In everyone's eyes, Herbert and Philia were extremely close, seeming to have grown fonder in their long-awaited reunion, like childhood sweethearts with new developments in their romance.
They didn't care about others watching them, flirted in public, spinning around almost ready to devour each other.
They were still dancing!
This was really... damn enviable!
Ugh, disgusting!
No, it's shameless!
This was really too uncomfortable!
Even Valentina, who was busy munching, noticed something was off and gave a curious look.
"What's happening here?"
She found their intimate embrace a bit odd, but didn't have time to be annoyed before her attention was drawn to new dishes nervously served by a servant.
Deliberately considerate, she took the huge platter from the servant's hands, helping to lighten their burden.
She opened the lid and devoured everything at once.
(Munch munch munch munch munch munch)
Then Valentina handed the completely empty platter back to the servant, pointing back to where she came from...
You, go, bring me another platter.
"...Yes!"
The servant trembled, nodded quickly, and hurried away with the platter.
Valentina turned her head, multitasking, while keeping an eye on Herbert, moving towards another long table.
(Munch munch munch munch munch munch)
From an outsider's perspective, Herbert and Philia appeared harmonious, but only the insiders understood how uncomfortable their close embrace felt.
The moment Herbert spoke those words, he distinctly felt a sudden chilling burst—not a mental sensation, but a physical coldness.
For a brief instant, he felt like he was holding a beautifully carved ice sculpture.
Though that coldness quickly faded away, Herbert didn't doubt his feelings.
He looked into those beautifully cold eyes, which couldn't hide their chill anymore, and reminded her with a smile, "Heh, Princess, smile a bit! Don't let your expression freeze and keep moving, or others will notice."
"You don't want others to know about this, do you?"
Philia squinted at him, suddenly flashing her brightest smile, embracing him tightly, and spoke in a sweet voice, "What are you talking about? How could I be an alien race?"
Herbert enjoyed her embrace, gently wrapping his arms around her and patting the hand on her waist with a laugh:
"Philia, you don't need to keep hiding. I'm not trying to trick you."
"You know I never lie."
"Have I ever lied to you all these years? So, don't pretend anymore, okay?"
He looked at Philia, whose expression had slightly changed, gently holding her soft hand as he softly murmured:
"Do you know? Every moment I hold your hand, I feel like my palm is being... burned."
Of course, this was a lie.
Not to mention that there was a layer of silk gloves between their hands; Purity Oath wasn't meant for this, and it couldn't possibly cause him any burning sensation.
If it really was like this... how will I ever get close to other Monster Girls in the future!!?
But Philia didn't know.
She was unaware of Purity Oath's specific abilities, didn't doubt Herbert's honesty, and never imagined a Paladin would tell lies about such things.
She instinctively tried to withdraw her hand but was tightly held by Herbert, not allowing her to escape. Thᴇ link to the origɪn of this information rᴇsts ɪn novel_fіre.net
"You!!?"
Herbert shook his head, gently squeezed Philia's hand, and whispered: "You don't need to be nervous. Rest assured, I'm not planning to use this against you."
"The Northern Witch Association is inherently such an organization; it's perfectly normal for you to inherit your mother's lineage."
The Northern Witches started as a group of mixed-blood individuals with alien race lineage; having non-human elements in their descendants is absolutely normal.
It's just, at this moment, within Philia... there's quite a bit more alien race element in her.
Yeah, quite a lot.
When they reunited, Miss Xie Shen in his mind became enthusiastic, repeatedly emphasizing Philia's pure lineage to Herbert.
["Wow, it's the ancestral blood!"]
["Such rich Snow Witch bloodline!"]
["You, go collect her materials!"]
["Quick, act!"]
["Use your wicked ways to get her!"]
The clamoring in his mind didn't affect Herbert's original thoughts.
He could certainly act like nothing had happened, feigning politeness while dealing with Philia for a while, even using some tricks to win her over...
But he didn't want to bother.
No need.
He simply didn't want to do it.
"Rest assured, I don't think of you as a heretic that must be purged, nor do I intend to use this as a threat."
"I only want to tell you, in front of me, you no longer need to continue pretending."
Stop the act, my friend.
Reveal your cards.
After Herbert tore off the final layer of disguise, they continued dancing to the rhythm, their bodies closely aligned, movements filled with emotions.
"..."
Philia remained silent for a long time, finally speaking softly, "…You really have changed, haven't you?"
Her smile remained, even her tone never changed, but the chilling vibe was impossible to ignore.
"Ditto, aren't you the same?"
Herbert felt sentimental about this, shaking his head as he said, "The Philia Princess I remember was a gentle and lovely girl, nowhere near as cold and heartless as now."
Philia said indifferently, "What you remember is just a disguise; those memories are simply ones you've imposed on me."
"All just disguises?"
Herbert raised a brow with a smile, shook his head without saying more.
If you say it's that way, then let's consider it that way.
"You don't believe me?"
Seeing his expression, Philia frowned: "Do you think we can be the same as before? You're too naïve, aren't you?"
Are you joking?
"Of course not."
Herbert denied it without hesitation and said calmly, "Philia, in this world, there's never a betrayal that can be tolerated."
"To me, you, have betrayed me."
"Knowing without speaking is betrayal, watching someone die is even more so."
The mirror can never be mended.
When Philia remained indifferent to his crisis, their once intimate relationship was shattered beyond repair.
No possibility of reconciliation.
"Then your purpose today is to declare war on me? Planning revenge against me?"
Philia's frown deepened, even more perplexed by what Herbert wanted to accomplish.
Not doing this, not doing that, what do you want to do?
Just to provoke me?
"What are you talking about?"
Herbert laughed, blinked, and asked back: "Didn't I come today as your close friend to accept your invitation?"
"You invited me, so I came. It's as simple as that."
While speaking, Herbert glanced around, sweeping over several unfamiliar faces, and solemnly declared: "And also, to announce to those lurking in the shadows—"
"I'm back!"