Celitia actually had no other intention.
That ominous power had appeared too suddenly and too strangely.
Celitia worried that if this unfamiliar girl touched her rashly, she might also be contaminated, which would be troublesome.
But due to her poor condition, Celitia's instinctive reaction seemed somewhat excessive and unfriendly.
Sure enough, the kind golden-haired girl who had helped her suddenly darkened her expression, her sapphire eyes filling with anger.
"You think this young lady wants to touch you? Looking like you do, if you infected me with some strange disease, even killing you wouldn't make up for it!"
Celitia had no intention of explaining, her face showing only coldness: "Then please keep your distance, young lady."
She used to not have this kind of personality.
After the fusion, although she was somewhat influenced by the original owner, the greater change came from within her very bones.
Gentle, polite, patient, caring, refreshing like a spring breeze—these were evaluations many people had given Sercis before.
But the girl now was completely different from before, gloomy and cold, as if she had just crawled out from the depths of the earth, indifferent to everything.
The golden-haired girl had helped her, and Celitia remembered this kindness in her heart.
But Celitia didn't want to have any contact with her.
Keep distance from others, the farther the better.
This way, she wouldn't have to give, wouldn't have to expect, wouldn't need returns, and would never be hurt again.
Hearing Celitia's words, the golden-haired girl who felt her kindness had been repaid with ingratitude instantly flushed with anger:
"Which household's maid are you, to be so impolite? Looking like this, you'll probably be despised and expelled by your master's family someday, dying miserably from illness on the streets!"
By now Celitia had mostly recovered, and seeing the golden-haired girl standing in place, she thoughtfully took a large step back, widening the distance between them.
"That's not for the young lady to worry about," she said coolly.
"You—"
Seeing Celitia's action of avoiding her as if she were the plague, the girl grew even angrier, her eyes wide, and spoke without thinking.
"I shouldn't have helped you! Hmph, a lowly maid, even if you died here, there'd be nothing to regret!"
Just as the golden-haired girl was getting increasingly agitated, a smiling voice sounded from beside them, cutting into their conversation.
"Princess Sophia, I need to correct you. This lady is not a maid."
"She is Viscount Herbert's eldest daughter, Lady Celitia Herbert."
Another person lightly jumped over the hedge, landing beside the girl named Sophia.
He was a young man with light brown curly hair, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, with a gentle and elegant demeanor.
Celitia frowned slightly, quickly recognizing the newcomer.
Colton Smith, once a renowned adventurer across the continent, who after retiring, taught at St. Cassia Academy in the Kingdom of Lansca.
Despite looking like he was in his twenties or thirties, he was actually over sixty years old.
As for the "Princess Sophia" whom Colton addressed, she was undoubtedly the first in line to the throne of the Kingdom of Lansca, Princess Sophia Clarence.
This was indeed the capital of Lansca; even while sweeping the courtyard in the early morning, she could encounter two important figures.
If Celitia were still the former Templar Knight Commander, at this moment, she would probably be secretly planning how to dispose of the princess before her.
But as Colton said, she was now Celitia Herbert.
Sophia widened her eyes in surprise:
"The eldest daughter of the Herbert family? I have indeed heard of her, a sickly person who rarely goes out..."
She looked Celitia up and down, her gaze full of confusion.
Which noble young lady would wear such coarse linen clothes and get up early to sweep the yard?
Celitia silently lowered her eyes.
This princess, who had been pampered and adored since childhood, probably couldn't imagine the hellish life Celitia had experienced.
"Hmph, but it's no wonder..."
Sophia laughed coldly, immediately criticizing without thinking, "I heard that Viscount Herbert lost his wife years ago, and his current wife is from a second marriage."
"Without the upbringing of your birth mother, no wonder you've grown into such a rude person!"
As soon as she finished speaking, looking at the misty purple-gray eyes of the girl before her, Sophia immediately regretted it.
Although the other party was somewhat impolite, insulting her for not having a mother seemed excessive...
But if Sophia were to apologize on the spot, she would never swallow her pride. Her expression froze, her face flushing then paling.
In reality, Celitia didn't take it to heart.
She felt very tired and planned to go back to rest. Now she just wanted to get rid of this very difficult princess quickly.
"Thank you for your help today, Princess Sophia. I'm fine now. I will hand over that unidentified person to the patrol soldiers later."
Celitia spoke flatly, her voice calm and unruffled, "If Your Highness has other matters to attend to, you may leave now."
Sophia didn't notice the first half of the speech; upon hearing the second half, the slight guilt that had just risen in her chest instantly vanished without a trace:
"You're actually sending me away? Listen to me, even if your father were here, he would have to respectfully invite me in as a guest!"
Celitia rubbed her temples. Facing that delicate face full of anger, she felt only endless headache.
"Then, would Your Highness like to join me in the drawing room for a morning tea before leaving?"
"Do you think I can't hear the perfunctoriness in your voice?"
Sophia raged, "What morning tea? This young lady is very busy, I don't have time!"
"..."
Asking her to leave was not acceptable, inviting her for tea was also not acceptable. What did this young lady want?
"Alright, alright, my esteemed Princess Sophia."
Colton finally spoke up with a smile, smoothing things over for Celitia and trying to persuade Sophia.
"You promised me that today you would inspect the new academy. Don't waste time getting angry with her here."
Before Sophia could respond, Colton suddenly made an interested "Oh?" and walked over to Kassy, who had been kicked away and was unconscious nearby.
"Hmm, this is actually an elf? Is she sick, or injured?"
Sophia's attention was immediately diverted: "An elf?"
In her hurry to help Celitia earlier, Sophia hadn't noticed what Kassy looked like.
"Yes, her condition is very strange. How curious."
A flash of white light reflected off his gold-rimmed glasses as Colton turned to look at Celitia.
"Miss Herbert, do you mind if I take this elf away?"
Celitia was silent for a moment.
Professor Colton's enthusiasm for research was well-known.
If Kassy fell into his hands, she would undoubtedly suffer.
But anyway, it had nothing to do with her.
Celitia opened her palms, making a gesture toward Colton: "Please do as you wish."
Without any regard for delicacy, Colton grabbed Kassy by the collar and lifted the elf up.
"Well then, let's go, Princess Sophia."
Sophia glared fiercely at Celitia: "You just wait!"
"Don't be angry, don't be angry, Your Highness. Look, we have an unexpected gain..."