— Afternoon —
“Sleeping feels amazing!”
“What time is it now?”
Lin Ling felt the space beside her. After confirming that the Demon King was no longer there, Miss Saintess shot up from the bed like a rocket.
“Alright! Time to get up!”
This time, there was finally no terrifying Demon King to drag her back into that dreadfully warm embrace.
How depraved, truly depraved, Lin Ling.
To think that just a tiny bit of a warm embrace could make Miss Saintess completely indulge herself. How terrifying.
Lin Ling stood in front of the mirror, adjusting her headscarf.
Miss Saintess's dignity had to be thoroughly protected. She absolutely could not lose her headscarf this time!
After confirming that her headscarf was securely fastened, Lin Ling stepped out of the room that was filled with two distinct scents.
Another day—or rather, half a day—of Miss Saintess's activities was about to begin?
While Miss Saintess was happily starting her daily schedule, in the capital—
Knock, knock—
“My Lady, the Duke is waiting for you in his study.”
“Got it~”
Lillian sat up from her bed, her mind still wandering back to the day she met Ichikawa.
She felt a bit reluctant to face her family right now; looking like this would surely make them worry.
But now was indeed the time to report the situation.
Lillian had no choice but to pat her cheeks hard, forcing herself to perk up.
That despicable Hero, curse him, curse him, curse him!
Just thinking about that stuttering, blonde Hero made Lillian's cherry-pink hair stand slightly on end.
Knock, knock—
“Come in.”
Lillian stood at the door of the Duke's study and knocked gently.
Only after a response came from inside did Lillian step into the study.
“Father, I'm back.”
Hearing Lillian's voice, a man with cherry-pink hair inside the room set down the book in his hand.
Looking at his returned daughter, the man's dark purple eyes showed a serious expression.
“You're back? How was the situation this time?”
“The number of citizens rescued this time seemed slightly fewer than usual.”
“You didn't run into any trouble, did you?”
“N-no, nothing at all!”
When the man asked if she had run into anything, Lillian seemed to recall something, her face flushing with a faint pink.
Seeing his daughter like this, how could he, as her father, not notice?
“Tell me the truth, Lillian.”
“I-it was just some minor stuff! Father, you're not allowed to ask!”
Seeing her father's inquisitive look, Lillian immediately turned her head away to hide her expression.
“Alright, alright, Father won't ask. You've worked hard this time as well.”
Seeing his daughter looking upset, the Duke stood up from his desk and walked over to her.
“Is my dear daughter tired~?”
“Let Father have a look. You've gotten a bit thinner. I'll have the maids prepare some cake for you in a moment, alright?”
“Father was in the wrong just now. I won't ask anymore.”
Seeing her father so worried that she would ignore him, Lillian let out a soft laugh.
“Haha, where is your noble dignity, Father? If others saw you like this, they would criticize you again.”
“Does this mean Lillian has forgiven her father?”
“Not yet.”
Hearing his daughter laugh, the Duke let out a small sigh of relief.
“Then what does my dear daughter want this time to forgive her father?”
“Lean closer, Father.”
“Like this, and like that...”
A moment later, a deafening roar erupted from the Duke's mansion.
“WHAT?!!!”
“Lillian, I absolutely cannot agree to this!”
Upon hearing Lillian's request, the Duke's face instantly turned grave. Ignoring Lillian's puzzled expression, he walked over to the French window of the study.
“As your father, I cannot allow this.”
“That despicable punk! To think he dared to hold my sweet daughter's hand on their very first meeting!”
Just thinking about that scene made the Duke's mana fluctuate uncontrollably.
“But, Father...”
Bang!
Just as Lillian was about to say more, the door to the study was flung open, and a plainly dressed woman marched straight in.
“Ein! You idiot, do you have any idea that your shout just now completely ruined my potion measurements?!”
“I was making that for my precious daughter!”
The woman entered the room, glared at Duke Ein standing by the French window, and immediately delivered a hard kick to him.
The moment the Duke cried out in pain and opened his mouth, she poured a bottle of deep green potion straight down his throat.
“So bitter!”
“Bear with it!”
“Um, Mother, it's been a while.”
Seeing her mother's violent outburst the moment she returned, Lillian was a little taken aback.
“Oh, my baby, you're back~”
“Let Mother have a look at you.”
After forcing several more bottles of potion down the Duke's throat, the woman appeared before Lillian as if teleporting and took her hand.
“My sweet daughter, why is your face a little flushed?”
“This is a recovery potion, this is a restoration potion, this is...”
“It's fine, Mother. It's just a bit hot today. I-I'll head out first.”
Seeing her mother continuously pulling out potions, Lillian decisively chose to escape this terrifying place.
Slam!
Outside the room, Lillian panted heavily.
It's always a bit terrifying to watch Mother force-feed Father those potions.
Suddenly remembering something, Lillian pulled out the badge-shaped communication device from her pocket.
“Despicable guy! If not for you, how would I have run into this kind of situation today? How annoying, how annoying!”
Thinking back to Ichikawa's somewhat dazed expression at the time, Lillian's face flushed red once again.
“Despicable Hero! Curse you!”
Lillian's mind began to replay the events of that day once more.
After running all the way, Lillian pushed open the door to her room with a slam.
Lying on her bed, Lillian thought about how Ichikawa had worn such a serious expression to protect the citizens.
And then she thought about how he couldn't even speak clearly when facing her.
She raised the communication device she used to contact Ichikawa, remembering the pathetic state the Hero was in when he finally fled.
Strangely enough, was it... a little cute?
“No! No! Lillian, what are you thinking?! How is that guy cute in any way!”
Realizing her thoughts were starting to drift in a weird direction, Lillian threw the badge straight toward the corner of her room.
The badge hit the corner with a sharp clink.
“Wait, no. That despicable guy still owes me a favor.”
Thinking of this, Lillian ran back, picked the badge up again, and stuffed it into her treasured display cabinet.
She even placed it in the most conspicuous spot.
“I-it's not like I treasure this thing or anything.”
“This is a favor from a Hero. Yes, that's exactly it!”
Rate on N.U.
