“...” Liana walked along the path back to her room.

“Damn Erinna!” Liana cursed Erinna in her heart. What was she suddenly doing? Saying such strange things.

But this time, Liana had truly accidentally spoken her inner thoughts out loud.

“...” Some people nearby were looking at Liana strangely, but after recalling what had happened in the meeting, they quickly understood.

Liana took out her key, opened the door, and went in.

“Princess Liana, you’re back.” Loraviel, wearing her nightgown, was sitting on the bed. Seeing Liana return, she hurriedly got off the bed.

Liana raised her hand, gesturing for her to stay put. “Keep staying in the blankets. I’m going to bathe now, and I don’t want the bed to be cold when I come out in this weather.”

Why isn’t she asleep yet? Liana really didn’t want to explain things again.

“I understand.” Loraviel curled back under the covers.

Liana went to the bathroom. Due to winter, the clothes she wore were thicker than before, making them somewhat troublesome to remove, especially when taking off her top—her long hair added a lot of hassle. Her hair became messy when she took off her clothes.

Liana’s gaze fell on the basket where clothes were stored. Inside, Loraviel had already thoughtfully placed the fluffy pajamas that Liana would need to change into afterward.

“She hasn’t made a basic mistake here since her third day as a maid.” Liana recalled when Loraviel first arrived at Venus Territory. At that time, she clearly hadn’t adapted to her role as a maid and often made small mistakes.

But now, these things no longer happened.

Liana thought that after Loraviel completed her training, she might become a royal knight. Or perhaps, like Vivian or Naibert, become a personal maid.

Liana felt that Loraviel would likely compete with Vivian for the position, since Loraviel was an excellent maid in the original story. Plus, given Mephilia’s favor to her, it would be quite normal for her to become Mephilia’s maid.

She sighed. She had contributed at least a third of the effort, helping Loraviel temporarily become a good maid. Hopefully, she wouldn’t be too harsh on her later. After all, your master is my wife, surely you wouldn’t act against me!

This was the confidence Mephilia gave Liana.

Just not sure who would be screaming the loudest when the time came.

Liana soaked in the bathtub, exhaling a cloud of hot breath.

The room was much warmer than outside, thanks to the magic stones specifically used to regulate temperature.

This was much better than the air conditioners in Liana’s previous world. No need to adjust it manually—the magic stones would automatically convert to a suitable temperature based on the surrounding conditions.

“Five days left.” Liana looked at the bubbles on the water’s surface.

Loraviel was a good girl. Without these special circumstances, she would have been willing to become friends with her, but clearly, that was unlikely now.

Liana stood up, steam enveloping her body, firmly concealing that glimpse of spring.

Rather than Loraviel, Liana now needed to be more concerned about Sephirena.

How to handle Sephirena’s situation? In the original story, her personality was more stubborn than a dwarf’s. Once she decided to do something, there was almost no room for negotiation, like a stubborn bull.

The original protagonist could communicate well with her only through strength, but herself...

Liana clenched her fist. The current Sephirena could easily defeat ten of her.

More importantly, she had inexplicably placed some kind of agreement or something on her, targeting her, even though nothing like this had ever happened in the original story.

Just thinking about it gave Liana a headache.

“Oh well, I’ll go with Tari to see her in a few days. There’s still plenty of time,” Liana shook her head. “I can’t stay in here any longer, or I’ll really faint.”

Liana walked out of the bathroom, and Loraviel came to her side, drying her hair with the blow-drier.

“Princess Liana...”

“Whatever it is, tell me tomorrow. I’m too tired now.” Liana directly interrupted Loraviel’s spell casting. Liana really didn’t want to explain so much anymore.

Besides, Liana was truly exhausted today. Physically, she wasn’t too tired, since there had been no training today, making it much easier than before.

But the main fatigue was mental. Too many things had happened today, though Liana didn’t know that what was about to happen would be more significant than everything that had occurred today combined.

