I might be the first princess ever drenched by her own magic.

*Achoo!*

A princess soaked by her own spell and catching a cold? Even I wouldn’t believe that story.

Who says the Dark Princess can’t get sick?

Right now, Senior Sister and I were huddled in a cave with a lesbian couple, warming ourselves by the fire.

“I told you to take off those wet clothes! Now look—you’ve caught a cold!” Feyn Senior planted her hands on her hips, her slender legs parted as she stood over me.

“No way.” My face flushed. It was one thing with Senior Sister—I’d seen her body before—but with strangers here? And a couple who liked girls? How embarrassing!

But I couldn’t exactly say that out loud.

“You’re such a stubborn princess! What if your fever worsens and the Human Empire retaliates? Take. These. Off. Now.” Feyn Senior lunged to strip my clothes off.

“S-Senior Sister, stop! There are… outsiders here!”

Esther and Leona exchanged knowing smiles as they watched Feyn Senior and me bicker and wrestle.

*Hey! What the hell are you smiling about?!*

*Don’t think I didn’t see that just because Feyn Senior pinned me down!*

*Senior Sister, stop pulling my clothes! I don’t want strangers seeing me naked!*

“Um…” Esther tugged Leona up, forcing a wry smile. “We should step outside and give you privacy.”

Nightfall brought renewed energy and ease to us women from the Undercity, like waking from a long slumber.

Following Lodis’s intel, we reached an ancient, crumbling stone circle deep in the forest—a hidden Undercity entrance known only to a few.

Esther and Leona’s expressions darkened as they surveyed the stones.

“So… it begins?” Esther murmured to Leona.

“What must come, will come. As long as you’re safe, I’ll have no regrets. It’s time I kept my promise. This circle… it’s meant to claim my soul.”

“Leona… no! Let me take your place! Won’t my soul work?”

“But… the Demon Princess demands a maiden’s soul…”

“…Why must it be like this? I’m so useless—I can’t even save my own sister. If only… if only that uncle hadn’t… when I was thirteen… *sob*…”

“Poor sister… After I’m gone, you must take care of yourself… *wail*…”

Beneath the moonlight, the sisters clung to each other in the stone circle’s center, weeping uncontrollably.

Feyn Senior and I had planned to scan for teleportation fluctuations. Instead, we could only stare, dumbfounded.

“Uh… what are you two doing?” I asked, utterly confused.

“Take it! My soul!” Leona tore off her crimson chestplate, flung it aside, then pulled open her thin white undershirt to reveal two round curves.

I turned away, flustered. “Don’t strip like that! You have a girlfriend!”

“Huh? Princess, what are you saying? You brought us here to claim my soul as payment for summoning you, right?” Leona spread her arms wide over her bare chest.

*Ah!* I slapped my palm against my forehead. *Right—I forgot about that clause!*

“Huh? Wait… are you saying you won’t spare my sister’s soul either?”

“…Never mind. I don’t want either of your souls.” I rubbed my temples.

“But—this was my promise! The price of our contract!”

“Promises? Since when do demons keep them?” I tapped Leona’s chest lightly. “Didn’t you know?”

“Eh? Then… Princess… what *do* you want? My…?” Leona’s face burned crimson as she stumbled back two steps, shielding her chest. “My… body?”

A wave of exhaustion washed over me.

Thankfully, Feyn Senior stepped in front of me, shielding my speechless self. “You little flirt! The noble Dark Princess would never desire a common human like you! One more lewd word, and I’ll teach you manners!”

Leona flushed scarlet and ducked behind Esther’s armor.

“My apologies for my sister…” Esther, far more composed, bowed slightly to Feyn.

“No need. Every family has a silly little sister.” Feyn waved it off casually.

*Hey! Feyn Senior—who are you calling silly?!*

I glared at her back, indignant.

But then—moonlight outlined her tall, graceful figure. Clad in tight black fabric, her round hips swayed above powerful thighs, her waist curved like a willow branch, and her long hair spilled over her shoulders, carrying a faint, alluring scent…

My heart skipped a beat.

