"Senior Qingruo? What are you doing?" By the time Tiyi realized it, her wrists were already tightly bound behind her back by Sacred Thorns around the thick marble pillar.

Being restrained by her alone would’ve been one thing—but this place… Tiyi nervously scanned the surroundings. "S-someone might see us!"

The garden at noon, broad daylight—what if someone passed by? How could she explain herself? A shimmering heat flooded Tiyi’s body, her face flushing crimson instantly.

"True, only Student Council members usually come here," Qingruo remarked deliberately, "but accidents happen. So? Ready to tell the truth?"

"Senior, I *am* telling the truth! Even if they misunderstand me, your reputation will be ruined too!"

"At this moment, you’re still worried about *me*?" Qingruo’s voice hardened. "I’d simply report catching a suspicious girl to the guards." Though threatening, a faint trace of emotion flickered across her face just now.

As a Holy Temple Knight, Qingruo had no intention of lying. She merely sought methods to force this girl’s honesty.

"Then ask Teacher Yedi yourself!" Tiyi pleaded, her slender body trembling.

She truly feared being seen—how could she face classmates after transferring here?

"Alandiye," Qingruo leaned closer, her cascading hair gleaming as she towered over the bound girl. "Are you deceiving your master? Do you wish our contract to last forever? As a woman of House Redveny, I own many slaves. One more won’t matter."

The words pierced Tiyi’s heart. She’d risked such shame solely for Qingruo’s safety—yet was she just another disposable slave?

*If only she’d called me her only slave…*

But why did this dismissive remark from her once-idolized perfection flood her with painful, thrilling surrender?

This feeling was dangerous. She had to banish it.

"Why? Why won’t you believe me?"

"Who?" Qingruo’s gaze sharpened. "Have you forgotten our contract terms—or your place?"

Flustered and burning-faced, Tiyi lifted her eyes to meet Qingruo’s flawless ones. "Why won’t you believe me, Sister-sama? Even if I lied… give me a reason to break through my deception. Make me confess beyond doubt."

Her words sounded like defiance, yet carried a plea.

*Break through me…?* Qingruo’s heartbeat quickened. Was this girl unraveling under pressure?

More than unraveling—a male student calling his female senior "Sister-sama" like this was sheer desperation.

Qingruo’s long lashes lowered slightly, her stern aura softening. "If your story’s true, why not say it last night? Why kneel solemnly and offer yourself as my slave for a day?"

"Because it involves Teacher Yedi’s reputation without the Academy’s approval! I didn’t know the rules—I had to wait for him to return this morning. Only after his permission could I tell you everything. You can verify it with him later." Tiyi clung to Teacher Yedi’s authority as her last card.

"Do you think hiding behind Teacher Yedi proves anything?" Qingruo cupped Tiyi’s chin, studying her conflicted, glistening eyes. "If I could ask him, I wouldn’t be here. Your story holds together… but your eyes lie."

Mouths deceive. Eyes never do.

Tiyi wanted to look away—but evasion meant guilt. She held Qingruo’s gaze, a surge of sincerity rising within her.

*Even if my words are lies… isn’t my heart protecting you, Qingruo?*

Even as a Witch hiding in shadows.

Even branded a seductress who corrupted Teacher Yedi.

Even treated like a slave.

*What do I have to fear from you?*

No longer avoiding her eyes, Tiyi gazed back—shy yet unashamed, unrepentant. Her dreamt-of lover’s eyes held her.

*If becoming your slave protects you… I regret nothing.*

For a breath, their gazes fused. Qingruo sensed pure innocence hidden deep within this girl’s seemingly fallen eyes.

*An angel cloaked in devil’s wings.*

Her lips—glistening, dewy, parted in breathless surrender—matched Qingruo’s memory of her stepping from a man’s room in lace nightgown last night. Now, under spring sunlight, every detail was clearer.

Yet something felt hidden beneath that surface. A secret clashing violently with appearances.

It drew Qingruo in.

"So even a guilty girl’s lips can be this beautiful? Even if they lied to me?"

Punishment was due.

Qingruo’s heartbeat thundered. Their faces hovered a breath apart.

An invisible thread of gravity pulled their lips closer—drawing near felt effortless; pulling away demanded strength.

They froze.

Fragrances of orchids and lilies mingled in the suspended air.

"Seems even lies can be beautiful," Qingruo murmured, raising slender fingers that radiated quiet command.

"Senior…" Tiyi sensed shifting tension. *Could this be my chance? Why must my hands stay bound behind this pillar whenever I face her?*

"But wrong is wrong. Beautiful lies aren’t forgiven." Qingruo’s gentle tone carried rare, beautiful firmness.

"Lies demand punishment." She leaned in, her warm breath shattering Tiyi’s hope. "Sacred Word: Shackles of Lies."

Qingruo’s radiant lips neared Tiyi’s—but delivered only chastisement.

Her palm opened. Holy light descended, Sacred Power coalescing into shimmering threads.

As the light touched Tiyi, searing energy surged through her. *No—my Witch body rejects holy power!*

She endured far worse pain than Qingruo imagined, biting back every cry. One slip meant ruin.

Crackle! Crackle! Crackle!

The Shackles of Lies lashed Tiyi’s body with holy current.

Her limbs turned numb—yet pain and shame drowned any sensation.

*Qingruo… do you know you’re punishing your own teacher?*

*Forget "teacher." I’m unworthy of that name before you now.*

*But why… why don’t I hate you for this?*

*Perhaps because I truly lied to you with these lips.*

When the holy current faded, Tiyi slumped against the pillar, bound hands straining to hold her up. Her flushed face trembled; breaths came in shallow gasps.

Watching Alandiye’s punished state, Qingruo’s own cheeks flushed—a faint, unconscious bloom.