The Princess’s Mad Performance

“Lovers?”

Upon hearing that word, Iqiyah was utterly stunned.

“Hmph, what’s wrong?”

Evra lifted the corner of her lips, smirking at Iqiyah’s dumbfounded expression. “Don’t underestimate my intelligence network!”

‘Every elf under my command is an elite among elites, especially my personal guard. They are known as the Flowers of the Elves. Forget a small human estate; they could easily infiltrate even the imperial palace of the human empire!’

“No…”

Iqiyah’s face was drawn and haggard as she lowered her head.

“What do you mean, ‘No’? Hahahahahahaha!” Evra laughed haughtily. “Are you worried about your little lover now?”

“It’s fine~ Just wait. I’ve already given the order. In a few days, my subordinates will bring her and Sevilya back to the Elf Lands.”

“Once they’re here, let’s see what else you can possibly—”

“You idiot.”

“What?!”

“I wasn’t cursing you.”

Slowly, Iqiyah lifted her head, her face ashen, her eyes like frost. It was as if she had just become a widow.

“Elf, did you just say… that she’s in Claire Krieg’s estate, right?”

“Hmm?” Now it was Evra’s turn to be dumbfounded. “Yes, she’s right there in Krieg’s estate…”

Iqiyah’s eyes blazed with ferocity, and she gritted her teeth.

“Damn it… Evra, I’ve only been gone a few days, and you’ve already found a new love, haven’t you…”

A faint red glow emanated from the Bloodkin’s eyes.

Evra watched the red light surge like waves, one after another, and a chill ran down her spine as she recalled Iqiyah’s performance in the Scarlett estate’s basement just a few days prior.

‘She must have been given the [Imprisonment] on time these past few days, right? After all… this Bloodkin… even when she had [just recovered her body], [lost a significant portion of her magic], and [couldn’t summon the Blood-Red Dragon], she could still contend with Sevilya, who was blessed by the Life Goddess.’

‘Without the suppression of [Imprisonment]… even if I sent out my entire personal guard, it would probably be difficult to subdue this powerful Bloodkin.’

A gulp.

Evra swallowed hard, subtly placing her hands behind her back. She hesitated, wondering whether to immediately use [Imprisonment] in a speed contest with this Bloodkin, or to—no, it was better to try and stabilize her.

“Um… Iqiyah?” Evra called Iqiyah’s true name, shedding her usual arrogance.

“Hmm? Why are you calling me!? Can’t you see I’m angry!?” Completely disregarding her status as a prisoner, Iqiyah threw a princess tantrum.

“You need to be rational…”

“My partner has been stolen from me! How can I be rational!?”

“Sigh…”

Gathering her courage, Evra cautiously approached the furious Bloodkin, all the while testing Iqiyah’s mood. ‘Given the bond between that little one and you, I think it’s highly unlikely she would betray you…’

Carefully, Evra reached Iqiyah’s side and gently patted her back.

“Buzz—”

Magic surged. Evra paid no mind to the mana consumption, seizing the opportunity to forcefully inject Iqiyah with 120% of the maximum-level [Divine-tier] [Imprisonment] magic she could unleash.

“You agree, don’t you?”

“…”

Evra held her breath, watching Iqiyah nervously. Even after casting the [Imprisonment] spell, she dared not relax her guard, wary of Iqiyah’s power.

“Click, click, click…”

Under Evra’s trembling gaze, Iqiyah slowly turned her stiff head to look at Evra. The expression on her face… it was utterly lifeless, as if Evra owed her two million.

‘Oh no, oh no, oh no.’

Evra’s heart stopped. She immediately gathered her first wave of magic. Even though she had just expended almost all her mana, and even knowing that an [Imprisoned] Iqiyah absolutely couldn’t stir up trouble (or could she?), Evra couldn’t think that far ahead. Only one thought remained in her mind.

‘If she makes a move, I’ll run!’

‘Even if it means overdrawing my mana, I’ll run!’

Just as Evra was lost in wild thoughts…

The next second, Iqiyah’s expression suddenly changed—

‘No—this isn’t good!’

Evra immediately tried to flee, but at this critical moment, she discovered… Iqiyah had already clasped her hands!

‘I’m finished!’

Completely disregarding the vast difference in combat power that should exist between them at this moment, Evra braced herself for a near-certain death.

However…

“Hehe~ You’re right~”

As it turned out, Evra had been mistaken.

