Alice and Emma appeared one after another.

They pushed through thick bushes, emerging from the dark, lightless snow-pine forest. Their faces looked deeply uneasy.

“H-hello!”

Emma spoke first to Lenna, who lounged sideways on the bench.

Lenna didn’t respond. She only buried her face deeper into the soft lap pillow, savoring the service from the Empire’s top idol.

“If you’ve got business, spit it out,” Angela cut in, sensing their discomfort. “Stop dawdling—must I start first?”

Alice reacted fast. “For the upcoming Holy Maiden election, can we serve by your side, Angela? Ah—I mean, we desperately need a strong protector. Senior Lenna is perfect…”

She addressed Lenna while justifying her betrayal to Angela.

To boost credibility, Alice had smeared blood and mud across her face, as if she’d hacked through thorns to get here.

“Catherine’s been too aggressive chasing the Holy Maiden title. We fear it’ll destroy her, so we tried to escape early. But… well, you see the result.”

Alice clutched her bleeding arm, swaying unsteadily with Emma’s support.

“A few days ago, Angela’s pet white dragon was cursed by necromantic magic. Catherine hired a fourth-tier Necromancer to strike from afar, aiming to break your spirit. Emma and I witnessed it.”

Alice’s performance was so heartfelt, Angela almost wanted to hand her a tiny golden trophy.

“Sorry, I can’t decide that yet,” Angela shook her head. “But do you recall that Necromancer?”

“Yes!” Alice’s eyes lit up. “We have his address and contact.”

“Tell me.”

“Well…” Emma hesitated, glancing at Alice.

Angela dangled bait: “If it’s accurate, I might convince Lenna to let you bask in Falmouth’s glory and… survive.”

Nobodies destined for obscurity cared little whether their shelter was rubble or a roof. If it leaked, they’d move. If unbreakable, they’d stay.

“Thank you!” Alice yanked Emma to bow.

“Don’t thank me.” Angela raised a hand, like a secretary tidying a CEO’s mess. “Just spill everything. Then you’re dismissed…”

The unspoken rule: don’t interrupt her date with Lenna. They had to keep up appearances. After all, they were out—and third wheels annoyed everyone, everywhere.

“Understood.”

Alice spilled every detail without holding back. Her betrayal speed rivaled a rocket launch, startling even Angela.

She glanced at Lenna. Eyes closed, seemingly napping, unaware of their talk.

“Your memory’s sharp,” Angela murmured. “Remembering so many hidden details…”

“More capital, more self-protection.”

Simple words. But Angela wondered: would they sell her and Lenna out the same way?

Caution. This was Lenna’s test—and her chance to earn trust.

A bright future beckoned!

Effort! Struggle! Go, Angela! You’ve got this!

She took a deep breath. “Can you still contact that Necromancer?”

“He lives in the Fran Black Market. Short on cash, taking odd jobs. Enough payment, and he’ll bite…” Alice trailed off, half-answering, half-worrying about fallout. “You planning to move against him?”

Hearing the doubt, Angela knew their fate. Traitors stayed traitors. Ungrateful wolves never tamed.

If she were Lenna? Never let them join Falmouth. A live bomb beside you, always fearing betrayal—too costly.

What would Lenna do…?

A gray tyrant flashed in her mind.

“Here’s the deal,” Angela said smoothly. “Go back, write a detailed report. We meet tomorrow. Fair?”

“Absolutely!” Alice agreed instantly.

Angela flashed her signature sweet smile. “Settled then. Tomorrow—no excuses.”

…

Alice and Emma vanished into the distance.

Lenna stirred awake, as if she’d slept deeply—or not at all.

“You’ve got one-tenth of my cunning. Learning fast, kitten.”

“Who learned from you!” Angela shot back. “I just pictured what you’d do. You’re a bone-swallowing snake—exploiting everyone!”

“I expected harsher insults.”

Lenna sat up from Angela’s lap. Her gray hair stretched taut, strands snagged between her thighs under the nun’s robe. A sharp tug made her wince.

“Is that all? Hiss—ah!”

“Karma’s sweet, huh? Hehe.” Angela delayed releasing her thighs by a second, grinning.

Watching Lenna fluster eased yesterday’s sting.

But before fury sparked, Angela soothed: “You said ‘act the part.’ I cooperated…”

“Those nobodies—important?” Angela pressed. “Plain faces, average talent. Or fishing for bigger prey?”

Her sharp mind listed Lenna’s possible motives, discarding each.

“Sometimes you seem to foresee the future. Got astrology talent?”

Lenna nearly choked laughing. “You’ll understand later. Just obey me. I’ll make you Holy Maiden—that’s the contract. Didn’t you read it?”

“I…” Angela hadn’t. Desperate to save her dragon, she’d signed blindly. Regret hit hard.

“Anyway—we’re allies now. I’ll fix your reputation. You stop bullying me. No contracts. Just… gentlemen’s word.”

“Who’s the gentleman? You? Or me?” Lenna teased lightly.

“Don’t be childish!” Angela hopped up, hands on hips. Her stage energy surged back—the mic-wielding idol facing loyal fans…

“I’m serious, Lenna.” She crouched close, voice soft.

Lenna rested a hand on her forehead, smiling without looking up. “I’m serious too, kitten. Call me ‘master’ first. Then plead nicely.”

“M-master…” Angela flushed with anger.

“Hmm?”

“Jerk! I can’t stand you! Master!”

“Hahaha! Cuter tone. Pretend I’m your fan. Where’s that idol charm?”

Silence hung.

Then:

“Master ❤~ suki ❤~ daisuki ❤~”