Mirexia walked ahead, while Vanessa, invisible after drinking the Invisibility Elixir, followed just a step behind. One leading, one shadowing, they crossed through several palace halls until they reached the Royal Bedchambers, encircled on all sides by layer upon layer of grand halls, as though the heart of the palace itself.

The two Dragon-Knights guarding the chamber doors saluted Mirexia and then resumed standing at rigid attention.

“Princess Mirexia, you’ve returned.” In the main hall of the bedchambers, the elderly steward bowed upon seeing her.

“Mm. Steward,” Mirexia nodded. “Has Karin arrived at the palace?”

“She has. As you instructed, Miss Karin has gone to tend to that Moon Elf gentleman.” The steward adjusted his spectacles.

“Good. Please tell her to stay at Dale’s side for the day. Whatever he requests, see that it’s fulfilled.” Mirexia gave her orders.

“As you command, Your Highness.” The steward inclined his head, then withdrew from the chamber.

Mirexia ascended the stairs, walked straight to her own room, and once inside, she closed the door and locked it. There she waited.

After a short while, a delicate silhouette shimmered into view before her.

“Sorry to keep you waiting, Mirexia. Don’t worry, I didn’t lose track of you— I followed obediently the whole way~” Vanessa stood there with a bright smile, giving her a playful wave.

Hearing that, Mirexia suddenly felt as if her thoughts had been laid bare.

[Virtue +50]

[Current Virtue: 6284]

“You... followed me the entire way just now?” Mirexia asked.

“Of course. I kept perfectly in step with you, never fell behind~” Vanessa teased.

“About what happened earlier— don’t dwell on it.”

“Earlier? What do you mean?” Vanessa wasn’t pretending ignorance; she truly didn’t know what Mirexia was referring to.

Had something happened worth her concern? Vanessa couldn’t think of anything.

“When Caron said those things just now. You must have heard.”

“Oh— you mean that Caron fellow?” Vanessa tilted her head, then lowered it in thought. After a moment she lifted her face again, expression earnest. “In Mirexia’s eyes, am I really that... heavy in taste?”

“...Heavy in taste?”

“Otherwise, why would you think I’d spare the attention to bother with him?”

“Compared to him, isn’t it much better for me to focus on my cute and lovely childhood friend~?” Vanessa swayed toward Mirexia with languid steps, her slender body leaning slightly forward, her voice soft and lilting like a yellow oriole’s song. The sweetness in her tone made Mirexia’s ears burn hot.

[Virtue +100]

[Current Virtue: 6384]

“That man... he only says strange things. It’s fine if you don’t care.” Mirexia turned her gaze away, unwilling for Vanessa to see her fluster. But how could she hide? That faint blush tinting her face was already captured clearly in Vanessa’s eyes.

Oh my, has our dearest Princess already reduced him in private to simply “that man”?

Ah~ So this suitor fellow is being treated in this life much the same as the last, hm?

“I’m not that close to him. But— his father is the commander of the Dragon-Knights, my father’s personal guard and confidant. He often visits the bedchambers to speak with my father. That’s how I came to know him.” Mirexia seemed worried Vanessa might misunderstand, so she continued explaining.

“There’s no need to explain to me, Mirexia. His father being the commander of the Royal Dragon-Knights, of course you’d have some contact. That’s only natural.” Vanessa smiled, then continued in a tone that was purely for Mirexia’s sake:

“I do still think, Mirexia, you shouldn’t let things grow too tense with Caron. His father is commander of the Dragon-Knights, and he himself is talented and capable. You, on the other hand, are the future Queen of Camella. The more support you have, the better.”

Mirexia’s sapphire eyes flickered.

Just moments ago, Caron had insulted Vanessa to her face. Vanessa had heard it. By all reason, she should hold him in low regard. It would have been perfectly natural for her to mutter a few words of complaint, or plainly state she disliked him.

But instead, Vanessa spoke on his behalf.

No— she wasn’t speaking for Caron. She was analyzing the matter purely from Mirexia’s perspective, offering only what benefited her, setting aside all personal likes or dislikes.

Yes... her childhood friend was always like this. A selfless angel who would sacrifice herself for others, even at the cost of being misunderstood or slandered. How could someone like ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) that ever waste breath speaking ill of others?

Of course Mirexia knew how kind her childhood friend was.

Placed against such light, Caron’s earlier words stood out all the more as pettiness.

[Virtue +150]

[Current Virtue: 6534]

Vanessa’s lips curved in a soft smile. Half of it was her craft at work— but only half. The rest was truth.

The fact was, she truly didn’t care about anything Caron had said. She had dismissed it all as a joke, unworthy of her attention.

“By the way, this is your room, Mirexia?” Vanessa clasped her hands behind her back, lifting her graceful swanlike neck as she glanced around. “So elegant, so spotless... just like its owner.”

“....” Mirexia paused slightly.

[Virtue +50]

[Current Virtue: 6584]

Ah, Mirexia really was her precious sweetheart— always so generous with Virtue.

Vanessa thought cheerfully.

Well, it wasn’t as if she had spoken only to farm Virtue points... not entirely, anyway.

“Sit down somewhere,” Mirexia said, shifting her gaze away.

“Eh? That’s difficult here.” Vanessa looked troubled. “The room’s too clean. I didn’t change shoes before coming in, and after walking outside for so long, if I just wander in here I’ll dirty the place, won’t I?”

“And my clothes too— they’ve picked up some dust. If I sit, I’ll stain your bed or your sofa.”

“It’s fine, it won’t get dirty.”

