chapter 86: Some Princesses Dream of Charging Forward, While Others Scheme Ambushes in Reality (1)
chapter 86: Some Princesses Dream of Charging Forward, While Others Scheme Ambushes in Reality (1)
On the other side.
The night was as dark as ink, with only the pale glow of moonlight piercing through the darkness, casting a lattice of shadows on the floor through the unclosed curtains.
The door silently opened.
A pair of slender legs, wrapped in dark green stockings, stepped onto the carpet without making a sound.
Shia slept soundly on the bed, undisturbed by the subtle movements.
The blanket swelled slightly as a small figure crawled from the foot of the bed to the head.
A silvery head emerged from beneath the covers.
Her youthful face, with a hint of baby fat, was sweet and endearingly delicate. The silver hair seemed to merge with the moonlight, giving her a cold and ethereal beauty.
Her large, round eyes scrutinized Shia with a serious, almost probing gaze.
She reached out and traced Shia's features with her fingertips.
This guy… truly unpredictable.
Though his thoughts were complex, his gentleness toward her was undeniable. Sharing a single body, Nia's abilities were naturally hers as well. She could feel his sincerity, even tinged with faint pity.
But why?
They hadn't known each other before.
Humans were so despicable.
So why was he so kind to her? To the point where she couldn't bring herself to harm him?
She couldn't figure it out.
Shaking her head, she pushed aside those tangled emotions.
Even if she couldn't understand, she couldn't help but be drawn to him. His presence was comforting, warm, and safe.
Unfamiliar with such genuine tenderness, she couldn't resist leaning closer. Her hand slid down, brushing Shia's chin, as she nestled even closer.
Her small face pressed against his neck, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat, which reassured her. Her soft hands rested on his neck, her voice barely a whisper.
"If I hear anything unpleasant, I'll kill you~!"
Lifting her head, she gazed at his face, a sweet smile blooming. Her translucent, porcelain-like skin added an unsettling beauty to her expression. Her nose brushed against his, her eyes lingering on his delicate features with a flutter of excitement. Yet her hands, tracing across his neck, mimicked the motion of a blade, as if testing for the best angle to strike.
For a moment, it seemed the boy's life would end in an instant.
Instead, she chuckled. Her palm rested on his chest as she burrowed deeper into his embrace. The steady heartbeat soothed her as her silver hair shimmered under the moonlight. This warmth… she couldn't resist craving it.
Unknowingly, as she nestled in, Shia ceded her control to Nia's unconscious influence once more.
Some were still dreaming, while others were already daringly taking action.
---
Morning.
The cheerful chirping of birds outside was muffled by a magical barrier, leaving the room in serene silence.
Rong opened her eyes. The faint morning light illuminated the room enough for her to discern its furnishings.
Her body felt warm and soft, a comfort she couldn't quite explain.
Wait! This feeling…
Suddenly, she recalled the dream from the previous night.
In her dream, Shia had been so gentle, so considerate, promising to never leave her side. And yet, she had… done that to him?
If it were merely an unconscious dream, perhaps she wouldn't feel so distressed. But the dream had been her own creation, woven with the Illusory Mirror technique!
Even with no one around, her cheeks burned with shame, her timid expression filled with mortification.
How could she do such a thing?
Shia was her dear friend, yet she had betrayed that friendship in spirit! While he treated her as a friend, she…
Overwhelmed by guilt, Rong sat up in bed, burying her face in her hands, like an ostrich hiding in the sand. Hugging her knees, she silently berated herself.
What she had done was unacceptable.
Even if Shia didn't know, her own conscience wouldn't allow her to move past it. She needed to make amends. Otherwise, her shame would never fade.
Five minutes later, Rong had finished washing up. Clad in a maid's outfit, she carried a basin and towel to Shia's door.
Taking a deep breath, she prepared to knock.
Shia had kindly taken her in and given her a job. She needed to honor her responsibilities as a maid.
Most importantly, she needed to atone for the audacity of her dream.
"Knock, knock, knock."
Her knocks were rhythmic, loud enough to wake the occupant but not disruptive.
Rong rubbed her face, practicing the smile she'd rehearsed in the mirror for four minutes. A maid's demeanor should be professional and focused.
But her smile froze in the next instant. Something felt off.
Frowning, she pressed her ear to the door, straining to hear.
But now there was only silence, as if the earlier sound had been her imagination.
Just moments ago, she thought she'd heard… a girl's soft murmur?
But how could there be a girl in Shia's room?
It must have been a mistake. Surely it was impossible.
Yes, she had to be mistaken. There was no way.
Her face grew stiff, her body tense. It had to be her imagination.
Taking a deep breath, she tried to dispel the foreboding feeling weighing her heart.
"Master, I'm coming in~!"
She raised her voice and, steeling herself, pushed open the door.
What she saw left her frozen in place, unable to believe her eyes.
The spacious room. The large bed.
Two figures lay entwined on it.
One with snow-white skin and long, pointed elf ears. Her ankle-length hair spilled over half the bed. Her slender, pale arm covered her eyes as her brows knitted slightly. Her pouting lips muttered incoherently, her displeasure at being disturbed evident.
She lay atop someone…
The intimate posture shattered Rong's heart. Her entire being seemed to crumble into a gray, lifeless statue.
The sound she'd heard earlier… had been real?
Shia's room really had a girl inside!
And their posture was so…
The socially anxious princess, who had been repenting for defiling their pure friendship, was utterly wrecked!
The sound of the door opening startled Nia awake. Her eyes cracked open slightly, as though unaccustomed to the light. Upon seeing the figure standing at the doorway, she lazily greeted her.