Goodbye Saintess (by Edelweiss W.S.) novel Chapter 190

**The Unseen Kingdom That Followed Me Into Every Dream by Alyndra Meron Valeen 190**

In a fleeting moment, Claire summoned a smile that felt almost instinctual, masking the turmoil churning within her. “Absolutely not. I’ve always thought of you as a friend, Sebastian. If you say that, it’ll just be awkward between us!” Her words flowed smoothly, yet they felt like a thin veil over her true emotions.

Inside, I felt a wave of relief wash over me at her resolute reply. This was undoubtedly the best course of action. The painful experience with Rhea had already instilled in me a deep sense of caution, a lesson I was not eager to repeat.

“That’s good then. My love life is a mess, and I still haven’t been able to move on. I don’t want to affect anyone else, including you,” I confessed, my voice tinged with vulnerability.

Claire nodded, her smile straining against the weight of the situation. “Mm, I understand. I know you’re a good man. What I said earlier was just a friend’s compliment to you, nothing else. Don’t overthink it.”

Her words were meant to reassure, but I could sense the undercurrent of her true feelings. Sebastian was still ensnared by the scars of his past, unable to escape their grasp. Yet, despite this, Claire was willing to bide her time. After all, he was right there beside her, a constant presence she could lean on.

As she waited, Claire resolved to inch closer to him, hoping that perhaps, in time, she could mend his broken heart before he even realized he needed healing.

Taking a moment to gather her thoughts, Claire took two deep breaths and then shifted the conversation. “Sebastian, your ointment feels so cooling. Actually, aside from my hands, I also got splashed with oil on my chest. It burned a little. Can you help me apply ointment on it too?”

In that instant, as she leaned toward me, I became acutely aware of her proximity. She was clad only in a camisole, and the closeness allowed me to catch a delicate whiff of her fragrance, a scent that was both familiar and intoxicating.

“T-This isn’t appropriate, is it? I’ll just give you the ointment. You can apply it yourself in front of a mirror.” I stumbled over my words, hastily standing up and shoving the ointment into Claire’s hand, my eyes darting away from her.

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