“Loraviel...”

The next day, Liana awoke from her sleep and instinctively called out Loraviel’s name.

“Princess Liana has truly become accustomed with Loraviel,” Minoga appeared in the room at this moment.

“...” Liana herself was somewhat dejected. This was completely an instinctive behavior after waking up.

It shouldn’t be like this, right? She had only lived with Loraviel for three months. It shouldn’t be this dramatic, should it?

Was it because Loraviel had spoiled her too well?

“Although I can understand Princess Liana’s feelings—after all, Miss Loraviel is an exceptionally excellent and hardworking maid—I still hope that Princess Liana could pay a bit more attention,” Minoga reminded.

This made Liana a bit unhappy. Even if she accidentally called out someone else’s name at home, there wasn’t anything that needed special attention, was there?

“What do you mean by ‘pay attention’?”

“Princess Liana, if others hear it, there might not be any unexpected issues, but you should remember that your status now is somewhat different from before,” Minoga reminded.

“Oh? How is it different?” Liana wanted to see what Minoga intended to say.

“If Princess Mephilia heard this, although she wouldn’t say anything, she would definitely feel somewhat uncomfortable inside,” Minoga said.

“...” What Minoga said did seem to make sense.

Liana didn’t dare imagine what would happen if, while living with Mephilia, she suddenly called out Loraviel’s name upon waking up in the same bed. She had no idea how severely Mephilia would punish her.

Liana glanced at the clock on the wall. It was almost noon. During this period, Liana had become somewhat lax in her training.

But hadn’t she already dealt with most of the current crises that needed to be resolved?

She should have some time for training now. Moreover, with Minoga by her side, she could ask her about magic-related questions. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

For faking her death, she needed to make some preparations in advance and find a suitable place for seclusion, somewhere where she wouldn’t be disturbed.

She would entrust Mephilia with finding such a place.

Liana got out of bed. Since Sephirena had just arrived at the Lisat Manor, breakfast and the like would still be prepared by Minoga.

Liana also knew that the heroines each had their own roles, just like Loraviel was specifically the maid responsible for daily life and an assassin for gathering intelligence.

Sephirena belonged to the combat team, the main damage dealer of the group.

Liana didn’t expect Sephirena to be like Loraviel, who has a natural talent for being a maid, able to master what a maid should do in just a few days.

As long as she grasped the basics within a month, it would be fine. After all, Liana really was just treating her as a maid. Just bringing meals on time would be enough.

After a simple breakfast, Liana heard a knock at the door.

Liana almost instinctively called Loraviel’s name again, but she ultimately held back.

Due to Minoga’s special identity, she generally wouldn’t appear in everyone’s sight. In ordinary people’s eyes, Liana was currently living alone. She opened the door to see someone standing in front.

“Erinna?” Liana looked at the young woman before her. Her face was filled with fatigue. It seemed that she still hadn’t rested well these past few days.

“Are you alright?” Liana asked with concern, then added, “You’d better not get exhausted. I don’t want to take over this mess. It’s too troublesome. We can’t expect that fellow Cain, can we?”

But thinking back, since that day when Cain went berserk and suddenly attacked her, getting arrested afterward, Liana hadn’t seen him again.

However, he wouldn’t dare do anything to her now. Even if he dared, it wouldn’t have any effect.

“This is nothing to me,” Erinna knew her own body well. She had been resting appropriately. If she fell ill now, much of what she had done before would have to be redone. This was the most difficult time for Venus Manor.

“Can you come with me for a moment? I have something I want to tell you,” Erinna said.

“I have no interest in Venus Dukedom matters. Of course, I’m even less interested in your affairs. So, I have absolutely no need to waste my time,” Liana now just wanted to check on Sephirena.

After all, she was currently a very unstable element. If not careful, accidents might occur, so Liana couldn’t be careless.

Erinna also knew that using ordinary methods to invite Liana wouldn’t work; she would definitely refuse. But now it was different.

“Erinna, this is something that can help Princess Mephilia,” Although the relationship between Mephilia and Liana hadn’t been publicly announced yet, after seeing them so intimate before, Erinna already had a good idea.

Plus, Liana had mentioned before that she wanted to help Mephilia. So, as long as Mephilia was used as bait, Liana would definitely take it.

Sure enough, after hearing about Mephilia, Liana’s expression clearly showed a moment of hesitation.

After all, Liana’s strength was currently too weak. She wasn’t sure how far she could go in the future. So now, as long as it was something that could help Mephilia, Liana would do her best to help.

“If you’re really not interested, then forget it,” Erinna said indifferently, then yawned. She really did look tired. “I’ll go back to rest then.”

“Since I have nothing to do now, I don’t mind listening to what you have to say,” Liana said.

“Don’t force yourself. I won’t force you. And I’m really quite tired now and need to go back to rest,” Erinna stretched.

Eh? You!

“I’m not wasting my time for you; I’m doing this for Mephilia. Aren’t you also working hard for the Lisat Kingdom?” Liana said. “Hurry up, don’t waste time, or I’ll really leave.”

“Alright,” Erinna looked at Liana’s slightly anxious expression, finding it quite cute. “Come with me, Sister Liana.”

“?” Did Liana just hear a strange form of address?

But Erinna had already moved on, so Liana could only follow behind her. However, this path seemed somewhat familiar...

“Where are you going?”

“Since it’s about some matters concerning the Lisat Kingdom, let’s go to my room and talk slowly, to avoid being overheard by strange people,” Erinna said.

“Oh,” Liana simply responded.

