“Huh?” Liana finally raised her head to look at Erinna, confirming several times that it was indeed Erinna who had spoken those words.

“Are you joking? Even if you truly become the Duchess of Venus, you still couldn’t be better than Mephilia.”

“Indeed, after all, we’re talking about Princess Mephilia.” Erinna nodded.

“But I’ve seen it, Liana. You’re someone who will work hard and persevere for certain things. So, you can’t guarantee that in the future, you won’t have reasons to seek my help, right?” Erinna said.

“I will never reach that point. Whatever you can give me, Mephilia can definitely provide as well. So, I absolutely don’t need you,” Liana said with determination.

“Is that so? You shouldn’t speak in such absolutes, Liana.” Erinna looked at Liana with a smile.

Liana couldn’t be bothered to engage with Erinna and buried her face back down.

“So, what’s with the sudden change? You used to be more low-key,” Liana asked.

“Because Princess Mephilia has accelerated the changes for this world, we naturally need to accelerate as well.” Erinna went to the window and opened it.

What happened the day before yesterday demonstrated this—it was also a manifestation of Countess Rose’s decision to accelerate. And given the current situation, Erinna also needed to speed things up a bit. Only by securing Venus Manor sooner would Liana be safer.

“I don’t care whether you accelerate or decelerate; it has nothing to do with me,” Liana said with an air of indifference. “I’ll make this clear today: I will absolutely never have reason to ask anything of you because whatever I want, Mephilia will certainly give me.”

“True, Princess Mephilia can obtain far more things than I can.” Erinna didn’t say more. She had already achieved what she wanted today.

She looked around. Compared to before, it seems Liana’s room had an additional wardrobe and a dressing table.

She hadn’t seen these during her previous visit.

“When did you start needing two dressing tables, Liana?” Erinna asked.

“What’s the matter? Do I need to report to you how many dressing tables I want, Lady Erinna?” Liana retorted.

“Of course not. I thought you had specifically prepared a dressing table for Loraviel to use, since you two are already living together, aren’t you?” Erinna said.

“Don’t be ridiculous. Would I specially prepare such things for her? She’s merely a maid,” Liana said.

“Very well then.” Erinna had already gained quite a lot of information today, and besides, Liana didn’t seem particularly welcoming. “In that case, I’ll take my leave.”

“Wait.” Liana called out to Erinna. “I didn’t let you in to hear this nonsense.”

“Oh? Then what would Liana like to know?” Erinna asked.

“You mentioned a merchant looking for me. Who is she?” Liana already knew without asking that there was only one person who would seek her out.

“I believe her name is Tari? She’s from the Saus Trading Company—small in stature, with cat ears and a cat tail.” Erinna tried to recall the person’s appearance.

So it was indeed her. “Oh? And what does she want with me? Did she tell you?”

“She naturally didn’t tell us. Even when we asked, she refused to say anything, talking about merchant principles and absolutely not betraying clients,” Erinna explained.

“Tch.” Liana snorted. Fine words, but a few gold coins, and she’d sell her out.

“Did you make some deal with her? She seems quite anxious,” Erinna noted.

“Would you like to know?”

“I’m not interested in these matters.” Erinna waved her hand dismissively. “If Liana has nothing else, I’ll take my leave.”

“Go ahead, go ahead.” There was no need for Erinna to stay any longer. “Oh, and please convey to her that I’m busy now. Tell her to return to the Saus Trading Company first. When I have time, I’ll find her.”

Liana didn’t want to let Tari meet her so easily. The more anxious she was, the more it proved the importance of these cosmetics to the Saus Trading Company. The longer she dragged it out, the more favorable negotiating conditions she could create for herself.

“Understood.” Erinna nodded.

Probably only Liana would dare to make Erinna run errands.

After Erinna left Liana’s room, the space became quiet again. “Princess Liana, shall we continue?” Loraviel asked.

“Yes, continue.” Liana buried her head back into the pillow, starting a new round of endurance training.

Fortunately, this didn’t last too long. Soon, a warm sensation spread across Liana’s thighs as Loraviel applied a hot towel to alleviate her pain.

Sometimes Liana wondered if Loraviel wasn’t born to be an assassin but a natural maid. Just a glance from her, and Loraviel understood her thoughts. And now, she was employing various methods to ease her pain.

“Is Princess Liana in her room?” A familiar voice came from outside the door.

Oliphia? Was she here to mock her?

“Loraviel, stop what you’re doing. In a moment, pretend you know nothing. If you give us away... you’ll face the consequences!”

“Yes.” Loraviel cooperatively put on a frightened expression.

Liana got out of bed. “Tss~”

Liana took a deep breath. The soreness was intense, causing her to limp and require Loraviel’s support.

