When Cecile stepped out of True Dawn's room,

outside, the tall and short figures were staring wide-eyed at each other, sizing one another up.

Both were clearly wary.

Almost simultaneously, their gazes snapped to Cecile.

"What are you two gawking at?"

"Who is she?" they asked, pointing at each other.

"First, we need a better place to talk," Cecile said, snapping her fingers.

A teleportation vortex swirled open before them.

Holding Euphemia on her left and leading Winnie on her right,

Cecile walked into the vortex.

...

The moment they emerged, someone pounced onto Cecile's back.

"Welcome back, Mom!" Helena chirped, clinging playfully.

"Mom... welcome back," Imoxiu murmured softly. She’d wanted to show warmth too, but held back—unlike Helena’s pure joy.

She feared Cecile’s kindness was just a whim.

Then her eyes landed on the purple-haired girl beside Cecile—hair just like her own—and alarm bells blared in her head.

An ordinary girl would’ve sparked mere curiosity.

But purple hair? Especially on someone so arrogant? She was hypersensitive to it.

That look mirrored her past self too closely.

Was Mom replacing her as Witch Heir due to low talent?

Imoxiu stared unblinkingly at the girl.

"Meet your new sister: apprentice Witch Winnie—"

Just as I thought!

Imoxiu clenched her fists silently.

Mom found another Witch Heir...

She vowed to do something spectacular, to make Mom proud.

She’d keep the Witch Heir title—no matter what!

"Apprentice Witch? Then I’m irrelevant," Euphemia muttered, numb to the word "Witch."

She turned to leave but froze, remembering the collar around her neck.

Glancing at the chain still gripped by Cecile, Euphemia blushed. "Master... could you let go?"

Oops—she’d forgotten the chain, gotten carried away.

Cecile tilted her head, smiling. "Is that how you address your master?"

Euphemia dropped to her knees naturally, face flushed, rubbing against Cecile’s leg. "Master, please~"

Click! The chain detached from the collar.

Euphemia stood, eyeing the collar, then Cecile.

Flustered beyond words, she turned away.

"Don’t remove it," Cecile warned, "or face the consequences."

Euphemia nodded, hurrying toward the door like a rabbit fleeing danger.

Cecile watched her retreat.

Beside her, Winnie stared in wide-eyed shock.

Winnie realized she’d badly misjudged Cecile, her former Witch Heir.

Cecile’s nature was far more wicked than her own...

And far more meticulous.

Her control over subordinates was ironclad.

Winnie saw no trace of Arrogance on her—almost as if untouched by the Authority.

Yet she could sense the Authority of Arrogance pulsing within Cecile.

Cecile nudged Winnie forward.

"Meet your older sisters."

"Mother, don’t insult me by making me call these brats—" Winnie crossed her arms, scowling.

But Cecile, eyes crinkled in a smile, produced a ruler from thin air.

Winnie’s face flushed crimson.

A tingling warmth spread across her backside.

"Do you accept?" Cecile flicked the ruler.

"You know I don’t force anyone. This is voluntary. Stay silent if you like—but then you’ll do math problems."

"After all, I’m no demon."

Winnie gritted her teeth, cheeks burning. "Hello, older sisters!"

Yes, she could stay silent. Then what?

Endure another humiliating spanking until she spoke?

This was pure coercion!

But Winnie swallowed her pride.

A spanking hurt worse than death.

After three thousand years alive, she’d been spanked by someone barely a millennium old...

Losing an arm was preferable to that shame. Never again!

Her Pride-fueled dignity demanded defiance unto death.

"A new sister?" Helena leaned forward, peering down at Winnie. "I’m Helena, your big sister!"

So wise... Winnie thought dryly, watching Helena’s goofy grin.

The ruler flicked again in her ear.

Winnie glared at Cecile. "Hello, Sister Helena!"

"Little sister Winnie! Hehe~ Helena’s a big sister again! Helena’s so happy!"

Winnie’s lips twitched slightly. Truly brilliant. Where had her rebellious disciple found this fool?

Her gaze shifted to the purple bob-cut hair—and understanding dawned.

"Imoxiu, the Witch Heir."

Hearing "Mother," hope flared in Imoxiu’s chest.

She’d called Cecile that once too.

Winnie clearly ranked lower in Mom’s heart.

She still had a chance.

"Hello, Sister Imoxiu!"

That awful glare—she sees me as a rival, Winnie realized instantly.

Of course. Purple hair marked every Pride Witch.

Some ancient Pride Witch’s whim had made it tradition—even for Witch Heirs.

But Winnie ignored brats like this.

The gap between Witch and Witch Heir was unfathomable without experience.

Back then, only Winnie’s grave injuries let Cecile usurp her.

Talent aside, a Witch was a Witch; a Witch Heir was just an heir.

Only Cecile here could rival her.

Winnie’s eyes locked on Cecile—and the ruler deliberately shifted closer.

Fury surged.

Damn it! She couldn’t fight back.

She couldn’t disobey a single word.

Knock knock knock.

"Enter."

Head maid Aileen entered, arms full of documents.

"Master, when to review the Demon Hunt reports? Shengen Kingdom’s resolution is here—please approve. Urgent matters too: the Luminous Cathedral personnel list centered on Miss True Day Noah..."

Her gaze swept the room—and snagged on Winnie.

Papers scattered as she dropped them.

Staring in disbelief, she whispered, "Lady Edwinnie Witch..."

Winnie turned her head away.

"You’re mistaken. I’m apprentice Witch Winnie, Mother’s disciple."