Chapter 54: Compensation is compensation, and a reward is a reward.
Teresa stepped back instinctively, chilled by the coolness, but she steeled herself and inhaled.
“I… came to thank you.”
“No need. You’re my tool; I protect what’s mine. Anyone who touches you, I remove.”
Isabelle shook her head.
“Real thanks? Master magic in three months. That ‘god-heir’—Galvin’s rising star, yes?”
“Your gift is peak, body unknown special. Three months—kill him. Can you?”
Kill.
To villain saintess, any who challenge Oracle or covet her pieces—death.
No fear. Teresa nodded hard.
“Can.”
On revenge list already.
Same age. Three months fail him—forget clan.
“Good.”
Smile rare. Then:
“Right—whole Knights learn magic. You: my aide.”
Planned: aide = substitute mentor.
Theory stumps need patient explainer.
Pre-learned Teresa perfect.
She could teach—ruins villain image.
Celis… no talent, no theory.
“Leave if nothing else.”
Click—
Door shut. Teresa back to panel. Strange heart.
[Novich tentacles mostly cleared…]
Eavesdrop + contact: not cold imagined.
“Many die training”—none.
“Tools”—intolerate bullying…
Care… sideways.
Celis direct love.
“Lady Renia—Lady Celis? Thank her too.”
“Out Oracle now.”
Plan paused.
Mind: Isabelle moon cold, Celis sun warm—never together.
Never?
Step halt. Absurd guess.
Same person?
…No.
Why? Villain mask—whip Knights forward?
Impossible.
Moon gaze. Denied.
Heartbeat raced guess.
…
Deep night. Isabelle chamber soft push.
Silk-robed Queen Frandor pillow hug. Barefoot cat slip.
Isabelle woke push—instant. Eyes closed—watch.
Frandor bedside. Stared sleep face. Lift cover corner—slip.
Cool voice dark:
“Later visits, Majesty.”
Blush. Explain fail—bold lie. Rob blanket.
“Nightmare! Novich assassin bedroom—terrifying!”
“My chamber safer than guarded royal?”
“Of course! Beat Merik… and…” rub close. Arms waist.
“Your scent calms.”
Queen mask off—soft girl.
Push urge—withdrew. Novich tentacles help—bath payment.
Know Frandor: mention—耍赖.
[Payment payment, reward reward—different.]
Guess words.
Reward: intimacy.
Tonight—grant.
Quiet. Warm spread. Frandor heartbeat thunder.
Soft:
“Viel—how long no shared sleep?”
“Never.”
“Lies! Carriage ambush—wilderness night.”
“Guarded.”
“Viel… one night. Queen oath—just sleep.”
“Hand off chest.”
“Oh.”
Agreed—no move. Isabelle guide back—she sulked release.
Soon waist hug. Head back. Mutter:
“Agree?”
“…Once.”
“Knew—Viel best.”
Voice fade. Breath even.
Outside: Renia sigh.
Queen tease miss—persistent.
Soon blush flee.
Wait long—no exit.
Stoic face—crack.