“If you’re worried, wait a moment.” Mirexia suddenly stood, walking quickly into the side chamber.

“Eh?” Vanessa tilted her head, quickly realizing what Mirexia meant. She pursed her lips in amusement.

Sure enough, not long after, Mirexia returned with an ornate, luxurious dress in her arms.

“Your outfit is conjured by your Spirit Soul, isn’t it? Put this on.”

“This... is yours?” Of course Vanessa knew it was Mirexia’s. This was her room— whose clothes would they be otherwise? The faint citrus fragrance clinging to the fabric was unmistakably Mirexia’s own scent.

Still, Vanessa hesitated.

“Yes, mine. It should fit well enough.” Mirexia’s eyes flicked, almost imperceptibly, toward Vanessa’s chest, as though measuring.

“This... isn’t really proper, is it?” Vanessa twirled a strand of her hair.

“What’s improper? These are clean. Or— are you saying you dislike wearing clothes I’ve worn?” Mirexia’s brows knit slightly.

“Pfft, as if I could ever dislike something of my adorable childhood friend’s. It’s just... these are princess’s gowns. For me to wear them feels unfitting.”

“No one will know.” Mirexia dismissed it.

“No, it’s not right. Better to change into something else. Do you have new clothes?”

“New clothes? ...Fine. In that case, I’ll look.” Mirexia gave in surprisingly quickly.

But Vanessa felt a faint foreboding.

Sure enough, Mirexia put the gown back, left the room, and closed the door behind her.

Vanessa clasped her hands lightly at her abdomen and waited. With nothing to do, she studied Mirexia’s room in detail.

It was distinctly girlish— the bedding and curtains all in soft pink.

So this was Mirexia’s private space, reflecting her true tastes.

Come to think of it, this was Vanessa’s first time inside. She had never been within the Royal Bedchambers before.

Before long, the door opened again. Mirexia returned holding a black-and-white outfit.

Vanessa blinked in recognition. Stepping closer, she realized— ah. That explained why it looked familiar.

Aside from [Armor Fortress], this would be the second women’s outfit she had ever worn. And it stirred unwelcome memories of certain dark history.

“You wanted new clothes. In the palace, this is all there is.” Mirexia explained softly, averting her gaze under Vanessa’s steady look.

“Oh~ so that’s it. So you like seeing me wear this style, Mirexia?” Vanessa’s eyes gleamed mischievously. The princess flushed.

[Virtue +100]

[Current Virtue: 6684]

“They’re new. Never worn. Only maid uniforms are available in the palace,” Mirexia insisted.

“Oh, I see~ You don’t need to explain so much. I understand.” Vanessa’s knowing gaze made Mirexia even more self-conscious.

If it were someone else, Vanessa might feel awkward or ashamed. But with Mirexia— or Shicodale— people of gentler temperament, she held the advantage completely.

Against someone like Aesphyra, bold and aggressive, her teasing would never land. That one would simply seize the initiative and push right back.

“...This wasn’t deliberate. The palace truly only has these...”

“All right, all right, I’ll take it as it is.” Vanessa pressed a fingertip to her lips, striking a silencing gesture.

She crouched and unfastened the laces of her white boots. Her long legs, clad in sheer over-knee stockings, slipped free and touched down on the soft carpet.

Watching, Mirexia’s mind strayed involuntarily to what had happened in their dormitory before. Her fair face flushed, sapphire eyes darting away, yet her gaze kept stealing back to those legs.

[Virtue +100]

[Current Virtue: 6784]

“Well then, I’ll go change now~” Vanessa took the clothes from her hands, flashing her a playful look before slipping into the side chamber.

[Virtue +50]

[Current Virtue: 6834]

From within came the soft rustle of fabric. Her long boots vanished as [Armor Fortress] was dismissed.

Mirexia sat on the bed, waiting, unbidden images of Vanessa changing clothes flickering through her mind. She shook her head quickly to dispel them.

Inside, Vanessa worked deftly. She still resisted women’s clothing in her heart, but after her previous “desensitization” with the maid uniform, she found herself less averse this time.

Besides, with only Mirexia watching, it didn’t feel so bad.

The first time had been awkward; the second time, almost natural.

The size was reasonably close, if still a little tight. Likely the largest they had.

Vanessa bit lightly on a hair tie, gathering her hair before the mirror and tying it into a high ponytail.

If she was going to play the maid, she had to change her style completely.

Her pink ponytail cascaded down, swaying as she stepped up onto a stool to pull on the uniform’s white over-knee stockings. The bands pressed snugly into her thighs.

Then she slipped on the velvet maid’s wristbands, anklets, and headband. Finally she noticed a small piece left over— like colored contacts, meant to change the eyes slightly, even adjust the shape around them.

A subtle touch— but enough to conceal her identity.

Mirexia had thought of everything. With this, she could move freely in the palace.

“All done~” Vanessa emerged.

Mirexia’s eyes widened at the vision before her— a dazzling stroke of pink charm.

The high ponytail flowing like silk, the graceful curves of her figure, the flawless beauty of her face— all now paired with stockings that hugged her legs tightly.

The disguised icy-blue eyes added a different kind of allure.

The sacred Saintess garbed in Saintess’s robes had been breathtaking. But dressed in a maid’s uniform, the contrast was even more striking— stirring something entirely different in the heart.

Especially when one remembered she should have been in a white-lotus Saintess gown.

Mirexia’s sapphire eyes lingered, transfixed, unable to look away.

[Virtue +150]

[Current Virtue: 6984]