A Morning’s Indecision and a Chilling Smile

“Miss Ziyao, could you consult us next time before doing something like this?” Ailin whispered into Ziyao’s ear, seizing the moment while she was changing clothes.

It was the morning of the second day. Ziyao’s eyes had opened the instant the first ray of sunlight pierced the room. Yet, she had been compelled to remain in bed for another hour. The culprit was the little girl who had clung to her so tenaciously throughout the night.

Fortunately, an hour later, Ailin had knocked on the door. “Your Highness, it’s time to get up.”

Following that, it was time for washing and changing. Aiya was currently occupied with her own ablutions, so Ziyao began to change her clothes first.

“Consult you? Then I’d never be able to say it,” Ziyao retorted, lifting her arms to let Ailin help her slip on the dress. “You’re all simply too indecisive.”

“But Her Highness is still so young…”

“She’s not that young, and besides, our enemies won’t care about her age.”

“But…”

Ailin attempted to interject, but Ziyao cut her off directly. “Moreover, precisely because she’s still young, she needs guidance even more. I only just realized yesterday how utterly lost Aiya truly is. You all should have noticed this long ago, shouldn’t you?”

“Indeed,” Ailin conceded, tying the ribbons at the back of the dress and meticulously smoothing out each wrinkle.

“If you noticed it, then you should have taken it seriously. If she falls into a rut of overthinking, it will become quite troublesome,” Ziyao remarked, turning in front of the mirror and nodding. I’m truly adorable.

“So, it’s far better to lay everything bare from the start and let her see things clearly. She will make her own choices.”

“But what if Her Highness can’t accept it?”

“Then she isn’t that person, and the Prophecy is false. That’s also a good outcome, isn’t it?” Ziyao tilted her head, revealing a chilling smile.

“That smile doesn’t suit you at all,” Ailin sighed, pinching Ziyao’s cheek. “Since things have come to this, we can only rely on Her Highness herself.”

“That’s not right. At a time like this, what Aiya needs most is your companionship,” Ziyao said, swatting away Ailin’s wandering hand with a hint of annoyance. “Don’t let anyone take advantage of the situation.”

Ziyao had read countless novels where the female lead was captured by the male lead in precisely this manner. Therefore, she felt it was her duty to remind these “protectors of the flower.” Such a precious cabbage couldn’t be so easily snatched away.

“Which pair of stockings would you like to wear?” Ailin inquired, holding a pair of white silk stockings—a question that offered no other genuine options.

If I had my way, I wouldn’t wear any.

Though Ziyao desperately wanted to voice this, it wasn’t an option for the next few days. She had to stay by Aiya’s side, and going without socks would only bring discredit to Aiya’s reputation. Hmm, ‘The person accompanying Her Royal Highness is improperly dressed’—what excellent gossip that would make.

“Thank you for your understanding.” Ailin gently lifted Ziyao’s fair, delicate foot, instinctively comparing it to Aiya’s.

The result was an undeniable parity. Neither girl’s legs bore any blemish, and the sensation of touching them was equally exquisite. These two girls were truly treasures from the gods. Ailin was certain that no one in this world could ever be worthy of these two girls… save for each other.

However, two girls…

“Ailin, Aiya has already come out,” Ziyao prompted, seeing Ailin lost in thought while holding her calf.

Why do both of them love touching my legs so much?

“Ah, my apologies, I got distracted.” Ailin quickly helped Ziyao put on her stockings, a faint blush spreading across her face.

Why was I zoning out while holding Miss Ziyao’s calf? Oh no, I’m finished. Her Highness saw me! Will Her Highness think I’m a pervert?

Ailin approached Aiya with a sense of trepidation, relieved that Aiya hadn’t seemed to notice what had just transpired. Watching Aiya begin to change her clothes, Ziyao sighed and prepared to head downstairs first. As a Water Mage, she had no need to use the bathroom for her own ablutions.

“Oh, lovely lady, might you grace me with your name?” Raphael, who had been dining, rose and made an exaggerated gesture typically reserved for gentlemen.

Too disinclined to bother with the Saintess, who seemed lost in her own world, Ziyao settled into her seat, picked up her knife and fork, and began her meal. Today’s breakfast was also excellent, and Ziyao swiftly devoured the food.

At this point, Aiya had only just swallowed her first bite of bread.

It seems it will take a little more time.

Taking advantage of the moment, Ziyao inquired of Ailin, “Miss Ailin, what are Aiya’s plans for today?”

“As for arrangements, Her Highness needs to study magic in the morning. This afternoon, a young lady will be coming to visit.”

Hmm? Someone coming to visit? Ziyao’s brow furrowed. This was rather peculiar; by all accounts, Aiya shouldn’t be accepting any visitation requests right now. “Is it a very important guest?”

“Yes, it’s the young mistress of the Rhine family. She has a good relationship with Her Highness and often comes to visit.”

“Mhm, Katerina is a very good person, Ziyao. You’ll definitely like her too,” Aiya explained indistinctly, looking up as she chewed diligently.

“Your Highness, please swallow your food before speaking.”

Duke Rhine, so it’s him. Ziyao stroked her chin. The Duke’s formidable reputation had even reached her—someone who normally paid little attention to political affairs. As the Grand Commander of the Golden Lion Legion and the Emperor’s most trusted general, it was entirely normal for his child to befriend Aiya.

“Since she can be friends with you, Aiya, then Miss Katerina must certainly be a wonderful girl,” Ziyao replied with a smile. Then, she immediately lowered her voice and asked Raphael, “This Katerina… can she be trusted?”

“The young lady herself can certainly be trusted, however…” Raphael paused. “Her retinue is another matter.”

“You have a lead?”

“One of them has been acting a bit strangely recently. We suspect he might have been compromised.”

“And you still let Aiya interact with her?” Ziyao truly couldn’t fathom what they were thinking.

“Originally, we wouldn’t have dared,” Raphael said, a mischievous grin playing on her lips.

Originally? Wait a minute…

“You’re treating me like free labor, aren’t you?” Ziyao nearly failed to keep her voice down.

Indeed, with her, a Sage, by Aiya’s side, what accident could possibly befall the girl? Ziyao wasn’t boasting, but unless an ancient demigod-level being personally intervened, no one could pull any stunts under her watchful eye. And old monsters of the demigod realm wouldn’t be foolish enough to attack the Princess of Roland in the Imperial Capital. Unless they had a death wish.

“Don’t worry, you’ll be compensated.”

“Fine, helping you out once is no big deal. I still remember what happened a few days ago,” Ziyao said, covering her face as she reluctantly accepted the task.