The Fake Saintess and the Elf Warrior

However, she didn't seem as desperate or troubled as she had feared before. Even back here, her state of mind was completely different from before.

"I'm so...so shy..."

Looking at herself in the mirror, Mayera's face flushed crimson. She hadn't expected that the day of her wedding, dressed like this, would arrive so soon. This mischievous girl, who loved to tease others, could no longer hide her shyness. She could only sit there nervously, her hands, encased in white gloves, tightly gripping the hem of her dress.

Because the man she will marry next is not Dias, as her mother, the Demon King, had previously mentioned. Rather, it is the man Mayera has truly found, the one she can entrust her life to, the one she can truly give herself to, and the one she can spend her life with.

Although before this, marriage was just a joke, just something she talked about, she never expected that day would actually come, and so soon...

Her mother was truly a different person. Not only did she not deprive her of her freedom, but she also fulfilled her dreams. Now, Maya no longer harbored strong hostility and suspicion towards her mother, but instead interacted with her as a true mother and daughter.

But all of this started a few days ago...

Happy birthday!

Everyone gathered in the living room of the large villa, blew out the candles on a delicious cake, and clapped to celebrate Mayella's birthday.

A month has passed since she was kidnapped by the Demon King, rescued by Tatia and her group, and made a lifelong vow with Mayajie...

That day was Maya's fourteenth birthday. Everyone who had participated in the rescue operation gathered at the villa to offer their blessings to Maya.

"Thank you everyone..."

Mayera smiled and bowed to everyone. Although they hadn't known each other for long, Mayera could genuinely feel their kindness and goodwill. Even some people hadn't prepared gifts, like the carefree female warrior, Ruri. But her hearty laughter and straightforward words of blessing were enough to express her feelings. For Mayera, that was more than enough.

Happy Birthday, Mayella

Just then, Mayella's small hand was grasped by another small hand of the same size. She turned to look at the girl sitting next to her.

The girl who looks exactly like Maya is named Naka.

She smiled back at Mayella, offering her her blessings.

Although no one knew the true relationship between Maya, Naka, another female knight attending the event (Lucius), and Maya's lover (Malyage), it was in fact that Naka was Maya's biological mother.

This birthday greeting was also the first time Naka, as a mother, had wished her daughter a happy birthday.

Fourteen years

Fourteen years have passed since Maya came into this world.

It wasn't until fourteen years after her birth that Mayella finally received her first blessing from her mother.

This sounds like a very sad, pathetic, and even somewhat ridiculous thing. But it's also something to be thankful for.

Because from this moment on, the mother finally realized how wrong her neglect and indifference over the past thirteen years had been. Because now that the mother has said these words, it proves that she is correcting her mistakes. From this moment on, she will begin a completely new mother-daughter relationship with Mayla, unlike anything before.

More than a month has passed since she was rescued. During this time, Maya has lived with Naka every day. Although a month isn't a long time, Maya has come to realize that Naka's words about wanting to change and make amends weren't just empty words to deceive her. They were also a mother's heartfelt desire. After living for approximately a thousand years, Naka has finally begun to change.

At first, Mayera was naturally skeptical. But now, her doubts have largely disappeared.

If she could, she wouldn't want to part ways with her mother and completely sever ties. Who wouldn't want to live happily with their only family member in the world if they could? There are no exceptions. Mayra was no different.

Now, the transformed Naka perfectly embodies Meera's hopes and is exactly what Meera lacked. Now, Naka has truly filled that void for her, even if it's a little late. But the Demon King is no longer just a Demon King; she is now a mother in the truest sense.

Therefore, in return, Mayera opened her heart to her. What was once rejection and disgust could now be transformed into affection and goodwill.

Naka is now the kind of mother Mayella admires. So, she boldly proposed a startling idea to everyone present...

"Everyone!"

She grabbed Naka's arm and loudly announced to everyone.

"Well, I... have been stripped of my princess status by my mother, and I am no longer the Demon Princess..."

This was Naka's stated explanation to reassure everyone. At least by saying this, they wouldn't have to worry about Mayera being targeted by the Demon King and possibly captured by his men at any moment. Of course, that wasn't actually the case.

But it was precisely because Naka told this lie that Mayera was able to turn the tables and use it to reveal her current desire.

"But I still want a place to live, I want a family... So, I've made up my mind!"

She raised Naka's arm high, as if raising the arm of a champion adventurer who had just won a match.

