Chapter 145: More Beautiful

Chapter 145 -117: More Beautiful

In a luxurious bedroom bathed in the morning light,

Catherine excitedly kissed Lian on the cheek.

“I’ll have someone start building a church for the Golden Goddess in Blue Moon Territory immediately. We must have one completed within seven days.”

Normally, building a church in a week would be impossible. But this was a world with magic. Plus, Blue Moon Territory had many similar existing structures that could be repurposed and upgraded. So, completing a church within a week was still a possibility.

“I have faith in Blue Moon Territory’s speed.”

Lian picked up his clothes from the floor and put them on, covering his tempting eight-pack abs.

After hearing Catherine’s command, Mina immediately entered the inner chamber to help Catherine dress.

In Mina’s eyes, Catherine was undoubtedly becoming more and more feminine. Her translucent skin had a rosy, white glow, and her already perfect curves had become even more graceful—especially the full, snow-white peaks of her chest.

She bit her lip, complaining internally that Catherine was simply too perfect. ‘With a figure and physique like that, how could she escape the clutches of a Moria Clan man?’

Then she looked at Lian Moria, standing to the side, every strand of his golden hair seemingly boasting of its victory.

Though he was indeed full of masculine charm, unforgettable at a glance, and the dream lover in countless women’s fantasies, Mina alone would not be swayed.

Mina had thought she was already used to this, but since coming to Blue Moon Territory, Catherine had mostly not shared a room with Lian. This had given Mina a few days of peace. Unexpectedly, they had been passionately intertwined again last night. Even standing guard by the door, Mina could hear the decadent sounds, and her spirits plummeted once more.

Besides her jealousy of Lian, she was also worried about her sister, Grace.

She was pregnant now, yet she was still in Lady Mary’s hands. Mina didn’t know if she would ever be able to return safely.

Her spirits low, Mina pulled the corset too tight while lacing it for Catherine, nearly making her unable to breathe.

“Ah, Mina, a little looser.”

Catherine wondered if she had actually gotten fat.

“Y-yes, I’m sorry, Miss Catherine.”

Mina apologized immediately.

“Honestly, I don’t think you need to wear a corset. Your waist is beautiful enough as it is.”

Lian felt Catherine didn’t need to force her body into such an unnatural shape, cinching herself until she was paper-thin.

“This is etiquette. It’s tradition. It’s decency. It’s elegance.”

Catherine said stubbornly.

Thankfully, Catherine hadn’t said it was for beauty.

In Lian’s eyes, she was most beautiful when she wore nothing at all.

Watching Catherine put on a complex, layered Crinoline Skirt and various magnificent accessories, Lian suddenly felt he should introduce Anna’s Long Dress to Blue Moon Territory sooner rather than later.

“Before long, you will become even more elegant.”

Lian said with a smile.

Catherine took Lian’s arm. “Let’s go. It’s time we went out.”

The two of them walked ahead, with Mina following behind.

Catherine suddenly turned back to Mina and said, “Mina, don’t worry too much. Some things we can only strive for; the final decision rests in the hands of the gods.”

“Mm.”

Mina lowered her head slightly, her eyes moistening.

She knew Catherine was trying to encourage her. To some extent, she understood the political situation even better than Catherine did.

Having been immersed in it since childhood, she felt it was highly likely her sister, Grace, would not be able to return.

Because she was carrying Lorne Jackson’s child.

Although Mary had sworn up and down that she would return Grace, there were bound to be all sorts of complications.

After all, no one with half a brain would give up such a valuable chess piece.

Catherine met with her ministers and convened the first high-level meeting of Blue Moon Territory.

She had Lian stand by her side without any reservation, sending a clear signal to the ministers.

Good things were on the horizon for Blue Moon Territory and Green Shade Territory; perhaps in the future, the two would become one.

The structure of Blue Moon Territory was similar to that of Green Shade Territory, also having a Minister of Internal Affairs, a Minister of Foreign Affairs, and a Minister of Finance. These ministerial positions were all held by vassals of the Jackson Family.

Catherine primarily announced four things.

First was the announcement of her engagement ceremony with Lian. The two had decided to get engaged as soon as possible, and she asked the ministers to draw up a definite timeline.

Second was the construction of a church for the Golden Goddess in Blue Moon Territory to spread the name of the Golden Goddess, Solaya.

Third was to hire mercenaries at great expense to help guard Blue Moon Territory. Lian’s army ultimately belonged to Green Shade Territory and could not be stationed in Blue Moon Territory long-term. Meanwhile, Blue Moon Territory lacked sufficient population and military recruits, which would be a disadvantage in any potential future wars.

Fourth, Blue Moon Territory would welcome new citizens into the territory, accepting wanderers from the Wilderness and Adventurer’s Guilds. As long as they were willing to become citizens of Blue Moon Territory, they would be allocated housing and land free of charge.

The ministers, in turn, also reported on four main matters.

First, Blue Moon Territory had accepted the protection of a Guardian Witch from the Guardian Bureau and needed to pay a “Witch protection tax” to the Kingdom.

The previous Guardian Witch had come from the Church, not the Guardian Bureau, which was part of the reason for this.

In fact, the Jackson Family’s relationship with the Church Court had always been closer than their relationship with the King.

Unfortunately, Catherine had not inherited this relationship from her forebears. She previously had the Body of Misfortune, and no one from the Church was willing to accept her. The Church Court’s current willingness to help Blue Moon Territory was also only due to the King’s influence.

Catherine needed to build new relationships. Perhaps the King would be easier to curry favor with than the Church Court.

Second, Lorne Jackson had many supporters. Blue Moon Territory had never had a female Lord before Catherine, and the vassals worried this would affect her rule. They recommended that Catherine exile Lorne Jackson to the High Tower for permanent imprisonment, rather than to the Church.