The table was eerily quiet.

Mel remarked as a sweat dripped from her forehead; her gaze flickering between the disgusted Lila and the smiling 'Aria' as she shifted uneasily in the center seat.

The air thickened with the two's rivalry; neither has bothered to mask their glares, fueled by pure jealousy and hostility.

"Fish and chips here."

Placing the three plates, the bartender soon scurried away; he, too, was a little scared.

Lila's lips parted first as her back hunched. "Surprised to see you here."

"Mm... me too!"

Aria's face beamed, fixing her glasses. "I do wonder how long it'll be, but it seems all for naught."

Lila raised a brow. "What?"

Then Aria shrugged, her face gentle, yet her lips let out the most venomous remark.

"Only a week? That seems a little too short for me."

"You!"

Icy mana sparked in Lila's eyes; witch form readied to burst out before she immediately retracted it.

Mel muffled her laugh into her fist; she can't, this dogfight was too entertaining...

"Alright.... settle down." Mel placed a hand on Lila's shivering shoulder before glaring at Maria.

"Mel was right. Please settle down."

Aria's fingers laced together, hovering at her smiling lips. "We still have much more to speak of! To start..."

She tapped her chest. "I am Mel's Partner, one who designed her System and Inventory that Mel spoke of to you."

Lila's brows raised, snapping her gaze at Mel, who looked away.

She recalled loosely about the System, yet Mel never mentioned she had a Partner!

Suspicious! This woman was bad, suspicious, and absolutely infuriating as well!

Placing Aria officially above Rosana on her 'annoying woman around Mel' list, she folded her arms and glared at Maria.

"Then? Did Mel already know you from when she entered this world?"

Maria nodded. "Yep. In a way, I have known Mel way longer than you!"

Lila scowled. "Which Witch of Sins are you?"

Maria shook her head. "Please do not lump me in with all of you as a Witch of Sins. My bond with Mel came further than all of you combined."

Lila's brows trembled. "And may I ask why you are here?"

Maria shrugged. "To meet the arrogant first lover of Mel's! Ah, sorry. I forgot I'm supposed to be the first-"

"Mel!"

Lila shouted, clutching onto Mel's arm with teary eyes. "Who is this woman? And what's with her always picking on me?!"

"Again, settle down ..."

Mel planted a kiss on Lila's head. "Sorry, Lila... though I'm not prepared for Aria's antic, I ask for your understanding."

She paused before cupping Lila's cheek to face her.

"I'll dote on you more if you can bear with me and her a little..."

"Mm..." Lila swayed her cheek into Mel's arm. "It's not your fault, Mel... but thanks."

Though hidden beneath her submission, Lila's lips curled to a sneaky smirk before glaring at Maria again.

Her 'cute' tactic worked! As she expected, Mel loved her cuteness more than whatever this woman offered!

She keenly observed; the woman's smile didn't quite reach the eye this time.

Unbeknownst to her, however, Mel's thighs shuddered uncontrollably, her breathing hastening as she fought against the 'invisible hand' between her.

She hazily glanced up at the panel.

[ You two... really loved each other, didn't you? ]

Mel's breath hitched; Maria's silent warning slithered into her drowsy mind as the hand swept everywhere on her thighs.

[ These red marks... I won't cleanse them. No worry. ]

Aria's eyes swept over Mel with a frown before holding up her fork and knife.

[ Instead, I'll soon be placed over them with my own. Be prepared, Mel. ]

"Mel?"

Lila's innocent glance locked on Mel's, whose face flushed upon the Saintess's declaration.

Unable to bear the heat at her bottom, Mel soon cupped Lila's cheeks before kissing her lips.

Yelping, Lila gave in on instinct; the gesture was too familiar after their passion last week.

Though Mel's guilt lingered just as Maria's hand explored her torso, her waist arching into Lila's, and also to Maria's touch.

Too sensual... Mel closed her eyes as she enjoyed Lila's submissive whimpers, paired with Maria's dominant touches.

She pulled away with a gasp, as Lila's reddened face soon matched hers.

"Mel..."

Mel's eyes widened, then chuckled. "Shall we enjoy our breakfast now?"

Lila blinked, her eyes darting at Maria, already extending a piece of fish for Mel.

Pouting, she hurried to cut a piece of fish as well. "Yes!"

The Witch of Lust held back a laugh as Lila offered her piece as well, before she quickly swooped up both their wrists-

And bit into both forks.

"Hm!"

Mel nodded heavily as she munched. "Food offered by beauties sure tasted differently."

"I'm glad you like it."

Maria leaned in to poke at Mel's left cheek, now bloated with food like a hamster. "This tavern's food was my recommendation after all."

Lila, too, leaned in to twirl on Mel's right cheek. "Don't forget, though, it is me you bring in here."

After a large gulp, Mel held up a V-sign. "Of course! Thank you both for caring for me!"

She mulled over her words, then tickled her cheek as they sat back. "Hm... how should I describe it?"

Licking off the bits of oil on her lips, Mel smiled solemnly. "Without you both, I don't think I could've focused on my goal in this world..."

Seducing the Witches, for Mel, was never a selfish goal, but it also made her nervous at times.

But if her Lila, her first successful target, gave her hope and comfort that she could succeed, her Maria gave her convenient and frankly overly practical support.

Mel clenched their hands. "You're both irreplaceable to me."

Then, she clasped them together. "So get along already, and stop fighting like children!"

Both paused in the air, then faced Mel with annoyed smiles.

"But as I recall," Aria tilted her head. "You seem to be enjoying it?"

"Eh? That..."

"I think..."

Lila's eyes darkened, her smile tinged with annoyance.

Unfortunately, her memory was stuck less on, Mel's lofty speech, and more on the moments Mel almost laughed at them minutes ago?!

What's with that? Was she not aware her playfulness was the cause of their arguments in the first place?!

So, Lila has decided.

"Aria," Lila scooted her chair closer to Mel's side. "Let's cease our argument and focus on Mel."

Eh?

Mel's jaw hung open; where did her cute, submissive Lila go?

"Hm. I can only find myself to agree." Maria scooted herself close as well. "We shall adore her enough to remind her of her place, too?"

Stop stop stop! What are you two doing?!

Mel's thighs brushed against each other, excitement mixed with anticipation for her impending punishment.