“Finally home.” Erinna looked at Venus Manor, which was ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ getting closer. Even though it was the middle of the night, bright lights were still burning.

“Much smoother than expected.” Erinna turned to Oliphia. “This is thanks to Lady Oliphia being here. Otherwise, the journey definitely wouldn’t have been so easy.”

With Naibert present, Countess Rose’s thoughts were simple: just eliminate Erinna, and Venus Territory would be hers.

Originally, she hadn’t wanted to act so quickly, but Princess Mephilia’s appearance forced her to change her approach.

Erinna was a magical prodigy. The gap between her and Cain was already huge, and after Princess Mephilia mentioned the possibility of modifying magic, this distance would only grow infinitely wider. Cain had absolutely no way to compete with Erinna.

As for Liana? Now enjoying Mephilia’s patronage and becoming a pillow princess, she naturally wouldn’t care about a small Venus Manor.

If Erinna died, regardless of how incompetent her son Cain was, they would have to choose him. They couldn’t possibly select Liana, who was even more useless than Cain, right?

“Power struggles can make even family members kill each other without hesitation,” Oliphia was well aware of this point.

As a royal knight, she had been through several battlefield baptisms and had witnessed many nobles pushing their own relatives off cliffs for power.

“It can’t be helped.” Erinna shrugged helplessly. “Without Lady Oliphia, we’d probably still be on the road.”

Oliphia didn’t believe Erinna’s words. “Changing carriages in advance doesn’t seem like something someone without preparation would do.”

“Even if I hadn’t accompanied you, probably nothing would have happened,” Oliphia said.

“Who knows?” Erinna waved her hand dismissively. “Maybe if she had gritted her teeth and used some special methods, it could have been troublesome.”

Erinna stepped down from the carriage as Loke and other maids came out to welcome them and move luggage.

Erinna looked toward Countess Rose’s room. Through the window, she could see the curtains moving, suggesting that someone had just been watching.

“Princess Liana...” Loraviel called softly. By now, Liana had slid from Loraviel’s shoulder onto her lap.

“Mm...” Liana opened her eyes drowsily. “What is it?”

“We’re home, Princess Liana,” Loraviel said gently.

“Mm...” After making a token sound of acknowledgment, Liana closed her eyes and fell back asleep.

“Princess Liana...” Just as Oliphia was about to wake Liana forcefully, Loraviel stopped her.

“Princess Liana has some morning grumpiness. It’s better not to wake her forcefully at this time. Besides, it’s already very late, and it wouldn’t be good to disturb others,” Loraviel explained.

“So we just leave Princess Liana in the carriage?”

“This will do.” Loraviel lifted Liana in a princess carry.

“Isn’t she heavy?” Oliphia asked.

Liana: Oliphia, damn you! You’re the heavy one!

“Princess Liana is actually quite light. Besides, I may not look it, but I’m quite strong.” Loraviel lifted Liana’s body a bit higher. After all, she had once managed to pin Liana to the bed when Liana had cornered her.

Though this didn’t rule out the possibility that Liana herself wasn’t very strong to begin with.

Moreover, Princess Liana was much lighter compared to the various items she had been carrying earlier.

“Then let me help you carry these two pieces of luggage up,” Oliphia offered.

“How could I trouble Lady Oliphia? I’ll come back down for them after I’ve taken Princess Liana back to her room. It’s not very far,” Loraviel said.

“It’s just two suitcases, and I’m going that way anyway. No need to be so polite with me,” Oliphia said.

“Then thank you, Lady Oliphia.” Loraviel didn’t refuse any further.

The two walked on the path back to Liana’s room.

“The enthusiasm for magic is at an unprecedented high now,” Oliphia observed, seeing people still practicing magic outside Venus Manor.

“That’s thanks to Princess Mephilia. She’s truly an impressive person.”

Without even thinking, it was clear that these people were practicing magic in hopes of creating new spells, and the one who had told them about this possibility was none other than Princess Mephilia.

“I wonder if anyone will research some truly powerful magic?” Oliphia was somewhat expectant.

Although her own research in magic was admittedly poor, having more new magic meant Lisat Kingdom would become stronger, eliminating concerns about threats from neighboring countries.

“Princess Mephilia has done this, but doesn’t announcing it publicly also inform the Luska Kingdom? That war-loving kingdom, who knows what strange things they’ll research now.” Oliphia’s evaluation of Luska Kingdom was extremely low.

Yet Oliphia’s own magic was quite compatible with Luska Kingdom’s style.