In a swift change of demeanor, Iqiyah, who had been deathly pale a second ago, now beamed with joy.

‘My Seraphina is a sweet, soft little darling; she’s very well-behaved.’

‘How could she be so easily abducted by a human female, Evra, you agree, right?’

‘Yes, yes, yes, Seraphina is so well-behaved, she must be trying everything to save you…’

Immersed in the joy of escaping death (which wasn’t the case at all), Evra unconsciously began to play along with Iqiyah.

‘Right! She must have gone for reinforcements!’

‘Yes, Iqiyah is bringing reinforcements.’

‘She’s so eloquent, she can surely trick an entire army!’

‘An army!’

‘That’s right, Iqiyah will have an entire army, and then she’ll surely break through the entire Elf Lands!’

‘Yes, break through the Elf Lands, break through the Elf Lands…’

As she echoed and echoed… Evra wasn’t sure if she was going mad, but she was absolutely certain—

Iqiyah Scarlett had gone completely mad.

‘Ugh, I came here to humiliate her… but it feels like I’m the one being humiliated by her instead?’

‘I should leave quickly.’

‘Um… Iqiyah, if it’s alright, I’ll be going now…’

‘Okay~ When Seraphina attacks, I’ll let you know immediately~’

“Yes, yes, yes, I’ll await the good news, await the good news…”

Evra quickly scurried to the door as if fleeing, closing it with a “bang,” barely maintaining the last shred of her dignity.

‘Damn it.’

Standing by the door, the proud Elf Queen gasped for air, trying to calm her pounding heart.

‘Did I… lock her up too tightly?’

Evra’s heart sank as she glanced back at the wooden door.

‘Never mind… for my own safety, I’ll give her some more outdoor time later…’

****

Meanwhile, behind the door.

Pressing an ear to the door, Iqiyah closed one eye, intently listening to the movements behind it.

‘Hmm… footsteps receding, she’s probably gone.’

“Whew~”

She wiped the sweat from her forehead.

Contrary to Evra’s imagination… this seemingly ice-cold Bloodkin princess was no less nervous than Evra herself.

Just moments ago… when the elf warriors burst into the room, she had been openly manipulating the rose bushes outside the window with magic, causing them to bloom out of season with vast clusters of flowers.

The reason she hadn’t turned around… was simply to quickly restore the flower bushes to their original state, preventing the elves from noticing anything amiss.

And as for that seemingly insane performance just now… its purpose was much the same: to quickly drive Evra away.

However… besides that, Iqiyah also had an unexpected gain.

“Levian~”

“What is it, Lady Iqiyah?”

“Hmph hmph~” With hands on her hips, Iqiyah proudly lifted her head. “That stupid elf just now didn’t discover my hidden second power~”

“Wow, that’s truly amazing.”

“Hmm~ Levian, why are you so cold and distant~”

Iqiyah flopped onto the bed, scooting closer to Levian. The latter was sitting on the bed with her legs hugged to her chest, half her head buried between her knees, looking deeply troubled.

“Lady Iqiyah.”

“Hmm?”

“Do you… truly believe that Seraphina will definitely come to save us?”

Levian had never asked this question before. Because until now, she had believed it too. But… five days had passed, facing the same walls day after day, and doubt couldn’t help but rise in Levian’s heart.

“Yes, I believe.”

But Iqiyah was different. Covering her chest with both hands, Iqiyah felt her heartbeat and said softly.

“After all… we share the same blood, and have such a deep bond…”

“What?” With a sudden shift, Iqiyah’s voice rose again. “Levian, are you doubting my judgment of people?”

“Hmph! I’m telling you! Seraphina isn’t the ungrateful type! She will definitely come!”

“When that time comes, I’ll regain all my power, and together with her, we’ll burn the Elf Lands to ashes!”

“…Yes, I believe it too…”

Looking at Iqiyah’s excited face, Levian’s expression softened, and she smiled faintly.

“But… according to the elves, she really did go to the human estate to fool around~”

“Guh…”

At these words, Iqiyah’s face immediately turned crimson. Clearly, her anger just now was not an act.

“I don’t believe it, I don’t believe it, I don’t believe it!”

Unwilling to accept the truth, Iqiyah shook her head frantically, like a stubborn little girl.

“It must be that Claire Krieg! She must have threatened Seraphina with some means, forcing her to return and become a star s*ave!”