While Celitia was lost in thought and couldn't help but let her imagination run wild, Sophia held her tightly and swept her gaze around like declaring ownership.

By dragging out time with the last dance, the palace guards should have all been urgently mobilized by now.

"Let's go back, Lily."

The gentle smile on Sophia's lips took on a trace of coldness.

"As for the remaining people... they still have to undergo various interrogations. It won't be so easy for them to walk out that door."

Holding the girl in her arms, Sophia slowly walked toward the exit of the ballroom.

Watching everything before them, the surrounding guests were all dumbstruck.

Worthy of being the Princess—to be so impatient.

What awaited the girl would probably be being completely devoured, right?

Really... enviable!

Holding onto Sophia's neck, Celitia felt that all the face she had in this lifetime had been completely lost in everyone's meaningful looks just now.

"Sophia!"

Celitia was very annoyed and couldn't help but pinch Sophia's shoulder.

"What's wrong, Lily?" Sophia played dumb. "Don't you want to go back and rest?"

Celitia glared at her.

In the girl's seemingly innocent azure eyes, Celitia saw the small pride dancing within them.

Sophia was doing it on purpose.

...Whatever.

Celitia finally accepted it.

With such a public announcement, there shouldn't be any blind nobles who would still try to pursue Sophia, right?

Although this couldn't be called an engagement yet, as long as she had Marianne's approval, then probably...

Thinking about it, Celitia couldn't help but feel her heart flutter.

She had never been someone who cared much about social relationships.

But only with Sophia, Celitia hoped she could use this contractual relationship to bind her to her side.

This was one of Celitia's few desired sources of security that she wanted to hold onto firmly.

"Fine, let it be." Celitia muttered.

Although this time, Sophia had completely gained the advantage.

But as long as she found an opportunity, she would definitely reverse the situation.

Swearing by the name of the Templar Knight Commander...

There would definitely be such a day!

Just wait for her!!

Seeing Celitia biting her lip with a stubborn yet annoyed expression, Sophia smiled with curved eyes.

Holding her tightly, Sophia continued toward her bedchamber.

Since there had been no original plan for Celitia to stay overnight, the maids in the bedchamber were completely unprepared.

Suddenly seeing Sophia return with someone, they panicked.

"No need for such trouble."

Facing the head maid who approached to inquire, Sophia shook her head. "Just prepare hot water and clean clothes for Lily. She'll sleep with me tonight."

"Eh?!"

Hearing Sophia's words, the blush that had finally faded from Celitia's face instantly dyed her entire cheek red again.

"Is there a problem?" Sophia blinked. "It's clearly not the first time anymore."

Sophia deliberately emphasized the words "first time" heavily, the implications obvious.

"Eh? Eh eh??"

Her hint was too obvious, and Celitia's face instantly turned so red it could almost drip blood.

Whether it was her imagination or not, Celitia felt like the surrounding maids all showed expressions of sudden understanding.

She was both embarrassed and annoyed, almost ready to faint.

Seeing that further teasing might cause problems, Sophia quickly placed Celitia on the bedside and then withdrew a few steps.

"I'll go take a bath too," Sophia couldn't help but sigh. "So many incredible things happened today... I need to wash up properly and wash away all this fatigue."

Celitia panicked even more upon hearing this.

Was she planning to wash up and then properly devour her again?

"Please leave it to us, Princess Sophia, Miss Celitia."

The maids swarmed up, supporting both of them separately and leading them in different directions.

Almost thought they were going to take a mandarin duck bath...

Celitia secretly breathed a sigh of relief, but inexplicably felt a bit disappointed.

She had originally planned to properly analyze the events that had happened earlier.

But after this interlude, Celitia's head was full of indescribable wild thoughts, and she couldn't analyze anything at all.

By the time Celitia returned to the bedside, Sophia had already finished washing and was lying in bed.

She had changed into a pure white nightgown, her eyes half-open and half-closed, looking like she was about to fall asleep.

She falls asleep quite quickly...

Celitia's mood was inexplicably complex as she carefully lifted the covers and slipped into the bedding.

"Lily...?"

Sophia called her name drowsily, turned over, opened her arms, and hugged Celitia.

From between the girl's hair came a faint bathing fragrance, mixed with the cool lily scent on her body, particularly refreshing.

Sophia greedily took a deep breath, hugging Celitia and nuzzling her, feeling her heart overflow with happiness.

She had once boldly declared that her feelings were her own business and didn't need a response.

But when Celitia truly accepted her feelings, Sophia discovered—

So this was how blissful it was to love her.

Celitia was right—feelings needed a response.

Once she got a response, all the hesitation, confusion, and unbearable sadness turned into honeyed sweetness.

Sophia lowered her head and secretly kissed her not-quite-dry long hair.

She really wanted to hold her like this forever and never let go...

Celitia's head was buried against Sophia's chest, feeling the rise and fall of her chest, surrounded by that soft sensation.

Her scent occupied all of her breathing.

Celitia silently reached out and embraced Sophia's waist.

She bit her lip, feeling a bit unwilling.

"Are you going to sleep, Sophia?" Celitia asked quietly.

"What's wrong," Sophia asked in surprise, "don't want to rest yet?"

Celitia's cheeks flushed slightly.

In her heart, she was secretly thinking about counter-attacking...

But she was too embarrassed to say it out loud.

Celitia mumbled, unable to speak, and Sophia thought confusedly for a moment before suddenly understanding.

"I understand—so Lily still doesn't think it's enough and wants to go again?"

Blood instantly rushed to her head, and Celitia's face turned so red it was about to burn:

"I'm, I'm not—ah!!"

Before she could finish speaking, Celitia felt a warm hand slip through the collar of her nightgown.

That hand caressed downward from her neck, fingertips teasingly sliding along the groove of her spine.

Wherever the fingertips passed, it was as if electric currents were stirred up, flowing through her spine and stimulating nerves throughout her body.

Celitia bounced like she'd been electrocuted, her whole body uncontrollably going soft as she collapsed into Sophia's arms.

"Don't, don't touch anymore!!"