If you want to push someone, come quickly!

At eight o’clock in the evening, the bright moonlight shone down on the streets.

The magic-stone streetlamps gave off a soft white glow.

In the bushes along the road, fireflies’ tiny lights dotted the quiet streets, making the night in Grintey feel especially romantic.

Mira wore a fluffy princess dress and carried a heart-shaped box of chocolates in her arms as she silently walked along the sidewalk.

Her cheeks were flushed, her heart racing, imagining herself throwing herself into Letia’s arms and shyly confessing her love.

“Ahhh!—So embarrassing!”

Mira held her face with both hands and squirmed in shyness, her restless behavior drawing curious glances from passersby.

Mira had long wanted to confess her feelings in person, but it was far too difficult.

Every time she saw Letia, her heart would beat faster, her blood pressure would rise, and her words would come out in stammering fragments.

In such a state, how could a confession possibly succeed?

To improve her chances, Mira had prepared a lovely dress and a heart-shaped box of chocolates.

A ribbon was tied around the box, and attached to it was a love letter filled with sweet words for Letia — recalling their first meeting, and how Mira had thought of Letia day and night ever since.

Mira believed that her feelings would surely reach Letia.

“Speaking of which… there’s still that sneaky cat around Letia…”

Mira had been secretly observing the situation at Letia’s home.

Though Letia and Lily didn’t seem to get along well, in front of others they always put on a show of closeness.

Mira couldn’t understand why.

“C-could it be…”

Could it be that Lily had something to hold over Letia, forcing her to stay close to her?

Maybe Lily thought that if she could bear the child of a dragon, she could rise in status and secure her place?

In fact, it seemed they really did have a child together.

There was no need to doubt it — Amy’s appearance resembled Letia’s, especially her red eyes.

Mira couldn’t be mistaken.

After all, her own room was full of Letia’s portraits, and she was certain Amy was Letia’s biological daughter.

“That hateful sneaky cat, how dare she try to steal my Letia!”

Mira angrily waved her tiny fists, almost dropping the chocolates in her arms.

If the heart-shaped box cracked, wouldn’t that be a bad omen for her and Letia’s future together?

She steadied herself and hugged the chocolates more carefully.

Mira made up her mind to remove all threats from Letia’s side.

Even if it meant becoming a villain.

Even if Letia came to dislike her.

She would still protect Letia’s happiness.

At night, Lily was sitting on the living room sofa, reading a book.

Back in the cave, she had no access to the outside world and knew little of human society.

Now that she had the chance, she wanted to learn as much as possible.

Letia’s attitude toward her was very clear.

Once their daughter grew up, Letia might very well kill her.

If that happened, Lily would have to escape.

Although the thought of being separated from her daughter was sad, it was still better to part while alive than to part in death.

Perhaps, with Karina’s authority, she could still see her daughter from time to time.

Earlier today while shopping, Lily saw many young mothers walking with their children.

The sight of happy families made her feel envious.

But happiness was something she couldn’t have.

Every day she was oppressed by Letia, treated as if she had no will of her own.

If Letia were willing to apologize to her, maybe their misunderstandings could be resolved.

But Lily had no intention of forgiving her.

Resolving the misunderstandings would only bring their relationship back to neutral — Lily would simply stop treating Letia with hostility.

As for loving Letia?

Hah, wishful thinking.

In fact, Lily was almost curious to see how desperate Letia might become in trying to win her over.

But that was only a passing thought.

She knew Letia’s dragon pride would never allow her to truly humble herself.

The two of them were destined to be parallel lines that would never meet.

Their conflict would only deepen — unless Letia could somehow mend the resentment in Lily’s heart.

The bedroom door opened, and Letia came out, her face glowing with happiness.

Lily looked at her coldly, unwilling to say a word.

But her concern for her daughter made her reluctantly speak up.

“How’s Amy?”

“Hm?” Letia noticed Lily, and the happy expression on her face faded.

“She’s asleep.

I read her quite a few stories — looks like she was really tired.”

“Amy seems really smart.

Looks like we won’t be needing early-learning cards after all.”

“Heh, is the education expert admitting defeat?”

“Don’t bring up that title!” Lily pouted in protest.

“Lily, you still look so cute when you sulk.”

Letia moved closer.

Lily’s shoulders tensed, and she hurriedly grabbed a pillow to shield her chest.

But Letia didn’t care.

She snatched the pillow away and tossed it onto the floor.

Lily closed her eyes, her face full of tears, bracing herself for the teasing she expected.

Yet Letia merely sat down beside her and gently wrapped an arm around Lily’s waist.

Lily nervously opened her eyes and realized she was curled up in Letia’s arms.

“W-what are you doing?

If you’re going to push me down, just get it over with!”

“Heh, are you that eager?”

“N-not at all!” Lily snapped back in embarrassment.

“I just like seeing you so flustered,” Letia said, lightly stroking Lily’s cheek.

“So, why don’t you beg me nicely?

I can let you experience the joy of being a woman.”

“Go away!” Lily slapped her hand aside.

“I’ll never beg you!”

“Heh, we’ll see how long you can keep that up.”

Letia licked her lips and stared greedily at Lily’s figure.

Lily shyly covered herself — though she was fully clothed, it still felt as though she were being stripped bare under that gaze.

“Ding-dong—”

Just as the atmosphere between them reached a tense peak, the sound of the doorbell echoed through the house.

Lily calmed down and instinctively glanced toward the front door.

Letia’s face darkened with impatience — someone had interrupted her attempt to tease Lily, which clearly annoyed her.

“Maybe it’s the neighbor’s aunt?

I’ll go open the door…”

“Wait.” Letia held Lily’s hand.

“The person outside… I can feel a killing intent from them.”

“Eh?

Killing intent?”

“Ding-ding-ding-ding—ding-dong—”

Lily shuddered in fright, staring uneasily at the door.

From the sound of the doorbell alone, she could tell the visitor wasn’t friendly.

Could it be that they had discovered Letia was the evil dragon and had come to claim the dragon’s heart?

“Stay here and protect Amy.

I’ll go answer the door.”

“Mm.” Lily nodded obediently.

“Be careful…”

Having Letia stand protectively by her side gave Lily a strange sense of security.

But she quickly shook her head.

No, she wouldn’t let herself be moved.

Letia was only doing this to protect her daughter — Lily was just incidental.

Letia would never truly care for Lily.

Lily refused to let herself be fooled by that villain again.