After that, the two of them arrived at Sophia’s old study.
She reached deep into the bookshelf and retrieved a stack of well-preserved letters, thick and heavy with the weight of years gone by.
Tulia’s eyes lit up and she reached out to take them, but Sophia deftly moved her hand aside, leaving Tulia grasping at thin air.
Unwilling to give up, Tulia tried to grab again, but Sophia had already stood up, holding the letters high above her head.
Tulia stood on tiptoe, even jumped a few times, but couldn’t even touch the corner of an envelope—the difference in their heights was all too clear at that moment.
“Sophia!” Tulia stood in place, cheeks puffed in frustration as she glared at her. “What is the meaning of this? Didn’t you say you’d give them to me? Why are you bullying me again!”
“I did say I’d give them to you,” Sophia gracefully pulled the envelopes back, pressing them lightly to her full lips painted with wine-red lipstick, a sly gleam in her eyes, “But, my dear Tu-li-a, I never said I’d give them for free.”
She leaned back lazily into the high-backed chair, relaxed yet still commanding the room. “Do you want them?”
Tulia’s head nodded like a rattle drum.
“If you want them, you need to show some sincerity.” She tapped her smooth cheek with the fingertips holding the envelopes. “For example, I’m a bit tired right now and need a little incentive. A kiss, in exchange for the letters you’ve been longing for. A fair trade, isn’t it?”
Tulia hesitated for a moment, staring at the woman before her, who smiled like a fox, and cursed inwardly: So annoying!
…Fine, it’s not like it’s the first time.
She seemed to make up her mind, hurried forward, and gave Sophia’s cheek a quick peck like a chick pecking rice.
“Done!” She immediately sprang back, hand outstretched, striking a pose of “mission accomplished, now hand over the goods.”
Sophia let out a soft laugh and shook her head.
“No, that doesn’t count as a proper ‘incentive.'”
Once more, she pressed the envelope to her lips, but this time, she extended her crimson tongue and, extremely slowly and teasingly, licked along the edge of the envelope.
Her eyes never left Tulia, as if admiring her embarrassment.
“Such a perfunctory peck, like little children playing house. What I want is here.”
This woman! She was definitely doing this on purpose! Too wicked!
Seeing Tulia fuming with anger, anxious yet helpless, Sophia grew even more pleased.
Yes, this was exactly what she wanted—to see Tulia gradually lose her claws before her, and eventually, like a kitten, roll over to show her soft belly for a pet.
No matter how she hesitated, she couldn’t get the letters.
Tulia walked forward and, once again, kissed Sophia on the lips.
Soft, cool, with a faint scent of black tea.
Suddenly, a hand slid to the back of her head, strong fingers threading through her silver-white hair, firmly pulling her in, leaving her no chance to pull away.
“Mm—!” Tulia let out a muffled exclamation, eyes flying open, Sophia’s triumphant face so close in her widening pupils.
Tulia could feel Sophia’s head tilt slightly, deepening the kiss in a much more aggressive way.
It lasted a long time. Just as Tulia felt she might lose her soul from lack of air, Sophia finally, reluctantly, let her go, pulling away slowly.
With her fingertip, Sophia gently wiped away the lingering gloss on Tulia’s lips. She gazed at those now-glimmering blue eyes and lips reddened and slightly swollen, like ripe cherries from the kiss, and, satisfied, licked the corner of her own mouth.
“Not bad.” She slipped the envelope, now faintly marked by lipstick, into Tulia’s hand, which was still trembling. “Next time, try to be more proactive.”
Just as Tulia thought she had finally succeeded and eagerly prepared to open the letters, Sophia flipped her wrist and, as if by magic, produced another thick stack.
“How are there more?!” Tulia nearly wailed, her heart on high alert—did it mean she’d have to go through another such “transaction”?
As if reading her mind, Sophia’s lips curled with a mischievous arc. “Don’t worry, my dear. The price for the rest is different.” She calmly weighed the new stack in her hand. “As long as you accompany me to an opera, they’re all yours.”
She paused, her gaze sweeping over Tulia’s practical everyday dress, then added, “Of course, before that, you’ll need to change into something more suitable.”
With plenty of time before the opera, Sophia took Tulia for a leisurely stroll through Aiden City. Compared to Tulia’s memories, the city-state was clearly more prosperous than before.
They passed many finely decorated dress shops, but Sophia showed no interest in stopping.
Until a familiar sign caught her eye—”Weaver’s Whisper”—only then did Sophia finally halt.
There, hanging by the shop door, was a striking magical portrait. In it, the silver-haired woman was clearly Tulia, but the one nestled at her side wasn’t Lisbeth—it was the red-haired, violet-eyed Sophia, smiling cheerfully.
Tulia was stunned. How could there be a “Weaver’s Whisper” in Aiden City, too? And what was with this portrait?
“What’s with this painting?”
A proud smile played on Sophia’s lips. “Have you forgotten? Where did the core technology for magical portraits originate?”
She waved her hand elegantly, and the image in the portrait shifted, instantly turning into Lisbeth standing side-by-side with the little nun from the cathedral.
“Aiden City has been using this technology for more than half a century. In this respect, we’re far ahead of the Empire.”
Just then, the proprietress, Ilana, came out with a cheerful smile to welcome them inside.
Tulia, still in shock, couldn’t help but ask, “Your technology in Aiden can create perfect likenesses from nothing now? And what’s with this shop?”
She was even reminded of certain game settings from her past life—no matter what town you entered, there’d always be the same-faced guild maid.
Ilana, leading the way with a smile, explained, “Last time Lady Sophia went to Silverglow City to look for you, it was I who gave her your address. Since Lady Sophia wanted to expand her business, she funded me to open a branch here.”
She paused, her tone sincere. “But when it comes to running a shop, one always feels most at ease handling things personally, so I came to manage it myself.”
What followed was like a dress-up game for Tulia, who changed from one dress to another under Sophia’s direction.
At last, they settled on one.
“This one’s nice. The waistline is perfect.” As she spoke, she shamelessly pinched Tulia’s waist.
Tulia: “!!”
Then, as if conjured from nowhere, Sophia produced a delicate black gift box. Inside, a Sapphire Necklace lay quietly, its teardrop-shaped gem glimmering with deep blue light.
Tulia’s heart dropped suddenly—wasn’t this the necklace Liliana used to wear?
Could it be…she’d still thought too well of Sophia after all?
After everything, was she still just a substitute?
While these thoughts churned inside her, Sophia took out the necklace, and with gentle, careful hands, fastened it around her neck.
“This is the heirloom of the Noelstein Family,” Sophia’s voice sounded at her ear, calm yet solemn, “It’s always passed down to each head of the family. If the size does not fit, it is inherited by the family mistress.”
This…