The first dinner after moving back to the capital concluded perfectly in a harmonious and peaceful atmosphere shared by the three.
Sofia had chosen her new bedroom on the first floor, leaving all the rooms on the second floor to Floriya and her student.
Although this arrangement had been Floriya’s proposal during dinner, Sofia also had her own considerations.
On one hand, living on the first floor made it convenient for her to work, and she could monitor the villa’s main entrance at any time, keeping an eye on who came and went, effectively acting as a security guard.
On the other hand, it was a conciliatory compromise toward Floriya—a way to help her let down her guard.
After all, when Floriya was still the Grand Paladin, it was Floriya herself who had assigned little Sofia to stay in the first-floor bedroom.
Though not adept at workplace social tactics, Sofia understood people’s hearts.
In these past few days, she felt she had already bullied her elder sister several times—especially after having just drained Floriya’s magic source earlier today.
She guessed her elder sister was probably still fuming with anger and humiliation, practically hopping mad.
Sofia chuckled softly, tidying the bed while silently thinking to herself.
After all, just now at the dining table, Floriya hadn’t spoken very kindly to her.
It was like a rubber band—if you only pull it tight without releasing the tension now and then, no matter how elastic, it would eventually snap.
Only by balancing tension and relaxation, giving it some give and take, could Sofia achieve the effect she truly wanted.
After all, even a cornered rabbit will bite back; and this was her elder sister, who once commanded storms and changed the winds.
The tighter the spring was compressed, the greater the force of its rebound—something Sofia definitely didn’t want to see.
Besides, moving back to the first floor gave her a reassuring sense of nostalgia, as if time had rewound.
“Just like the old days… that’s fine too.”
Sofia muttered to herself, then looked up at the familiar ceiling.
“Knock knock knock—”
A polite and rhythmic three knocks sounded at the door, followed by a young female knight pushing it open, clutching a thick stack of paper documents—none other than the trusted subordinate who had driven Sofia’s carriage earlier that day.
Tilting her head, the young knight peeked out from behind the towering pile of papers and gave a respectful curtsy.
“Reporting to the Captain! As per your instructions, here are all the proposals, feedback, project plans, and official letters submitted to the Order of Knights during your absence from the capital that have yet to be processed. They’re basically all here for your review!”
Sofia glanced at the mountain of documents and lightly instructed:
“Put them on the table.”
“Yes, Captain!”
The young knight’s voice remained full of energy and respectful reverence.
With a loud “clang,” the files were placed onto Sofia’s large desk, causing a small tremor.
“Ugh, ugh… such a headache… every time I come back, there’s always this huge pile of paperwork to deal with…”
The young knight was about to leave but heard Sofia’s quiet grumbling.
“Pfft—”
She couldn’t help but cover her mouth and laugh.
“…Xiaomei? Why are you still here—what are you laughing at?”
Sofia popped her head out from behind the file mountain, puzzled.
“Sorry, Captain. I just didn’t expect you to ever complain or grumble, so it felt a bit surprising…”
The knight called Xiaomei awkwardly waved her hand, trying to suppress a smile, though a hint of amusement still shone in her eyes.
“…You mean to say I look like the kind of workaholic who happily works overtime?”
Sofia rested her face in one hand, tilting her head with a dissatisfied tone.
“N-no, it’s not that… it’s just that Captain, you usually act so serious and reliable, so mature in your behavior, hardly showing much emotion… you give off the impression of an iron-faced, impartial, capable senior—
“It’s just a bit surprising to see that Captain actually has a girlish side underneath—”
“…Enough. You can go now, don’t spread this around.”
“Yes~”
Xiaomei smiled and left the room, gently closing the villa door behind her.
“Girlish side… huh…”
Sofia pondered over this unfamiliar phrase as her gaze returned to the massive pile of documents before her.
… Now, as the highest leader of the Holy Maiden Knights, she had forever lost the luxury of living as an ordinary village girl.
