired Witch!

She snapped back, flushed with anger and shame. Drawing her mace, she turned. "Witch! What are you doing here... Oof~."

Oof was an involuntary gasp—a mortal's praise for beauty beyond comprehension.

As Liz turned, she saw a Silverhaired Maiden walking toward her, treading on leaves, draped in moonlight like silver gauze. She was moonlight incarnate, a hazy halo surrounding her. She wore a seamless white dress, pure as snow, with only a black silk ribbon tying her silver hair that flowed like liquid light. She smiled gently, and the icy forest warmed.

"Liz, hello."

Aelina stepped close, glancing at the mace in Liz's hand. Though Liz's slender arms seemed weak, priests could call divine power to fight. So Aelina wisely abandoned her plan to pounce and kiss lightly right away—though her scant data suggested women loved that trick.

"You... you're Aelina?" Liz stammered, suddenly noticing her wet cheeks. She wiped them again, her blue eyes trying hard to glare. "What are you doing here?"

"I heard a maiden's sobs and came to check," Aelina said, unsure what to say next. Perhaps directly... "Liz, I want to sleep with you."

"Sleep together?"

"Ah, no," Aelina corrected. "Actually, I have nothing with that Golden Ape—Fro."

"So you've come to mock a loser." Liz lowered her mace, hands on hips, stomping around Aelina. The more she looked, the angrier she got—how could such beauty exist? "Of course you have nothing with Fro. Just blink at him, and any infatuated youth would be yours." She stopped, accusing loudly, "You shameless witch using magic! You cheated!"

"You suspect my face and skin are fake, right?" Aelina's arm, like hot milk poured from porcelain, flowed into tight copper-buckled gloves, outlining graceful lines. Her hand grabbed Liz's wrist, guiding it to her halo-ringed cheek. "Then touch it."

Liz pulled slightly, but Aelina's grip was stronger than it looked. Touching her cheek felt smooth, like a peeled boiled egg. Curiosity took over; Liz spread her fingers, stroking gently. Even the finest silk couldn't match that skin. While touching, Liz felt her own fingers' roughness—like sandpaper. When her finger brushed Aelina's diamond lips, Aelina kissed it lightly. Liz jerked back as if shocked, shyness flooding her face. She turned away, cheeks flushed, chest heaving.

"You're very cute," Aelina complimented.

Liz crossed her arms, wary. "You... you're not into women, are you?"

Aelina gave an ambiguous smile, about to admit it—but Liz stepped back. "I've heard wizards sacrifice girls to keep their beauty. You... you're not one, are you?" She glanced around anxiously. A dark cloud covered the moon. With wind high and night black, it was perfect for crime.

"Sigh." Aelina stepped forward—no evil magic, no claws. She sat on a broken slope, patting the leaves beside her. "Let's talk."

Sensing no malice, Liz sat close. The cold wind blew past her, and she unconsciously leaned toward warmer Aelina.

"Hmm, back to earlier—Liz, shall we sleep together?"

"I don't know what that means."

"It means sharing hearts, chatting." Aelina had prepared a potion with her own fluids, planning to trick this naive-looking girl. "I think we have nothing to discuss," Liz said, her words thorny.

"That Golden Ape Fro hurt you," Aelina said, gazing with pale golden starry eyes. Inside, she screamed: *Badmouth that ape with me!* "He's a traitor. Don't grieve for him."

"No, he's not!" Liz retorted.

"I heard he left you. He left me too—I never liked him. He betrayed our contract."

"You don't know. He's good. He went to find those bandits to avenge you, yet you slander him."

"Love makes excuses for hurt." Aelina shook her head. "Do you think I'm beautiful?"

"Beautiful. Very." Liz's face flushed again.

"Beauty brings endless danger. This morning, a bald man chased me, riding three horses to death. He'd seen me once and wanted to rape me. When Fro hadn't betrayed me, I wore any clothes freely. Now that bald man marked me—I wrap myself up, tie a padded jacket at my waist, mimic an auntie's voice. I hate his betrayal. Even if he kills all bandits, the harm is done. No undoing it."

"But Fro loves you. He was injured saving me, fainted. In his dream, he called your name ninety-seven times. He woke up rushing to protect you."

"He has a girl waiting back home—Xina. Every night he mumbles 'Xina, Xina,' promising 'Wait for me, I won't fail you.'"

"Ah? No wonder when I asked about six hundred fifty-four 'Xinas,' he stammered it was just a friend."

"What a scoundrel, juggling boats." Aelina's hand crept onto Liz's shoulder, gazing tenderly. "A small deal? Want to be beautiful? Drink this potion. You'll grow lovelier, but I must cast spells each time. One day, you'll be as beautiful as me."

"As beautiful as you?" Liz was lost in Aelina's starry eyes, seeing galaxies within. She pinched herself—*By the Flame Fist, I'm dealing with a devil!* "The price? What is it?"

"Liz, I want to show my beauty freely, unwrapped." Aelina gave a weasel-like smile. "Be my companion. I'll fulfill my promise too."

This was Aelina's cunning plan: a beautiful guardian. Protect by day, share the bed by night to deepen feelings—no worrying about desire progress bars. Three birds, one stone.

Aelina slowly embraced Liz, her full bosom pressing gently against her.