Depraved Noble: Forced To Live The Debaucherous Life Of An Evil Noble!-Chapter 526: You’re Holy Blessings Have Grown Larger

As Joy strode through the corridors of the Royal Palace, her very presence seemed to shift the air around her.

Servants who had been busy dusting chandeliers or carrying polished trays froze where they stood.

Some trembled so badly they nearly dropped the trays or scrolls they were carrying.

One by one, they lowered their heads, trembling as she passed by, afraid even to draw too much breath in her presence.

It wasn’t merely her reputation that filled the palace with dread...it was her image.

Her immaculate white dress, the symbol of her sanctity, was now completely drenched in blood.

The dark red stains spread across her sleeves and skirt like ominous flowers, proof of yet another execution carried out in the Goddess’s name.

Even Ministers who had been walking down the same corridor turned sharply, pretending they had business elsewhere.

The royal ladies too, adorned in silks and jewels looked away, hiding their faces behind jeweled fans.

They all knew who she was.

The Saintess of Retribution.

The Goddess’s executioner.

The woman whose blessings came only through blood.

But beside this terrifying figure was a sight that could not have been more different.

A bright, cheerful bundle of life and warmth.

Maria.

Where her daughter was solemn and fearsome, Maria was all light and chatter. She clasped her hands together with delight as she looked around at the palace’s interior, her steps bouncy and her eyes full of wonder.

"Oh my, would you look at this!" Maria said brightly, clasping her hands together. "They’ve changed the entire interior since the last time we came here!"

"These curtains weren’t blue before, were they? Oh, and look, they’ve replaced the chandelier with crystal now—how beautiful! Such lovely taste, though I must say, the vases in the east corridor were much nicer before."

"These ones look a little too modern for my liking...Don’t you think so, Joy?"

Joy stopped mid-step, closing her eyes for a brief moment as if praying for patience. She then exhaled quietly and turned to her mother with her usual calm but slightly strained voice.

"Mother." She said. "This is the Royal Palace. Could you please maintain some composure? You can’t just...critique the royal décor in the middle of the main corridor. And remember that we are nuns and we are here on official duty, not a sightseeing tour."

Maria blinked, then gave a cheeky grin.

"Oh, come now, dear! Don’t be so serious all the time! We’ve been here plenty of times before, haven’t we? You act as if this is your first visit. And besides..." She added with a sly smile. "...the Empress is my close friend."

"Not to mention she absolutely adores you and spoils you silly whenever you visit. I’m sure she won’t mind me talking out loud."

Joy sighed deeply, pinching the bridge of her nose.

"That’s not the point, Mother. Regardless of how close we are to Her Majesty, we still represent the Church. We are bound to uphold our authority and discipline as nuns."

"Not...chatter like blabbermouths in the royal corridor."

"Did you...just call your own mother a blabbermouth?!"

Maria gasped, clutching her chest dramatically.

But Joy didn’t respond. She simply resumed walking.

"Joy!" Maria protested, stomping her foot slightly like a sulking child. "You did! You called your poor, sweet mother a blabbermouth and now you won’t even deny it!"

Behind them, Stella was quietly following with an armful of scrolls, trying desperately not to laugh.

It really was an amusing sight—the fierce, terrifying Saintess scolding her cheerful, playful mother like a mischievous child.

Normally, it should have been the other way around.

The contrast between them was almost too endearing to watch.

As they reached the upper staircase, Maria’s eyes drifted to her daughter’s bloodstained robes once again.

She sighed, shaking her head.

"Joy, dear..." She began gently. "Could you at least change your dress before we enter the court? I understand the significance of your...mission, but truly, it’s soaked through."

"It was one thing to wear it on the way here, but now that we’re going to meet the Empress herself, it’s not very proper. Some of the ministers might faint at the sight of you!"

Joy didn’t even slow her stride as she said, "That’s exactly the point, Mother."

"The point?"

"They should learn to fear me. To remember that sin carries a price." Joy looked ahead, her tone cool and deliberate. "If they look upon my blood-soaked robes and tremble, then perhaps they will think twice before committing acts that would earn divine punishment."

