Chapter 80: Chapter 80: Innocence


    Swan opened her eyes and quickly realized that she had returned to her bedroom in the castle. She looked around and was relieved to see Gale hadn''t returned yet, so it was unlikely that he would know about her secret.


    Nevertheless, she was still nervous because this was the first time she was fully conscious when she was surrounded by the Goddess'' light.


    She was asleep when she helped Rock to escape the dungeon before and the same also happened when she healed Aria''s burn scar. That wasn''t the case this time.


    This might be a good thing because it seemed that she had more control over her mysterious power than before.


    The first thing Swan did after returning was to sniff her body and learn that her body had been dirtied after her trip to the cave. She also noticed another wolf beastman''s scent on her body, which she assumed to be Rock''s since Gale''s scent was unique.


    Thus, she ordered the cat maids to prepare a warm bath for her and quickly dipped in to clean her body from dirt and masked the scent with soap.


    She sank her body up to her neck and began to process what happened just now.


    Asking about the source of her mysterious power was out of the question because she also didn''t know how a whore''s daughter like her obtained such incredible magic.


    But when she was in that angelic state, she felt detached from her real self. It was as if she was trapped in this almost-deity-like state, and she spoke very differently from her usual.


    She did not stutter, and her words flowed like an angel doing a sermon. She also had little to no expression, even if she felt anxious, joyful, or sad inside.


    "So, who am I?" Swan asked herself. "And who is that angel who entered my body? Why does she say words that I do not want to speak?"


    Swan wanted to vehemently deny Rock''s question about them being destined mates. She had only known Gale and would stay loyal to him until he had no use of her anymore, or until her death.


    ''What if the goddess'' word is true? Am I really Goddess Asmara''s daughter?'' Swan questioned, but it didn''t take long for her to quickly dismiss the possibility. ''Ah, there''s no way. If I am truly the Goddess'' daughter, howe I have to suffer for almost twenty years in the Pce of Holy Achate? Where was she when I prayed so hard to be freed from Aria''s torment?''


    "Besides, everyone told me that my mother is a whore who seduced the king. Why would a Goddesse down from heaven to earth only to seduce a king in a brothel?''


    Swan quickly dropped that idea and then focused on another important matter; Lady Jade.


    She was shocked when Rock said that, because never in a million years had she ever suspected foul y from Lady Jade.


    She was kind to Swan, albeit a little condescending. She was also helpful.


    But if what Rock said was true, then... should she tell Gale about it?


    ...


    ''I''m scared that Gale wouldn''t believe me. I don''t have any evidence, and if I say I


    know it because Rock told me... then I''d probably be dead meat...''


    Swan gulped as she was reminded of Gale''s words before;


    I hate traitors the most.


    ''Does that mean I am also a traitor for helping Rock to escape twice?'' Swan felt anxious instantly. She truly didn''t mean to betray Gale. She


    simply thought that Gale won


    regret killing Rock, and she also didn''t want Rock to face injustice.


    After all, Swan spent her entire life being used of things she didn''t do by Aria,


    so it hurt her knowing that Rock experienced the same.


    ''I just hope he will never find out.''


    Swan closed her eyes as she tried to calm her heart after a long night. However, her heart jumped when she heard a familiar voice calling her name.


    "Swan? Swan, where are you? Swan!"


    Gale sounded like he was panicking, which was very unlikely of him. It made Swan panicked as well, "I-I am here!" Swan yelled.


    Gale kicked the bathroom door open, staring at her who was still in the bathtub. His body was covered in dirt, and it looked like he had rushed back to the kingdom.


    They were in this awkward silence until Swan asked, "W-what''s wrong, Gale? Why are you back so early?"


    "Nevermind. Lwas just wondering where have you been when I wasn''t around," Gate said as he approached her in the tub, and then sat on a stool that was too small for him. sat next to the bathtub and questioned, "Why are you taking a


    i.ne


    He


    bathte at night?"


    "I-I thought you would like it if I smelled nice with soap," Swan muttered. "I''m just waiting for you toe home."


    "Really?" Gale frowned. Usually, he would believe his wife''s every word, but his suspicion was at an all-time high, and he couldn''t brush off this ufortable feeling in his heart.


    What if Swan betrays you?


    That question lingered in his head for longer than he would like.


    "Y-yes," Swan nodded. She was fidgeting under the water as she got nervous. "So, uhm... about Rock. D- Did you do something to him?"


    "He escaped again," Gale replied curtly. Then he scoffed, "You must''ve been relieved knowing that, right?"


    "I-I am relieved, but that''s because I don''t want you to harm your friend..."


    "He is not my friend. He is my beta, and I can kill him without question if I want to,"


    Gale refuted. "I never have a friend, Swan, never need one."


    ''I just need you in my life,'' Gale internally added. Normally, he would say it immediately, because he wanted Swan to know everything inside his heart. But he didn''feel like doing it right now.


    "The water will get cold, you''d better rinse yourself immediately. Don''t get sick,"


    Gale said as he got up and left.


    "Y-yes, I''ll rinse right away..." Swan stared at Gale''s lonely back, realizing that


    Gale was still upset.