Witnessing death for the first time, having to say a bunch of jumbled things to those old men—it was exhausting.

Liana was naturally more of a socially anxious person. She had completely forced herself to adopt the role of a villainess young lady, pretending, just to be able to say these words in front of so many people.

The mental torment left Liana exhausted. Now she could only return to the warm bed ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) for a good sleep.

“Done, Princess Liana.” Loraviel ran her hand through Liana’s beautiful hair, which was very smooth.

Liana lightly shook her hair a couple of times, then crawled into the bed. The bed was warm, and with her fluffy pajamas, she even felt a bit hot.

However, despite this, the drowsiness brought by the two o’clock moon made Liana fall into a deep sleep the moment she lay down.

Loraviel also entered the bed, her familiar hands passing under Princess Liana’s armpits, hugging Princess Liana.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” Minoga now stood in front of a crystal ball, its radiance illuminating her cold face.

“You’ve asked me this question many times, Minoga. You used to never repeat a question.” The figure opposite Minoga was hidden in darkness, concealing their face.

“I’m just worried about unexpected situations. After all, Princess Liana is just a novice who has recently learned to use magic. If she encounters any danger, I’d find it difficult to explain to Princess Mephilia,” Minoga said.

“How could I possibly kill Liana? She’ll definitely be safe. Besides, aren’t you there?” The mysterious shadow had a very mature female voice.

From her conversation with Minoga, it seemed the two were old acquaintances.

“Princess Liana seems to like that maid a lot. I hope you don’t go too far,” Minoga warned.

But the other person didn’t seem to care. “Too far? No, no, no. She has the same constitution as me. How can this be going too far? If I’m too lenient with her, that would truly be harming her.”

The other person seemed eager, “Besides, this is just a small test for her, a test to determine whether she can remain by Liana’s side, a test of her poison tolerance, a test of what potential she might unleash when near death.

“But most importantly, it’s a test of whether she’s loyal, whether she has the resolve to sacrifice her life for Liana.”

Minoga sighed. “I really don’t know if bringing you in was the right decision.”

“It’s definitely the most correct decision. After all, in the Lisat Kingdom, even in this world, only she and I have the same constitution. No one understands better than me how to train this constitution,” the mysterious shadow seemed somewhat expectant.

“Don’t worry, I’ve already set up a barrier with enhanced perception. After being trained by that little Oliphia for so long, she will definitely notice.

“So, let’s begin now. She will prove to me whether she has the qualifications to become my student, and whether she’s willing to sacrifice her life for her master.”

“If something truly uncontrollable happens, I’ll step in,” Minoga said resignedly, only hoping that what followed would end smoothly.

Loraviel hugged Liana, unable to sleep.

Today’s events were enough to change the entire Venus Territory.

It also shocked Loraviel again, making her more deeply aware of her own insignificance and weakness—she couldn’t do anything.

Although Lady Oliphia hadn’t held back in training her, it was still far from enough. She might become a decent royal knight under Lady Oliphia’s training.

But every royal knight was excellent and powerful. If Princess Liana truly needed a royal knight, it certainly wouldn’t be her turn.

She had to develop her abilities to the extreme, showcase her strengths, and in some aspect, become irreplaceable, making Princess Liana have no choice but to choose her.

This was also why, five days later, she would temporarily leave Princess Liana’s side.

Although very reluctant, it was a necessary experience.

She couldn’t just fantasize about always being by Princess Liana’s side; she had to take action, relying on her own strength to accomplish this.

Anyway, there was no need to think so much. She should think about what breakfast to prepare for Princess Liana tomorrow morning.

Loraviel pulled Liana closer into her embrace. Once Princess Liana fell asleep, she was really hard to wake up.

Loraviel also closed her eyes, hugging Liana and preparing for a good night’s sleep, when she suddenly sensed something.

“Princess Liana!” Loraviel shouted, pushing Liana away.

