Chapter 18: So, You’re Still After My Body?

The second day of the exam concluded smoothly, except for Rita’s bizarre match.

As night fell, the city sank into darkness.

Yet, a secluded alley remained brightly lit.

A burly, scar-faced woman strode through a corridor filled with perfume and moans of ecstasy, barging into the room at the end.

A scantily clad girl awaited, kneeling instantly upon seeing her.

“Master, you’re here.”

“Lead the way.” The woman didn’t glance at the girl, kicking her sharply with the tip of her boot.

The girl scrambled up, rummaging through a wardrobe filled with revealing clothes and lewd toys. A rumble sounded as the wardrobe’s panel slid aside, revealing a hidden passage below.

The woman snorted coldly, stepping into the passage. The girl grabbed a torch from the corner, lit it, and followed.

After a winding path, the woman stopped at a spacious underground room’s entrance, waving a hand. The girl opened the door.

Inside, a cloaked man holding a torch waited.

“Hmph.” The woman snorted again. “I’ve waited days. Why isn’t it done?”

The man’s voice trembled. “I-It’s… somehow, the magical beast… it just lost contact!”

“Excuses! That damn beast is just a dumb dog! You’re a dumb dog too! All dumb dogs!”

A sultry female voice interrupted. “Oh? Who’s Lady Mel calling a dumb dog?”

Fuming, Mel was cut off mid-rant, her words catching in her throat. Her tone shifted, a smile masking her fear-twisted face.

“Y-You are…”

“For safety, don’t try to find me or say that name.”

Mel nodded rapidly, staring at her boots. “Understood, understood.”

“Lady Mel.” The voice remained seductive, but its weight pressed on Mel. “Remember our deal?”

“Of course, I remember.” Mel sweated profusely. “You give us power, we eliminate the Cursed Princess in the city lord’s mansion, I take the lord’s seat, and you…”

“Good you remember.” The voice cut her off. “I lent you my carefully raised beast, taught you how to make it track scents, even how to mix them into incense. And you botched it?”

“I-It’s my subordinates’ fault—no, my fault.”

“Fine, I’ll give you a little more help and a hint. That white-haired girl aiming to be a Holy Knight—she’s been cozy with the Princess lately. Want the lord’s seat? Try your luck with her.”

“Achoo!”

Rita sneezed out of nowhere, nearly knocking Cecilia to the floor.

Cecilia’s head bumped Rita’s knee with a thud. Rita quickly rubbed Cecilia’s head.

“Your Highness! I didn’t mean to!”

“I said, when we’re alone, call me Cecilia.” Cecilia lazily reached out, sliding a few coins off the stack on the bedside table.

Seeing Cecilia touch the gold, Rita’s heart bled.

That’s my money! Mine!

Earlier, when the maid summoned Rita to Cecilia’s room, she braced for another nerve-wracking test.

Except for that accidental intrusion, Cecilia always seemed in control, making Rita feel foolish by comparison.

Her commanding aura added pressure.

But this time, Cecilia didn’t mention the exam or tests, just pointed to something covered in silk on the bedside table.

“Open it,” Cecilia ordered calmly.

Rita lifted the silk, revealing neatly folded fabric topped with stacks of gold coins.

“Wear it, and the coins are yours—temporarily.”

Didn’t something like this happen a couple of days ago?

Right—coercion then, bribery now.

Rita didn’t dare touch the clothes beneath the coins, stealing glances at Cecilia.

Cecilia saw through her instantly. “Your clothes are too shabby. Last time, we didn’t dress you up properly, but today, we have plenty of time.”

Shabby? That outfit cost her several gold coins!

Wait—last time? Dress up? Plenty of time?

What are you saying, Princess?!

You’re still after my body!

Rita screamed inwardly but obediently put on the clothes Cecilia prepared.

The reason? She gave too much.

Rita figured, even if things soured with Cecilia, the money was real. Worst case, she’d convert it to gems and flee to live well elsewhere.

As the saying goes, any soil can bury a person.

But today, Cecilia didn’t give her anything revealing—just a high-quality robe.

Though the matching undergarments were a bit…

The changing process, under Cecilia’s unflinching gaze, felt more exhausting than running three laps in the arena.

After, Cecilia patted the bed for Rita to sit, then lay on her lap and closed her eyes.

She didn’t ask Rita’s permission—though, as a Princess, she didn’t need to.

Then, Cecilia spoke sporadically about minor rules, like calling her Cecilia when alone.

Breaking rules didn’t earn beatings—just a deduction from Rita’s coin stack.

Rita wasn’t afraid of punishment, but this?

She still didn’t know what Cecilia wanted. All she did was lie on her lap.

Oh, and take her money.

“Your… Cecilia.”

“Cecilia alone will do.” Cecilia paused. “What do you want to say?”

“You called me here to do something for you?”

“Do what? I haven’t decided.” Cecilia exhaled softly. “How about you join me for a bath?”