“Absolutely, absolutely a misunderstanding.”
“Don’t worry, beautiful miss, we people of the Holy City are very open-minded. We wouldn’t think anything unusual of you over such a small matter.”
It was obvious that the Front Desk Miss took it all as Iana being shy, afraid that others might think differently of her for some reason.
“I suppose it’s your first time in our Holy City as well, right? You probably haven’t heard the rumor yet. I believe if you knew it, you wouldn’t be so shy.”
The Front Desk Miss lightly covered her lips, smiling as she recalled a certain rumor, then slowly said, “You know, even our Saintess is involved in this kind of relationship. It’s said that she privately has tangled relations with many beautiful girls.”
“Saintess Elia?”
“Don’t just call our Saintess by her name.”
The Front Desk Miss, who had been indulging in a pleasant fantasy, suddenly changed her expression.
Her face turned gloomy, as if she were the most devout believer confronting a heretic slandering the deity she worshipped.
“I-I didn’t mean to, it just slipped out. I’m very sorry.”
After Iana apologized, the Front Desk Miss’s expression softened a bit.
Then she seemed to realize that she might have been a little inappropriate in her choice of words toward a guest.
“Pardon me, but the Saintess is truly the most respected person in our hearts.”
Hearing that, Iana mentally scoffed: ‘most respected person? How come I didn’t notice? Weren’t you just talking about Elia being entangled with many beautiful girls?’
“It’s nothing. I was just a little shocked. That Saintess would actually have such rumors?”
In truth, Iana was not shocked at all.
Just from Elia’s behavior in front of her, Iana had already guessed she must be quite the seductress.
She just didn’t expect that such rumors had even spread among the common folk.
Elia really didn’t bother to hide it anymore.
“Moreover, recently, the one said to be closest to Saintess Elia, Aiweina, is coming to the Holy City. That’ll be something to watch.”
“Aiweina? Who is she?”
“Ah, you don’t even know Aiweina? She’s that star famous across the entire continent—the embodiment of elegance and nobility.”
“Now I really have to wonder if you’re human, not even knowing Aiweina.” The Front Desk Miss narrowed her pretty eyes, scrutinizing Iana with suspicion.
Iana’s forehead broke out in a cold sweat, somewhat flustered.
As someone from five hundred years in the future, how could she possibly know the celebrities of this era?
“I usually don’t pay much attention to those things.”
“Iana, it’s getting late. Let’s head upstairs and rest.” Lillian pouted, a little complainy.
“Is it really that late already?”
“Just now, I thought maybe it’s not quite the time for us to share a room, so I’ll go see if there’s somewhere else more suitable for me to stay.” Iana turned to leave.
But Lillian wouldn’t give her the chance.
She grabbed Iana’s arm firmly, refusing to let her go.
“Don’t even think about escaping, Iana.”
And so, under these circumstances, Iana was dragged along by Lillian to the second floor of the hotel, into their reserved room.
“Bang.”
A loud thud echoed as Lillian slammed the door shut and locked it, eliminating any chance of outside interruption.
Iana, having been forcibly brought in, looked somewhat helpless.
She stood awkwardly by the door, taking in the warmly decorated room that made her feel as if she’d returned home.
But that feeling vanished when her eyes fell on the bed’s decorations.
The warm yellow light spilled over a double bed covered in lace sheets, and on the nightstand sat some scented candles.
Every detail hinted that this room was far from ordinary.
“I’m going to take a shower first. Iana, want to join me?” Lillian released Iana’s arm, hooking a finger at the strap on her shoulder.
With a soft snap, Lillian’s clothes began to slide off.
“Wh-who would want to shower with you?” Iana’s ears reddened as she turned her head, refusing to look at Lillian’s actions.
“Well then, I guess I’ll go alone.” Lillian picked up some clothes she’d acquired at some point and headed to the bathroom.
Reaching the door, she didn’t forget to glance back at Iana.
“Don’t even think about sneaking off, Iana.”
The moment the bathroom door closed, Iana let out a slight sigh of relief and sat on the bed opposite the bathroom.
Soon, the frosted glass reflected Lillian’s hazy silhouette, followed by the sound of water hitting the floor.
Iana turned toward the window.
She knew tonight would be a sleepless one.
Inside the bathroom, through the misty glass, the naked Lillian was rinsing her long hair, which had turned silver after being infected.
Water droplets slid down her collarbone to the floor.
Suddenly, she opened her eyes and met her own reflection in the mirror.
But the Lillian in the mirror looked completely different—golden long hair and crimson pupils.
An ordinary person seeing this would be alarmed, even scared, thinking they’d encountered a ghost.
But the Lillian inside the bathroom merely smiled faintly.
“You, don’t use my body to tease Iana anymore.” The Lillian in the mirror said anxiously.
“Do you think I want to? Aren’t these things exactly what you want to do but dare not? I’m just helping you fulfill the deepest desires buried in your heart.” The silver-haired Lillian’s voice had an electric quality.
“You’re lying! I-I could never have such thoughts.”
“Oh, are you still deceiving yourself?”
“N-no, that’s impossible. I could never feel that way about Iana. You’re definitely lying to me.”
“Relax. I’ve already seen everything through your memories. You don’t have to worry I’ll harm you, because not only have I inherited your feelings toward them, but I also like you very much.”
In the blink of an eye, as if two spaces shattered, the original blonde Lillian with twin ponytails stepped out of the mirror, appearing before the silver-haired Lillian.
The silver-haired one hooked a finger under the blonde’s chin and said in a seductive tone:
“What fun do you think would happen if I took you right here?”
“D-don’t, don’t do that.” The blonde Lillian had no strength to resist, like a lamb awaiting slaughter.
“Don’t worry, I won’t do anything bad. I just want you to truly face your feelings.”