"How could that be possible?! Th-this is absurd!"

Lilithia gave a faint, disdainful smile. "Believe it or not—it’s no concern of mine. Just a theory."

"Then... what proof do you have for saying that?"

"Try killing her yourself. See if she accepts death calmly or fights desperately. If she truly can reset everything? She might even thank you~"

The Holy Maiden’s expression revealed her deep discomfort with Lilithia’s words.

Truth be told, Lady Bernadette was undeniably beautiful—a type no one could easily dislike. Her flustered state only made her more tempting to tease.

Pity my tools of the trade were confiscated long ago. Otherwise, I’d gladly play the villain and steal Fiore’s spotlight.

Lilithia leaned across the table, her crimson pupils locking onto Bernadette’s. "So," she whispered, "shall we make a wager?"

A demonic girl luring others into the abyss.

Bernadette despised gambling—but when Lilithia proposed it, the words dripped with temptation. Her mind raced: *What if I actually bet with her?*

"Hiss—!" Steam erupted violently.

Lilithia straightened up. The water had boiled. Tea fragrance had already permeated the room unnoticed.

Only when Lilithia turned away did Bernadette gasp as if surfacing from deep water. Conversations with this girl always chilled her spine.

Lilithia placed a teacup before her. The black tea released an invigorating aroma. "Not expensive leaves. Adventurers paid me with this—rare, they claimed. I crushed it, mixed in other ingredients, made tea bags. Quite tasty."

Her poise was serene—utterly unlike the girl who’d just spoken terrifying words. She sipped delicately, savoring it.

An ordinary flower-season maiden. No trace remained of the woman who toyed with blood and hearts.

This ease relaxed Bernadette.

She tasted the tea. Its unique flavor soothed her body and mind.

"Oh, almost forgot—the seasoning includes dried insects."

"... ..."

"And I added a few drops of monster blood. That beast’s blood has exquisite flavor."

Had Bernadette’s manners been poorer, she’d have taken Lilithia out right then. But her upbringing held firm.

Besides, the tea *was* delicious.

She set the cup down, refusing another sip. Delicious or not.

Lilithia was like an uncle who enjoys teasing schoolgirls—relishing their flustered reactions. That’s exactly her mood now.

After all, the Holy Maiden *was* an adorable beauty.

Teasing her was fun. Her reactions were delightful—though it was a shame Fiore didn’t like her. Lilithia felt oddly regretful.

*But that’s also Fiore’s charm. He values inner light over beauty. Could I... actually be noble inside?*

A flicker of pride swelled within her.

Finally, Lilithia dropped the act. "I meant what I said. Test her. If you can’t manage it, bring her to me. I’ll help." She paused. "But I’m curious—if she truly holds this power to reset everything... what will *you* do? Will you submit entirely to her will? Follow ‘fate’s’ script?"

...

Silence thickened. Lilithia didn’t press. She sipped her tea, waiting.

"And what would *you* do," Bernadette deflected, "if you’d lived through this many times?"

"I don’t know if the world resets. But I’ll live by *my* will. She calls it ‘correct fate’? ‘The right answer’? So what? I won’t do what I don’t believe in. I’m a selfish, petty creature. I won’t dance to anyone’s tune—not yours, not anyone’s."

Her words carried hidden weight.

But Bernadette wasn’t listening for that. She wondered instead: *How can Lilithia choose so freely?*

"Don’t you ever... waver?"

"Waver? Why? Fear a tragic end if I refuse? Worry the world collapses if I disobey? So what? I only care that I die without regrets. That’s all."

Bernadette drained her cup and stood. "My thanks again." A decision hardened in her eyes.

"Call for help when you must. He may seem to dislike you—but if you truly ask, he’ll answer."

The Holy Maiden’s shoulders tensed. She didn’t turn back.

Lilithia shook her head. *She’s walking straight to her doom.* If that little girl was truly as Lilithia suspected, Bernadette would drown in darkness.

But this was the plot Lilithia wanted. Use this chance to push Fiore into action. Complete the Holy Maiden route. That was her plan.

Though Bernadette’s affection for Fiore was likely deep enough already—Lilithia doubted it was *love*. Not yet.

*Where do I stand?*

By her own theory, she’d be the sixth or seventh female lead. Fiore claimed to love her now—but love shifts like sand. What if he discovered her vicious nature after they got together?

She’d never hidden it from him.

Yet Fiore was special. To him alone, Lilithia offered tenderness. To him alone, her heart was bare. Others received none of this.

*If he sees how I treat others... will he be disappointed?* He was Fiore, after all.

That kind man who helps strangers without hesitation.

He belonged with the heroine. Call her foolish—but choosing the harder path felt right. Submitting to Fiore’s will would make survival easy.

She could pretend. Become the girl he’d love. She knew exactly what he desired. Knew how to capture his heart. But it wouldn’t be *her*.

She wouldn’t deny him anything. As she always told him: if he ever wanted her, she wouldn’t resist—she’d welcome him.

She wanted to soothe his soul. She wasn’t his sun—but she could be his shadow. Let him pour his darkness into her. Listen to his sorrows. Play with him when he’s low. Share his joys. That’s what true friends do.

*What a fool I am...*

*Hope I won’t regret this...* For the first time, Lilithia doubted a choice she’d made.

Would she someday think: *If only I’d chosen differently?*

Her brow furrowed. Fingers tugged at her hair.

*Isn’t this regret already?* When you fear regretting a choice... you’re already regretting it. True conviction never wavers like this.

Restlessness clawed at her.

She should be studying magic. Brewing potions. Crafting gear. So much to learn. Yet her thoughts spun.

*If Fiore and Bernadette end up together... where does that leave me?*

And Fiore—he said he loved *her*. Would chasing Bernadette’s route make him a flirt?

Of course Bernadette was stunning. Even Lilithia couldn’t swear she’d stay faithful faced with such beauty... A girl like that, confessing earnestly? It’d melt any heart.

Lilithia flopped onto her bed, hugging her pillow fiercely.

Thankfully, it was soft. Or she’d have strangled the life out of it.

She loosened her grip, pulled open her robe. Slender fingers traced the golden tracery on her abdomen. "This thing... it’s influencing me," she murmured. "Like Demonfolk loyal to the Demon King. Fiore’s blood flows in me. Of course I’d feel loyalty. Of course I’d... love him. It *should* be that simple."

She wouldn’t lie to Fiore.

But she’d lie to herself.