Mel and Rosana's heads drew near, their breaths almost touching each other's cheeks.

Their gazes locked in the air, teasing and wanting.

"Too bad," Mel smiled as she pushed aside the panel. "I promise time for only Lila today."

"Oh?" Rosana raised a brow. "Could something happen? Even more eventful than this sudden snow upon us?"

A faint blush spread across Mel's cheek as she chuckled and held her skirt down.

The Dragon's smell... Rosana didn't-

Then a small hand clutched Mel's shoulder and pushed her aside, cutting off her worrisome thoughts.

Mel shifted her gaze to the frowning Lila; her teeth clinging to a min-sandwich like an irritated pet.

"Here." Muffled, Lila groaned as she stretched out another hand with a mini sandwich. "Better eat this so we can go on our long date, alone."

Mel eyed the cute, pet-like Lila, then at the sandwich lingering at her lips.

Her lips tugged to a smirk, as her hand raised and passed Lila's arm-

And clutched onto the sandwich Lila was biting.

"Hm?!"

A swipe, then Lila yelped as Mel took it from her.

Mel glanced at the sandwich, her cheeks heating up as she observed the wet-tinged, white edge.

And then, her tongue darted out, before sliding through it.

As she watched Lila's face reddening, she pulled back with a smirk, laced with tenderness.

"Thanks," Mel muttered, then bit into bread.

Rich in flavours; a tomato sauce with a cold ham, paired with honey-like saliva from Lila's.

She sighed in pleasure, savouring each taste with a slight nip.

The hiccups from Lila served as the background music; the muffled laugh from the Heiress boosted her confidence.

"Mmmm...."

A short bump to her arm, as Lila's forehead clung and rubbed onto her school sleeve.

"Dummy..." She then embraced Mel's arm. "We've tongue kissed in front of everyone before... why do I still feel... hic..."

The reddened ears from Lila's made Mel's lips tremble, holding back a laugh.

"It is how it is, my Lila!"

Mel's teeth sang a silent tune as she faced the intrigued Rosana again. "So sorry, my Heiress! Even my lover's sandwich shall occupy all of my attention!"

Then, Mel flicked a teasing squint at her. "Though, I don't mind you trying to change my mind for the next time."

The Heiress tilted her head; Mel's voice enrapturing her with mystique.

She licked her lips, as the aroma of saliva... and something from Mel's bottom seeped into her nose.

"I will." Rosana grinned. "Though it would seem my prey has herself occupied by many more than I imagine."

As Mel's eyes glimmered, daring Rosana even to expose her, Rosana gazed up at the snowfall instead.

The Dragoness's face stiffened, then relaxed upon closing her eyes.

"You can rest well," Rosana murmured. "I've no plans to disrupt your date today. Instead..."

Then, as she reopened her eyes, she sent a sharp, curving gaze at Lila.

Ruby as red as apples met emerald-stillness, as Lila squinted at Rosana, her cheek still burrowing beside Mel.

Then, opting not to hide herself, she kept a blank face. "What?"

The Witch of Envy, after Awakening, dared to yield no ground, especially against a rival now below her.

And that rival below her shrugged, her suspicion kindling before her skirt fluttered, as she split her legs-

In Lila's surprise, she bowed while lifting her dress.

"Alright. I've paid my dues."

Lila froze at the gesture, yet her face crumpled as Rosana's eyes landed not on hers but Mel's interested gaze.

Mel's finger raised and tapped her chin. "What dues?"

"Indeed."

Rosana's brows knitted together for a pretend-frown, then her lips trembled for a small chortle.

"Let's treat this as a gesture of thanks, for fighting with me against the traitors from our land at the time."

Mel giggled a little. "That's it?"

"That's it."

Rosana's steps closed in as she brushed off bits of snow from Mel's shoulder.

Mel watched as Rosana admired the snow on her fingertips; the frosty fragility reminding the Heiress of her homeland.

"The Northern Iceland would be in shame," she muttered, more to herself than Mel. "Their snow's beauty, outburied by a ferocious caster."

Then she walked past them, her hand waving above her shoulder. "Have fun, you two."

Rosana's calm voice touched Mel's heart, a sense of nostalgia hiding beneath the tip of the Heiress's tongue.

So, Mel grinned as she gave a big wave. "Wish you well today, Miss Rosana!"

The Heiress's steps stuttered, then steadied upon turning a street corner.

From it, Mel caught a brief glimpse of a smile curling up from Rosana.

[ Greed was reminded of her dearest homeland a little! Nice assist from Envy! ]

[ Greed favourability: 53 - 55 ]

A subtle amusement crossed Mel's face.

"Mel."

Yet Lila shot an unamused glance at her, as Mel patted her head, the other still holding a half-bitten sandwich.

