Jade informed Ruri that Celestine had awakened but fallen back into slumber, so she decided to go see Padparadscha. When she entered the room, Padparadscha looked at Ruri, eyes beset with worry.
“Lady Beloved...”
Ruri smiled to calm her down. “The Beast King was safe. We reclaimed the palace and the capital from Furgal.”
“Thank you! Thank you so much!” Padparadscha’s eyes started to mist up with tears upon hearing the news. She knelt before Ruri as if praying to God, her hands locked together, bowing repeatedly.
Ruri panicked after seeing this display. “Whoa, please stand up! No, actually, sit on the sofa!” That was not the kind of position a pregnant woman should be in. Ruri lent her a hand so that she wouldn’t strain herself and then led her over to the sofa. “You can just take it easy.”
That may have been an impossible task for those who lived in the Nation of the Beast King, since they were so overboard in the way they treated Beloveds, but Ruri wasn’t a fan of being treated so formally. She would like the other woman to treat her normally while in the Nation of the Dragon King, at least, but it seemed to be a tough expectation right away.
“There’s something else I need to tell you, besides the fact that the Beast King and the nation are safe,” Ruri admitted.
“What would that be?” Padparadscha asked.
“The Nation of the Beast King is in disarray, so the Beast King requested that you remain here for a while,” Ruri explained, knowing it would likely be easier for her to relay the news since Arman had asked her to handle things directly as opposed to Jade telling her instead.
“Oh, is that...so?” Padparadscha’s gleeful expression immediately began to fade.
“Besides, moving from the Nation of the Dragon King will put a strain on your body, so I think this is best for you and your child,” Ruri added.
“Right...” Padparadscha nodded, looking sad because she knew it was the best course of action considering the child in her belly.
As such, she gave no objections and obediently accepted the situation.
“Let’s make sure you have a healthy baby that you can show the Beast King.”
It was clear from the expression on Arman’s face when he spoke of Padparadscha that she was not just one of his many wives. If she had been, Celestine probably wouldn’t have risked her life to protect her. Ruri felt ineffectual, as she could only give Padparadscha cliché pleasantries.
The next day, Celestine could finally have visitors, so Ruri went to visit her with Rin and Kotaro in tow.
“Celestine-san, are you okay? I think you should still be lying down...”
Celestine, who was now sitting in a chair after spending the majority of her time in bed since her arrival, replied, “I’m fine. My wounds have completely healed.”
They’d used the dragon’s blood on her, and as far as Ruri could see, there wasn’t a scratch on her body. Her complexion was good, and she had an appetite as she was munching on the sandwiches and scones prepared as snacks for her tea.
Relieved that everything seemed to be okay, Ruri informed Celestine that Arman and the country were safe, just as she had told Padparadscha. Upon hearing the good news, relief came over the Beloved’s face and she expressed her gratitude.
“Thank you so much, Lady Ruri. I cannot begin to tell you how grateful I am.”
“What are you talking about? I think you’re the one who worked the hardest in this whole ordeal, Celestine-san.”
“Me?” Celestine repeated, her eyes widening upon hearing the surprising sentiment.
“That’s right. You fought against the Beloveds of Furgal and safely escorted Padparadscha-san all the way here,” Ruri elaborated. Naturally, there were also soldiers who had fought for the nation and guards who had fought for the two to escape, but she decided not to say that part aloud.
“But all I could do was run away. I’m the Beloved of the Nation of the Beast King, but I couldn’t protect the nation...” Celestine said, dejectedly.
It was rare to see her so vulnerable when she was usually so determined and bold. That must’ve been how much that incident had done to her mind and body.
“You risked life and limb to protect Padparadscha-san. If you weren’t around, who knows what would have happened to the child she’s carrying. Also, we might’ve learned of the situation there too late to save the Beast King. It’s all because of the hard work you put in,” Ruri firmly assured her.
Celestine, with an expression that seemed more pessimistic than joyful, answered, “This was the first time I’d ever feared a spirit...” She paused, tried to think about her next words, and continued. “Of course, I knew they weren’t as cute as they seemed. I respected and was in constant awe of them. However, I think I was somewhat conceited about being a Beloved. I was completely helpless against their merciless attack. Despite the fact that I am a tawdry, powerless entity from the spirits’ perspective, years of being pampered as a ‘Beloved’ made me forget that. Should someone so arrogant even be a Beloved? I’m afraid I’d shame my entire tribe...”
Ruri awkwardly smiled at Celestine as she continued to feel down on herself. Perhaps this was indecisiveness brought about by her significant religious faith in the spirit. She seemed to have a strong sense of responsibility as a Beloved. Ruri, who had neither, couldn’t really understand how she felt.