A Noble’s Demure Demeanor and a Sage’s Taunt

“How do I look?” Elena spun around, allowing the girls beside her to take in her figure completely.

She was trying on her evening gown.

“Pfft…” However, someone who wasn’t quite adept at reading the room had snuck in.

“Pffthaha! Elena, you look… absolutely hilarious!” Ziyao hammered the table, utterly unable to hold back her laughter.

The usually energetic knight had transformed into a demure noble lady, and the contrast was simply too stark. Elena’s current expression perfectly encapsulated the word ‘demure,’ which only made Ziyao burst out laughing again.

Truly, such an outfit did not suit Elena. Perhaps Elena’s usual goofy demeanor was already too deeply etched into Ziyao’s mind; in any case, all she felt looking at Elena now was a profound sense of incongruity.

Watching Ziyao convulse with laughter, slumped over the table, a large vein pulsed on Elena’s forehead.

“Ziyao, I’m going to get you!” She forgot all about her gown, leaping forward to pounce on Ziyao and pin her to the ground.

“Calm down!” In Ziyao’s terrified eyes, Elena’s hand reached for her waist.

“Go on, laugh! Don’t you just love to laugh?”

“Hahaha… Elena, you just wait… Hahaha…”

The remaining three girls exchanged helpless glances, watching the two tumble into a tangled mess. With such a commotion, that dress was likely ruined.

“Your Highness, shouldn’t we try to stop Princess Elena?” Ailin finally asked Aiya.

Aiya, however, narrowed her eyes and shook her head. “Since my sister likes Ziyao so much, let them play for a little while longer.”

“No! Aiya, help me!” Tears streaming down her face, Ziyao struggled in Elena’s grip, pleading for rescue from her friend.

“Don’t expect Aiya to help you. I’m her sister, after all.” Pinning a Sage down and tickling her instantly filled Elena with overflowing confidence.

Ultimately, this farce came to an end when Ziyao summoned a Flowing Phantom. Watching Elena dangling from the water wolf’s jaws, Ziyao clutched her waist and said through gritted teeth, “Were you having fun tickling me just now?”

“No, no, no, not at all!” Elena shook her head frantically; her earlier confidence had vanished the moment the wolf picked her up. A Sage was, after all, a Sage. As a mere five-star knight, she couldn’t afford to offend such a powerful figure.

“I think you were having a blast… Hey, Ailin, it’s alright to teach her a lesson, isn’t it?”

“As long as it doesn’t affect tomorrow’s Blossom Festival, it’s perfectly fine.”

“Wait, Ailin, no!” Elena cried out in alarm. “I’m a Princess of Roland, Ziyao! You can’t treat me like this!”

“Oh, really? Now you’re begging for mercy?” Ziyao flashed a mischievous, impish smile. “Too late.”

Awoo—

The water wolf carried Elena out of the wooden house. Seconds later, Elena’s screams echoed from outside.

“May I ask, is Princess Elena truly alright?” Ailin asked, a hint of concern in her voice as she listened to the wails.

Ziyao waved her hand dismissively. “I know my limits. It’s just a few free falls, and the phantom will catch her. Don’t worry.”

A few minutes later, Elena, looking utterly green, was carried back by the water wolf.

“Your adaptability as a five-star knight is really terrible, isn’t it?” Ziyao dismissed the water wolf, taking the opportunity to question Elena’s abilities.

“If you’re so brave, don’t use magic! See if I don’t pin you down and beat you until you cry for your mama!” Despite being taught a lesson, Elena remained defiant.

But Ziyao couldn’t be bothered with her. She felt her time would be better spent stroking Aiya’s head. That was her thought, and that was what she did.

“Ah, Aiya is so cute.” Ziyao rubbed Aiya’s small cheek, a look of pure contentment on her face.

The two young girls were glued together once more. It was a heartwarming sight: two adorable girls, one golden-haired and one silver-haired, embracing each other. The silver-haired girl gently stroked the golden-haired girl’s head, while the golden-haired girl leaned docilely into the silver-haired girl’s embrace. Both girls were incredibly endearing, and together, they melted hearts even further.

“I think these two were definitely affected by what we discussed earlier,” Raphael whispered to Ailin.

Otherwise, their relationship was developing far too quickly. If they went out now, anyone unaware of the truth might even assume Ziyao was Aiya’s older sister. It wasn’t normal. How could the Imperial Princess, destined to unite the continent, be like this?

“Actually, I was thinking the same thing,” the maid replied with a helpless shrug. “However, the Empress’s instruction is to let them be.”

“Huh? Aren’t they worried about affecting the Imperial Family’s prestige?”

“Well, although she appears to be just a young girl the same age as Her Highness, Miss Ziyao is, without a doubt, a Sage.”

A Sage, after all—who would dare speak ill of her? Moreover, this Sage was so young; she might even reach the Demigod realm one day. By then, Roland might have three Demigods safeguarding it. Such power would be enough for Roland to sweep aside any force on the continent.

So, to bring a promising Sage into their faction using a Princess? The Emperor was practically overjoyed. What’s more, these two girls clearly had feelings for each other.

What? You say this goes against customs? Then go tell the Sage yourself. No one would bother to bury you if you died.

“Hey, Ziyao, that’s my sister! I haven’t even touched Aiya’s head yet!” Elena, ever the simpleton, had regained her energy.

“No, she’s my sister now.” Ziyao wagged a finger at Elena. “If Aiya won’t let you touch her, that’s your problem. It just means I have more affinity.”

Ziyao used Taunt.

It was super effective.

Elena was enraged. Elena charged. Ziyao was knocked down again. This time, three people ended up on the ground.

“I wonder if Elena also has some vague feelings for Ziyao?” Raphael mused, stroking her chin; her intuition was incredibly accurate.

“Wasn’t Princess Elena taken to the alchemy workshop by Miss Ziyao a few days ago?”

“Yes, that’s right. Wasn’t that when Ziyao came to ask you to help Elena write a draft?” Raphael nodded, but what did that have to do with Elena’s affection for Ziyao?

“Princess Elena said that Miss Ziyao took her there to specially concoct a potion for her.” Ailin clearly remembered the blush on Elena’s face that day, as well as the golden potion shimmering with a faint blue glow in her hand.

“Oh, she was moved… she fell for her.” Raphael suddenly understood. No wonder!

However, Ziyao probably hadn’t noticed yet, had she? That girl was a complete blockhead; Aiya’s gaze was entirely different, yet Ziyao still hadn’t reacted.

Miss Raphael was immensely excited for what was to come.