What just happened?

“...” Everyone knew what had happened without having to think about it.

Her lips still remembered the recent sensation—so soft. Though she had never experienced such a thing before, what had just entered her mouth was definitely a tongue...

Wait! Wait!

Liana still hadn’t quite come to her senses. She mentally retraced what had just happened.

Mephilia had just mentioned a special candy for her to try, then asked her to close her eyes. As a result, she had accidentally thrown it into her mouth, and then accidentally fed it to her mouth-to-mouth?

“How is it? How’s the taste?” Mephilia’s voice came again.

“Mephilia, just now...”

“How is it? How’s the taste?” Mephilia was clearly quite shy as well, her pretty face tinged with a blush as she repeated her previous question.

“The taste... is very sweet.” Was it because she was happy? Or was it sweet because it came from Mephilia?

Liana wasn’t sure if this sweetness represented Mephilia or herself.

But regardless of whom it represented, the outcome was inevitable, right?

At least one of them was feeling very happy at the moment, perhaps even both.

“Very sweet?” Mephilia breathed a sigh of relief. Did this mean Liana didn’t dislike it?

“Um, just now, was that...” Liana continued.

But Mephilia quickly walked over and pushed Liana’s back. “Alright, don’t keep them waiting too long. We’ll see each other again in the future. Isn’t that what you said, Liana?”

Though Mephilia appeared to be rushing Liana away, her ears had turned red. She simply didn’t want Liana to see her embarrassed expression.

Liana’s situation wasn’t much better. Though not as dramatic as Mephilia, her face felt hot. After all, this was her first time!

But if she just left like this, it would be quite unfair to Mephilia who had made such a bold decision!

Moreover, since Mephilia had already decided to do such a thing, she should certainly respond in kind.

To say Liana didn’t like Mephilia? That was impossible.

How could anyone not like a girl who was perfect to the extreme, who never abandoned or gave up on you, and whose eyes were filled with only you?

“I got it.” Liana stopped and turned back to look at Mephilia.

“This candy tastes very good. Do you have any more?” Liana asked.

“I knew you’d like it, so I had Vivian put them all in your luggage,” Mephilia said.

“Such a delicious candy—won’t you save a bit for yourself to try?”

“Don’t you really like these things? They’re all yours. I’m not that particular about the taste of candy.” Mephilia held the parasol with one hand while playing with her golden hair with the other. She lowered her head, somewhat too shy to look directly at Liana.

She’s so adorable.

Liana took the parasol from Mephilia’s hand. “Then I’ll leave this one for you. It’s very sweet.”

Liana whispered softly by Mephilia’s ear. Then Mephilia saw Liana appear before her, drawing closer and closer. Her breath brushed against her face, and those pink, tender lips gently touched.

That candy returned once more to Mephilia’s mouth.

Candy: I haven’t provoked any of you; please let me go.

“I’ll be waiting for you at Venus Manor. I’ll always be waiting for you there. So you must come see me, okay, Sister Mephilia?” Liana felt her face flush red. Without waiting for Mephilia’s response, she hurriedly boarded the carriage.

“...” In the carriage compartment, Loraviel looked through the window. Though she hadn’t seen what the two had done under the parasol, she could tell from their blushing expressions that what they did under the parasol definitely wasn’t anything innocent.

Just when she thought it was over, she saw Princess Liana taking the initiative as well.

What was even more deadly was that, due to the angle, she could barely see some of it from here.

Though she hadn’t witnessed the entire process, she could see that when Princess Liana was parting from Princess Mephilia, there seemed to be a silver thread hanging from the corner of her mouth, gleaming brightly in the reflection of the sunlight.

“...” Without realizing it, Loraviel had clenched her fists, her nails digging painfully into her palms.

She had experienced something similar before—the first time Princess Liana had taken her out, she had feared being sold off and was terrified.

But now, it was different. She was safe, but why did she feel more painful than before?

“Hey, what are you spacing out for?” When Loraviel came back to her senses, Liana had already entered the carriage compartment. “My favorite spot is by the window. Don’t you know that?”

“Sorry, Princess Liana.” Loraviel hurriedly stood up to make room for Liana.

How could she not know? She remembered it clearly. It was just that now... she felt a bit uncomfortable.

Liana sat by the window and waved to Mephilia outside.

If Loraviel could notice it, how could Erinna not see it?

And it was precisely because of this gesture that Erinna became more certain that her sister Liana might be completely different from the previous Liana.

But she wasn’t in a rush to express her attitude. She wasn’t worried—Venus Manor was Liana’s home. No matter what, where else could Liana go?

Besides, Liana didn’t look like she wanted to contend for inheritance rights at all. Once she dealt with Countess Rose and became the Duchess of Venus Manor, would she fear not having time to approach Liana?