*Her little sister?*

*Could I… really be her little sister?*

*That… doesn’t sound so bad…*

I stepped forward and silently leaned against Feyn Senior’s side. Even with outsiders watching, I felt no shame. Staying close to her felt safe—just like in today’s battle when she shielded me. I’d seemed calm then, but inside, I’d been terrified. Though I’d recalled some powerful magic, I remembered nothing of close combat. Right now, I was no different from an ordinary human girl. Maybe Princess Kuroti had always been a pure mage, weak in physical fights.

I tugged Feyn Senior’s sleeve, then turned to Esther and Leona. “You’re safe now. Our mission’s complete. We’re returning to the Undercity—this stone circle is the teleportation point. What about you two?”

“Huh? Well…”

“Why not come with us?” I suggested. “The Undercity teems with Fiendish Monsters, but under my rule, I can grant you a peaceful sanctuary.”

Esther and Leona exchanged a glance, then smiled—a silent understanding passing between them. Esther tightened her arm around Leona’s waist. “Princess Kuroti, we could never repay your kindness. Thank you for the offer. But before we were captured, Leona and I made a promise: we’d return to the Valley of Witches, where I grew up. There, magic and love between girls are free. That’s where we belong.”

“The first time Sister described that paradise for witches,” Leona added, eyes shining, “I longed to see it. After facing death today… life feels so precious. I *must* go there.”

“Oh… I see.” For some reason, parting after traveling together made my chest ache. *Wouldn’t living together in the Undercity be nice?*

Feyn Senior’s arm slid around my waist, radiating irresistible tenderness. Being held like this… it mirrored Esther and Leona’s embrace. *They’re true lovers…*

*People will misunderstand…*

*But… this warmth…*

*Being held by Senior Sister like this… it makes me want to surrender completely.*

“I understand,” Feyn said softly, sensing my choked-up silence. “If you’ve found your path, we won’t force you. But the surface world remains dangerous. Be careful.”

“We will!” Esther declared. “Our road is ours alone to walk. I’ll protect my sister this time—I won’t be weak again.”

“Princess Kuroti…” Leona’s voice trembled with reluctance.

I couldn’t speak. I feared my voice would break into tears.

“Thank you, Princess! I know we have nothing to offer someone of your stature. But if you ever need me—my soul, my life—I’ll give them freely.” Leona’s words rang with sincerity.

I turned my face away, hiding it against Senior Sister’s chest, and nodded. I didn’t want repayment. But in this moment, words were unnecessary.

“Farewell, Princess! Farewell, Sword Princess!”

…

After seeing Esther and Leona off at the stone circle, I finally broke down. Sobs wracked my body—grief over parting, shame over my tearful weakness.

*I know boys don’t cry at goodbyes… but I can’t stop.*

I buried my face in Feyn Senior’s chest, letting myself cry freely.

When my tears slowed, Feyn Senior pulled a white handkerchief from her tight pants pocket. It still carried her faint scent as she gently wiped my cheeks.

*Why does she carry a handkerchief? Why is she so tender when I’m this fragile?*

Wiping my tears away, she cupped my chin. Her eyes were soft as moonlight, her gaze impossible to resist. All I could do was yield, half-willingly.

She seemed to hear my unspoken thoughts. Leaning down, she parted her soft lips and pressed them to mine.

*The third kiss is coming…*

*I remember my silly promise: being kissed three times by the same girl might make me fall for her. Soon, I’ll know the truth…*

“Princess—!” Leona’s voice cut through the moment.

Feyn Senior and I jerked apart like repelling magnets, both flushed and flustered.

“Ah! Sorry—we didn’t mean to interrupt…” Esther’s *that look that said she understood all too well* only deepened the misunderstanding. *Senior Sister and I aren’t like that!*

But why had they returned?

“We… forgot something important after today’s chaos.” Esther hesitated. “Sword Princess—you’re called Feyn, right?”

“…Yes.”

“Is your full name Tianlin Feiyan? I don’t know why you joined the Undercity, but you’re human—you’re the Empire’s legendary genius knight!”

Feyn Senior tensed but didn’t deny it. Esther meant no harm. “Yes. How do you know me? We’ve never met.”

“Well…” Esther searched her memory. “Do you… know an adventurer named Xueno?”

“Xueno?!” Feyn’s voice cracked—a sharp, uncharacteristic cry.

I felt her entire body stiffen. The warmth radiating from her cooled instantly. And worst of all—her hand instinctively let go of mine…