After Sylvie twisted the doorknob vigorously, as expected, the door swung open.
“Let go of Teacher Fu! Let me—eh, eh…?”
The girl who burst into the room froze in place.
“Sylvie?”
A gentle, refined voice with a hint of surprise and doubt echoed from the living room.
Floria sat upright in her wheelchair, her eyes slightly widened as she looked this way.
Her expression was dignified and calm, and except for her collar being a bit disheveled, it was as if nothing strange had happened moments ago.
Even the shoes on her feet were worn neatly.
Miss Sophia stood politely by her side, one arm resting lightly on the back of Floria’s wheelchair, looking just like a maid helping to push the chair.
Her face was emotionless, as if she hadn’t done anything bad to Floria just now.
Of course, if Sylvie looked closer, she would notice Floria’s legs were still trembling uncontrollably, her body slumped back into the chair, held upright only because Sophia was supporting her back with her hand.
A faint delicate blush still lingered on Floria’s cheeks.
The lower part of her neck, hidden beneath the collar, was tinged with soft pink as well.
There were traces of saliva near the corners of her lips and other sensitive spots, and her slightly parted mouth was breathing shallow, irregularly emitting coquettish sighs.
“Oh, it’s you, Sylvie.”
Sophia smiled broadly and took over the conversation.
“You came just in time. The matter has been settled, the home visit went very smoothly, and I officially announce that you now qualify to become a Preliminary Holy Knight Order Member~”
“Eh… is that so?”
Sylvie replied, still dazed.
Her mind was stuck on the scene she had glimpsed earlier through the crack of the window.
Strange… she definitely saw—
Could she have been seeing things? That can’t be right.
Sylvie stared blankly at the two sitting by the dining table, then abruptly raised her head, rubbed her eyes hard, utterly incredulous.
How could it be? Just now, she clearly saw Teacher Fu being pinned down on the dining table…
“And also, your Teacher Fu agreed and said she allows you to go to the Knights Academy in the royal capital for further study.”
“Eh, really?!”
Upon hearing this delightful news, Sylvie immediately brushed aside her previous doubts.
“Of course it’s true. If you don’t believe me, you can ask the senior herself.”
Sophia nodded with a smile, then pushed Floria’s wheelchair a bit closer.
“Teacher Fu…?”
Floria’s expression was complicated when addressed.
She opened her mouth as if to say something but ended up silently nodding with a cold face.
“That’s great! I’m going to the royal capital with Teacher Fu—!”
Overwhelmed by the sudden joy, Sylvie couldn’t help but shout out a childish cheer.
But the next moment, sensing something was off, she quickly composed herself, cleared her throat, and put on a serious expression as she asked Sophia:
“By the way… Miss Sophia, what exactly did you talk about with Teacher Fu just now?”
“Just some dull adult matters.”
Sophia’s face remained unchanged as she brushed off the topic lightly.
Sylvie couldn’t help but recall those strange scenes from before and asked hesitantly:
“Then you… didn’t bully my Teacher Fu, right?”
“Of course not. I and Senior Floria are very close sisters. How could I possibly bully her?
“Besides, it’s so rare to see her again that I can’t spoil her enough—”
Sophia’s face wore a sincere and earnest smile as she spoke words that sounded very friendly and intimate.
But when Floria heard this, she couldn’t help but shiver reflexively.
“Um… Teacher Fu, are you really alright? Miss Sophia just now—”
Though Sophia’s words sounded pleasant, Sylvie remained half doubtful and turned her attention to the silent Floria in the wheelchair.
“N-no, I’m fine…”
Floria bit her lip tightly for a moment, gently waved her hand to comfort, and said:
“Your Aunt Sophia just told me that she’s taking you to the royal capital for further study… if that’s the case, then your dream of joining the Holy Maiden Knights can come true. Congratulations.”
“Eh… Teacher Fu…?”
Sylvie sensed a subtle hint in her tone.
“What is it? Teacher Fu, aren’t you coming to the royal capital with me?”
“I… um…”
Floria hesitated, her expression tightening.
If she returned to the royal capital, it would mean she was completely back under Sophia’s sphere of influence—trapped like a canary locked inside a birdcage.
Although Sophia’s surface words were sweeter than singing—talking about “taking good care of you both” and “helping Elder Sister live a better retirement” and so on—
Floria had no doubt these were just the usual carrot-and-stick tactics, a typical method of coaxing: beating with a stick then offering a sweet treat.
It was exactly the same as when she half-threatened and half-lured little Sophia into their home all those years ago. Floria was all too familiar with this process.
Once they arrived in the royal capital and settled in the residence arranged by Sophia, who knew what terrifying, cruel punishments and torments awaited her? Being turned into a mere plaything would probably be the mildest fate—
“If Teacher Fu isn’t going… then I’m not going either!
“I’m staying here to take care of Teacher Fu!”
Sylvie clenched her fist resolutely and crossed her arm over her chest, striking a knightly vow pose.
“Sylvie… of course I’ll go with you.”
Seeing Sylvie’s determination, Floria forced a bitter smile.
At this point, she really had no way to refuse.
After all, the hiding place had been completely exposed, and Sophia firmly held her weakness.
Even if she refused this time, from her understanding of Sophia’s personality, she would persistently keep coming back, each time more aggressive and relentless.
Rather than that, it was better to agree for now to keep Sophia off guard, then figure out a way later.
That was Floria’s reasoning.
Sophia next to her nodded confidently, clearly pleased and as if everything was going exactly as expected.
As for Sylvie, who was unaware of all these tangled details, upon hearing Floria’s words, she felt simple joy and relief.
It seemed that nothing serious had happened after all… maybe it really was just two old friends being affectionate, and she was overthinking it…
After all, Teacher Fu said it was fine herself, so it must be fine—