"No worries."

Mel chuckled. "Even if she knew this snow had something to do with us, she wouldn't dare to be sure, right?"

Lila pouted; her hands clutching Mel's wrist before shifting it down.

Eying the breadcrumb on Mel's nail, an idea occurred to Lila.

She leaned back from Mel's arm as her trembling hands clutched it, holding it still like a lifeline as her nervous lips parted.

A slight tug of Mel's wrist, and Lila munched on a finger clumsily.

"Hm..."

Her awkward tone reverberated through Mel's hand, as the Witch of Lust shuddered a little.

Not of embarrassment, but for her drumming heart that wished to dote on Lila more.

"There-there..."

Lila muttered as she hung her head; the ashen iced floor stared back at her as if asking, 'What did you just do? '

A breath escaped from Mel's throat as she licked her lips, which had just tasted Lila's saliva.

Hm... no, she's no Maria!

The Witch of Lust shook her head; Lila's sweetness has to be marinated, teased, and tasted at the best moment possible!

Pushing down her urge, Mel pulled Lila's hand. "Alright! Let's continue our date!"

With Mel's hand still holding the sandwich, Lila gulped as Mel pulled her.

The wet fingers from Mel's are now intertwined with hers, pairing with the kiss marks she left on their ride here just now.

"Hehe..."

Lila's lips tugged up, her steps matching with Mel's. "Alright!"

---------------

Their date went by relatively peacefully, their inability to feel shame cast aside as they held hands for an uneventful date.

No more tongue-kissing out in public, just two lovers enjoying each other's company with no passion in between.

Yet as Lila's hand clung more to Mel's, her blush deepened upon observing Mel's occasionally bated breath.

Mel was holding back.

Her thighs clasped together as her lips trembled.

Well, it was the same with Lila's, too.

As lunchtime hit them, they arrived at a restaurant of the Saintess's suggestion.

Bits of dust and ash crumpled as Mel opened the wooden door, revealing a cool, sparse interior with no one at the tables.

Entering and following a waiter's guidance, they sat beside each other at a mahogany table; a blue lantern flickered before them.

Mel stretched her palm; the flame strangely oozed out a coolness.

"Isn't this... hm..."

Thinking it was a form of energy derived from the crystals they just explored, Mel's lips pursed as she sighed.

"Oh." Lila's brows shot up. "This must be from... the crystals we passed by in the forest."

"Well, it eluded me how even these could be used as a cooler."

They called for the waiter again; a plate of well-cut salmon steaks for them both, sharing as their stomach were full of sandwiches, and each other's 'sauce' from earlier.

Mel's ankle slid onto the table. She stared at Lila and rested her cheek on her palm.

"So," Mel's eyes curved as she sneakily cast a Silence spell around them. "Are you used to your witch form now?"

An innocence flashed through Lila's eyes as she held her chin.

"Well," she confessed. "How must I say... it felt surreal at first, but as I used it more and more..."

She clutched her chest; the power within thrummed across her body.

"It feels like it was born within me, from the start." Her gaze met Mel's again. "If... that makes any sense."

"Well, that makes sense to me."

Mel stretched her limbs, recalling her first day of Awakening. " I, too, was surprised when I first awakened my sins. Or more like... I was really, really scared."

"Scared?"

Lila frowned. "Are you alright now?"

"Don't worry."

Mel cupped Lila's cheek, her thumb brushing Lila's frowning brows with a tender stroke.

"It more or less was too long a time ago for me to remember."

Mel's eyes then darted at the lantern; the flame reminding her of her foes ahead.

Maybe it was time for her to visit Partner sometimes.

So she could unlock the seal placed on her a little earlier.

"Ah. By the way, Lila."

Mel smirked a little, thinking of settling a specific matter once and for all.

"Would you like to know how my first Awkaening also went?"

A breath hitched in Lila's throat, curiosity flaring up as she stared into Mel's teasing gaze.

Inside, Lila could tell.

Her jealousy has some part to do with Awakening her; a part of her... dominant trait, she analysed in the end.

...well, given how she was with Mel, it was pretty amazing she only realised to this extent.

"It should be a good time, too. I can tell you about all the Witches, as well as what I'm really planning."

Yet Mel genuinely stated her intention, Lila's question hung in the air.

Dominant trait... awakening...

Lila gulped.

Come to think of it, wasn't Mel's dominant trait...

"Uh..."

Given how Lila herself… did go through a rebellious phrase or some sort before her Awakening…

Did Mel perhaps... touch herself till she awakened or something?

Her thought trailed off, her head heating up as she swallowed back her rude question.

[ Envy was just guilty of a really, really lewd thought! Ah, she liked it though. ]

[ Envy favourability: 91% - 97% ]