Chapter 14: Hypocritical woman!
The shadows of Asteris and Delucia merged into one in the corridor, like dormant beasts waiting to strike.
Moonlight filtered through the stained glass, stretching their twisted forms long across the floor.
The next morning, as light crept up the window lattice, Liang Lai rose quietly.
She took care not to wake Duoluosa, still asleep in her arms.
Gently, she pried her golden hair from the girl’s clenched hands.
A small cluster of crystals formed at her fingertips, leaving the words “I’m going to the Holy Favor Registry” on the dressing table.
“Delucia, stay home.”
Liang Lai knelt, adjusting Asteris’s collar.
“I’ll be back once I finish your sister’s paperwork.”
A dark glint flashed in Delucia’s hexagram pupils, but she quickly reverted to her obedient facade.
“I’ll be good~”
She tilted her head, revealing a sliver of snow-white neck amid her white hair.
“Can you help Mom organize the wardrobe?”
“Of course.”
Liang Lai smiled, ruffling her head, unaware of Duoluosa watching from the staircase’s corner, her blue eyes burning with rage.
The moment the door closed, Delucia’s sweet smile melted like icing.
Her shadow lengthened, slithering toward the kitchen like a venomous snake.
She passed the staircase where Duoluosa hid.
“Eavesdropping’s not a good habit, big sister~”
Delucia dragged out her tone, twirling a strand of white hair.
Duoluosa stepped from the shadows, trembling with anger.
“Stop pretending. The second Liang Lai’s gone, your true colors show.”
“Oh, caught me?”
Delucia covered her mouth exaggeratedly.
Her shadow’s tentacles coiled around Duoluosa’s ankles like living vines.
“But Mom loves my good behavior~”
Duoluosa’s fingers froze, glinting coldly as the shadow snapped apart.
“How long do you think this act will last?”
“Long enough~”
Delucia hummed, turning away.
“Long enough for Mom to forget she even has a daughter like you.”
She leaned closer, malice flashing in her hexagram pupils.
“You know, last night when Mom held you, I was listening outside. I heard every word clear as day.”
Duoluosa’s anger surged.
She thought of Liang Lai’s warm embrace, her gentle whispers—all overheard by this monster.
“You’re not allowed to call her Mom!”
Duoluosa’s fingertips crystallized.
“She doesn’t know what you are!”
Delucia’s shadow reared up, casting a grotesque shape on the wall.
“So what?”
Her voice sharpened.
“Out there, the first lesson we learned was: if you want something, you take it by any means.”
“Besides, Mom knows what we are. She named us herself. She got Asteris a pass to stay here! We’re one, and she let us both stay. That means she loves us!”
“You…!”
Their confrontation was cut short by the door opening.
Asteris bounded in, a new cross glowing on her forehead.
“I passed the test!”
She spun proudly, oblivious to the tension.
Liang Lai followed, her silver hair damp with morning dew.
“Oh, Delucia’s been so good. She organized the wardrobe?”
She marveled at the neatly folded holy robes.
Delucia flashed a sweet smile, her shadow shrinking obediently to her feet.
“I want to be a good kid for Mom. If it makes her happy, I’m happy!”
Her eyes sparkled with fanaticism and admiration, fixed on Liang Lai like she was a radiant star.
Duoluosa bit her lip until it bled.
She watched Liang Lai gently stroke Delucia’s hair while Asteris nuzzled her arm.
A venomous snake seemed to gnaw at her chest.
In the days that followed, Duoluosa began her “reconnaissance.”
She trailed Liang Lai to morning prayers, noting Delucia’s “chance” encounters en route.
She lurked outside the study, hearing Asteris recite cloyingly sweet poetry to Liang Lai.
Late at night, through a door crack, she saw the twins taking turns serving Liang Lai tea.
“They’re too perfect…”
Duoluosa muttered one night, curled up in a closet.
A notebook lay open before her, crammed with records of the twins’ “crimes.”
Yet there wasn’t a single piece of solid evidence.
“Abnormally perfect!”
She ruffled her hair in frustration.
She recalled that afternoon when Liang Lai’s teacup tipped over.
Delucia’s shadow caught it lightning-fast.
Liang Lai only smiled, praising her quick reflexes.
The closet door swung open.
Moonlight revealed Delucia’s hexagram pupils, glowing coldly.
“Found you~”
She tilted her head.
“Writing a snitch notebook?”
Duoluosa slammed the notebook shut.
Delucia’s shadow coiled around her wrist.
“Open it!”
Duoluosa’s hand slashed, severing a few shadow threads.
“You think Mom will believe you?”
Delucia tilted her head, her pupils flickering oddly in the moonlight.
Her shadow slithered along the closet walls, trapping Duoluosa in the cramped space.
Tiny ice crystals formed on Duoluosa’s fingertips, glinting coldly.
She glared at the pretentious Shadowborn, a stubborn fire in her blue eyes.
“Then let’s see.”
Duoluosa spoke each word through gritted teeth.
“Let’s see who Liang Lai cares about more.”
Delucia’s smile froze.
She hadn’t expected Duoluosa to drop “Mom” for “Liang Lai.”
The subtle shift made her shadow quiver uneasily.
Duoluosa seized the moment, shoving the closet door open.
She strode toward the stairs.
Her heart pounded, sweat beading on her palms.
This was risky, but she had no retreat—for her pride and to reclaim Liang Lai.
Delucia’s shadow trailed close, like a viper awaiting its chance.
At the staircase’s corner, Liang Lai ascended, carrying freshly washed holy robes.
Her crystal hair ornaments swayed, shimmering in the dim corridor.
“Liang Lai!”
Duoluosa rushed forward, her voice an octave higher than usual.
“I have something important to tell you!”
Liang Lai looked up, surprised.
Duoluosa’s anxious face reflected in her purple pupils.
“What’s wrong, Little Duo? It’s so late—why aren’t you in bed? What’s urgent?”