Rick initially thought the visitor was hostile, but seeing Ririsa's beautiful yet sorrowful appearance, he relaxed his guard and even softened his voice considerably.
"Miss Rilisa, are you having some kind of trouble? Why don't you tell me? Maybe I can help."
Rick took the opportunity to sit in the chair closest to Rilisa, and even addressed her as 'Miss Rilisa' instead of 'Her Excellency the Sister'.
Normally, Rilisa might have twisted his head off, since that's what she'd done before.
But today.....
Ririsa lowered her eyes, her lips turned down, and she sighed sadly.
"No, His Holiness the Pope perished because of the Holy Maiden of Light, and I am... Now the Holy Maiden is in charge of the temple, which makes my life in the temple increasingly difficult."
What seemed like a venting, a complaint, sounded to Rick like a clear image of a bullied woman conjuring up in his mind.
His ungrateful younger sister actually betrayed their father.
Now that she has made a name for herself in the Temple of Light, she not only wants to turn against the family that raised her, but also wants to harm such a beautiful woman.
The inside story of the Pope's downfall was known to most nobles with even a little power, and Rex was no exception. Upon hearing Ririsa's words, he naturally began to imagine what was going on in her situation.
This elder nun was once a member of the Pope's faction, but after the Pope's death, she was ostracized and targeted by her younger sister, and now she has no choice but to come to the Duke's mansion for help.
Thinking about it this way, Rick's resentment towards Maggie deepened even more.
“Miss Rilisa, don’t be afraid. Although the Zefnia family may seem like just an ordinary noble family, they are not afraid of her at all. Besides, Maggie was once a member of the family. As long as Father gives the order, she certainly won’t make things difficult for you.”
Although that's what Rick said, he wasn't really sure himself.
Even if he was stupid, he knew that Maggie's targeting of the family was real, not just venting her anger, but aimed at ruining the family.
It's just about appeasing women; even if he talks nonsense, nothing will go wrong.
"However... my sister is still angry right now. If Miss Rilisa doesn't mind, she can stay at the Duke's mansion for a while. Once things have calmed down, Father will get justice for you."
As Rick spoke righteously, his gaze never left Rilisa's snow-white chest, and even the smile on his lips carried a hint of lewdness.
Despite being a noble young man, he exuded an unsettling aura.
Let's keep the person here first. As for what happens later, Miss Rilisa will probably not dare to refuse his request in order to seek the protection of the Zefneria family.
As for his promise, he will fulfill it after his father has dealt with his younger sister.
He'd never been with a woman this hot before.
Just thinking about it made Rick's heart and crotch burn with desire, and he wished he could take Ririsa to bed right now.
"Really? Can it really stop Her Highness from targeting me?"
Rilisa looked hopeful, like a lost woman who didn't know what to do.
This is also why Maggie sent Rilisa. Maggie knew Rilisa's personality well, and since Rilisa had been away for a long time, even the nuns in the temple had a very limited understanding of her.
All I know is that Rilisa is very unconventional.
In the comics, Rilisa's actions even shocked Maggie, compared to Gloria, who was loyal to the Pope and ultimately died at the hands of the main characters.
Although Rilisa seemed to be on the Pope's side, she switched sides before the Pope's death.
The reason was... she wanted to leave the temple and no longer wanted to be a nun.
In the comics, after Harun gained power, he did indeed grant her wish and freed her. However, she chose to exile herself and became a follower of the Dark God, hated by everyone.
She played a significant role in defeating the Pope, successfully deceiving both the main characters and the Pope himself.
Maggie knew she enjoyed challenging missions and she also knew she enjoyed killing.
This task was naturally assigned to her because... Rilisa would definitely produce a result that would satisfy Maggie perfectly.
It even far exceeded expectations.
No man can resist a woman who looks at him with expectant eyes, treats him like a god, and sees him as her last lifeline. He was almost completely hooked by Rilisa.
He agreed to her request without hesitation, his face beaming with pride and smugness.
"Of course."
He is the second young master of the Zefnia family. Without his useless older brother, his younger sister is now tantamount to a traitor to their father, and she probably won't survive either.
Third brother... He doesn't fight or compete, and it doesn't matter to him.
In the end, this ducal mansion, which has even greater power than the royal family, will surely fall into his hands. My little sister is just a temporary obstacle; Father will soon be able to get rid of her.
"That....."
Rilisa's face lit up with joy, but she quickly hesitated, unsure whether she should say what she was about to say.
Rick saw through her thoughts and immediately put his arms around Rilisa's shoulders, exuding an air of self-important charm.
"You can tell me directly if you have anything to say. Since the Duke's mansion has promised to protect you, it won't make things difficult for you."
As he finished speaking, a subtle glint flashed in Rilisa's eyes, almost imperceptible.
"Since Young Master Lei is so sincere to me, then I should tell you what I know."
She seemed to have made up her mind, her voice filled with determination.
"What?"
Rex asked in confusion.
"Actually... Her Highness recently received intelligence that a village has been discovered not far from Saint Fe City, where many demon cultists have gathered."
As Ririsa hesitated before speaking, Rick's arms, which were holding her, froze instantly, his whole body stiffening as if he had been electrocuted.
Ririsa, however, seemed oblivious and continued talking.
"I don't know if it's true or not, but Her Highness the Saintess forbids me from participating in the extermination mission. If I return from this mission, I'm afraid I'll have no place in the temple anymore..."
As Rilisa spoke, she even began to cover her face and weep. Just before she was about to ask, "Could you please ask Her Highness to let me join?", Rex suddenly pushed Rilisa away as if he had just woken up from a dream.
"?"
Rilisa wore a feigned look of confusion on her face.
With an embarrassed look on his face, Rick left with only one sentence before turning and hurrying outside.
"Wait, Miss Rilisa, I have something to attend to."
He left just like that, leaving Ririsa alone in the garden greenhouse.
Her expression instantly changed, and she looked at her arm that had just been touched, her eyes flashing with intense disgust.
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