Chapter 7: Who put this thing inside me?!

“Princess… may I ask you to let go?”

After seeing off the maid miss, Phyllis casually closed the door.

Thought a moment for words.

Then softly to the pressure on her shoulder.

After all, unclear how much suggestion affected Aaliyah’s mind…

Or, given Aaliyah’s odd answer earlier—was the princess truly hypnotized?

Phyllis couldn’t tell.

“Mm… this, no.”

White dumpling rubbed shoulder again.

No intent to separate: “I super like Phi sauce!”

Super like?

Phyllis numb.

“But earlier… Your Highness you weren’t…”

“Hehe, don’t call me Highness~”

Aaliyah lifted head, brilliant smile:

“After all, me and Phi sauce’s relation no secret. Feared that guy bully Phi sauce, so came check?”

Watery big eyes blinked twice.

Phyllis dazed.

But quick style shift:

“Or, Phi sauce thinks I’m improper girl, bad one anyone can see naked, so… unhappy? Boo hoo, boo hoo, don’t abandon meow~”

Even sniffed.

Eyes seemed instantly moist.

Like abandoned kitten.

Boo hoo while quietly lifting lashes.

Finally caught flash of dodge, panic on Phyllis face.

Hehe, hit?

Sure, instinct right.

Mouth bitter deep.

Heart still had her spot.

Or, knew Aaliyah no good—yet trapped by past feelings, sweetness.

Couldn’t be too ruthless.

This person, tsundere.

Earlier “like you”—incredulous panic best proof.

Hehe, small fry protagonist, gotcha!

Plus, Phyllis must believe full hypnosis effect.

Personality flip, even helped resolve.

One move two gains.

But still—escape needed.

Then, tiny difference could branch plot elsewhere.

Let alone protagonist rebirth shocker.

Clarifying Phyllis mind—not enough survive later chaos.

Stick to stealth: farther from protagonists better.

Clear this.

Aaliyah soon left shoulder.

Slightly fixed appearance.

“Ahem… that is, Phi sauce?”

“Mm?!”

Snapped from shock.

Phyllis answered.

“Earlier maid said professor waiting?”

“Uh… seems so?”

Pink dumpling still steamy.

Phyllis brain blank.

“Aiya, Phi sauce dumb dead.”

Shook head, dissatisfied seeming.

Aaliyah lightly patted pink head: “Then… I prep first?”

“Mm, ah!”

Phyllis still dazed: “No, fine. I clean table. Highness prep quick…”

“Not Highness, little Ai.”

Aaliyah corrected instant.

Leaned closer.

Fingertip lightly poked still hot cheek.

Light laugh.

Finished, quick turned to room.

Left Phyllis alone.

Gazing back thoughtful.

…

…

Starfall Academy, professor office.

Few sunset rays through ornate windows.

Into tea-scented room.

Lit already luxurious desk brighter.

Behind desk, properly dressed middle man stood.

Slight bow.

Personally added tea to petite gilded cup.

“Princess, if hospitality lacking, please forgive.”

“Thank you Mr. Rhode, indeed good tea.”

Slight head shake declined gesture.

Aaliyah light sip: “But now I’m just ordinary freshman. No need such words.”

Him she knew.

Rhode, imperial royal mage.

Also adjunct basic magic professor at Starfall.

Handsome sort.

Such status: princess studying Starfall, his special care natural.

Though Starfall independent, any power.

Founded on equality all, races.

Noble low—only student teacher.

But human relations inevitable.

“Glad you like.”

Rhode smiled: “His Majesty personally ordered care for Highness. How dare slack?”

“No need… grown, can care self.”

“Since Highness says, relieved.”

Slight nod.

Rhode sat back.

“Then, Mr. Rhode.”

No more small talk.

Seeing seated, Aaliyah quick: “Today specially notify—what for?”

Not here princess addict.

Game “Love Fireworks” rich branches from docs.

Issue: too rich.

Tiny protagonist choice—total different line.

Even later characters stance flip.

Like current Rhode—good evil past lines.

Now, her grasp this line: only Phyllis reborn.

Rest unknown.

To accurately dodge deaths—need more current branch info before leave.

“Ah, this.”

Rhode serious slight.

Smile unchanged: “Tomorrow academy opening ceremony, right?”

“Mm.”

Aaliyah knew.

Starfall opening兼magic appraisal—all plot start.

Her guess normal: royal blood not fully awakened, weak magic Phyllis—post-rating led by Aaliyah noble misses humiliated.

Start protagonist slap face, rise.

“Thirty years east, thirty west—don’t bully poor girl!”

Uh, her brain supplement.

But Phyllis grudge her—thanks this.

But this round escape—no scene.

“Then, worry I neglect magic study, strength low—shame empire?”

Thought no meaning.

Aaliyah probed.

“Naturally not.”

Rhode glanced around.

Confirmed alone, lowered voice: “Opposite. Hope you restrain. Don’t show full strength.”

“??”

Aaliyah stunned.

Entry Aaliyah royal blood.

Even faint awaken signs.

But branch thin—far from earth-shaking.

Plus, princess public strength—not fit empire prestige?

Slight frown.

Looked elegant middle man.

But next words—more baffling.

“After all, you have ‘that thing’ inside.”

“?? You mean?”

“Lost manners.”

Stood again.

Aaliyah slight nod allow.

Bent.

Lifted slender right hand.

Few black magic flowed.

Then, pitch black rose mark emerged.

Seeing exquisite pattern instant.

Aaliyah heart stop suffocation…

Evil god seed?!

Who, who put this in my body?!