In the morning, when the first ray of sunlight streamed in through the window, Ophelia woke up.
She had slept enough yesterday, so her sleep that night was very light.
And after Velis returned last night, she hadn’t asked for her again, simply holding her as she slept soundly.
She didn’t ask what the other had done yesterday, or where she had gone.
But without a doubt, Velis had come back very late.
Perhaps exhaustion prevented her from doing anything more; after bathing last night, she had fallen into a deep sleep.
A gentle breeze drifted in from outside the window, mixing with the morning sunlight and the faint chirping of birds.
The woman’s boudoir was simply furnished, so the breeze wandered freely, brushing against the golden-haired girl and gently caressing her bare skin, carrying a hint of coolness.
Ophelia sat on the bed, pulling the blanket tighter around herself.
At the tip of her nose was the scent that belonged to Velis.
She turned to look at Velis, her own brilliant golden hair tangled together with the other’s gorgeous crimson strands.
It was incredibly beautiful.
Spreading out, lush and full, like two clusters of red-gold flowers merging into one.
While the other was still asleep, Ophelia furrowed her brows slightly, glancing at the fruit platter and fruit knife on the bedside table.
There were many ways to kill her.
While she slept, use the knife to slit her slender, snow-white neck.
While she slept, use a cloth or pillow to smother her mouth and nose, making her suffocate.
While she wasn’t paying attention, bring her tea laced with poison, making her foam at the mouth, her face turn blue, dying an ugly death.
While she…
In her mind, she thought through all sorts of vicious methods, and in the end, they all turned into the face of Rathar Lyons, her own mother.
[Ophelia! If you dare disobey Her Highness’s orders, I’ll break your legs!]
Then, it was the faces of her family members, full of expectation, when she left the Lyons Family.
[Miss, the family’s future hopes are all on you…]
Hope, huh…
How ironic.
The hope she could bring her family now required her to swallow her pride and obtain it from her enemy, Velis…
“Mmm~!”
Suddenly, Velis beside her opened her eyes and stretched lazily.
She looked at Ophelia, still somewhat drowsy.
“Why are you up so early?”
“Hmph!” Ophelia snorted coldly and turned her head away. “You think everyone’s like you, a pig that loves to sleep?”
Hearing this, Velis wasn’t angry, and instead asked, “Is that so? Then why did I hear the maids say you were sleeping almost the whole day yesterday after I left?”
“By that measure, you can sleep even more than I can, Your Imperial Highness? Ophelia the Pig?”
“You!” Ophelia turned around in anger, reaching out to strangle Velis’s neck.
But in that instant, the blanket draped loosely over her slipped off, and an endless expanse of beautiful scenery was suddenly exposed to the air.
The chill on her chest made Ophelia let out a small gasp, then she withdrew her hand and hugged her chest.
Seeing the teasing smile on Velis’s face, Ophelia flushed even redder with anger.
“What are you looking at? Keep staring and I’ll hit you!”
“So what if I look? I’ve not only looked, but I’ve also used…” Velis’s tone turned cold and sharp.
“But have you forgotten yesterday’s agreement? If you dare disrespect me again, be careful or I’ll return the goods…”
“You!!”
“What ‘you’ what?” Velis sat up, then got out of bed, turning back to give orders.
“What’s the matter, Ophelia the maid? Come help your master get dressed and washed…”
The golden-haired girl was furious, her small fists clenched tightly, her gaze searching for a spot on Velis’s back to land a punch.
In the end, she had no choice but to swallow her humiliation and do as told.
“Fine…”
“Hm? Say that again!”
“Ve… Mas… Master… your maid Ophelia… is, is coming…”
“Hm, good. You’ll slowly get used to this role.”
===
Breakfast was held in a side hall of the Douluo Palace. Apart from a luxurious set of tables and chairs, the surroundings were decorated with bonsai and various paintings.
Besides the folding screen, only three beautiful maidens remained, their vibrant presence making the otherwise ordinary dining hall bloom with spring radiance.
Since she was no longer eating alone, Velis had changed the dining location to this place.
Previously, she had just picked at her food, her mind filled with worries.
But times were different now…
Though it had only been a little over a week, it wasn’t really that long.
“Did you sleep well last night?”
In front of her were fried eggs, demon lamb meat, meat soup, and vegetable soup…
Along with pastries and various delicate snacks. As breakfast for an Imperial Princess, it was quite fitting for her status.
Velis asked Annie Donald, who was sitting across from her. Today, she had changed into a purple swallow moon dress, paired with plain silver earrings.
Her brownish-gray hair was tied up with a seemingly ordinary wooden hairpin, showcasing the image of a noble, elegant lady.
Annie Donald now, compared to her hasty appearance last night, was even more beautiful by several degrees.
Her radiance filled the hall like sunlight and moonlight, bringing warmth and blossoming spring, and Velis’s appetite was greatly stirred because of it.
“Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I slept very well last night… It’s just…”
Annie Donald set down her bowl and chopsticks, hesitating.
Velis asked, “Just what?”
“It’s just that I wonder why Your Highness won’t let my room be near yours?”
The girl’s words made Velis pause. She thought to herself, isn’t this just to avoid suspicion?
You like my Imperial Sister, and Xi’eryou probably knows I like women. If I arranged for you to be too close to me, wouldn’t that ruin your reputation?
If that caused a misunderstanding between the two of you, then I’d be the sinner here.
Imperial Sister Xi’eryou was someone who had genuinely made her feel cared for since she transmigrated, and Velis didn’t want to cause any unpleasantness with her.
Of course, that was all on the premise that Imperial Sister Xi’eryou would actually fall for Annie Donald.
Even though that’s what she thought, Velis asked aloud, “What? You want to live next to me?”
“If I’m closer, I can also ask Your Highness about what the Grand Princess likes on a daily basis. If she comes, I can also see her right away, can’t I?”
Annie Donald blinked her eyes, as if she truly meant it.
Velis thought for a moment, then nodded. “Very well then, I’ll do as you wish.”
Getting the result she wanted, the girl smiled happily.
But when she turned away, a hint of confusion arose in her.
Beside her, a girl with a face full of resentment like a bitter housewife, dressed in maid’s attire, sat at the same table, actually sharing breakfast with the noble Imperial Princess.
This puzzled Annie Donald greatly.
Her looks and temperament were comparable to her own, but that venomous expression diminished her beauty by forty percent, making her seem cold and vicious, intimidating to approach.
With someone like that, why would Velis let her sit at the same table?
This was an immense honor!
But look at her, wearing an unwilling, even coerced expression.
A bad feeling crept into her heart. Annie Donald stared at Velis and asked carefully.
“Um… Your Highness, may I ask who this beautiful lady is…”
“Oh, a maid I just took in a couple days ago.” Velis said while eating. “Since she doesn’t understand maid etiquette yet, I’ve kept her by my side to personally train her.”
In that instant, for no apparent reason, a similar resentment appeared on Annie’s face.
Her ears only caught one phrase: [kept her by my side]…
“Is that so? Your Highness certainly has good taste!”
Annie said through gritted teeth, and even Velis could clearly sense that resentment.
What’s wrong with this woman??
Baffling…
One second she was all smiles, the next she’s giving me, Your Imperial Highness, a cold look. Careful or I’ll deal with you!
Ahem, forget it. She’s Imperial Sister’s woman. I should just find a chance to play matchmaker for those two and send her off.
Speaking of which, is there a chance Xi’eryou could like women?
That’s pretty doubtful!
Just then, a maid walked respectfully to the door and said, “Your Highness, the Grand Princess has arrived.”