Deep within the dimly lit corridors of the arena.

I materialized out of thin air.

"Seth!" I called to the burly, masked man smoking in the hallway.

"I am Saber, Your Highness. You’ve mistaken me," Seth said, taking a slow drag on his cigarette.

"Cut the act. You’re forfeiting the next match too!" I snapped.

"Heh," Seth chuckled darkly. "Even a princess’s order like that is unacceptable."

"Why not compete openly? What’s your obsession?" I asked, staring up at the towering old butler.

"Your Highness, I’m Saber—not who you think. As for my reason… it’s because—"

Seth suddenly radiated power. His muscles swelled, ripping his strained butler uniform with a loud *Riiip!* to reveal glistening, jet-black muscles.

I instinctively stepped back, startled.

Masked Seth struck a dramatic muscle pose. "Because—fatherly love is as solid as a mountain!!!"

"Huh!?" I felt volcanic eruptions, crashing waves, and howling winds behind him. Pure hard-boiled uncle energy!

But what the hell was "fatherly love is as solid as a mountain"? So Seth was a pervert too!

I swallowed my retort. "Seth, you’re just my butler. What’s that got to do with fatherly love?"

"Hmph. Though I’m not Seth, I know you well. A friend of his told me—your lonely childhood. The Demon King’s wars left you in darkness. A beauty like you deserves a mature, steady, strict father’s love! He’s too busy. I, Seth—ahem, Saber—will take that duty! Princess, I’ll win this match. Then we’ll begin our journey of warm, stern father-daughter love! Fatherly love is vast, deep, reserved—yet fiercely passionate!"

Seth slapped his thick chest. "Princess, feel this! Sense the heartbeat and warmth of fatherly love!"

His nostrils puffed white vapor like a steam engine.

"Ugh…" My face paled. A chill shot through me as I backed away. "Don’t—don’t come near me… you fatherhood-obsessed freak!"

"Your Highness—you need my love, as I need to give it!"

"Enough! Just tell me how to make you forfeit!" I cut him off.

"Heh heh! Nothing could sway me!" Seth declared, gazing resolutely into the distance.

"I’ll give you a pair of my used stockings."

"Cough—did you say… what?"

"Stockings."

"Princess! Perhaps I’m unworthy to discipline you as a father. I’ll forfeit this time," Seth said deeply, hands in his pockets.

"......"

"Princess, confirm—is it the pair you’re wearing now?"

"...... Yes."

"You’ll remove them here in front of me?"

"Yes!"

"Then proceed. I’m old enough to be your father. Watching a little loli like you won’t stir impure thoughts—only scorching fatherly love." Seth knelt, breathing heavily, and gestured like a gentleman.

"So you admit you’re Seth?" I glared down at him, hands on hips.

"Indeed, I am Seth!"

"So I can take them off here now?"

"Please. Or I can assist if you’re shy."

"Oh? You’ll help?"

"If Your Highness wishes."

"Then you help me."

Seth stood, breathing hard, and slowly reached his large hands toward me. "Obeying your command, old man coming."

"Like hell! You old pervert!" I kicked—"Boom!"—square in his face. He flew backward, crashing into the arena wall.

"Ah… Princess…" Seth gasped, battered and near lifeless.

"Seth forfeits due to severe injuries from accidentally walking into a wall!" I told Bessdaitiel via earpiece.

"Eh? Princess, no violence allowed!" Bessdaitiel’s voice crackled back.

"Violence? Heh, Head Maid, you misunderstand. Self-defense after he saw through my scheme! Perfectly legal in the Undercity!"

I teleported back to the spectator platform, waiting for Seth’s forfeiture announcement.

Feyn Senior already stood in the arena.

Loyning’s voice boomed: "We’ve received word contestant Saber has announced his for—"

"Hold it!" A deep voice cut in. Seth, half-mask broken and dust-covered, strode onto the floor.

"What!" I nearly jumped from my chair. "He dares to compete!"

I knew my princess kick was only a level 2 warrior’s strike—useless against level 8 Seth. But didn’t he get my message? Must he defy me?

"Contestant Saber, are you alright?" Loyning asked.

Seth raised his fist high.

"Then! The match begins!"

I slumped into my chair. Done. Feyn Senior couldn’t beat Sulia’s speed now.

Yet Feyn Senior brimmed with fighting spirit. Winning mattered most.

"Well then, old man, let’s begin!" Her sword glowed gold—holy power first.

"Once more—hold it!" Seth raised a hand.

"Hm?"

"Defeating you is easy. But I won’t disappoint the princess. She wants you to win. Yet I must win to… discipline—ahem, educate—her! In her heart, I’m like a father!"

"Who thinks of you as a father!" I shouted, near tears.

Seth turned his back to Feyn, flexing his arms, eyes closed. His white hair and beard fluttered in the dusty wind. "Indeed, I am such a conflicted man!"

Feyn Senior stared impassively. "So, fight or not?"

Seth stroked his beard. "Maa… better not disappoint the princess. I forfeit."

"If you’d forfeit, why not stay out from the start!!!" Tears streamed down my face.

"The victor is… Tianlin Feiyan…"

I collapsed into the chair, vision darkening. I hated Seth more than Sulia. He was toying with me.

"Well! Though the semifinal saw no combat, tomorrow’s final—the decisive battle for the princess’s discipline rights—features Sulia versus Tianlin Feiyan!"

I felt no excitement. Feyn Senior winning was ideal, but her "education" might not be easy. And tonight… how would I survive it?

The Undercity had no day or night, but glowing crystal time-stones hung everywhere. They glowed warm amber at dawn/dusk, near-white at noon, and blue by evening—mimicking the surface world’s colors, minus rain.

Now, the stones shone hazy amber—around 6 PM.

After dining in the palace, I returned to my chambers. Feyn Senior leaned against the corridor wall, waiting.

"Sorry, Princess. I lost the bet," she said.

"Not your fault, Senior Sister. Just a massage for Sulia. Nothing serious," I replied with a wry smile.

Feyn Senior blushed suddenly. "If that domme tries anything weird! Teleport out immediately! Escape! Understand?"

"Mm, don’t worry. Sulia’s not bad. She won’t trouble me." I said it, but doubted it.

"By the way, your period—is it okay?" Her gaze dropped to my lower abdomen.

"Huh? It’s… fine. Over already." I crossed my hands instinctively to cover myself.

"Is that so? So short?"

"Mm, I don’t know. Rest early, Senior Sister. Tomorrow’s the real battle."

I lied. Wearing a bunny girl outfit during my period would only worry her more.

After bidding her farewell, I showered thoroughly in my room.

Honestly, why I washed so carefully, I didn’t know.

Sulia had already sent the bunny girl outfit she prepared for me.

Wrapped in a towel, I stepped out of the bath. The outfit lay before me. My mind felt hazy. But I’d promised—I had to do it, right?