Chapter 3: The Princess Stands Atop the Platform

The blonde girl seemed to float onto the platform like a feather, unnoticed by most until a candidate’s whisper drew attention to her presence.

She gently lifted her gem-encrusted gown and sat gracefully in the central seat, prepared in advance.

Seeing her on the platform, Rita’s throat tightened, and fragments of hazy memories sharpened.

She recalled the girl’s lithe waist, the sweet scent in her nostrils, the soft bite on her neck, and the teasing touch of fingertips on her tongue and tail.

Just thinking about it, Rita swallowed hard, unconsciously pressing her thighs closer together.

‘What am I getting so worked up about?’ Rita shook her head, casting out the distracting thoughts, and focused on the platform.

In countless future moments, Rita would regret not turning to leave right then.

At least if she left now, she wouldn’t be cornered by that girl tonight.

A young woman in a black robe, her striking figure accentuated despite the cover, followed the girl onto the platform, prompting a wave of audible gulps from the crowd.

The robed woman glanced at the audience before taking the seat to the girl’s right.

The final person to ascend was a middle-aged man with a staff and a sword at his waist, his bearded face chiseled by time. He walked behind the two, crossed his arms, and sat heavily on the left.

This seating arrangement stirred ripples of whispers among the crowd below.

“Why is the city lord sitting at the end?”

“Is the one on the right a mage?”

“Who’s in the center? Someone of such high status?”

Thud.

The city lord’s staff tapped the ground lightly, and the murmurs quieted.

The last to appear was the host, who cleared their throat after taking position.

“Future Holy Knights, welcome to Solus City for the preliminary Holy Knight examination.”

Solus City was just one of many exam sites, as noted on the registration papers Rita had found.

After a warm and encouraging opening speech, the host stepped aside.

“Next, please welcome Her Highness, the Princess, and chief examiner, for her address.”

The crowd rippled with excitement again.

“The Princess! Her Highness is in Solus City!”

Rita’s heart sank.

‘Princess?!’

A bearded man, a robed woman, and a blonde beauty sat on the platform. Which one was the Princess? So hard to guess.

Under Rita’s gaze, the blonde girl rose slowly from her seat and stepped to the edge of the platform.

As she stood, soldiers moved silently to separate the candidates from the onlookers.

The voice Rita had heard last night echoed in her ears once more.

“I am Cecilia Julius, the Fourth Princess of the Kingdom, and the chief examiner for the Holy Knight test in Solus City.”

Her words doused the crowd’s enthusiasm like cold water, the atmosphere turning strange.

“The Fourth Princess… isn’t that…”

“The Cursed Princess…”

The Princess seemed to sense something, her gaze briefly landing on a whispering candidate, though to most, it appeared as a perfectly timed pause.

“Holy Knights serve only the royal family, acting as our blade and shield. Thus, the Holy Knight examination is exceptionally rigorous…”

Rita’s goal in becoming a Holy Knight was to gain a legitimate, protective identity. The role offered good pay, light duties, and considerable authority—perfect.

But even if she passed, she’d likely have to deal with this Princess often.

What do you do when the stranger you woke up next to is not only the chief examiner but also your future boss?

Hope she never recognizes you? Pray she forgets last night?

That’s like a kid caught at an internet café saying, ‘Auntie, I know I look like your son, but you’ve got the wrong person!’

Weighing a comfortable life against her safety, Rita knew which mattered more.

Becoming a Holy Knight was a calculated choice, but not her only one.

With the exam about to start, Rita knew she had to leave now or it’d be too late. She gripped her sword, squared her shoulders, and strode confidently toward the outer edge.

Only exceptional people qualified for the Holy Knight exam—acting sneaky would draw suspicion.

Moving against the crowd, Rita caught a soldier’s attention. He stepped forward, slightly blocking her path.

Like the innkeeper, the soldier was polite, wary of troubling a future Holy Knight. “Her Highness is speaking. Why are you leaving now?”

Rita had anticipated this and had her excuse ready. “I forgot my exam permit at the inn. I need to get it.”

The soldier nodded. “Understood. Please wait, we’ll report this and send someone to retrieve it.”

‘No, no, you don’t need to be that polite.’

Rita was frantic but couldn’t show it. She waved dismissively. “No trouble needed. I’ll go myself.”

“We’ll be quick and won’t delay your exam.”

“I’m a girl. You think it’s proper to enter my room?” Rita applied subtle pressure.

“Rest assured, we can send your servant, the innkeeper, or a maid from the city lord’s mansion. No embarrassment.”

Though respectful, the soldier wouldn’t budge. His courtesy stemmed from Rita’s lack of suspicious behavior.

The Princess’s safety clearly outweighed a candidate’s convenience.

As they spoke, other soldiers noticed the commotion and approached, along with curious glances from candidates and onlookers.

The Princess’s speech paused subtly. Though Rita faced away, she could guess the Princess had noticed.

Rita was leaving to avoid being recognized. Insisting further might backfire.

Her room held nothing suspicious anyway. Let them search—she could just produce the permit later.

As Rita pondered her next words, a sharp whistle cut through the silence.

Ordinary eyes might miss it, but Rita’s succubus-enhanced vision caught the fleeting image.

An arrow shot from the crowd, grazing over her head, aimed behind her.

Its target could only be one person.

The Princess atop the platform!