Birdsong drifted into her ears, chirping and twittering.
A ray of sunlight slipped through the gap in the curtains and shone inside.
“Mm—”
Thanks to her biological clock, Lillian woke up quite punctually.
She rubbed her eyes and sat up in bed but didn’t get up immediately.
Today was Sunday.
As agreed, Lillian was to visit Ophelia’s residence to treat her.
Just the thought of Ophelia brought that night’s events vividly back to her mind.
“Sigh…”
Lillian let out a long breath, didn’t linger in bed much, washed up in the restroom, and got dressed as usual.
Standing in front of the mirror, Lillian appraised herself.
Her dark green hair cascaded down; she wore a black-and-white maid outfit, and her face carried the freshness of the early morning.
She tugged lightly at the hem of her dress, smoothing out the wrinkles.
Lillian couldn’t help but feel a bit wistful.
A month ago, she was still thinking about running away as soon as possible, working hard to repay the 300 gold coins she owed.
Who would have thought that in the end, she wouldn’t earn that money and would instead get entangled with the young lady of the Cohen family and the Second Princess?
Stepping out of her bedroom, she ran into Eileen, who was coming to find her.
Eileen waved her hand and smiled broadly.
“Lillian, you’re awake? The head maid said there’s already a carriage waiting for you at the door.”
She came over, grabbed Lillian’s arm, and headed toward the small dining hall.
“The head maid seems to have gone to wake the young lady. Let’s hurry and have breakfast.”
Breakfast was the usual fare—bread, soup, fried eggs.
Eileen’s mouth was full as she nudged Lillian with her elbow.
“So, is it true that Her Highness the Princess has really taken a liking to you?”
“That’s just a rumor, just a rumor, Eileen. You can’t just believe everything you hear.”
Though she said this, Lillian knew very well in her heart.
Though it wasn’t as exaggerated as Eileen said—no ‘pregnancy’ or ‘kidnapping’ rumors—
The truth was that a green-haired girl named Lillian had attracted the attention of both the Cohen heiress and the Second Princess, and this rumor had already spread throughout the Imperial Capital.
As long as she remained in the capital, she couldn’t escape their shadow.
Fortunately, these rumors didn’t have much real impact.
Lillian still had a clear plan for her future.
She had once thought that the matter involving Eleanora and the Main Character Group had nothing to do with her because she was powerless.
But now…
She could feel a vitality coursing through her body that was far greater than a month ago.
Moreover…
With a snap of her fingers, a small flame flickered at her fingertip.
“Oh!” Eileen’s eyes sparkled with admiration. “So cool!”
Cool?
Maybe.
But this power wasn’t for show.
Perhaps she really could change Eleanora’s fate?
Lillian recalled how clumsy yet sincere Eleanora’s concern for her had been.
She treated her with true sincerity, so naturally, Lillian would respond in kind.
Who would have thought that the joke she made on the little playground, “I’ll protect my mistress,” would actually come true…
By the time she realized it, it was already too late…
Her brother suspected she was truly being set up.
Extinguishing the flame on her finger, Lillian sighed.
But she still felt her growth was a bit slow.
Though she had Eleanora and soon Ophelia’s guidance,
The Imperial Capital’s situation was too complicated.
Whenever she tried to focus on increasing her strength, various factors would always disturb her.
Especially…
Lillian recalled what happened yesterday at the divination house.
The mysterious whispers, the unsettling feeling.
A cult.
Why would a member of a cult warn Eleanora to be careful at the banquet?
Why did news of the banquet spread through the entire Imperial Capital in less than half a day?
On the surface, the capital seemed calm, but beneath it flowed a turbulent current that might erupt at any moment.
How could she grow stronger while tangled with such vermin?
Thankfully, Lillian knew that from the Cohen estate’s sacrifice, to Eleanora being framed as a traitor, to ultimately becoming the Demon King, there were still a few years left.
The cult wouldn’t strike the Cohen family for now.
She still had time.
Lillian was about to say something when Eileen asked, “By the way, Lillian, are you really okay going to see Her Highness the Princess alone?”
“What if she acts like she did at the banquet…”
Eileen’s face flushed a bit.
Yesterday, she asked Lillian after hearing that Ophelia had kissed her in front of everyone.
Although it was a bit unfair to the young lady,
Eileen thought it was quite romantic.
Besides, since the princess was so proactive, if Lillian went to see her alone,
Wouldn’t she…
be devoured like in those novels!
Is the young lady really that trusting?
Eileen couldn’t understand what the young lady was thinking.
“We’ll see. Probably not, right?”
After all, Eleanora had warned her, so Ophelia would definitely restrain herself.
Who knew.
Lillian instinctively touched her lips.
Because of that kiss, the three of them were already tied to the same fate.
Lillian had little ability to change this reality.
But since resistance was futile, she might as well try to use it to her advantage.
She needed to find the right opportunity to tell Eleanora the intelligence about the black-robed man and the cult.
To make Eleanora more cautious.
She also had to discuss with Eleanora her plan to go to Rayat for advanced studies earlier.
Lillian hadn’t yet figured out how to convince Eleanora.
She couldn’t just say: “I’m a transmigrator, you’re a character from a game, in the future your entire family dies, leaving only you, and you become the Demon King, so to save you, I have to study at Rayat.”
Not to mention how she even learned about Rayat Academy.
Without a proper reason, knowing Eleanora’s temperament, she definitely wouldn’t let her leave.
Even allowing Lillian free access to the Cohen estate and inner city took a lot of mental struggle for Eleanora.
Being separated from her…
Lillian didn’t hold much hope.
So she could only prepare two plans.
She would find time to conduct market research, cooperate with Ophelia, use the resources and channels Ophelia had to quickly earn 300 gold coins and repay her debt.
Then Eleanora would have no reason to tie her down.
But this had one downside—without Eleanora’s control, it was hard to say what Ophelia might do to her.
However, considering Ophelia’s character in the game and the tears she shed feeling wronged by Eleanora at the banquet,
Lillian thought nothing too bad would happen.
Probably…
Probably not?
Although Ophelia was a bit too capable, she was still, like Eleanora, in a ‘childhood’ state.
If she could maintain a good relationship, there shouldn’t be a problem.
Still, considering Ophelia’s pseudo mind-reading ability, Lillian felt a headache coming.
It probably wouldn’t be that easy.
For today’s treatment…
She could only hope Ophelia wouldn’t be too formidable and wouldn’t surprise her with anything else.
Just get through the treatment calmly.
Lillian began to deceive herself.
After swallowing the last bite of bread and wiping her mouth, she got up and headed toward the door.
The carriage sent by Ophelia had been waiting outside the Cohen estate for some time.
It was time to depart.
“Lillian?”
Eleanora appeared within Lillian’s sight.
“Stop.”
She took a breath, stepped closer, and blocked Lillian’s path with her body.
“Are you really going to see Ophelia?”