“Ouch... What are you doing?!” Liana had just fallen asleep, and the sudden commotion made her quite alert.

She looked at the situation before her, her green pupils dilating.

The pillow where she had been lying was now pierced by a dagger, which emitted a sizzling sound. It seemed the dagger was also coated with deadly poison.

The assassin pulled out the dagger, white goose feathers flying everywhere.

“Loraviel?”

Loraviel shielded Liana behind her, her hands instinctively reaching under her skirt. “Damn...”

Due to being asleep and wearing a nightgown, Loraviel had removed the leg band and the dagger attached to it.

“Quite a quick reaction, little maid,” the assassin praised Loraviel’s skill. “This doesn’t seem like the observation and reaction speed a knight should have.”

“Minoga!” Liana called out Minoga’s name.

But there was no response. “This person...”

“It’s useless. I wouldn’t do something so suicidal. Give up, Liana. Minoga has already returned to Mephilia’s side. No one can help you now,” the assassin said.

“Leave no trace, give the opponent no chance to retaliate, find the most suitable moment, and deliver the most lethal despair to the opponent—this is what we assassins should do.

“The main door has also been locked. With just you, who can’t use magic, and a slightly talented but still too young little maid, there’s absolutely no chance.

“You’d better just close your eyes. I’ll give you a painless death,” the assassin threatened.

Liana’s expression turned unpleasant. Minoga, that bastard, deceived her again! Didn’t she say this room was absolutely safe?

Hadn’t she promised that as long as a Judge didn’t intervene, she would be safe in the room? Don’t tell me the person before her was a Judge.

Liana didn’t believe that a Judge would allow Loraviel to react to the danger.

“Who sent you?” Liana tried to remain calm.

“Who do you think most wants you dead, Miss Liana?” A dagger slid out from the assassin’s sleeve, poison dripping from it onto the floor, corroding the floorboards.

If it dripped on a person, it would cause bruising and discoloration.

At this moment, Liana truly felt the threat of death and a sense of helplessness.

Now, the only hope was Loraviel.

But...

Last time, Loraviel was unconscious for a whole day from ordinary poison. The poison in this person’s hand was clearly several times, perhaps tens of times, more potent.

Even if Loraviel could immunize against it, by the time she finished processing it, Liana’s corpse would probably already be rotting.

Liana began to regret. If only she had used stronger poison on Loraviel back then, then that deadly poison would definitely pose a threat to the assassin before her.

Loraviel: Thank you Your Highness (sarcastic)

Now, Loraviel’s magic and her own magic were the only ways to break the stalemate.

This was why she had concealed this matter.

“Stop struggling. Just stand still.” The assassin played with the dagger in hand, then threw it directly at Liana.

“Princess Liana, be careful!” Loraviel immediately picked Liana up, avoiding this attack.

The assassin wasn’t in a hurry. The two of them in her hands were like animals entertaining her, hopping around everywhere.

While dodging, the dagger grazed Loraviel’s nightgown multiple times. Fortunately, it didn’t cut Loraviel’s skin, preventing the poison from entering her body.

Although she could faint due to the poison and escape harm, Princess Liana, who had no means of resistance, would definitely be in danger.

During this evasion period, Loraviel also retrieved the leg band and the dagger weapon on it.

She put Liana down, holding two daggers in her hands.

“Oh my? Little maid, are you trying to imitate me? With your skills?” The assassin seemed to develop some interest in Loraviel.

“How about this: you kill Liana, and I’ll spare you. How about it? Quite a good deal, right?”

“After all, you’ve been tortured badly by Liana during this time, haven’t you? I’m helping you. Just kill her, and you’ll be free, right?”

“You must be joking.” Loraviel directly denied the other’s words. “If Princess Liana dies, do I still have a chance to survive?”