It wasn’t as if the other could do anything to her. Although she had previously behaved badly, Liana was certain that since coming to this world, the only person she had wronged was Loraviel.

For others, Liana was sure that even if she had done something not quite right, it was only minor, not as serious as with Loraviel, and there had always been some form of compensation.

Moreover, Liana was ten thousand percent certain that she had never done anything to wrong Erinna. Since coming to this world, her meetings with Erinna hadn’t even reached double digits.

So, this time, it was safe.

Speaking of which, how long had it been since Liana had visited Erinna’s room?

Liana remembered that Erinna’s room used to have many stuffed animals. They were bought by her mother to make her feel at ease when she first came to the Venus Territory.

Her favorite at that time seemed to be a teddy bear, it seemed?

According to what she said then, the reason she liked the teddy bear was because it resembled her?

Liana didn’t think so. She couldn’t see how a teddy bear resembled her at all.

Erinna took out a key and opened her door. When Liana first walked in, she was stunned.

This room...

Why was the layout exactly the same as her own room?

Liana had a moment of doubt: had she really not entered the wrong room?

“What’s wrong?” But Erinna didn’t seem to notice anything unusual.

If she asked about this now, wouldn’t it seem a bit strange? Would it make Erinna think that she had immediately observed the layout of someone else’s room upon entering, which would be impolite or even perverse?

Besides, the layout of noble rooms, unless deliberately changed, was generally the same template. This design was more convenient.

Liana’s own room hadn’t been extensively redecorated, so it was normal for it to have some similarities with Erinna’s room.

And! It wasn’t completely the same. The bedding and cosmetics and the like would have some differences.

Liana tried her best to convince herself, avoiding noticing why there were two wardrobes and two dressing tables in Erinna’s room.

Because the room’s layout was almost a one-to-one replica of her room, Liana smoothly approached the table.

Liana looked at the tea on the table. It was what she had given Erinna recently. It had been opened and brewed quite a bit. It seemed she really did like it.

“If you have something to say, say it quickly. Don’t waste my time,” Liana urged impatiently.

Erinna sat across from Liana. “I hope that after a while, you can relay what we’re saying now to Princess Mephilia. Liana, you should be able to contact ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ Princess Mephilia, right?”

“If it’s really important, I will explain it clearly to Princess Mephilia.”

“Of course, this matter might also affect your situation, and it might cause the Venus Dukedom to completely change its name,” Erinna put away her previously relaxed expression, becoming somewhat serious and solemn.

Changing the name of Venus Dukedom? This wasn’t hard to guess the reason.

“Who dared threaten us? And what gives them the right to threaten us? What have they done for the Venus Duchy? What have they done for the Lisat Kingdom?” Liana’s tone rarely carried a hint of anger.

These beasts, they were all so well-behaved when her father was around.

After Countess Rose’s death, when Venus Manor was in an unstable state, they came out ready to compete again?

Weren’t they just taking advantage of Venus Manor not having a stable lord yet?

Although they had verbally agreed to let Erinna become the acting lord, what they were doing in private was unclear.

“Liana, you might need to endure a bit of hardship during this period,” Erinna said.

“Endure hardship? What do you mean?” Liana didn’t quite understand what Erinna was saying.

“Because you bear the Venus name, all your current actions represent Venus. Although Countess Rose was previously just putting on a show, she did it well on the surface, which is why others wanted to make a move on our Venus Head position but didn’t have a reason to act.”

Liana naturally knew this point. This was also one of the reasons why Liana hadn’t wanted to directly eliminate Countess Rose before—because Countess Rose could indeed keep these people in check.

“So, every move Venus Manor makes now will be magnified infinitely in others’ eyes. As long as they catch you doing something not quite right, they might use it as an excuse to deal with you,” Erinna said.

“So, you’re now asking me not to do anything too excessive?” Liana asked.

“Yes.”

“That’s no problem. After all, compared to others, you’re more reliable,” Liana said. “But this way, you owe me two favors.”

Erinna nodded. “Of course, I’ll remember.”

Perfect, without doing anything, Liana had made Erinna owe her another favor.

But Liana also realized that Erinna’s current situation was much worse.

Second Prince Oester and Crown Prince Hodwen would definitely also notice the current situation of the Venus Territory.

Or rather, the current situation might have been caused by their intervention.

After all, on the surface, only the Venus Dukedom was supporting Mephilia now. If they resolved the dukedom’s issue, the number of people supporting Mephilia would drastically increase.

In the current situation, there was no need to care about so-called rules. There were already many people not following the rules. If they still focused on those dead rules at this time, they would be the ones at a disadvantage.

“By the way, Liana,” Erinna’s real purpose in finding Liana wasn’t this.

After all, Erinna knew very well that Liana wouldn’t do anything strange now. At such a time, she should be more clear-headed than anyone, so there was no need to specially tell Liana about this. Letting Liana know these things was just an excuse to get her to come.

What she mainly wanted to know was, “I heard from Naibert that when you came back in the early morning, you brought someone with you. Is she your new maid?”

“Yes, what about it?” Liana looked at Erinna.

“If it’s a maid, we have many excellent maids in Venus Manor. But from what Naibert told me, she’s a complete novice, needing to be trained from the beginning. Why not directly choose a suitable maid from our Venus Manor?” Erinna asked.

“Oh, you seem to have misunderstood something. She’s not my maid, but my slave,” Liana said.

“Slave?” Erinna’s brow slightly furrowed.

“Yes, a slave. What’s wrong? Is purchasing a slave something strange?”