And perhaps..." She added, her eyes glinting faintly. "...they’ll realize that the next blood to stain my dress might be their own."

Maria sighed, muttering softly under her breath.

"Goddess above, what happened to the sweet child who used to bring me flowers every morning..."

Joy ignored her, continuing calmly.

"Besides, the Empress will appreciate my attire. As her sword of faith, she’ll see this as proof that I haven’t been idle. That I’m still purging sin and cleansing corruption from this land."

"She’ll likely commend my diligence—and perhaps even reward me handsomely for it."

Maria gave a small, exasperated laugh, shaking her head.

"Honestly, I want to deny you—but with her, I can’t even say you’re wrong. She might actually toss you a chest of gold coins just for scaring her ministers half to death."

She shook her head with a fond smile, thinking of the Empress—the most powerful woman in the realm.

Terrifying, commanding, and yet, beneath all that power and authority, startlingly mischievous and fond of theatrics.

They walked a little further down the grand corridor, the towering doors of the Royal Court now only a few hallways away.

But then Maria frowned thoughtfully.

"Wait..." She said, glancing toward Stella. "I just realized—you still haven’t told me who exactly we’re confronting today. You said someone’s been trying to stop this case, yes? Who is it?"

Before Stella could answer, a loud, cheerful voice rang through the corridor like a song.

"Auntie Maria! You’ve come as well!"

"Eh?" Maria blinked in surprise, her head turning toward the sound.

And at the far end of the hall, a figure appeared—walking with a teasing sway in her hips, each step carrying the effortless confidence of someone who knew exactly how much attention she commanded.

She was breathtaking.

A strikingly sensual figure wrapped in midnight-blue silk, her beauty bold and unapologetic.

Long, bright blue hair cascaded from beneath a pointed, star-patterned witch’s hat, the silken strands glowing faintly under the palace light as they spilled down her back in loose, playful waves.

Her eyes, half-lidded and shimmering like twilight held a lazy, alluring charm, as though she were perpetually a breath away from laughter.

Her dress hugged her form like liquid night, the plunging neckline framing the generous swell of her chest, adorned with threads of silver lace that glimmered like constellations.

And a faint scent of enchanted lilac trailed after her as she approached, her steps as gentle and graceful as a dance.

She was temptation given form, a creature of elegance and mischief both. Power radiated from her like an invisible current, an intoxicating blend of danger and delight.

And the instant Maria saw who it was, her entire face lit up with pure delight.

Her eyes glowed, her mouth forming into the brightest smile imaginable, and before anyone could stop her, she let out a joyful shout that echoed through the marble corridor.

"Aqua!"

And just like that, all her composure as a dignified nun vanished. She hiked up her robes slightly and ran—full speed—down the hallway, her pink hair swaying wildly behind her.

The blue-haired woman, Aqua, didn’t hesitate either.

Her own eyes gleamed with excitement as she cried out. "Auntie Maria!" and sprinted forward, matching her pace with equal enthusiasm.

The sight was nothing short of absurd—a nun and a voluptuous sorceress racing across one of the most sacred royal corridors, their laughter ringing like bells.

Boom!

They collided in the middle with an audible thump, arms wrapping tightly around one another in an embrace so full of warmth and affection that even the guards watching nearby couldn’t help but smile.

"Oh, Aqua, Aqua!" Maria said, squeezing her fondly. "It’s so good to see you again! I’m so happy that you seem to be doing well! It’s such a wonderful surprise to meet you here of all places!"

Aqua laughed, hugging her back just as tightly.

"Me too, Auntie Maria, me too! I thought I’d only see Joy today, but to see you here as well—it’s truly a pleasure!"

They finally pulled apart, both still smiling brightly.

Maria then took a step back to look at her—really look at her—and let out a soft gasp.

"Good heavens, Aqua." She said, eyes twinkling. "You’ve become even more beautiful than before! It hasn’t even been that long since we last met, and yet you’re radiant! It’s hard to even look at you without my eyes hurting!"

Aqua placed a hand on her hip and gave a dramatic wink.

"Why, thank you, Auntie Maria. Coming from you, that means so much."