"I want to recognize Sister Naka as my adoptive mother and be her daughter!"

"Huh!?"

"Varied...."

Of course, this was just a spur-of-the-moment idea from this wicked little devil. She hadn't told anyone about this plan beforehand. Everyone who heard it was naturally shocked.

Naka, too, gently tugged at Mayella's sleeve and said...

"No... what are you going to do, Mayera?"

"This way, we won't have to pretend anymore...we can openly call you Mother in front of everyone...don't you think this is a good thing? Mother."

"....."

In their private conversation, which was meant only for them, Mayera seemed to have convinced Naka, leaving Naka speechless.

After all, for the past month... no, even before that, the two of them had been addressing each other under false names. Mayera only called her biological mother "Sister Naka." And that was true for the past month, until she learned the whole truth.

But now that the two have decided to rebuild their relationship and begin a true mother-daughter relationship, it's time to discard this false title... Mayera reasoned.

Even though the relationship isn't entirely genuine yet, nominally just that of "adopted daughter" and "adopted mother," it's still slightly more real and intimate than the completely unrelated relationship between "Sister Naka" and "Meila." Although still in progress, it's at least a tentative first step towards the truth and the most correct relationship. At least this way, they can stop caring about others' opinions and begin interacting as "mother" and "daughter."

"...If Mayella is happy, I have no objection..."

In the end, Naka had no choice but to agree with Mayera's statement.

"That's fantastic! Congratulations, Xiao Ai! And congratulations, Miss Angel!"

Mayera's lover, Mayajie, was naturally overjoyed. Restoring Mayera and Naka's normal mother-daughter relationship and bringing happiness to everyone was her idea, and what she wanted to see and achieve. Now, of course, she wholeheartedly agreed.

"Eh, eh!? But, but..."

Everyone else seemed to have no choice but to acquiesce, but Tatia alone appeared somewhat bewildered. She pointed at Mayera, then at herself.

"Um... Naka and I have kind of made a lifelong commitment... It's not that I have a problem with it. But if Naka takes Maya as her adopted daughter... then wouldn't I... become Maya's adoptive father...?"

"No, that's not true. Tatia and I are just talking past each other. Tatia is still Tatia, don't overthink it~"

"......"

Tatia, looking utterly embarrassed, sat back down dejectedly. Her words just now were incredibly shameful. She had been presumptuous.

But then again, she and Mayera were only a year apart. For her to act as Mayera's parent was far too arrogant and presumptuous. Tatya's face turned as red as a boiled octopus, almost as if it were breathing fire...

"Um... everyone, let's eat the cake!"

Seeing Tatiya's obvious embarrassment, Malya quickly stepped in to smooth things over. She picked up a knife and fork. After all, today wasn't a seminar about whether Naka should become Mayera's adoptive mother, but Mayera's birthday party. So, eating cake and celebrating Mayera's birthday was the most important thing.

"Yes, that's right!"

Tatia, as if hoping nothing had happened and that everyone would quickly forget, immediately responded. Then, even more eagerly than the birthday girl Maya, she picked up her knife and fork, cut a small piece of cake, and began eating without a word...

"Hahahahaha!"

Her appearance could only be described as an attempt to cover something up. Everyone laughed, but no one delved into it. The birthday party began. And the fact that Naka was Mayera's adoptive mother, under these circumstances, became a perfectly natural and unspoken rule...

"call..."

The party went on very late, and everyone had a great time. When the night was deep and quiet, the party ended, and everyone returned to their rooms. After Ruri, Jasmine, Lushies, and the others went home, the villa finally returned to peace and quiet.

Tatia and the others returned to their rooms, while Mayera went alone to the villa's balcony, gently touching her hair as the evening breeze blew. She seemed still immersed in the memories of the joyous birthday party that had just taken place...

That was the happiest day of her life since she came into this world.

"Meila"

As Mayera enjoyed the cool evening breeze, a voice identical to her own interrupted her thoughts. She turned around and saw Naka slowly walking towards her not far behind.

"Mother..."

Now, Mayera could finally call Naka by that name in public. Even though there was no one else around, a strange sense of novelty enveloped Mayera.

Naka didn't say much. She simply walked with her to the balcony railing, rested her arms on it, and asked gently.

"How are you? Happy?"

"......Um"

That was her first birthday party. And it was also her happiest experience. Mayera nodded.

Because the people she cared about had just gathered around her to offer their blessings. This was something that had never happened in the previous thirteen years of her life.

