Miss Witch, It's Time to Clean the Entries

Chapter 43: Chapter 41: Not a Single Drop Left

Just like Sophie in the beginning, even her will to live had to be coaxed out.

It was as if she knew she was destined for death from the moment she could understand.

Rather than being Guardians chosen by the God of Tiger, it would be more accurate to call them a group of cursed, poor souls.

Lian looked at Sophie, a sense of guilt welling up inside him.

"Sophie, in the Green Shade Territory, Witches can marry."

Hearing Lian’s words, Anna, Annie, and Sophie were all stunned.

The weight of that statement was likely too much for them.

Allowing a Witch to marry meant overturning an Imperial law that had been in place for over 500 years.

"As the Lord, you have the right to issue any decree within your territory, provided it doesn’t conflict with Imperial law. However, the decree you just mentioned is in direct conflict with Imperial law."

Anna reminded him,

"In a situation like this, the Green Shade Territory would have to send a legal representative to the Empire Supreme Court in the Empire Capital. They would have to present a case for a special decree, convince the stuffy old nobles who write the laws, and obtain the Empire Supreme Court’s approval before this special decree could be implemented. The process is exceedingly complex, and the probability of success is very low."

"If it’s for a Guardian like Sophie, then no matter how complex the process or how low the chances of success, it’s worth a try, isn’t it?"

Lian sat down at the dining table. Looking at the food Anna had prepared today, he nodded in satisfaction.

’Although this Maid has strange tastes, she’s undeniably excellent at taking care of people.’

"Are you planning to marry Miss Sophie?"

Annie asked suddenly.

Sophie slowly raised the flowerpot, hiding her faintly blushing cheeks.

She had never considered falling in love or getting married, but if the person was Lord Lian... it seemed like it wouldn’t be so bad.

An image of herself in a white wedding dress appeared in her mind.

"No, I want to give Sophie the right to choose freely."

In reality, Lian’s heart had skipped a beat the very first time he saw Sophie.

He most likely wouldn’t be able to accept it if Sophie were to marry someone else.

"Lord Lian is lying."

Annie said, "You’re drooling."

Lian wiped the drool from the corner of his mouth and explained, "It’s because Anna’s breakfast is so delicious. This is a normal physiological reaction. If you don’t drool when you see delicious food, it just proves you’ve lost your passion for life."

"I wonder if Miss Catherine will still marry you without a worry if she finds out about your feelings for Miss Sophie."

Annie teased.

"You wouldn’t tell her, would you?"

Lian looked up at Annie.

Annie smiled faintly. "What do you think?"

Lian could clearly sense that his Maid was jealous.

She hadn’t gotten jealous even when he said he was going to marry Catherine, yet she was jealous now, when he wanted to fight for Sophie’s right to marry.

"Annie, from the very beginning, Miss Catherine never expected Lord Lian to be completely devoted to her. Their marriage is, in essence, a transaction."

Anna explained to her naive little sister.

Annie nodded.

"Lord Lian doesn’t want Catherine; he wants the Blue Moon Ore behind her. Catherine doesn’t want Lord Lian; she wants his ability to help her overcome her difficulties. It’s a transaction between two people with no emotional foundation. It’s a political marriage."

Sophie slowly lowered the flowerpot and looked at Lian.

Although her expression was blank, Lian could clearly see pity in her eyes.

"For Lord Lian to go this far for the Green Shade Territory is truly noble."

The same look appeared in Anna’s and Annie’s eyes.

"Er, why do you all look at me like I’m so pitiful?"

Lian asked, confused.

"Miss Catherine must be disfigured, right?"

Annie asked.

"Normally, if the Red Itch Disease isn’t caught right at the beginning of the infection and has been present for a long time, it will leave scars on the face. Even the skin on the rest of the body won’t be left unscathed. So, Miss Catherine should be disfigured."

Anna answered her sister’s question.

’So that’s why they pity me.’

’For the benefit of the Green Shade Territory, he has to marry a disfigured woman.’

"Actually, Catherine isn’t disfigured."

"You don’t have to console us. We understand. You are a great and worthy Lord."

Anna said.

Sophie gave a slight nod, indicating her agreement with Anna.

"If you don’t wish to see her face on your wedding night, I’ll have Anna sew an eye mask for you."

Annie said.

"That won’t be necessary, but thank Anna for me."

Lian said speechlessly, "That would be far too disrespectful to Catherine."

After breakfast, a servant brought in an exquisite iron box.

Lian opened the box and took out the Collar inside.

"Sophie, this is a gift for you."

"?"

Sophie looked quizzically at the Collar in Lian’s hand. It looked no different from the one around her neck.

Lian removed Sophie’s old Collar and put the new one on her.

"This one is just a decoration. There’s no Magic Bomb installed inside. From now on, no one can easily take your life away."

"Aren’t you worried that I’ll... truly lose control?"

"With me by your side, you will never lose control."

Lian said with a smile, leading Sophie to a mirror.

Sophie stared at the girl in the mirror, her eyes slightly red-rimmed, and almost didn’t recognize herself.

"This expression is good. It proves you’re starting to open your heart. If you keep this up, you’ll learn to cry, learn to laugh, and learn to be an ordinary girl."

Lian praised.

Sophie nodded, forcing a clumsy, unpracticed smile.

Her smile was like the warm sun in winter, filled with a Healing Power.

Lian felt his heart skip a beat.

"Sophie, your smile is beautiful. You should smile more often."

After saying that, Lian felt he should add a condition. "When I’m around."

"Just be direct and say she can only smile for you."

Annie called him out. Lian wasn’t embarrassed or annoyed; instead, he immediately changed the subject.

"Anna, please prepare the sleeping draught. The more, the better."