Then her eyes glimmered mischievously as she added.

"But I could say the same about you! Honestly, if I told someone you were the mother of a twenty-year-old, they’d laugh me out of the room."

"You look just as young as your daughter!"

Maria flushed pink at the compliment, but before she could thank her, Aqua’s gaze mischievously drifted lower—straight to Maria’s chest.

"And not to mention..." Aqua continued slyly. "...those holy blessings of yours have grown even more divine. I remember them being impressive before, but now they’re glorious! Softer too, I’d wager."

Maria’s eyes went wide as she gasped in pure embarrassment, taking a step back and clutching her chest defensively.

"Aqua! How could you say such a naughty thing?!" She sputtered. "That’s terribly inappropriate—especially to a nun!"

But Aqua only pouted, leaning forward with an innocent blink.

"What? I’m just speaking the truth! You can’t deny the obvious, Auntie Maria."

Maria, now red from ear to ear, stammered for a moment before retorting indignantly.

"Well, I could say the same about you! You’ve...You’ve become quite larger yourself! And you’re certainly not shy about showing it, judging by that neckline!"

Instead of being flustered, Aqua gave a smug smile and placed her hands proudly beneath her generous curves.

"Of course I’m not shy! With blessings like these, it would be a sin to hide them away from the world!"

"Aqua!" Maria gasped, scandalized.

"I mean it." Aqua said, twirling playfully. "Beauty is a divine gift, and it should be celebrated! And you, my dear Auntie, should do the same."

"I actually have a gorgeous dress that would fit you perfectly—it shows off the cleavage just right! You’d look absolutely heavenly in it!"

Her hands reached forward as if to start undressing Maria on the spot, laughing gleefully.

"Aqua!" Maria yelped, covering herself again. "Not here! We’re in the royal palace! Have some decency, child!"

Before Aqua could respond, a cool, unmistakably dry voice interrupted from behind them.

"Could you stop bullying my mother already, Aqua?"

Aqua turned around to see Joy standing there, arms crossed, expression unreadable.

The Saintess’s tone was calm but edged with restrained annoyance as she said,

"She’s too polite to say no, and at this rate, you’ll be guilty of stripping a holy nun in front of the royal court. If that happens, I’ll have no choice but to arrest you myself." 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

And instead of being intimidated by Joy like anyone would—Aqua’s entire face lit up.

"Oh, Joy!" She squealed, her grin stretching wide. "Joy, my precious little Saintess!"

Before Joy could move, Aqua launched herself forward like an ecstatic missile.

Joy’s eyes trembled. "Don’t you da—"

Too late.

Aqua slammed into her, wrapping her arms around her waist and spinning her around as though they were lovers reunited after years apart.

"Joy! Joy! Joy! It really is such a joy to see you, Joy!"

She said, laughing wildly before adding with a wink.

"See what I did there? Isn’t that a divine line?"

Joy hung mid-spin with an utterly deadpan expression, her patience visibly evaporating.

"Yes. Hilarious." She said flatly.

Then, without even trying to push her off, she looked over Aqua’s shoulder toward Stella, who was barely suppressing a laugh.

"Sister Stella, would you kindly help me remove this overly affectionate creature from my person?"

But before Stella could even move, Aqua clung tighter.

"No, leave us alone, Stella!" She protested, squeezing Joy even harder. "It’s been so long since I’ve seen her! I’ve missed her so much, I just want to hold her forever!"

"Of course, Lady Aqua." Stella giggled softly, her smile warm. "Take all the time you need."

"Stella." Joy’s eye twitched.

Stella looked away innocently, pretending not to hear.

And though Joy’s face was etched with irritation, her hands made no real effort to pry Aqua off.

For all her cold demeanor, she didn’t actually push her away—if anything, there was a small, almost invisible softness in her gaze.

Because the truth was clear.

The woman hugging her so affectionately, who teased her mercilessly and drove her to the brink of frustration every time they met...was none other than her oldest, dearest, and most cherished friend—

Aqua Nightingale Holyfield, the Royal Witch of the Empire, the Saintess’s one and only childhood friend...

...and also a certain somebody’s dear older sister.