Chapter 44: You Think Yours, I Guess Mine

Cynthia sank into the bathtub, half her face underwater, blowing bubbles, eyes sharp with vigilance.
Ina, lounging at the tub’s other end, was her focus—especially after that earlier “ambush.”
A faint tingle lingered on her skin from Ina’s playful grab.

Ina, now basking in the tub’s warmth, sighed contentedly.
“Oh… a bath feels so good…”

She stretched, her delicate legs rising from the water, toes teasingly close to Cynthia.
That mischievous grin returned.

“Ahem!”

Cynthia nearly choked, sensing trouble.
She shot up, grabbed a towel, and turned away stiffly.
“I’m done! Going out!”

“So fast?”

Ina pouted, blowing bubbles as Cynthia fled.
Cynthia’s flustered reaction replayed in her mind, sparking a glint in her eyes.
“How’s Cynthia-chan so cute?”

“Hehe, gotta figure out how to win her over…”

“Wait, no, I’m normal!”

“But she’s really cute!”

“No! Stop it!”

Ina wrestled with herself, alone in the bath.

Cynthia, meanwhile, bolted to the locker room, where Charlotte entered with two sets of clothes.
“Done already?”

“Force majeure…” Cynthia muttered.

Charlotte handed her a set, smiling.
“Try this.”

Cynthia’s heart sank as she felt the fabric—ruby silk, snow-white trim.
Not adventurer gear.

“Charlotte… who sent these?”

Her voice carried dread.

“The lord, I think? A maid delivered them.”

“What’d she look like?”

“Gray hair… moved too fast to see clearly.”

“Long gray hair?”

“Yeah.”

Cynthia paled, swallowing hard.
Long gray hair, maid, fast—Lilith.
Alicia’s shadow loomed.

“Cynthia? You okay?”

Charlotte’s concern snapped her back.
“Nothing… I’ll try it.”

“Ina’s clothes are here too~”

Charlotte set them down and left, adding, “Can’t wait to see you in it~”

Alone, Cynthia stared at the dress, mind racing.
Watched. She’s watching me.

How had Alicia’s maid delivered a dress so fast?
She must’ve known Cynthia was meeting the lord.
A test—prove herself, or be dragged back to the empire.

She wants to see how I handle nobles.

Cynthia’s resolve hardened.
Fine. I’ll show her.

She donned the dress, finding underwear included—another unsettling detail.

“Wow… gorgeous…”

Ina, fresh from the bath, gaped at Cynthia, eyes gleaming with admiration.

Cynthia, to halt that look, shoved the black dress at her.
“You too! Change! I’m leaving!”

She rushed out, leaving Ina chuckling.
“Cynthia’s too much… can’t hold back anymore.”

Ina dried off, slipping into the black dress.
“This fabric’s amazing! The Guild’s so generous!”

Night cloaked the imperial court, stars glinting above.
Alicia lounged on a rooftop, gazing skyward.

A gray figure appeared—Lilith.

“Oh~ Lilith, where’ve you been?”

“Delivering clothes to Her Highness and her companion.”

“Clothes? What’s that girl up to?”

“An Adventurer’s Guild commission in the waterway. Her clothes were filthy, so I sent new ones.”

Alicia smiled.
“You fuss too much. She’s out there—let her handle small stuff like clothes. Just keep her safe.”

“I haven’t seen my girl in days…”

Alicia’s voice softened, a touch lonely.
“Miss her a bit~”

Cynthia’s bathhouse fluster—Ina’s teasing, that yelp—left her rattled.
The dress, a gift from Alicia via Lilith, confirmed she was under scrutiny.
A test for the lord’s meeting, tied to imperial expectations.

Ina’s playful admiration only deepened her unease, but she steeled herself.
The Blood Crown and Luofengte loomed, yet Alicia’s shadow felt closer.
For now, she’d face the lord, prove her worth, and keep Ina at arm’s length.