Chapter 11: But She Offered So Much

Rita’s brain crashed the moment she met those slightly red, golden eyes.

Who could’ve guessed that, in her panic, she’d dive into a random room—only to land in Cecilia’s?

And Cecilia’s room had no guards?! If it had been heavily secured, Rita would’ve never entered.

It made sense, though. The city lord’s mansion was guarded three layers deep, and this was an upper floor. If Rita hadn’t already been inside and able to fly, she’d never have gotten in.

Logical, but that didn’t ease her nerves. Rita stood frozen like a mouse dragged into the light, unsure where to put her hands or feet, her heart pounding like a drum.

Cecilia’s face bore clear tear stains. Even for an ordinary person, being seen crying was embarrassing, let alone a Princess.

Rita’s own embarrassment was no less—she wanted to crawl into a crack in the floor.

“Uh, so, there was a magical beast on the roof… I was worried about your safety…”

Without thinking, Rita blurted out a half-baked lie, terrified that a second’s hesitation would bring trouble.

A good lie needed half-truths. The beast was real, so maybe Cecilia would buy it… right?

No, wait! The beast had turned to ash, and Rita didn’t even know this was Cecilia’s room. Didn’t that make her lie sound even faker?

She could only hope the soldiers found some beastly residue to make her story hold water.

But Cecilia showed no reaction. If not for her red-rimmed eyes, her stare alone would’ve made Rita’s legs tremble.

“So… I’ll just go?”

Rita added weakly, nearly bolting out the window in her panic before catching herself and turning back.

“Wait.”

Cecilia’s feather-light voice came from behind, calm as ever, yet it froze Rita like a statue.

Slowly, reluctantly, Rita turned, struggling to keep her face composed. Her flickering eyes and trembling fingertips betrayed the storm inside her.

Yet Cecilia seemed oblivious to her unease.

“It’s chaotic outside. Leaving my room now would raise suspicion.”

The excuse sounded reasonable, but something felt off to Rita.

Was the Princess inviting her to stay? Why?

Before Rita could puzzle it out, Cecilia turned her head, breaking her piercing gaze.

Moonlight cast faint shadows on her face, her voice softer than before.

“Just… stay here for a bit.”

Rita could hardly believe her ears.

Stay? Her? The one who agreed to cooperate and then tried to flee?

“It’s chaotic outside. As my confidant, staying by my side to protect me is normal,” Cecilia said, her voice still soft but carrying that undeniable tone from before.

Rita didn’t understand, and she gave up trying.

At least Cecilia wasn’t causing her trouble now.

Later? She’d deal with later when it came.

“Sit,” Cecilia said, as she had during the day. But this time, she patted her bed.

Even if Rita was dense, she caught the obvious hint.

“Your Highness, this… isn’t appropriate, is it?”

“Forget formalities. Your master commands you to sit.” Cecilia’s hand made a soft thud on the sheets.

Master?!

Calling an employer that wasn’t unusual for a servant or guard, but in this context, it felt awfully ambiguous.

Rita swallowed hard, mechanically sitting on the edge of Cecilia’s bed.

She was a succubus, but her heart was pure—her body, too, aside from that time the Princess overpowered her. So, feeling shy was natural.

“Rita, you…” Cecilia paused, choosing her words carefully.

Her gaze drifted, landing on Rita’s disheveled clothes from the beast fight and wing release, a faint blush coloring her ears.

Rita didn’t dare speak, staring fixedly at the window she’d climbed through.

After a long silence, Cecilia asked, “Your job requires facing all kinds of clients and keeping their secrets, right?”

Rita’s brain froze for several seconds before it clicked.

Why does Her Highness still think I’m an escort?!

A mix of shame, absurdity, and helpless amusement stiffened Rita’s expression. She opened her mouth but couldn’t muster a rebuttal.

Her silence seemed to mean something else to Cecilia, who furrowed her brow and softened her tone. “I’ll pay.”

Rita wanted to shout that it wasn’t about money!

“One thousand gold coins.”

But Cecilia was offering way too much.

Rita’s entire gear, lodging, and travel costs had only been a few dozen gold coins.

A thousand gold coins? Even if she splurged on inns and escorts to sate her hunger, it’d last her ages. Having endured real hardship, Rita knew how tempting this was.

Whether she was an escort before didn’t matter. For a thousand shining gold coins, diving into that life was worth it!

Rita’s slight waver was taken as assent by Cecilia. In such ambiguous matters, words weren’t always needed—a simple test would suffice.

Cecilia silently patted the mattress again. Rita, sitting a distance away, shifted closer.

“Lie down.”

Cecilia’s command carried an undeniable weight.

This was Rita’s first time doing something like this. Even her hunts were just quick neck bites before leaving. Naturally, she was nervous.

But with Cecilia’s commanding presence, all she had to do was follow, right?

With that thought, Rita kicked off her boots, scooted further onto the bed, and lay flat, stiff as a board.

She felt a weight settle on her,