“Speaking of which, didn’t you just keep wondering how I planned to properly arrange Sylvie’s enrollment?”
Pausing briefly, Sophia suddenly remembered something and shifted the topic:
“Well then, I’ll be honest with you— I’ve fabricated her identity as your distant cousin.”
“…Huh?”
Floria, who had been fuming and protesting moments ago, suddenly froze with a strange expression, frowning as she glanced at her.
J-Just that simple?
All the risks she took, the sacrifices she made to seduce her into the bedroom, and the fact that all her magic energy was drained… wasn’t that a huge loss—
After all, if it were really that easy to solve, would Sophia even need to say it?
Seeing Floria’s confused expression, Sophia took a deep breath, adjusted her tone, and continued explaining:
“Of course, I’ll also make her my official closed-door disciple, just like you did for me back then.
“Plus, every day when Sylvie goes to and from the academy, I’ll send my Confidant Knights to escort her— with my reputation as Paladin Commander protecting her, anyone who dares to have ill intentions toward Sylvie will absolutely not make a move.”
“……”
Floria fell silent for a moment before speaking sarcastically:
“…You really put a lot of thought into this, huh.”
What kind of nonsense is Sophia suggesting… this doesn’t solve the root problem at all!
Not to mention, her so-called “reputation as protection”—who knows how effective that really is… The biggest concern is that Floria now fears someone will trace her back through Sylvie!
“Don’t worry, sister, I haven’t finished yet.”
Sophia waved her hand to soothe her:
“As for you, my suggestion is— you should try not to go outside.”
“…What?!”
“You have no magic power, so you simply can’t handle the outside world, right? So just stay in this manor all the time.”
As she spoke, Sophia’s fingers casually brushed over the Witch’s shoulder, gently smoothing the silver-white hair falling by her ear.
“Everything you need to live is here, and anything you want, just ask me and I’ll have someone get it for you.
“So, there’s no need for you to go anywhere— just stay by my side.”
She spoke those chilling words with a gentle and calm expression.
“So… Sophia, you don’t mean… you want to keep me locked up here forever, do you?!”
“Oh, ‘locked up’ sounds so harsh~”
Sophia smiled lightly.
“I only want to take care of you as best as I can, my most ‘respected’ retired senior.
“By the way, I almost forgot to mention— I have my newly promoted Confidant Knights patrolling day and night all around the manor. With them here, this place is safer than anywhere outside; not even a mouse could sneak in~
“As long as you stay here comfortably, nothing bad will happen to you.”
“……”
Floria was silent.
What Sophia meant, in other words, was that the manor was heavily guarded on all sides, and there was no way for her to escape, right?
On top of that, Sophia had drained all the magic energy inside her… which meant that until her magic regenerated over time, even if she wanted to escape using magic, it was impossible without the power.
Damn it, everything that had happened earlier… was all part of this plan waiting for her here!
Floria’s mind shook violently.
Could it be that Sophia had been plotting this ever since tricking her into coming to the capital under Sylvie’s name?!
That’s terrifying—!
What exactly does this woman want by imprisoning her here?!
Floria didn’t dare think further.
“All done— sister, you can come look in the Mirror now.”
Sophia smiled and helped Floria up, guiding her to the full-length Mirror.
Floria wanted to push her away, scolding, “I can walk myself,” but the moment she got up from the chair, her legs suddenly felt weak and limp like soft clay.
On top of that, the old injury in her waist sent waves of aching pain, almost causing her to collapse.
Only then did Floria realize that the reason she had been able to force herself to walk a few steps with a cane was that her body had subconsciously been using magic to support itself.
Now that her magic energy was completely drained, she was forced back to relying on a wheelchair to move.
“Careful, sister, don’t hurt yourself—I’d be heartbroken~”
Sophia’s voice was filled with concern as she helped her, but to Floria, it sounded like a mocking sneer.
“Hmph…”
Floria snorted coldly, but before she could retort, her gaze was drawn to the reflection staring back at her.
“Th-This is… me?”
Floria blinked in confusion.
In the Mirror stood Floria, her silver hair shimmering like moonlight scattered over her shoulders, a few loose strands falling casually.
The Rose Hairpin nestled within her hair added a touch of softness and elegance.
She wore the Blue Rose Evening Dress, the fabric hugging her figure, outlining the Witch’s graceful curves.
This off-shoulder, low-cut dress revealed her tender shoulders and delicate neck with almost no fabric covering them, only two thin silk straps holding the dress up, providing support against gravity.
The hem fell gently above her knees, paired with milky-white translucent stockings that created an alluring “absolute territory,” highlighting the slender yet sexy contours of her calves and the slightly bulging fullness of her thighs where the stocking edges pressed against her skin.
Her long legs wrapped in the creamy stockings subtly revealed the smooth, snowy skin beneath, every curve tender and enticing beyond words.
The open-toed high-heeled princess boots were light and exquisite, decorated with hints of blue lace that teased the eyes with a playful, seductive charm.
Her slender ankles and long toes gleamed under the soft light, the pink tops of her feet and toes faintly visible beneath the sheer stockings, her delicate feet like polished jade—pure and mesmerizingly attractive.
Floria’s already exquisite appearance was elevated to a whole new level by Sophia’s skillful, just-right styling— a liberation and amplification of her natural beauty, reaching a new height.
The Floria in the Mirror stared blankly back at herself.
After changing into this elegant gown, she was surprised to discover that every movement she made exuded an elegance and charm even she found hard to resist.
Just looking at her reflection made her feel dizzy and intoxicated.
“Sister, you can look so beautiful when you dress up like this— why hide yourself and wear those coarse linen clothes all the time?”
Sophia said with a mock-troubled expression.