“If it hurts anywhere, just tell me, okay? Yeah, I’ll help you all—no need to worry~”
Celi beamed with a smile as warm as a spring breeze, soothing the despondent souls of the Hero Party.
But Laer felt a shadow settle in her heart.
She had once studied at the most prestigious academy in the Human World, defeating every teacher in her path. In the end, she had been selected to join the World-Saving Squad as the Hero’s advisor—the backbone of the team, its pillar of strength.
So why hadn’t she been able to protect the Hero Party? Why had she been reduced to cowering and fleeing?
All this talk of peace was an illusion. A greenhouse would only hold them back… No, it was Celi. What right did she have to wear that infuriatingly fake smile, so hard to stomach, and presume she could bring happiness to them—to the whole world?
Yet when Laer had confronted her, Celi had merely said:
“My power isn’t all that great, you know.”
“It’s just a little something I can do. Helping you is no trouble at all.”
“Besides, is there anything you need help with?”
There was nothing she needed help with. Laer had simply come to question her.
In their current situation—dependent on others’ hospitality—stirring up internal conflict would be foolish. But as the Great Sage, she had to find the courage to defy fate…
She couldn’t accept the Snake Demon Princess’s proposal. Especially not letting the Hero Party live in a place like this forever—not because the war still raged, but because they had to keep moving forward. And it was clear the scales of authority had already tipped in Celi’s favor. At this rate, even obtaining the Endless Treasure would be impossible…
“Ah, you mean the Endless Treasure? It’s not something we can easily hand over right now… I’m really sorry. But if you save the world, it’s not out of the question… Just promise to protect my people and my little sister from now on, okay?”
Had she accepted?
Just like that?
Was that it? Was Laer simply jealous?
Jealous of her spirit, her confidence—the kind of trust so utterly different from desperate gambles. That was the irrational root of it all. Her arm, still aching from the wound inflicted by the Goblin Giant, throbbed faintly. Several party members remained unaccounted for, their fates unknown. No one could stay calm in such circumstances.
What an idiot she was. Couldn’t Celi tell Laer had come looking for a fight?
How could Celi smile in that situation? How could she wear such a composed expression? Was it hypocrisy… or something Laer simply couldn’t comprehend?
In the end, that was what she truly wanted: to understand.
Curiosity.
Curiosity about how an ordinary princess like Celi could achieve so much on her own.
So Laer had seized on a pretext…
“Let’s have a contest then. If you win—no, even if you beat me in any one thing, I’ll call it your victory…”
In the end, they fought ten rounds, with a score of 9 to 1. Only in the final match did Celi barely find an opening to defeat the Great Sage Laer, who grudgingly let the smug Snake Demon Princess have her moment.
“Laer, you’re so strong. With you around, will the Hero really face any trouble? Whew… I can hardly catch my breath.”
“…”
“That last one doesn’t count. Let’s go again.” Laer was thoroughly unsatisfied.
“Huh? Why? I put everything I had into it. No way.”
“I didn’t go all out. It doesn’t count—this time doesn’t count!”
“Hmph, a loss is a loss. Is the great human sage going back on her word?” Celi half-lidded her eyes, hugging her knees as she leaned against the wall, feigning helplessness.
“Um… if you’re wondering how I held out this long, maybe it’s because of love?”
“Love?”
“Mm.” Celi nodded. “I love everyone in the Snake Demon Country—my father, my little sister. So no matter the hardship, I’ll overcome it.”
Then she bowed her head.
“Even if it means dying in the end… or losing everything.”
“…”
“Once we get the Endless Treasure, let’s have a rematch?”
“Sure, same events? We’ve got plenty of time. You promised to be my teacher, so don’t worry about me surpassing you~”
“Exactly. And you’ll lose—lose completely, Celi.”
“You’re impossible…”
…
Laer’s hand continued caressing Celi’s without pause until Celi tilted her head fifteen degrees in confusion. Only then did Laer pull her thoughts back from those memories.
She gave a gentle smile before suddenly embracing Celi’s body. Her jet-black locks intertwined with ink-green strands like willow silk. Celi’s eyes widened in confusion, unable to grasp what had come over Laer. All she could manage was a puzzled sound:
“Eh…?”
“…”
“You win.”
~~~
The next morning, long before the sun rose, Xuefei crawled out of the Dragon Nest. After a quick wash-up, she bolted straight to the Maids’ Lounge.
She had to do it because otherwise Leia would cling to her all night, refusing to let go. Sleeping alone was the only way to make it in time for her shift around five in the morning…
Without Xuefei there, Lady Leia’s wake-up time settled reliably around six or so. That meant the maids had to rise even earlier just to keep pace. One reason they secretly hoped for romance between Lady Leia and Lady Xuefei was that sharing a bed made their own duties a little easier.
Sometimes Lady Leia and Lady Xuefei wouldn’t emerge from the bedroom all day. Barring any surprises, they’d sleep in lazily the next day—sometimes half the day away—which lightened the workload considerably.
In the lounge on the first floor, Head Maid Laer was doling out the day’s tasks and key reminders. The maids clustered around her, listening intently to the most critical meeting of the morning:
“Lucy, take care of your corridor like always… Clark, the Tea Room cleaning is yours—thanks for the extra effort…”
“Got it.”
“Sure thing!”
“Lady Xuefei.” Suddenly, Laer’s gaze fixed on the center of the maid corps—that white dragon maid standing there.
“Today, you’re Lady Leia’s personal attendant. Celi will assist you, so serve Evil Dragon Lord to the best of your ability.”
“Got it.” Xuefei nodded with professional poise, the picture of a seasoned maid.
“I’ll get breakfast ready for Lady Leia right away.”
“Er… actually, you don’t need to cook. The kitchen staff will handle all that.”
“Oh? Then what should I do?”
“You’ll figure it out.” Laer gave her a thoughtful look but said no more, leaving Xuefei to puzzle it over.
No cooking required? Just stay by Leia’s side? Was there some kind of bonus for that?
But soon enough, as orange light crept over the horizon, Xuefei wheeled the meal cart into the restaurant and realized exactly what was expected of her.
This was Leia and Xuefei’s Private Dining Room—simple and comfortable, the epitome of elegant minimalism… if one overlooked the agates hanging on the walls.
It was Xuefei’s first time entering as a maid.
Leia appraised her outfit with evident delight, clearly pleased with the sight.
“Cute little Xuefei, are you trying to tempt me into devouring you, breaking the rules, and forfeiting the contest?”
“That’s not it at all, Lady Leia.”
On any other day, Xuefei might have fired back with a quip.
But with Celi right behind her, tallying points, any sign of disrespect toward the Evil Dragon would cost her dearly!
Leia patted the seat beside her.
“Hee hee, Xuefei, come on~ Sit next to me?”
“But I’m your maid…”
“Satisfying your master’s whims is part of a maid’s core duties, isn’t it?”
“Fine, fine…”
After setting down the final dish—a rich cream soup—Xuefei stepped forward and took the seat beside her, just as Leia wished.
To her surprise, Leia leaned in close the very next instant. Their soft bodies brushed together, warmth passing between them. Hooking an arm around Xuefei’s, she murmured seductively:
“Now then, my cute dragon maid Xuefei… come on…”
“Feed me.”