She approached the table, asking Loraviel to bring her breakfast over, pretending she had been eating there all along.

“Oliphia? What is it?” Liana asked.

“After yesterday’s training, I wanted to check on Princess Liana’s condition, to see if there were any injuries or strains,” Oliphia said.

“Come in.”

Loraviel stepped forward to open the door.

Oliphia didn’t enter but stood at the doorway.

“Really, Oliphia, when will you be willing to take off that armor? Don’t tell me you sleep in that armor too?” Liana asked.

Oliphia was truly wearing her armor at all times.

“Princess Liana, do you think that’s possible?” Who could sleep in such armor? Oliphia certainly had casual clothes, but no one had seen them yet.

“Well, shall we make another bet?” Liana suggested.

“...Princess Liana, do you truly take me for a fool?” Oliphia took a deep breath.

Liana’s expression simply conveyed, ‘Aren’t you one?’ She was truly punchable.

“When have you ever fulfilled the bets we’ve made? Including this time, you said you would persevere, but even if you didn’t, there would be no consequences, would there? And even if there were, you’d probably renege, right?”

Liana bit on her straw. “Just consider it another time you’re being duped. You’ve fallen for it so many times already, what’s one more?”

“...” Oliphia’s fist clenched.

Oliphia decided to hear out what Liana had to say, curious about what strange request she would have next. “So what does Princess Liana want to bet on now?”

“Consider it an addition to our previous bet. If I persevere, then under normal circumstances, you’ll wear casual clothes instead of this scrap metal shell. How about that?” Liana said. “After all, in your eyes, this is an impossible task, right?”

“Or are you already afraid after witnessing my persistence yesterday? That’s understandable. After all, I am Liana. If I put my mind to something, with a bit of perseverance, I can definitely achieve it,” Liana smugly declared.

Liana was so punchable.

Oliphia wasn’t worried about this at all. Besides, if Liana truly succeeded, not wearing the armor wasn’t a big deal. Moreover, it wasn’t something embarrassing—it was just casual clothing, not like the previous bet where she would have to become Liana’s maid. “Alright, I agree to Princess Liana’s terms.”

“But Princess Liana, why do you want this?” Oliphia didn’t understand. It was just wearing armor; it wasn’t anything special.

“I don’t want an iron person flitting around in front of me. I want cute and beautiful girls, understand? Not an iron person. It ruins the atmosphere,” Liana said.

“Huh?” Liana’s words made Oliphia somewhat shy. Was she suggesting she was cute and beautiful? But she quickly realized—this was Liana, after all. She must be saying strange things to tease her. “Well then, I hope Princess Liana can persevere.”

“Of course, this kind of training is child’s play for me,” Liana said confidently.

“Shall we continue today then?” After spending time with Liana, Oliphia had developed some mischievous thoughts of her own.

“Um...” Liana’s expression became awkward. “Oliphia, didn’t you say I could rest a bit today?”

“Oh? I did indeed say that before, but that was under the premise that Princess Liana might be injured or strained. But Princess Liana, you don’t appear to have any issues now, do you?” Oliphia pointed out. “Since there’s no effect, shall we continue?”

“...No, rules are rules. How can they be suddenly changed?” If Liana went through with it now, she would die!

“Could it be that Princess Liana is actually in unbearable pain? Are you just forcing yourself to say these things to appear capable, enduring the pain?” Oliphia inquired.

“Hmph! How could that be... Ah!!!!” Liana had just finished speaking.

Oliphia took two or three steps forward, reaching out to grab Liana’s arm, causing her to let out a scream.

“Hey! What are you doing?! I’m going to complain to Mephilia!” Tears welled up in Liana’s eyes, on the verge of crying.

“...Sorry.” Seeing Liana’s tearful expression, Oliphia momentarily didn’t know what to do.

“It hurts a lot!” Liana now appreciated Loraviel’s gentleness.

Loraviel was truly so tender.

Originally thinking the day’s pain was Loraviel’s revenge, it was only after Oliphia’s touch that Liana realized how good Loraviel had been to her.

“Princess Liana, please bear with it a bit,” Oliphia said.

“No! What are you planning to do now?” Liana had a bad premonition.

“I’ll help loosen your muscles and tendons a bit. It’ll feel better. Just endure for a short while,” Oliphia didn’t intend to give Liana a chance to refuse.

“Hey!!!”

Half an hour later, Liana lay on the bed, seemingly lifeless.

“Lady Oliphia, is this really alright?” Loraviel looked at Liana with concern.

Liana was now completely limp. If not for the rise and fall of her chest indicating breathing, one might think Oliphia had murdered her.