“Didn’t I say I would spare you? If you’re worried about retaliation from Venus Territory, there’s no need. After all, these things happen frequently—the children of nobles being assassinated by opposing forces. It’s a very normal thing. No one would blame a weak maid, especially for someone like Liana. Others would only think, good riddance to Liana,” the assassin continued.

Loraviel’s hands, holding the daggers, suddenly fell down.

“How about it? Makes sense, right?” The assassin saw an opportunity and quickly pursued. “At that time, you just need to faint. Just treat it like sleeping, and everything that happened during this period will be like a nightmare.”

Loraviel glanced at Liana.

This made Liana’s heart tighten. “You’re not really going to listen to what that person says, are you? Mephilia now treats me like a treasure. If something really happens to me, she won’t spare any of you.”

“Of course I know Mephilia treats you like a treasure, but I also know Mephilia’s ways. She won’t threaten a victim,” the assassin said.

“Come on, raise your hand, take the dagger, and pierce her heart. You will use your own hands to gain freedom!” The assassin’s mocking eyes watched the two.

Loraviel’s hands loosened, and the two daggers fell to the ground. She went to the wall and took down the dagger the assassin had thrown. “We should use this one. After all, she’s the villain who has tortured me for so long. Letting her die easily would be too merciful, wouldn’t it?”

“...” There were three people in the room, two of whom wanted to kill her.

“Hahaha, excellent! I feel like you could really become a good assassin,” the assassin praised.

“Thank you for the compliment.” Loraviel came to stand in front of Liana, the gleaming dagger reflecting Liana’s shadow.

“You won’t kill me,” Liana looked at Loraviel.

“Who knows?” Loraviel raised her hand. “Good night, Princess Liana.”

[Speed, Vector Acceleration!]

Loraviel’s speed began to increase, and she instantly appeared in front of the assassin, the sharp dagger aimed at the other’s heart.

Unfortunately, the difference in strength forced Loraviel to recognize her own capabilities.

Even though she had already given her all to conceal her abilities, distract the opponent, observe their weaknesses, and then suddenly use magic, the difference in strength was still too vast.

“Speed magic? Interesting, but let me tell you, speed is the absolute basics in the assassin trade.” A dagger placed in front of the assassin easily neutralized Loraviel’s attack.

“Is this really worth it?” the assassin asked.

“Protecting one’s master is a servant’s duty,” Loraviel said firmly.

“Even at the cost of your life?” The assassin’s lips curled into a smile. “Truly, so naive, so laughable.”

“I’m quite confident in my speed.” A dagger appeared in the assassin’s hand, thrusting toward Loraviel’s heart.

[Create, Gem, Breastplate! Shield!]

A gem breastplate covered Loraviel. Worried that one breastplate might not be enough, Liana also created a shield in front of her.

“Ding!”

The dagger pierced through the shield and struck the breastplate.

“If you’re confident in your speed, then have you seen this?”

[Speed, Deceleration!]

The assassin’s movements suddenly became extremely slow.

She clearly saw Loraviel thrusting a dagger toward her chest. She wanted to block it, but her body couldn’t keep up with her thoughts.

Loraviel accelerated while the assassin decelerated, essentially making the assassin stand still.

[Create, Gem, Dagger!]

A crystal dagger appeared in Loraviel’s hand.

[Deadly Poison.]

The poison Loraviel had previously learned coated the dagger.

The sharp, poisoned dagger pierced the assassin’s heart.

Her figure turned into a cloud of black smoke, disappearing from the room.

“Loraviel? Are you alright?” Liana stepped forward to check on Loraviel’s condition.

“Princess Liana, was that your magic?” Loraviel looked at the breastplate on her body. If not for Princess Liana’s help, her heart would probably have been pierced.

This wasn’t something her poison immunity could solve.

“Thank you, Princess Liana, but...” Loraviel’s face turned pale.

The breastplate on Loraviel disappeared, but her shoulder was already stained red with blood.

