Watching Larry sit upright and proper, Mika snorted with laughter. "You're still the same as when we first met, Larry."

"Well, it's a girl's room. It'd be rude to wander around," Larry replied.

His textbook answer might charm a stranger, but it only deflated Mika.

Though they'd become partners since their first meeting, Larry kept a strict boundary in private—never overstepping.

His behavior had once made Mika doubt her own appeal.

But lately, she felt she'd uncovered the 'truth'.

Larry already had a fiancée; that cursed Rayaf just never mentioned it. Larry was proving his loyalty through action.

Understanding this, Mika felt a pang. She wasn't one to interfere when hearts were taken. If Alicia were hateful, it'd be different—but after time together, Alicia's flawless behavior made her impossible to dislike.

Mika opened her mouth, then mustered courage. "Have you never felt even a flicker of attraction to me or the others?"

Larry paused slightly. After deep thought, he replied earnestly, "To say no would be a lie. You're all stunning. Physically, I felt a flicker—that's just instinct, a possessive urge. But I want more. I seek a kindred spirit."

Mika couldn't help but ask, "What does your perfect partner look like?"

Larry considered briefly. "Top-tier looks. Open-minded, optimistic personality. Shared interests. No petty tantrums or forcing me to do things I hate. Domestically skilled. No yandere tendencies. Respectful to parents. Ideally, well-matched families with parental approval—not out of snobbery, but to avoid trouble. Aligned values mean fewer conflicts... That's it. Not too much."

His standards were perfect—so perfect Mika realized she fell short. Her looks and personality might fit, but shared interests? They rarely had common ground. She loved weapons and martial arts; Larry found them boring. Domestically skilled? She was hopeless.

"Of course, this is ideal. I don't expect all, but everything before 'well-matched families' must be met."

Larry was hunting a dream lover.

Mika sighed. "Now I understand your devotion to Alicia. She must be that perfect partner."

"Huh?" Larry frowned. They were pretending to be engaged, but it was just an act to escape his predicament. His earlier lecherous jokes felt like banter with a friend—he'd never seriously considered Alicia as a match. But Mika's words made him fall into deep thought.

Elsewhere, Alicia had no clue someone's thoughts were spiraling into depravity.

Wrapped in a bath towel, she slowly approached the room Bruno had indicated. His head guard waited outside.

He watched her come—her posture radiating allure. The towel covered her tightly, but its sway revealed smooth, pale legs and snow-white shoulders.

The guard's mouth went dry. He forced composure. "If I find you doing anything improper to His Highness—"

"Move aside. I'm freezing in this," Alicia cut in.

Her arrogance infuriated him, but as Bruno's chosen companion, he swallowed his humiliation. *Hmph. Once the prince tires of you, woman, you'll pay.*

Ignoring his hateful glare, Alicia swaggered inside.

"My beauty, you've arrived!" Bruno called. He'd changed into loose pajamas and popped some "health-boosting" pills, ready to "bond." Heat surged through him as he saw her. Naturally, he assumed she was naked under the towel—like everyone else who'd seen her walk over.

Alicia smiled seductively. "Don't rush." She tossed the towel aside. Bruno eagerly looked—only to see a tight, all-black bodysuit. It looked latex-like and revealing, yet covered everything perfectly. Unlike beachwear, on her, it gave off a domineering aura—an indescribable vibe.

"Wait a moment." Alicia pulled a small, dome-topped spire from thin air and placed it down.

Bruno asked, "What's that?"

"A soundproof Barrier emitter. Whatever we do inside, no one outside will hear."

Bruno sensed trouble. This woman wasn't here to serve him.

Sure enough, Alicia pulled out item after item: a whip, silver needles of various lengths, ***, candles, even a fire poker glowing red-hot... Things he'd seen and unseen, all laid out.

Alicia clapped. "I might have overpacked. For your case, you'll confess everything before we use half this."

Bruno was certain now—she wasn't here to please him. Terrified, he bolted for the door, but Alicia effortlessly grabbed and tossed him onto the bed.

"Hahaha! Boy, be grateful! Feel honored! Under the wise counsel of the great Demon Overlord Mitchell, Lady Alicia has chosen to bestow this upon you!"

To Bruno's horror, a charred stick-like object flew before him, emitting demonic laughter. *Was he having a nightmare?!*

Alicia stared speechlessly at the pile. "No sane person would think these are good things. Teach me how to use them. I've seen doujinshi from my past life, but never actually used any." Mitchell knew of worlds beyond this one and had long seen through her soul's origin, so "past life" meant nothing to him.

"No problem, my dear lady! I'm honored to train a Queen! Promise to use these on me later—all my treasures!"

Alicia silently glanced at the tools—all from Mitchell's private stash. He claimed this was less than one percent of his collection. After a pause, she reluctantly said, "I'll... try..."

"Ooooh! Celebrate the birth of Queen Alicia! Ooooh!"

Alicia still couldn't grasp Mitchell's excitement. Hopefully, she never would. *So this was a Demon Overlord? What a player.*

"Miss! Granny, spare me! I beg you!" Bruno sobbed, clinging to Alicia's leg. The boy was terrified—and getting snot on her was disgusting.

Alicia showed no mercy, kicking him onto the bed. A wicked smile curled her lips. "Call me Queen!"