“Don’t worry. Princess Liana will recover by the day after tomorrow at the latest,” Oliphia assured.

Oliphia! She was definitely taking revenge!

“Princess Liana, are you alright?” Loraviel asked.

By this time, Oliphia had already left, and Liana had finally recovered somewhat. “She definitely wanted to kill me.”

“Well... although Lady Oliphia’s methods might be a bit extreme, she’s definitely thinking of Princess Liana’s well-being,” Loraviel said.

Liana knew this herself; she was just irritated and venting.

The process was indeed very painful, but the effects were also quite evident. Her previously aching limbs had been effectively relieved. Though still somewhat painful, it was much better than the morning. At least she could walk without someone supporting her now.

“Lady Oliphia just praised Princess Liana,” Loraviel mentioned.

“Oh? How did she praise me?” Liana was curious. That Oliphia actually praised her? Had the sun risen from the west?

“Lady Oliphia said, ‘Princess Liana is truly impressive, enduring without a single sound.'”

“...” Liana wanted to curse. What did she mean by “enduring without a single sound”? Wasn’t it that this person hadn’t given her a chance to refuse?

However, looking at her palms, feeling the muscles in her body gradually recovering, there was a sense of satisfaction.

Perhaps because this was a magical world, and her having a certain affinity for magical [N O V E L I G H T] power, the magical elements in the air were helping accelerate her recovery. Her recovery rate was much faster than before.

By the second day, Liana felt much better. She could handle her affairs on her own, so she sent Loraviel to train with Oliphia.

She stayed in her room, studying her magic and practicing with magic stones.

Though the results were similar to before—only being able to infuse a few magic stones—Liana clearly felt that the magic within her was growing, more than before.

Liana wasn’t sure whether it was due to the physical training or the magic stone practice. Regardless, she needed to work harder going forward.

On the third day, Liana woke up early.

Loraviel had just prepared breakfast and brought it in. “Princess Liana, you’re up early today.”

Liana stood up and stretched. “Mmm...”

Her limbs emitted pleasurable sounds. It felt so good!

Liana felt her limbs filled with strength again. She was back in business!

Loraviel paused for a moment. When Princess Liana stretched just now, she could see her adorable armpits beneath her short sleeves... a delicious breakfast, thank you for the treat, Princess Liana.

Liana jumped out of bed. She was in good condition today and wanted to give Oliphia a little shock!

“Princess Liana seems very happy today?” Loraviel inquired.

Liana wasn’t sure if it was Oliphia’s medicine or the nature of the magical world, but her current body was certainly inferior to her previous one. However, being able to recover from extreme muscle fatigue to this extent in just two days seemed impossible before.

“Where’s Oliphia? Is she waiting for me in the back garden?” Liana asked.

“Lady Oliphia is currently at the main gate of Venus Manor, preparing to see Lady Erinna off,” Loraviel replied.

“Oh?” Liana looked outside. It was indeed more lively than yesterday.

Calculating the time, it was indeed the time to return to school. Moreover, the magical knowledge at Ibett Magic Academy had become crucial for them.

“It seems the entrance exam for Ibett Magic Academy is going to become much harder,” Liana remarked.

“Mm...” Loraviel’s expression was visibly downcast.

Liana thought it was because she was worried about being released by Liana in two years and concerned she wouldn’t pass the Ibett Magic Academy entrance exam.

“What’s wrong? Worried you won’t get in?” Liana asked.

“Ah? Yes.” Loraviel was just feeling dejected because she would soon have to leave Princess Liana, causing her to feel sad.

“Don’t worry. What I promised you, I will definitely fulfill,” Liana declared earnestly. “As long as you perform well during these two years and keep me satisfied, I’ll absolutely help you get into Ibett Magic Academy. Pulling some strings is nothing for me.”

“Besides, if after these two years, you come to enjoy being my maid and want to stay by my side, that’s also possible,” Liana smiled.

Loraviel almost agreed immediately but held back. Her current self wasn’t yet qualified to help Princess Liana.

“We’ll know in two years then.” Loraviel also looked outside. “Isn’t Princess Liana going to see Lady Erinna off?”

“See her off?” Liana looked at Erinna outside. Erinna seemed to sense Liana’s gaze and turned her attention this way. Their eyes met, and Erinna gave Liana a slight smile.

Liana couldn’t understand what Erinna was thinking, especially after those strange words from the day before yesterday. She couldn’t comprehend this person at all.

“Forget it. She’s the future Duchess of Venus, after all. She doesn’t need me,” Liana shrugged.

“But Lady Erinna seems to be calling Princess Liana’s name. Are you sure you don’t want to go see?” Loraviel asked.