Knock knock.

Someone rapped on the door, and it swung open.

True Dawn saw Cecile step inside. Outside stood Euphemia—a petite purple-haired girl in a black skirt, a red leather collar with a buckle around her neck, her face flushed.

"I have something to discuss with True Dawn alone. Is that alright?"

"Mm, I’ve finished talking with my sister. Go ahead," Euphemia replied.

She stepped aside and walked out. At the door, she added, "Take care of yourself until you’re fully healed."

"Okay!" True Dawn grinned mischievously and flashed a victory sign.

The door closed, leaving only True Dawn and Cecile.

"What did you want to talk about, Lady Cely?" True Dawn asked, smiling as she bit the fruit skewer her sister had just used.

"Are you fully recovered now?"

"Yes, thanks to the potion master you found, Lady Cely. She’s odd, but her skills are superb." True Dawn flexed her arms. "I’m healing really well!"

"That’s good..." Cecile nodded, relieved.

After a pause, she asked, "Miss True Dawn, would you like to become the Holy Maiden?"

"The Holy Maiden? Huh! So sudden?" True Dawn gasped, mouth agape.

"I think you’ve guessed I represent a major power. No need for roundabout talk."

True Dawn was the brains of their game; circling each other would waste time. Better to be direct. Besides, Cecile held Euphemia’s loyalty like a trump card—she could always play her "Sisterly Bond" move if needed.

"True. Someone like Potion Master Abathur isn’t hired by just anyone. I sense her pure devotion to research—she’s utterly genuine," True Dawn said, resting her chin on her hand with a soft chuckle.

"So which faction do you belong to, Lady Cely? Explain properly. You can’t trick me into being a powerless Holy Maiden figurehead."

"The Luminous Cathedral—a holy order devoted to God." Cecile’s face glowed with piety.

*Lying without flinching...* True Dawn’s smile stayed steady.

They locked eyes, neither showing weakness.

"Rest assured, Miss True Dawn. Even if the world’s strongest Pride Witch appeared, our Pope could protect you."

"We were once hidden. But after a century of witch tyranny, we emerged. When divine fire reduced our grand cathedral to ashes, we realized—we must walk this earth as God’s agents. To save lives. To let all bask in holy light."

"So I sincerely invite you—True Day Noah, pure as an angel—to join us. Become our Holy Maiden. Lead us to overthrow the witches. Spread God’s name across the land..."

Cecile extended her hand to the girl sitting up in bed.

True Dawn didn’t take it. Her clear blue eyes blinked.

"Mm, I get it. Lady Cely, lean closer? I have a secret."

"Oh? What is it?" Cecile leaned in, curious.

True Dawn suddenly wrapped her arms around Cecile’s neck. Her lips pressed against Cecile’s. Warmth flooded the witch’s upper lip; she opened her mouth without resistance.

But the girl’s bold move gained no ground.

The witch pulled True Dawn into a fierce, dominating kiss. Frail and inexperienced, True Dawn was quickly overwhelmed. Had Cecile not pulled back, she might have suffocated.

Panting against Cecile’s chest, True Dawn’s face burned crimson. She nuzzled the softness, inhaling Cecile’s faint, unique scent.

"Pfft. How are you so good at this, Lady Cely? I started first!" True Dawn pouted. Her mouth felt numb, thoroughly claimed.

Cecile rested her head beside True Dawn’s. "First strike doesn’t mean control. Like this, you’ll never take the lead from me."

*No way I’d let someone else dominate this. The initiator holds all power.*

"Mmph. You’re mean, Lady Cely. Can’t even comfort a girl..."

"Then... again?" Cecile looked down at the stubborn girl in her arms.

"Next time." True Dawn didn’t refuse.

Cecile smiled silently.

"That wasn’t your first kiss, was it?"

"Mm." Cecile nodded. *Annette probably had it.*

"But was it your first time being kissed first?"

Cecile frowned slightly.

True Dawn seized on it. "I knew it! You’ve never been kissed first! So I took your ‘first kiss’!"

"......" Cecile was speechless. *What kind of first kiss is that? She’s obsessed.*

"I’ll become your Holy Maiden. But promise me two things."

"Name them. I’ll do anything." Securing True Dawn was worth any cost.

"Treat my sister well. Don’t let her suffer."

"Impossible. She’s my maid—I’ll protect her." Cecile nodded firmly.

"Is that so..." True Dawn grinned slyly. Their foreheads touched.

"You don’t want me as Holy Maiden. You want my loyalty." True Dawn pointed to herself, smiling without hesitation. "I vow to serve Cecile von as my master. With unwavering loyalty!"

*True Day Noah’s Oath of Loyalty!*

Cecile hadn’t expected such sudden resolve. She laughed softly. "You saw through it?"

"Terrible acting, Master Pride Witch."

"I knew I couldn’t hide from you."

"My life was short anyway. You gave me a future—so I give you my life. My sister’s already pledged loyalty, naively. This ensures you trust me. As long as she stays loyal, so will I."

"I see you desire me... So I give you everything—my body, heart, loyalty. All but my sister. Only she remains mine."

"Someone must guard my sister’s sweet, naive heart. I trust no one else."

*A hopeless sister-devotee...* Cecile accepted True Dawn’s nature. But now she had both sisters’ oaths.

"You’re bold. But drop ‘Master.’ Call me Lady Cely. You’re the Luminous Cathedral’s Holy Maiden."

"As you wish, Lady Cely!" True Dawn beamed—then flushed, suddenly shy.

"One more thing... um..."

Even during their kiss, she hadn’t been this flustered. The blanket over her lower body shifted. A dip formed in the middle, trembling slightly.

"You’re my sister’s master, right?"

"Yes." No point hiding it—the collar proved it.

"As your... maid, she serves you. Doesn’t she?"

*‘Serving’ isn’t pouring tea. It’s bloody work on blades.* Cecile suspected True Dawn meant something else. Her eyes flicked to the heavy books nearby.

"Sister..." True Dawn whispered in Cecile’s ear. "Is still a virgin. I smelled her—no change."

Cecile nodded, frowning. Why such a private question? But the girl’s excitement was obvious.

"So you haven’t truly been with her yet... then, for her first time... I... I want to watch."

Cecile froze like lightning struck her. Realizing this secured True Dawn, she reluctantly nodded.

True Dawn trembled in her arms, face blazing red.

"Rest now. I’ll return later."

"Mm..." True Dawn nodded faintly, blushing.

After Cecile left and Euphemia briefly visited, silence filled the room.

True Dawn slipped a hand under the blanket. When she pulled it out, her fingers glistened with moisture.

"Ah... this is troublesome. How do I ask Sister Abathur for fresh clothes? Such a headache..."