All she needed to do now was take over Venus Manor.

“Liana, you and Princess Mephilia really get along well now,” Erinna remarked at this moment.

“Yes, what about it? Are you jealous?” Liana supported her face with both hands, and the fiery sensation on her face gradually faded.

Jealous... huh?

Erinna recalled some unpleasant memories. When she was younger, she had indeed always envied the relationship between Mephilia and Liana.

Back then, their relationship wasn’t as intimate as it was now. Although they ate together, slept together, and their relationship was indeed good, it definitely hadn’t reached the current stage. Now they weren’t even just eating together—Mephilia was directly nibbling on Liana.

“Nothing.” Erinna’s expression remained calm, making it impossible to detect her inner thoughts.

“Lady Liana, we’ve arrived,” Naibert glanced outside. They had reached the previous resting spot for Venus Manor.

“Arrived?” Liana looked outside. “Aren’t we still within the Lisat Royal Capital? Or have you decided not to return?”

“We need to change carriages.” Erinna was transferring some scrolls and materials from the carriage to another one.

“Why switch to a slower carriage?” Liana asked.

“The specific reason, you’ll know in a moment. If you’re not comfortable with it, you can also have Princess Mephilia prepare a new carriage for you,” Erinna said.

“I’ll pass on that.” Liana shrugged. She had just experienced a parting; if she went back now, it would be mortifying! And if they had to part again... she’d die!

“Lady Erinna, let me help you.” Loraviel also lent a hand, and they quickly transferred all the materials to the other carriage.

“It will be a bit cramped. Can you endure it?” Erinna looked at Liana.

“...” Liana was somewhat speechless. It was indeed cramped, but still within an acceptable range. “I hope you have a good reason for this.”

“Rest assured, I don’t want to abandon a comfortable carriage compartment to ride in this more cramped one either,” Erinna said.

This time, they truly left the Lisat Royal Capital. As the carriage drove through the city gates, Liana could see a long queue forming outside the gates. It seemed they were all coming to participate in the festival at the Lisat Royal Capital.

In contrast to Liana’s relaxed and somewhat happy expression, Erinna, Naibert, and Loraviel all wore peculiar expressions.

Erinna and Naibert’s expressions were slightly tense, as if preparing for what was about to happen.

Oliphia? She had put on her damn armor again, looking like a mecha.

And Loraviel was still immersed in what had just happened, appearing somewhat absent-minded.

“Tired already?” Liana looked at Loraviel. “It was just moving some things, and you’re already worn out?”

“Sorry... Princess Liana.” Usually, it was Loraviel who made excuses for Liana, but this time, it was Liana making excuses for Loraviel.

After all, Loraviel certainly couldn’t say it was because she saw them kissing and felt depressed, leading to her current state, right?

“I’m in a pretty good mood today,” Liana said.

Something obvious to all, and yet Liana said it out loud—it was like stabbing Loraviel’s heart a couple more times.

But Liana’s next words were something Loraviel hadn’t anticipated at all.

“Thigh or shoulder? I can lend you either,” Liana offered.

“Huh?” It was so sudden that Loraviel didn’t quite react. She couldn’t have misheard, right?

“I’m in a good mood today, so I’m specially permitting you to use my shoulder or thigh to rest. Do you understand?” ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) Liana said.

Liana was well aware of the discomfort of long journeys. Additionally, with the switch to this slower carriage, they probably wouldn’t arrive home until the early hours of the next morning. Liana had experienced physical discomfort during a long bus ride in her previous life.

Although they weren’t riding a bus now, the difference shouldn’t be significant. Afterward, Liana had fallen seriously ill, feeling terrible and taking several days to recover.

While magic could be used for healing in this world, and the treatment methods were probably better than before, Liana got a headache just thinking about the inconveniences if Loraviel fell ill.

“Then... thank you, Princess Liana.” Loraviel didn’t hesitate, not wanting to show any reluctance, and immediately lay down on Liana’s soft thigh.

Princess Liana was truly a very kind person, but she felt like she was exploiting Princess Liana’s kindness now...

But who cares? She was a terrible person, terrible enough to try to interfere even knowing Princess Liana and Princess Mephilia were in mutual love.

She could no longer bring herself to give up on Princess Liana.

She was just rotten!

If anyone was to blame, blame Princess Liana for picking her up. Blame Princess Liana for being so good to her, allowing her to discover this.

If she could stay by Her Highness’ side, even if she had to sleep on her lap like this every day, even if she had to warm the bed and accompany Her Highness to sleep every night, Loraviel would be willing.

Oh, right, she almost forgot.

[Princess Liana Observation Diary, Entry 10: Princess Liana likes to sit by the window.]

