“Your Majesty, what happened here?” Everett and Elsa, who had heard the commotion through the wall from the neighboring room, immediately rushed over.
But when they reached the door, they saw Lia sitting on the bed, lost in thought, surrounded by a mess of tangled sheets, the white bedding soaked through.
Clearly, a fierce battle had just taken place here, and the victor was Lia—she was unharmed, though her mood was difficult to read.
Yet, she was alone in the room. So where had the other person gone?
“They’re… Did Tina get exposed?” Elsa whispered softly, only loud enough for Everett to hear.
“I don’t think so. If Tina had really been exposed, she wouldn’t have been able to leave. But the current situation clearly shows that Your Majesty feels sorry for her, which is why she was given the chance to leave.”
Everett guessed that Lia must have been too overwhelming—meeting someone for the first time and already putting her through such a trial, leaving Tina unable to accept it, so she ran away.
After all, such matters aren’t taken lightly. No wonder Lia looked like a child caught doing something wrong—she was visibly at a loss.
“What… should I do?”
It was the first time the queen showed such a helpless expression in front of others, not even when playing chess with other kings did she appear like this.
“Your Majesty, do you know where she lives? Or where she works? It might help to go apologize a few more times.”
At this point, all they could do was hope Tina would forgive Lia, though it seemed unlikely. Their relationship might end here, and Lia’s chance at happiness could be lost forever.
“Alright, I’ll go see her tomorrow.” Lia still looked dazed.
Everett sighed deeply. Her thoughts were all with Tina; she wasn’t even thinking about the auction anymore.
“Your Majesty, please don’t forget why we came here. If nothing else works, please prioritize the bigger picture.”
With that, Everett left without lingering, giving Lia some privacy to plan her next move.
***
Meanwhile, the blonde girl was carrying Tina on her back as they left the inn, heading toward the mansion.
“Eileen, how did you know I was here?” Tina’s hand rested on Eileen’s shoulder, looping around her neck, a trace of lingering sadness in her voice.
“Because you didn’t come back on time, I asked the café manager. She said you were at the inn across the street.”
Eileen’s anger flared again as she recalled what had just happened. “Good thing I came when I did, or that wicked woman would have done something unforgivable to you. I absolutely wouldn’t let her off.”
Tina smiled sheepishly. Usually, Eileen was so well-behaved; she never expected her to get angry, and when she did, it was the ruthless kind that didn’t hold back—even her speech became sharper.
Seeing how Eileen’s first meeting with Lia had ended in disaster, Tina couldn’t help but feel like she was watching a harem fight.
Sigh, what a hassle. Maybe it’s better not to get too close to girls—otherwise, she’d be the one caught in the crossfire.
“Tina, are you close with that person? Why did you meet at an inn?” Eileen’s question carried a faintly sour undertone.
“I thought it was just meeting an old acquaintance. Ah, whatever—it’s in the past now.”
Fortunately, everything that belonged to her was still intact, and she seemed surprisingly okay with that.
But Eileen wasn’t so willing. “Are you still going to that café? She’ll probably keep harassing you, right?”
“I can’t quit yet. I have to finish this month first.”
“Fine then, I’ll come with you.” Eileen was bored in the mansion anyway. Since she couldn’t persuade Tina to leave, she might as well join her—to protect her and secretly observe how Tina worked. Not a bad idea.
Feeling the warmth on her back, Eileen couldn’t help but smile.
So, this counts as getting closer to Tina, right? When would she finally get to do that with her?
The thought of getting there first made Eileen hum softly.
“Hey, you weren’t plotting anything bad just now, were you?”
Tina looked at the girl giggling quietly, suddenly sensing something wasn’t right.
She had been deeply moved when Eileen saved her—like a deity coming down to sweep away all troubles. But now it seemed she had just escaped the tiger’s mouth only to fall into the wolf’s den.
She realized the people around her all seemed to be eyeing her in some way—was that even something she could say out loud?
***
The next day, three days before the auction.
Tina kept her promise in the contract and came to work at the café as usual.
But today, she was accompanied by the same blonde girl, dressed in the same uniform, shyly wearing an eyepatch that gave her a unique charm. Surely, as a maid, she would attract a fair share of attention.
Before coming, Tina had asked Eileen if she really wanted to wear such clothes to work with her, saying it was okay if she didn’t want to—no need to force her socially anxious self.
But instead of backing down, the question seemed to ignite Eileen’s fighting spirit. She ignored her fears and faced the day dressed in her most revealing outfit ever.
Though shortly after going out, she was quickly taken down to reality—now she was barely able to speak. Tina worried she might get into trouble.
“N-no, it’s fine. J-just trust me.” Despite putting on a brave front, Eileen’s voice trembled with fear.
Arriving at the door, Tina was surprised to see a familiar figure inside the shop, anxiously waiting early in the morning. An unaware outsider might have thought it was a girl waiting for her first love.
But Tina knew better—that was just Lia, planning to come and make amends.
The queen sat among ordinary people, her aura and appearance unmistakably superior, making it hard not to feel a pang of envy.
But as soon as Tina stepped inside, the once cold and haughty queen suddenly pounced like a scolded puppy. “I’m sorry, I—”
Tina raised her hand to stop her. “It’s work time now. If guests want anything, please place an order and we’ll be happy to serve.”
“Y-yes.”
Such obedient Lia was a far cry from the pervert who had tried to get at her just yesterday. Tina’s mouth twitched involuntarily.
She dared not imagine—if Tina had merely acted like herself and done that, then what if her identity had been accidentally exposed yesterday? Would she have just dried up and died in that inn?
Too terrifying.
Being recognized was definitely something to avoid. She didn’t want to be turned into a version of Lia.
“Now, can we have a proper talk?” Lia carefully held the menu and asked Tina.
“Hmm, if the customer just wants company, that’s no problem. Just as long as it’s not like yesterday.”
Tina intentionally stabbed Lia with that remark, deepening her guilt.
Meanwhile, Eileen pretended to deliver dishes, walking back and forth nearby, acting as if she didn’t hear the conversation but actually listening closely.
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