Even the famously upright and austere Knight King couldn’t help but smile at the cheers of the commoners.
The Giant Whale Knight Order marched across half of the royal city to reach the Prince’s Palace, a dazzlingly resplendent place filled with rare and exotic treasures.
Carriages of high-ranking nobles and wealthy dignitaries were parked all around, but none could compare to the massive flatbed wagon hauled in by the Giant Whale Knights.
The opening banquet was held in the palace gardens.
Beneath the enormous skeleton of a Decayed Flying Dragon, nobles and merchants mingled cheerfully, enjoying endless gourmet food and wine.
Everyone sang praises of the Knight King’s valor and the Prince’s wisdom.
Naturally, the stars of tonight’s banquet were the Knight King Shaya and the Pure White Knight Fabiana—grandfather and granddaughter, surrounded by a sea of well-wishers. It felt like even a stray dog would come offer them a toast.
The twenty mighty knights of the Giant Whale Order were also quickly targeted by noble ladies and heiresses, who dragged them into the dance floor for elegant waltzes.
And as for Samimi and Niubao?
They’d found a quiet, remote corner, picked a table away from the crowd, and hid beneath the shade of a large tree.
Taking advantage of everyone being busy dancing, they shamelessly dragged over some of the giant platters from other tables.
Niubao stood by the table, eating heartily.
Samimi lounged with her legs crossed, calmly watching the festivities.
The merriment had nothing to do with her. All she felt was the overwhelming noise.
She had originally refused to attend, being something of a socially anxious recluse, and hated such grand social events.
But with so much good food and fine things to see, the outing wasn’t a total loss.
She longed for a quiet, uneventful countryside life—free from strife. When time allowed, she’d go hunt demons or slay monsters, but she had no desire to compete with anyone over anything.
“Why are you here?”
An unfriendly voice cut through the air.
Turning her head, Samimi saw a beautiful girl with white-pink hair, dressed in an ornate bishop’s robe and wearing a small crown atop her head.
In her hand was a golden staff that sparkled in the lamplight—Samimi instantly recognized it as a Holy Staff she had once wielded.
This girl was none other than her cousin—no, her younger sister: Sashafa Filling.
Judging by her attire, Sashafa had clearly joined the Church—and not just as a lowly initiate. She was highly favored and obviously showered with resources. It was more than likely that she had inherited Samimi’s old position and privileges within the Church.
“How did you find me?” Samimi asked.
“I could sense the magical power on your eyepatch. That’s the power of the Saintess,” Sashafa replied.
“It’s been a while. How have you been?” Samimi greeted her half-heartedly.
“Hmph, how fake. Everything you had in the Church now belongs to me—your identity, your equipment. I’m now the Chief Disciple of the Saintess. I’m even more talented than you. I awakened healing powers and a rare magic gift: [Holy Sand].”
She boasted proudly:
“I can control two types of magic. I’m both a priest and a mage. I’m way better than you.”
“Congratulations,” Samimi replied flatly, showing no emotional reaction.
“Heh. Keep pretending. I bet you’re boiling with jealousy inside. Don’t you wish you could just rip me to pieces? Come on, take off your veil! I bet your expression is twisted with rage!”
Samimi said nothing.
But she did, casually, lift her veil and sip from a nearby drink.
Niubao kept eating, completely unfazed by the sisters’ argument, radiating a rare calm.
Because Samimi wasn’t radiating any negative emotions, Niubao felt no need to intervene. Had she sensed any distress, she would’ve smashed the plates by now.
Even Sashafa was stunned—there was no trace of jealousy or hatred from Samimi. Not a single emotional crack.
She’s hiding it! She must be! Don’t think I can’t see through you!
“Let’s return to my first question—how did you sneak in here?” Sashafa pressed.
“How did you get in?” Samimi countered.
“I’m the Three Prince’s personal court priestess!” Sashafa puffed up. “He used to be your fiancé, remember?”
“Then congratulations again. I was worried that the annulment might harm our family’s future,” Samimi said.
“Still pretending? Why? When did your acting get so good? Do you know how handsome the prince is? Do you know how many women dream of him? How many are jealous of me working at his side?” Sashafa started to panic.
“I genuinely wish you well. I don’t like men—you all know that,” Samimi replied.
That was… irrefutable.
Sashafa was momentarily speechless.
Their argument hit a deadlock.
Only Niubao’s munching filled the silence.
Then Samimi suddenly recalled a hidden major plot twist.
That so-called “Three Prince,” her former fiancé, her sister’s overbearing royal boss…
If memory served—
The Third Prince Tamiel was actually a woman disguised as a man! Her true identity was the Third Princess!
Because the crown princes were all useless, the kingdom’s most capable child—its only princess—had been ordered by the king to impersonate a male heir and assist with governing affairs. She was a major subplot character.
“What a classic yuri-fantasy world,” Samimi muttered quietly.
When she first entered this story world, she hadn’t caught that detail. But now it all came back.
“What did you say?” Sashafa demanded, not catching her muttering.
Just then, a woman in a well-tailored suit approached the shade of the tree.
“Sashafa, what are you doing here? The prince is calling for you. The ceremony to knight Lord Shaya is about to begin.”
She had come to summon Sashafa, but upon seeing the black-clad nun, she froze.
“Countess?” Sashafa asked in confusion.
“Go ahead. I’ll come later,” the Countess said after taking a deep breath to maintain her composure.
“Yes.” Sashafa obeyed this time, her arrogance gone. She lowered her head like a bunny and walked off.
Only when she was gone did the Countess speak:
“Samimi… is that you?”
“Yes, Countess,” Samimi slowly rose and bowed respectfully. Her kind greeting carried a faint sense of distance.
Could others pick up on it? Maybe not. But the Countess definitely could.
Her daughter had never spoken to her like that. She’d always been sweet and clingy—not distant and formal.
But after just a month apart, her daughter felt like a completely different person.
“Your hand…” the Countess noticed Samimi’s bandaged hand and felt a pang of heartache.
“I was fortunate enough to assist Lord Knight King in subjugating a bone dragon. Got a bit injured, but that’s how I earned a spot here. I didn’t sneak in,” Samimi finally answered her sister’s earlier question.
“Samimi, when you’ve had enough fun out there, come home,” the Countess urged.
“Thank you for your concern, Countess, but I’m doing well outside,” Samimi gently declined.
“It’s not safe out there. Come back. I kept a room for you—even though you’ve brought some disgrace to the family…” the Countess continued.
“No need. My home is the Sweetmelon Town Church. I have a safe place and a family of my own. There’s no need for your concern,” Samimi interrupted, patting Niubao’s head.
“Samimi Filling, stop being so difficult!” the Countess suddenly snapped.
“Madam, I am no longer called Samimi Filling. I’m just Samimi now—nameless. Please don’t get it wrong.”
The former villainess’s tone was calm as a blade, slicing clean through the Countess’s heart.
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