Chapter 27: The eldest daughter’s life story
Liang Lai froze at the door, clutching the laundry basket, her heart racing as Duoluosa’s furious voice filled the room.
Claudius.
The name sent a shiver through her.
She’d overheard enough—Duoluosa’s accusations, her fear of the Underground Sanctuary, and Claudius’s manipulative threats.
After two months in this world, Liang Lai knew the false Pope’s mirror-bound tricks all too well.
Worried Duoluosa might falter again, she set the basket aside and pushed the door open.
“Little Duo!”
She rushed to Duoluosa, pulling the trembling girl into her arms, holding her tightly.
“You monster! You won’t even spare children—you’ll rot in hell!”
She glared at the cloth-covered mirror, her voice sharp with fury.
Silence followed.
Claudius’s presence vanished.
Liang Lai waited, but no sound came.
Not daring to lift the cloth, she scooped Duoluosa up and carried her out.
Duoluosa studied Liang Lai’s face, noting her grim expression.
Unease gnawed at her—she feared Liang Lai was angry with her.
“I didn’t believe Claudius,” she whispered.
“I was arguing with him. He kept threatening me…”
Her voice trembled, dreading Liang Lai might turn away.
But Liang Lai wasn’t angry with her.
Her rage was for Claudius, tormenting her children.
She pinched Duoluosa’s round cheeks, forcing a smile.
“What are you thinking? I’d never think you trust him. I know you trust me most~”
Her smile eased Duoluosa’s tension, her face softening into a relieved grin.
“Don’t talk to him again,” Liang Lai said gently.
“I’m afraid if you engage too long, he’ll find new ways to manipulate you. He’s the false Pope—too powerful for me to handle. Even Alphonse VII can’t stop him, so he’s still out there. If you keep talking, he might use some new trick. I know you won’t fall for it, but what if he’s developed something worse? No one can be sure.”
Her words spilled out, heavy with concern.
Duoluosa pressed her face against Liang Lai’s neck, feeling cherished.
She loves me most!
In that moment, Duoluosa resolved to confess her secret—her true identity.
Nervous, fearing Liang Lai might see her as a burden, she couldn’t hide it any longer.
Not when Liang Lai cared so deeply.
She clung to Liang Lai’s neck.
“Liang Lai, I need to tell you something. It might scare you… but it’s okay, I understand. I’d feel like a hot potato too.”
Her voice muffled against Liang Lai’s shoulder.
Liang Lai sensed her low mood and patted her back soothingly.
“A hot potato? Never. I chose you, Little Duo.”
She stroked Duoluosa’s head.
“I’ve said it before—you’re all my children. That’s not just words; I mean it. Why else would I ask you to call me Mom?”
They reached Liang Lai’s room, and she pushed the door open.
Duoluosa’s heart lifted at first, but sank when Liang Lai said, “all my children.”
She didn’t want to be just a child to her.
But she couldn’t voice such a thought.
Liang Lai set her on the bed, rubbing her wrists with a playful smile.
“Oh, our Little Duo’s grown taller and stronger in just two months! Balanced nutrition works wonders~”
She eyed the blonde girl, now graceful and poised.
“Soon you’ll be as tall as me~ Then I won’t be able to carry you—you’ll have to carry me!”
It was a tease, but Duoluosa nodded seriously.
“I’ll carry you.”
Liang Lai laughed.
“Pfft~ You always take jokes so seriously.”
Duoluosa blinked, confused by her amusement.
“So, what did you want to tell me?” Liang Lai asked, turning serious.
Duoluosa pursed her lips, leaned close, and whispered:
“I know who my biological father is.”
Liang Lai’s heart skipped.
A gut feeling told her this was no small matter.
Duoluosa steeled herself and said:
“Alphonse VII.”
Boom!
The revelation hit Liang Lai like lightning.
It explained the disharmony she’d felt—Duoluosa’s face bore traces of the Pope’s features.
Seeing Liang Lai’s shock, Duoluosa grew uneasy, staring at the floor, awaiting her response.
After a long silence, Liang Lai spoke, voice strained.
“What will you do at the assessment? Alphonse VII will be there. If he recognizes you…”
She clutched her head, pained.
“They’ll throw you back to the Underground Sanctuary! And Claudius won’t let you go!”
Her head throbbed.
“I… I can’t fight Alphonse VII…”
Her words echoed Duoluosa’s fears.
Duoluosa opened her mouth, trying to comfort her, but the words felt hollow.
Then, a voice cut through.
“Mom, we have a solution~”
Liang Lai and Duoluosa turned.
Asteris and Delucia stood at the door, hand in hand, wearing innocent smiles.