"That's good... As long as you're happy, this night is the most meaningful."

Seeing his daughter genuinely happy, Naka smiled too. The relationship he wanted to change was slowly moving closer to the perfect one she envisioned.

"...Sister Tatia, and Sister Jasmine, and Xiaoya...they're all really charismatic..."

Looking at her mother, so different from how she remembered her from childhood, Mayra smiled and uttered a sigh.

"How so?" Naka asked.

"Because they actually managed to make my once violent, irritable, and domineering mother so gentle... It's all thanks to them, isn't it... Haha, actually, it's me too... After I left home and came to the human world, I was also influenced and infected by them, and changed quite a bit... Humans and elves alike are such wonderful races..."

".....yes"

Naka could only express her agreement.

The person I am now is completely different from the person I was back then. If I hadn't met these people, things probably wouldn't have turned out this way. If I hadn't met them, my relationship with Mayera probably wouldn't have changed...

The mother and daughter gazed together at the sky, at the vast expanse of stars and the sea. Everything in the world seemed to operate according to some orderly law. And their changes seemed to be part of this "rule." What exactly is the way of Heaven? Why is it arranged this way?

Neither the mother nor the daughter could provide the answer to this question. However, they could enjoy the changed present and look forward to a potentially even better future.

That's enough, isn't it? There seems to be no point in considering anything more complex.

"Meila"

Suddenly, Naka spoke to Mayera and pulled two pieces of paper from her pocket, handing them to her.

"This is....?"

Because it was getting late, Mayera initially couldn't make out what it was. Naka, however, explained directly...

"It's a boat ticket."

"Boat tickets?"

"Do you remember? That day we spent together a month ago..."

"..."

How could I possibly forget?

That was the most important day of Maya's life. From that day on, everything changed.

That day, her mother bought her a beautiful dress. It was the first truly valuable and meaningful gift she had ever received from her mother. Although she later burned the dress with magic in an attempt to rebel against her mother, after the two reconciled, Naka bought her the same dress again. Now, Maya is wearing it.

However, there was a promise made on that day that has yet to be fulfilled.

"We talked about going boating together on the lake in the capital... right?"

"....yes..."

Due to interference from members of "the Organization," the mother and daughter's boat trip was forced to be canceled. It was also because of them that Mayera finally understood Naka's true identity.

Looking back now, perhaps it was a good thing... After all, the opportunity for the mother and daughter's relationship to return to normal was precisely due to those people's meddling.

However, the fact that the mother and daughter were unable to ride a small boat together on the lake in the capital and have heart-to-heart talks at night remains a regret for them.

Now, Naka seems to want to make up for this regret by extending an invitation to Mayella.

"Come with me on the boat tomorrow night, Maya... I have something to tell you."

Author's Note: I've been busy updating my new book, *The Day the Cold Woman's Boyfriend Became Her Girlfriend*, and its side stories, so this book has been temporarily on hiatus. I sincerely apologize. The side stories for *The Cold Woman* were completed the day before yesterday. Therefore, this book will resume updates.

Meanwhile, the side story of the new book *The Cold Woman*, *The Seven Star Mansion Murder Case*, is also an epilogue to the main work *The Demon King's Saintess*. It contains a large amount of future Easter eggs. Interested readers can move on to the new work to read the story of Naka, who lives in modern society tens of thousands of years later, solving a series of murders in *The Seven Star Mansion Murder Case*. Nice to meet you.

The mother and daughter one month later (Part 2)

It was the same night as that day.

The streets of the capital were just as bustling, and the lakeside, considered an important tourist attraction, remained beautiful and serene. Dozens of small boats drifted on the lake, and many people enjoyed the pleasant night view.

Unlike that other day, when they couldn't enjoy this beauty and instead became enemies due to the interference of some inconsiderate guests, today no one would bother them. They finally boarded a small boat together and, like other tourists, felt the cool evening breeze and heard the sound of the flowing water on the lake. A delicate fragrance wafted past their noses. They sat facing each other on either side, gazing at the scenery outside the boat.

"So that's how it is..."

"I'm sorry, Mayera, it's been so many years since I told you this... I don't know if you can accept this fact, but since I've decided to change myself and treat you as a real mother and daughter, I think I had to tell you the truth sooner or later... I don't want to keep anything from you."

"..."

On the ship, the mother, Naka, explained everything. Not only her initial thoughts and what happened afterward, but also Mayella's true identity.