“This must have been a decision Princess Mephilia made after much consideration,” Loraviel said.

“That’s for certain.” Oliphia didn’t comment on whether Mephilia’s approach was good or not; she just had some slight doubts.

“We’re here.” The two stopped in front of Liana’s room. “Lady Oliphia can just leave the suitcases at the door.”

“Alright, I won’t disturb you then. Tomorrow, just rest well, no need to rush to find me for training,” Oliphia said.

“Yes, I understand.” Loraviel nodded.

She used the key to open the door and placed Liana on the bed.

She neatly arranged all the clothes and items from the luggage. As she put her hand on the doorknob, she thought, “...I forgot, I’m living with Princess Liana now.”

So, she should check if the door was locked properly.

After ensuring the door was locked, Loraviel took a quick shower.

She stood before Liana, her heart beating a bit faster. It had been several days since she had slept with Princess Liana.

She hugged Liana, burying herself in Liana’s embrace, taking a deep breath—it was Princess Liana’s scent. She loved it so much...

The next morning, Liana opened her eyes, her gaze somewhat fuzzy. She stared at the familiar ceiling for over ten seconds before her eyes regained their usual sparkle.

“This is... my room?”

“Princess Liana, you’re awake.” Loraviel’s voice reached her.

Liana looked to the side and saw Loraviel’s snow-white thighs and the faintly visible garter belt. She’s wearing it properly—Liana was satisfied.

“Breakfast has been prepared for you. Would you like to take a bath first or enjoy breakfast?” Loraviel asked.

“A bath?” Liana didn’t seem to have the habit of bathing in the morning.

“Yes, because Princess Liana couldn’t be woken up no matter how we tried yesterday, and without your command, I couldn’t bathe you without permission. So I could only place you on the bed,” Loraviel explained.

Liana looked at herself, still in yesterday’s clothes. “I understand. You should go to Oliphia to continue your training. Don’t fail the assessment, don’t come up with excuses.”

“Yes, I understand.” Loraviel left the room.

Liana got up from the bed and went to the bathroom, undoing her hair tie, her platinum blonde hair cascading over her chest and back.

After wetting her body with hot water, she soaked in the bathtub.

[Gem, Generate.]

Liana looked at the gem in her hand. Could she improve it further? Then use it as a gift for Mephilia—it would have special commemorative value, right?

There were many types of gem accessories: necklace? Earrings? Or... a ring?

After all, her magical gems could absorb a certain amount of magic power, which had some utility in this magical world.

Moreover, their relationship should be confirmed now.

Liana touched her lips. Though Mephilia was no longer by her side, she still vividly remembered the soft sensation. Just thinking about it made Liana’s face feel hot.

No, no! Liana! Don’t think about it anymore!

Liana hurriedly left the bathroom. Thinking about these chaotic matters wouldn’t change the current situation.

Liana picked up the magic crystal that Loraviel had brought in earlier and began practicing. However, compared to before, she hadn’t improved much. After all, except for using magic briefly while drawing the bow, she hadn’t had any opportunity to use it otherwise over the past few days.

Moreover, Liana had learned from her previous lesson and wouldn’t deplete her magic power completely. She needed to maintain some reserves; otherwise, the side effects would return, causing her to fall into a deep sleep with no telling when she’d wake up.

Gurgle

Liana’s stomach voiced its protest.

She had fallen asleep last night without dinner, and with this morning’s magic training, she was indeed hungry.

While Liana was enjoying her breakfast, there was a knock at the door.

“Princess Liana, it’s Loke.”

“Loke? What is it?” As far as Liana could remember, she hadn’t summoned Loke.

“Wasn’t it your request, Princess Liana? To prepare a new dressing table for you,” Loke said.

“...Oh!” Liana remembered. That day, Loraviel had borrowed her dressing table, and now that she had moved into her room, Liana had asked the servants to prepare one.

“Come in,” Liana said.

“But Princess Liana, your room is locked. I can’t open it,” Loke’s voice came through, sounding a bit troubled.

“I understand.” Liana got up to open the door.

Loke’s expression was clearly surprised.

“What is it?” Liana asked.

“Nothing.” Loke came back to her senses.

In the past, she would have been made to stand outside for over an hour before being allowed in.

Liana returned to the table. Today, the breakfast Loraviel had prepared was more substantial than before, probably because she knew Liana hadn’t eaten for a day and would be very hungry, so she had prepared more.

And the taste was getting better and better. She had already adapted well to her role as a maid, definitely becoming an excellent one.

“Princess Liana, where would you like the dressing table to be installed?” Loke inquired.