To outsiders, she was nothing more than “stubborn,” “self-willed,” “cold and heartless,” “aloof,” “bureaucratic”—always labeled with these fixed impressions.
Those who had ever seen Sofia in her youthful, innocent days and knew her truest, most unguarded self were no one else but Floriya, who often teased her.
Thinking this, Sofia gave a self-mocking cold smile.
Better to focus on the paperwork in front of her for now—
Floriya glanced at the clock hanging on the wall.
22:05.
By experience, Sofia was surely asleep by now.
She slipped out of the thin, semi-transparent black lace nightgown she’d worn and opened a drawer in the wardrobe, pulling out a simple, plain white ice-silk set of underwear.
The witch’s delicate arm bent behind her back with textbook precision, fastening the back clasp and adjusting the “trajectory” to ensure the bra fit comfortably and correctly.
Then she bent down, raised her slender, smooth foot, and expertly slipped on the narrow triangular panties.
For outerwear, she wore a white sailor uniform reminiscent of a shirt from another world, paired perfectly with a bright red tie.
Below, a deep blue pleated skirt reached past her knees, complemented by black knee-high socks and round-toed leather boots.
“Hmm… Xiaowei’s clothes actually fit me quite well… except the chest is a bit too tight… makes it a bit hard to breathe…
“But with such good fabric quality, it probably won’t rip—”
There were no excessive logos or decorations for “style” or “charm,” just a pure, fresh, cute, and youthful vibe that made her feel like a student again—full of girlish innocence.
This entire outfit from head to toe was a simple, unassuming youthful schoolgirl’s attire—the classic Student Uniform worn at the Magic Academy in Sylve’s former frontier city.
… Now, this JK-style uniform full of youthful charm was worn by Floriya, who seemed completely transformed from head to toe in temperament.
“Little Teacher Fu… I still don’t understand… what exactly are you planning to—?”
Sylve lay naked under the duvet on the master bed, as agreed.
Just now, in the dim bedroom light, she had watched Floriya change clothes, noticing her slender back, and blushed as she asked.
“Shh—”
Fully dressed, Floriya turned and motioned for silence.
“From now on, I’m ‘Little Sylve,’ and you’re ‘Teacher Floriya.’ I have to go out for a while—to buy some bedtime snacks you like on the street, Teacher. Got it?”
Floriya went to the dressing table, cleared her throat facing the mirror, and with magic mimicked a voice almost identical to Sylve’s youthful tone.
“Uh… huh…?!”
Sylve blinked in surprise as she processed Floriya’s words.
Teacher Floriya was actually going to disguise herself as me to go out?
But… why—?
She saw Floriya take out makeup for disguises, applying it skillfully to her face.
Under the magic’s effect, Floriya’s figure gradually shrank to about Sylve’s height.
“Teacher… you…”
“Hmm? Anything else?”
Before leaving the room, Floriya looked back and asked.
“No… I just hope you’ll be quick… and be careful going out at night… if you must, let me go with you—”
Though full of questions inside, Sylve felt it was difficult to ask them in this tense atmosphere Floriya had created.
…If she kept questioning, she’d feel like she was being a troublesome child in front of Teacher Floriya, spoiling her good-girl image…
Hearing Sylve say nothing but just urge her to come back soon, Floriya looked a bit surprised at first, then smiled knowingly.
She raised her arm, gave a gentle shake of the hand, and reassured:
“Hoo hoo… don’t worry~ Trust Teacher’s ability. I can go alone. You just stay put, Xiaowei. Remember, the capital isn’t like our remote little village—it’s lively at night—
“Besides, I know this place like the back of my hand. Nothing will happen to me~”
“…But—”
Watching Floriya confidently walk downstairs, Sylve’s throat quivered and her lips hesitated, opening and closing repeatedly before swallowing her doubts silently.
… She just hoped Teacher would come back safely and soon.
Silently praying, Sylve locked the master bedroom door behind her.
Going out this late—please don’t run into any strange people…
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