Saintess? Not Anymore! I'd Rather be a Destroyer-Chapter 301 - 238: I won’t die

"Princess, I’m so glad you’re back!" Yui exclaimed, rushing to hug Aurianna. Aurianna dodged her, causing Yui to bump her head.

"Yui, it’s been a while," Aurianna chuckled.

"Yes, Princess. Everyone thought you were dead, but I knew you were alive!" Yui said, tears streaming down her face.

"Stop crying. I don’t want your snot to stain my carpet," Aurianna scoffed coldly.

"Princess, it’s really you!!!" Yui cried harder.

"Do ignore the managing maid. She’s quite the person," Feish said to Catherine, sighing.

"I can see that," Catherine said nervously.

______

"Your Majesty, we’ve received a prophecy from the Church of Beauty," a brown-skinned woman in a black robe and face mask spoke nervously, informing the king.

King Girsal gasped in shock as he walked towards the woman, grabbing her shoulders firmly. "What did you say? Who is it, tell me? And where’s she?"

"It’s complicated, Your Majesty," she murmured as she summoned her communication cube and a large screen appeared before him.

Before them was an image of an extremely beautiful woman with long pink hair, beautiful and smooth chocolate skin with bright pink eyes. She was wearing a lovely pink robe covered with various pink flowers.

"My dear people, I’ve come to bring you good news about the next Saintess," Goddess Paige said with a smile. "She’s the child of the great King Girsal and an extremely beautiful and kind-hearted child. "Princess Aurianna Vanluad of the Sandeph Highland," Goddess Paige announced, her pink hair flowing in the wind. The wisp faded along with the image of the Goddess.

"This was recorded when we were spying on the Church’s high priest. And Your Majesty, the next Saintess would be your daughter. They will arrive in a few days to begin her coronation and will probably speak to you soon about it," the robed woman said, looking at King Girsal.

He remained emotionless, making the woman uneasy. A long silence followed as she gazed at him, hoping to gauge his thoughts. However, his blank expression quickly transformed into a sinister smile. "This is better than I thought. I should have known it would be her."

She tilted her head slightly, "In what way, Your Majesty?"

King Girsal walked away from her, facing the castle window. She followed, standing beside him.

As he gazed over his kingdom, he smirked. "Don’t worry about it. You’re dismissed. And protect the Princess. I know once this news is out, others will plot ways to kidnap Aurianna, trying to test if the Saintess’s blood can truly restore youth. But only fools would believe that. My daughter isn’t that foolish, and I almost paid the price with my life the last time."

"Also, the Shadow Guards should protect her at all costs. Anyone with such intentions should be found and tortured to the point they beg for death!"

"I doubt she’ll need our protection when she’s a Grand Human," Yukina stated nervously.

"True, so just keep an eye on her," King Girsal said.

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

"Don’t let me down, Yukina," King Girsal said softly, patting her head.

"Yes, Your Majesty, I won’t let you down," Yukina said solemnly, vanishing into the shadows.

"This is a blessing in disguise," King Girsal frowned, looking down at his wrinkled hands. They trembled slightly.

He clenched his teeth. "I won’t die. All I need to do is be on her good side. I can be young again and rule forever. I can’t manipulate her any longer. She’s a Grand Human, and the hostility she shows me... She probably despises me," King Girsal muttered.

________

"In one week, you’ll become the Saintess," Eva said, floating in Aurianna’s room. The two were alone, though guards remained outside, unable to enter without permission.

Eva floated across the room, stopping above Aurianna’s bed. Aurianna, hands behind her head, looked at Eva with a worried expression. "I’m sure news that I’ll be the next Saintess has gotten out a long time ago."

Eva swiped a hand, brushing away Aurianna’s anxieties. "Don’t worry too much about that. I’m sure you’re somewhat ready now."

"What do you mean by ’somewhat’?" Aurianna grumbled.

"Well, you haven’t fully mastered all the subjects I have you to study. And you expect to be ready? Don’t make me laugh," Eva smirked smugly. "If you spent more time studying, I’d have more confidence in your planning skills!" she yelled, and Aurianna averted her gaze.

"Well, my magic is my ultimate weapon. Anyone would bow before my beauty and power," Aurianna said with a sparkle in her eye.

Eva slapped her forehead in frustration. ’I can’t believe she said something so pathetic with such pride...’

"What if you meet someone stronger?" Eva asked.

"Then I’ll definitely do all that is in my power to run away or let Jade fight for me," Aurianna answered without shame.

Eva clapped, a satisfied expression on her face. "Well then. Seems all the time I spent teaching you wasn’t wasted after all." 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

"Well, I only learn from the best, don’t I?" Aurianna shrugged.

"Don’t flatter me, child," Eva smirked.

Once the conversation ended, Aurianna rang a bell. A few seconds later, a doll dressed in maid attire walked into the room, its movements stiff and robotic.

"Serve me a cup of tea," Aurianna ordered. The wooden puppet left and returned with a pot of warm tea, pouring a cup.

"Princess!! There are rumors that a prophecy said that you’ll be the Saintess!!" Yui barged into Aurianna’s room, yelling.

"An herbal blend with fresh blue lilies, how lovely," Aurianna praised, sipping her tea, completely ignoring Yui and Catherine.

"Princess..." Catherine stood awkwardly at the door, unsure of what to do after seeing Yui not getting no response of any kind..

"Is that such a surprise? Only a beautiful person like me could be the Saintess, wouldn’t you agree?" Aurianna said with a twisted grin.

"Yes, I would. It definitely won’t be a surprise. After all, Princess, you’re so beautiful that the heavens would fall," Yui nodded in agreement, followed by Catherine.

"But I heard all Saintesses die early. And I don’t want my miss to die," Catherine said calmly, frowning.

Aurianna looked at Catherine, lost in thought. ’This child’s soul is so pure, but at the same time, she’s been through a lot... Was I like her before around this age? Full of innocence and life?’

Despite her thoughts, Aurianna didn’t know how to respond to Catherine’s genuine concern. She simply changed the subject. "Have you prepared the dress I asked for?"

Yui’s eyes widened, surprised. "Yes, I have."

"Good," Aurianna said, sipping her tea. "From now on, things are going to get spicy. I’m itching to see how things would go," she mumbled with a sinister smile, making Catherine shudder slightly. Yui, however, continued to smile.