Liana’s magic was too weak. In front of some powerful individuals, it was as fragile as paper. But fortunately, it had caused the assassin’s dagger to deviate slightly, avoiding a fatal position.

Here it comes again... that strange feeling again.

Loraviel felt that peculiar sensation from before once more.

A shoulder wound would only cause some pain, which Loraviel could endure, but...

Blood dripped from the dagger onto the bed, making a “sizzling” sound!

The dagger still contained poison, which made Loraviel extremely uncomfortable. Blood began to flow from her mouth and nose.

“Did you hear that? Even at the cost of her life, the little maid must protect her master. What a loyal statement!” The mysterious shadow said to Minoga beside her.

However, Minoga’s expression was now somewhat peculiar. “You’d better pray that Loraviel doesn’t have any major issues. Otherwise, Princess Liana will never forgive you.”

“Don’t worry, she’ll definitely be fine. Don’t underestimate an assassin’s abilities. I’ve already adjusted the angle to avoid the heart, and as for the poison, she just needs to let her body recover gradually,” the mysterious shadow said.

“What a loyal little maid! Now I can rest assured. And that magic just now, it seems it has never appeared in this world before. Is it a new magic she created? Truly impressive,” the mysterious shadow unreservedly praised Loraviel and Liana.

“Good student! What an excellent student! It seems you haven’t deceived me, and I haven’t come out for nothing.”

“Suit yourself. Just don’t blame Princess Liana if she harbors any resentment toward you afterward,” Minoga, seeing the timing was right, disappeared from the spot.

If she didn’t reach Princess Liana’s side now, some unpleasant events might occur soon.

Liana walked toward the door, and Minoga’s figure appeared before her.

“Minoga? Didn’t you leave?” Liana asked. “No, that’s not the point now. Quickly save Loraviel, she, in order to save me...”

Minoga placed her finger on Liana’s lips. “I know what you want to say, Princess Liana.”

Minoga raised her hand, using healing magic to provide basic wound treatment for Loraviel.

“It’s just a shoulder wound. I can handle this level of healing,” Minoga said.

“That’s not the point! The dagger was poisoned! Deadly poison! Loraviel, she-!!!”

“Alright, Princess Liana.” This was the first time Minoga had seen Princess Liana so panicked.

Even when Minoga discovered the forbidden drug, Liana had remained terrifyingly calm, despite it being a matter that could threaten her life safety.

But when it came to others, she became so panicked. Indeed, Princess Liana was a very kind person.

Minoga reached out and pinched Liana’s cheeks. “Didn’t Princess Liana tell me? Loraviel is immune to poisons. At most, she’ll endure some pain, but it won’t threaten her life.”

Liana was stunned for a moment and calmed down a bit. She had actually forgotten about this...

When she saw blood flowing from Loraviel’s chest, her mind had gone blank.

At this moment, Liana’s legs weakened, and she sat directly on the ground.

Minoga carried Loraviel and placed her on the bed. “As for the bedsheet, I’ll help you clean it tomorrow. For now, let Loraviel rest.”

Minoga was very satisfied with Loraviel, even more satisfied than that person. Loraviel had submitted a perfect answer sheet, earning full marks both as a maid and as an assassin.

Liana sat on the chair, her heart beating rapidly.

Minoga brought a cup of tea. “Have some tea and calm down, Princess Liana.”

Liana placed the cup on the table. She wasn’t in the mood for such things now.

“Minoga, is Loraviel really alright?” Liana asked.

“Princess Liana truly cares about Loraviel. Unfortunately, she’s now unconscious and can’t see how concerned Princess Liana is for her,” Minoga said.

If Loraviel could see this, she would truly be happy.

“After all, she was injured because of me. If it weren’t for me, she wouldn’t have been involved, and today’s events wouldn’t have happened,” Liana felt immensely guilty. What she feared most was others getting hurt because of her.

Especially someone as good as Loraviel.