[Princess Liana Observation Diary, Entry 11: When Princess Liana encounters something happy or delicious food, the stubborn hair on her head will sway adorably. I just don’t know the principle behind it...]

“Liana, you really like your maid,” Erinna commented. “If she’s feeling unwell, I can help a bit.”

Loraviel: Don’t come interfere! Princess Liana’s thigh is so soft!

“It’s fine, I just need to lie down for a while. No need to trouble Lady Erinna,” Loraviel said.

“If you feel unwell in any way, you can call me anytime.”

“Thank you.”

The carriage moved slowly. About four or five hours passed, and they had only just passed by the Ibett Magic Academy.

If they had taken the morning carriage, they would have been home by now.

Loraviel had sat up by now. She had lain on Liana’s thigh for less than half an hour; lying there any longer would have been inappropriate.

And Princess Liana beside her had already started to doze off.

Liana really couldn’t hold on any longer and leaned against Loraviel’s shoulder.

Loraviel was initially surprised, but upon seeing Princess Liana sleeping against her shoulder, she felt some joy inside.

Yes, regardless of the relationship between Princess Mephilia and Princess Liana, she was the one with the proximity advantage right now.

Though less than a month remained, Loraviel had already devised strategies to make Princess Liana remember her.

And Oliphia, who had been silent all along, pretending to be human while looking like a mecha, now gripped her weapon.

She sensed something amiss.

“Lady Oliphia, please wait here. They’re just some bandits; we don’t need you to intervene,” Naibert said, already holding several daggers in her hands. “However, please protect those in the carriage.”

Naibert’s figure descended into the darkness.

Meanwhile, not far ahead of the carriage, a group of bandits had intercepted a carriage and were looting its valuables, but they found something strange.

“Where are they? Weren’t they supposed to pass through this area? Are you sure this is the right carriage?” The bandit leader looked at a scrawny bandit.

“It shouldn’t be wrong. The intelligence definitely told us this. Could the information be incorrect? But this carriage is indeed very luxurious, and the compartment used is not ordinary,” the scrawny bandit said.

“Hey! Are you a coachman from Venus Territory?” The bandit raised his foot and kicked the coachman a couple of times, but he was like a straw man, showing no reaction.

“Who instructed you to do this?” A cold dagger rested against the bandit leader’s neck.

“We have our principles when doing business. How could we possibly reveal our employer?” The bandit leader wasn’t concerned. He was a Junior Executor, one of the more notorious figures in this area, albeit for his infamy.

The intelligence had stated that the threatening figure on the carriage was only a Junior Executor like himself, nothing to fear. Moreover, he had brought so many people, with the assistance of several High Archmages.

This lineup was quite luxurious, something an ordinary bandit group couldn’t afford, which was the source of his confidence.

“‘We’? Where is this ‘we’?” A maid-dressed figure sat on the carriage, unhurriedly wiping blood stains from her dagger.

The bandit leader looked around. The once aggressive bandits were now lying in pools of blood. “Now, would you like to explain the situation to me? Or do you still have that capability?”

Moonlight fell on the dagger, reflecting onto Naibert’s face, looking very intimidating.

“How is this possible... This can’t be the level of a Junior Executor,” the bandit leader stared at Naibert in disbelief.

“When did I ever say I was a Junior Executor?” Naibert played with the dagger in her hand, sighing helplessly. “It seems I’ve done too many household chores and am being underestimated.”

“So, do you still want to uphold your so-called principles? Forget it, I’m too lazy to ask you. It’s probably just that boring person, Countess Rose, who would do such a thing.” Naibert threw a dagger directly at the center of his forehead.

“Is everything handled?” Erinna walked over at this moment.

“Lady Erinna, everything is taken care of,” Naibert reported.

“I’ll leave the rest to you to handle. Don’t scare others. Most of these bandits have bounties. After collecting the rewards, give them to the people in your village,” Erinna said to the coachman.

“Thank you very much, Lady Erinna!” The coachman knelt before Erinna.

“You’ve also taken commensurate risks. This is what you deserve.”

The two returned to the carriage compartment, continuing their journey home.

“Were those bandits instigated by someone?” Oliphia asked.

“Instigated? I suppose so. But not by anyone important, just a clown. After all, Cain is just a waste, not someone worth caring about, a completely irrelevant individual. If he were slightly more useful, Countess Rose wouldn’t have to resort to such measures.”

“That’s quite a merciless evaluation,” Oliphia remarked.

“But I’m just stating the facts.” Erinna spoke without concern. Regarding Cain, she had never considered him a competitor. Her competitor...

Erinna’s gaze lingered on Liana, who was sleeping against Loraviel’s shoulder.