"Even if she is, she's still mine."

"What's it to you?"

Before Lucy could say anything else, Mefia asserted her ownership over Avril.

She knew her sister well.

And she was wary.

For no other reason than this: this girl was just like her!

A lesbian too!

And a particularly nasty one at that!

Mefia would never voice these thoughts aloud. Otherwise, Lorin would probably roll her eyes in irony. Mefia herself wasn’t exactly kind—lecherous and perverted—and yet she called others nasty. Though… it seemed true enough.

"Sister, you’re so eager."

"I haven’t even said anything yet."

"Is it necessary?"

"To be this wary of your own flesh and blood?"

Seemingly used to Mefia’s cold disdain, Lucy wasn’t angry.

"Tsk tsk."

Smiling faintly, Lucy swept back her golden bob—easier to manage than her sister’s waist-length hair. Brushing a strand from her eyes, she teased lightly, "I just want to see that little one. That request isn’t unreasonable, is it?"

After all, she hadn’t even met the Bloodkin yet. As the second Princess of the Lor Empire, she’d seen plenty of cute little slaves over the years. Hmm… broken quite a few too. Compared to Mefia’s somewhat predictable methods, Lucy had far more ways to train slaves. Of course, Mefia called her nasty because this girl… was a total player. She’d discard slaves after getting bored. Even… she’d go after commoner girls or minor nobles’ daughters. If things got out, she’d pay off victims or use her power to silence them. Compared to Mefia—who had a flipping temper but never abandoned her little pets—Lucy was indeed worse. Still, despite targeting noble girls too, her cleverness and status kept it hidden from those who shouldn’t know. Like… their ever-busy father, the Emperor.

"Unreasonable."

"Very unreasonable."

"What I should say is, why should I let you see her?"

A faint smile curved Mefia’s lips.

Just as expected.

That’s more like it! No night owl visits without reason. Having an agenda fit Lucy’s character. Since Lucy needed something, the upper hand was hers.

"Ah…"

"That’s a shame then."

"I’ll just have to wait and see her with Father."

Sighing, putting on a disappointed look, Lucy softly said something that made Mefia uneasy.

"What are you getting at?"

Bringing up their father out of nowhere made Mefia realize things might be bad.

"Nothing at all?"

Still theatrical, Lucy tilted her head in feigned confusion. This coquettish gesture made Mefia queasy.

"I was just thinking, Father’s never seen a Bloodkin."

"He’d surely be fascinated by a cute little Bloodkin sister, don’t you think?"

Muttering, Lucy pinched her chin thoughtfully.

"Hmm… he might even add a few Bloodkin half-breeds to the royal family."

"Then we’d have a few more sis—"

"Crash!"

"Shut up!"

Before Lucy finished, Mefia angrily smashed the ceramic cup before her.

"Lucy! Are you here just to cause trouble?!"

"If so, get out now. You’re not welcome here!"

Mefia, already hating Lucy, was completely enraged. She shouldn’t have argued with her sharp-tongued sister. Utterly detestable!

"Hmph!"

"I said, I just want to see this little Bloodkin sister. Not unreasonable."

"If Sister disagrees, why blame me for speaking truth?"

"Or does Sister think it’s impossible?"

"Why get so angry then?"

Lucy showed no fear at the shattered cup, calmly retorting.

"Hmph!"

"Badmouthing our father behind his back—aren’t you afraid he’ll cut you from succession?"

"Oh? So Sister knows I have a claim to the throne?"

"I thought Sister saw herself as the unshakable crown prince."

Lucy sidestepped the dangerous words. After all, only one maid was here. No fear of leaks.

"So… has Sister decided?"

"Just a look at the girl. It won’t cost you a thing."

"If she’s cute, how could I bear to let her fall into others’ hands?"

"Sister, we both have dirt on each other. No need for mutual destruction over something small."

Though unmatched in sophistry, Lucy held little political advantage over Mefia. As the second daughter, she was naturally inferior. With each holding the other’s secrets, she couldn’t cross lines. She was smart. Mutual destruction was worst-case; status quo was better. If their secret got out—that the Lor Empire’s future heirs were both lesbians—it’d cause a scandal. That’s why Lucy never told their father about Mefia’s orientation. Speaking meant ruin. Both knew this. So though she dared to say it, Lucy might not dare to do it. But… annoying her sister? Perfectly achieved.

Lorin watched silently, expressionless. Yet she glanced at Mefia. She knew Princess Lucy was just provoking her, likely wouldn’t act. Still, Lucy had won this small battle. Noticing Lorin’s gaze, Mefia stared silently at Lucy. With eerie understanding, Lucy sighed and spread her hands.

"Alright, alright. After I see her, I’ll leave."

Though a useless promise, Mefia only relented after hearing it. Coldly, sharply:

"Wait here!"