His voice softened further, "And perhaps… perhaps one day, he may genuinely care for you as long as you completely devote yourself to him."
"Ha…"
Jillian slowly laughed. It was soft-
- yet broken.
Jillian Hayden's father frowned, his gaze turning cold.
"Do you still remember why our ancestors had to go into a mini-realm to seclude ourselves from the world? It's not only because our bloodline started to degrade but also because our enemies wanted to kill us so badly. However, we outlived them. There's no sign of them, but we're still living, reaching out our hands to the skies in hope. Countless Haydens, whether men or women, have given up their lives, given up their dreams to protect the family. If you think of yourself as the Young Mistress, then play the part and lead the family to not even glory- but safety. That's all we're asking of you."
"…"
Jillian Hayden's expression fell as she felt like crying.
Her father's voice was no longer that of a father talking to his daughter but of an elder forcing a female member of the family into a path they didn't want to take.
Looking at her expression, her father opened his mouth, but no words came out.
At this moment, the Saint suddenly looked toward them from afar.
"There is no need to convince Young Mistress Hayden." His calm voice echoed through the hall, "She has suffered greatly. I can understand her emotions. She must be treated with care and affection, not made to be embarrassed like this."
"As expected of the Saint…"
"How broad-minded…"
"What grace…"
Many immediately praised his magnanimity.
Jillian Hayden merely found it exhausting. She no longer even had the strength to be angry.
Her father hurriedly bowed toward the Saint from afar.
"Please forgive her momentary stubbornness, Saint. She is merely confused."
Then he turned back toward Jillian Hayden and lowered his voice once more.
"Please."
That single word sounded far more helpless than before.
It wasn't commanding at all but literally begging her.
Jillian Hayden looked at her father quietly for a few seconds.
Then she slowly closed her eyes as she shed a tear.
Even in the dungeon underneath the City Lord's Manor, she had never felt this lonely and abandoned.
She was then walked to the forefront where she heard more nonsense before she could only absentmindedly bow to the Saint, finding herself saying the words that she never imagined she would say in her life.
"I, Jillian Hayden, am willing to follow the Saint as a maid."