Lilian felt a bit helpless as she walked up to Eleonora, who stood with arms spread wide, blocking her way.
Following the instinct of a maid, Eleonora gently hugged her.
“Master, we already agreed on this last night…”
Eleonora hadn’t come to stop her—she just wanted a hug…
“Alright, alright…”
Eleonora’s hard-won resolve instantly deflated.
Only when she noticed the maids behind Lilian standing at attention did Eleonora push her away.
“Ahem.”
Clearing her throat, she prepared to give Lilian some instructions.
“Listen, Lilian, don’t get too close to Ophelia.” As she spoke, Eleonora began pacing back and forth in the hallway. “Don’t have too much physical contact with her.”
“Don’t trust Ophelia’s words. Her favorite thing is to tease others.”
“Don’t—”
Eleonora’s figure swayed back and forth before Lilian’s eyes, making her dizzy.
“If she lays hands on you, you must tell me when you get back.”
Something along those lines.
Lilian could only nod helplessly.
Eleonora stepped in front of Lilian, her red eyes filled with seriousness as she grabbed her arm and shook it.
“Lilian, did you hear me? If not, I’ll say it again.”
“I heard you, Master~” Lilian feigned understanding and replied to Eleonora.
These words had been repeated since last night, when Lilian came back for dinner with Eleonora.
By now, it was almost the twentieth exact repetition.
Lilian felt like her ears were about to callous.
Eleonora’s fingers unconsciously tightened.
She really wanted to shout out right now, to tell Lilian that Ophelia had the ability to read other people’s general thoughts and emotions.
But no—
Once Lilian found out and became wary of Ophelia, the sharp Ophelia would quickly notice.
Eleonora could only keep repeating herself, letting Lilian know to keep her distance from Ophelia and not to care too much about her behavior.
She just had to wait until Lilian learned more about sigils.
By then, Eleonora would be able to teach Lilian the Anti-Mind Reading Seal.
After over a week of teaching, Eleonora was certain that Lilian was a genius.
Each sigil could be mastered within a day.
Hmph, Ophelia, just wait until next month…
“So, you really have to go?”
Eleonora asked again.
“After all, I promised Ophelia, and this is all to become stronger.”
Eleonora couldn’t tell whether Lilian was sticking to her promise or just eager to grow stronger.
Probably both?
“Anyway, if Ophelia tries anything, you must tell me. I’ll stand up for you.”
“Okay~ Master.” Lilian bowed. “Then I’ll take my leave now.”
With that, she started walking toward the door.
Hearing Lilian’s casual tone, Eleonora grew anxious.
No, she had to follow!
“Miss.” Bella called out to Eleonora. “Where are you going? You still have a lot of work today.”
“Eh—”
Eleonora let out a desperate sound.
Lilian couldn’t hold back a laugh.
Once aboard the carriage, the coachman barely paused before setting off directly toward Ophelia’s residence.
Although Ophelia’s home was also in the inner city, the journey should take longer than going to the Knights’ Order.
It took nearly an hour before Lilian arrived.
To Lilian’s surprise, Ophelia didn’t live in the palace but, like other nobles, in a villa with a small courtyard in the inner city.
Maids were already waiting for Lilian there.
They showed great respect toward her.
Though when they saw Lilian dressed in a maid outfit, a hint of something unreadable flashed in their eyes.
It couldn’t be helped.
Wearing her Doctor’s Outfit—actually just casual clothes—was too informal.
Wearing formal attire felt too stiff.
Under the strong insistence of Eleonora and Eileen, Lilian had chosen to wear the maid outfit for this visit.
Eleonora’s reasoning was: “Wearing this maid outfit will remind Ophelia that you belong to us… the Korn Count’s household. That way, she’ll hold back whatever she’s planning.”
Lilian somewhat agreed with this.
Although she knew Ophelia was quite childish.
But judging from their previous interactions, this visit wasn’t simply for medical treatment.
If it could make Ophelia restrain herself a little, that would be fine.
The maids led Lilian silently down the long corridor.
The only sound was Lilian’s somewhat abrupt footsteps.
It gave Lilian a bad feeling.
She tried to speak.
“Excuse me, where is the treatment area? The study? Or the bedroom?”
The maid who heard her looked back with a polite, slightly apologetic smile but only shook her head, not revealing a word.
What did that mean?
Ophelia, what are you up to?
Despite her mental preparation, Lilian felt a chill in her heart.
They stopped before a wooden door.
Two maids opened it, revealing the room inside.
It should be the study, but much more spacious than the count’s.
The lead maid made a gesture inviting Lilian inside.
Taking a deep breath, Lilian stepped forward.
Thud—
The wooden door closed with a muffled sound.
Then came a click.
Lilian’s heart jumped.
She turned back, hand on the cool door handle.
Click click.
She tried to press down, but the handle only trembled slightly.
The door was locked.
“Lilian, you finally arrived. You really kept me waiting.”
Ophelia’s teasing voice came from behind.
She sat behind the desk, looking up at Lilian’s maid outfit with a hint of displeasure on her face.
“Your Highness, didn’t we agree on a treatment? And you locked the door…”
“Oh? Lilian, did you forget what we promised?”
Ophelia approached slowly, her footsteps soft but clear in the quiet study.
She came closer and closer, and Lilian caught the familiar, crisp scent.
With her back against the wooden door, nowhere to retreat, Ophelia raised a hand and pressed it beside Lilian’s ear on the door frame, slightly leaning down.
Her sapphire eyes glimmered with amusement as she examined Lilian.
At this moment, it was just like when they first met.
But Lilian felt no romantic fluttering.
The oppressive imperial princess before her and the tearful little girl she had comforted at the banquet seemed worlds apart.
That brat, what’s she pretending?
“Sorry, Lia, it’s my fault for being careless.” Lilian called out the affectionate nickname casually, then ducked past Ophelia. “So, can we start now?”
Ophelia liked to toy with people’s hearts.
So she wouldn’t follow her rhythm.
A flicker of surprise crossed Ophelia’s eyes, quickly replaced by a smile.
“Of course, Lilian. But before we start.” Her gaze fell on the black-and-white maid outfit Lilian wore. She smiled. “Take off those inappropriate clothes first.”
“My doctor shouldn’t be dressed in someone else’s uniform.”