Liana pointed to a corner. “This spot will do.”

“I understand.”

The servants quickly installed the dressing table. What surprised Loke was that during the installation, Liana didn’t say anything or disturb them, but quietly ate her breakfast. This was strange.

Loke approached Liana. “Princess Liana, it’s installed. Would you like to see the result?” Loke asked.

Liana stood up, went to the dressing table, and looked at herself in the mirror. She reached out to press down her ahoge, but it quickly stood up again.

“Not bad.”

“What about your previous dressing table, Princess Liana? Should we remove it?” Loke asked.

“No need, just leave it here,” Liana said.

“Yes, I understand.” Loke nodded. “Has Princess Liana finished breakfast?”

“Go ahead and clean up.” Liana was planning to go out now and didn’t want to bother having Loraviel come back specifically to clean the room. Loke could easily handle it.

“Alright.”

Shortly after Loke left, Liana also left the room and went to the back garden, where Loraviel and Oliphia were training.

The current Loraviel was completely different from two months ago. Her combat techniques and methods had become very proficient. She no longer wasted energy on unnecessary movements, instead conserving her strength to release it in an instant when spotting an opening.

There wasn’t much more Oliphia could teach Loraviel. She couldn’t help with magic at all, and in terms of combat techniques, Loraviel had already mastered the basics. If training continued, it might actually have some negative impact on Loraviel.

Moreover, after a month, Loraviel would likely have a suitable teacher. What Oliphia could teach was limited to this point.

“Let’s take a break?” Oliphia suggested.

“But Lady Oliphia, haven’t we just started?” Loraviel said.

“Appropriate rest is also necessary.” Oliphia looked toward Liana sitting under the pavilion behind Loraviel.

Loraviel sensed something and followed Oliphia’s gaze, discovering Liana seated in the pavilion.

Liana was barefoot, sitting in the pavilion, her fair feet swinging rhythmically. When she saw the two noticing her, she stopped. “What? Taking a break already? Didn’t you just start?”

“I suddenly remembered something.” Oliphia came before Liana.

“Loraviel, could you help prepare some tea?” Oliphia asked.

This was clearly an attempt to make Loraviel leave so Oliphia could discuss something with Liana.

Loraviel looked at Liana. “Would Princess Liana like something to drink?”

Without her master’s command, Loraviel naturally wouldn’t dare follow another’s orders.

“Whatever.” Liana rested her face on her hand.

Loraviel bowed and left the back garden.

“Do you have something to tell me, Oliphia?” Liana asked.

“Princess Liana, you haven’t forgotten what you told me earlier, have you? Didn’t you mention wanting to train your body?” Oliphia said.

Liana had come here partly for this reason. “So?”

“You’ve always found various excuses. When do you plan to start? Or have you decided to give up?” Oliphia asked.

“What do you mean ‘give up’? We haven’t even started, so how can it be called ‘giving up’?” Liana retorted.

Oliphia knew she couldn’t out-talk Liana. No matter what argument she presented, as long as Liana wanted to, she could find another excuse to casually brush it off.

“So, can you give me a specific time?” Oliphia asked.

Liana thought for a moment, then reached out to put on her shoes. “There’s no better day than today. How about starting now?”

“Oh? I might be a little strict, you know. If Princess Liana starts without proper preparation, you’ll lose quickly. Though it seems there’s no penalty for Princess Liana if she loses,” Oliphia said.

“You’re truly strange. You’ve been asking me when to start, and now that I’m ready to begin, you’re making excuses. Is the Executor unable to handle it?” Liana taunted.

Well then, since kind persuasion doesn’t work, don’t blame Oliphia for raising the difficulty!

“This is what Princess Liana said, so don’t blame me for being too strict. I will train Princess Liana according to the royal knights’ standards,” Oliphia declared.

Liana wasn’t afraid of strictness. Now, she needed to be harsh on herself, for her own sake and for Mephilia’s.

“Shall we begin? Or does Princess Liana want to drink some tea to prepare?” Oliphia asked.

“Let’s start now.” Liana went outside. “What kind of training will we do?”

[Stone, Long Sword, Generate.]

A stone sword fell to the ground, raising a cloud of dust.

“...?” Liana looked at the stone sword, then at the wooden sword placed nearby. “Aren’t we using wooden swords?”

“When did I ever say we would use wooden swords? Princess Liana, I told you, I will train you according to Royal Knight standards. So, please prepare yourself well.” Oliphia smiled slightly. Time for a little revenge on Princess Liana.