For Bruno, the time that followed would haunt him forever.

As for Alicia...

"Are you sure this is SM, not straight-up torture?"

Alicia disgustedly tossed the prop aside. In sharp black heels, she stepped on Bruno’s head and turned to Mitchell. "Mitchell, your toys aren’t just props. That whip? Thorns sprout when swung—piercing skin and oozing pepper-spray liquid to double the pain. The candle wax? It doesn’t sting once; it burns in waves. And... ugh. Is this some interdimensional hall of horrors?"

"Honorable lady!" Mitchell squeaked. "‘Torture’ sounds awful! I tested every item myself—felt the effects firsthand before adding them to my collection. Sigh... this boy’s too green. I rushed him. Should’ve started gentler."

Alicia sighed. "...I’ll thank you for him. But we got what we needed. Time to bail."

She tucked a blanket over the unconscious Bruno, leaving only his untouched head exposed. Draping her pristine bath towel over her shoulders, she paused at the door. Turning back, she tweaked Bruno’s mouth into a grin. Satisfied, she swaggered out.

The guard captain peeked inside. Seeing Bruno asleep with a blissful smile, he relaxed. Coldly, he snapped, "Where to?"

"Home," Alicia shot back, glaring. "The prince said he’ll take me to the palace when he returns. After that, I’m your boss. Mind your tone."

She strutted off, leaving the guard seething.

Back in Larry’s room, Alicia found him frozen in a Thinker pose, brow furrowed.

"What’s eating you?" she asked casually.

Larry jolted, flustered. "N-nothing!"

(He couldn’t admit he’d been calculating how to marry her.)

"Did you squeeze Daisy’s intel from Bruno?"

"Who do you think I am?" Alicia smirked. "I even got how many times his dad ‘exercises’ daily."

"Wait—why ask that?" Larry edged away, eyes wide. "Have you become a ** obsessed with middle-aged uncles?"

Alicia loomed over him, dangerous. "He babbled after my ‘training.’ And if I were a **? I’d dry you into jerky tomorrow, then sell your bits as medicine."

"Terrifying," Larry deadpanned. "Daisy’s status?"

"Not found. But rumors place her in the Sega Highlands."

"We heading there?"

"Wrong. You’re going." Alicia traced a finger from Sega Highlands to the far edge of Danka Kingdom on a map. "You’ll impersonate Daisy and stir chaos here. Mika and I report you—collect bounty and draw their heat. Handle the rest yourself. Brilliant, right?"

Larry stared. "...The only ‘brilliant’ part is selling me out."

"Maximizing advantages!" Alicia cackled. "I can’t wait to see the army’s faces—expecting a soft, pushover girl, but finding a terrifying muscle Barbie instead! You’ll solo their whole force. Chin up—you take the hit this time. I owe you a favor. My word’s gold."

"A favor?!" Larry’s eyes lit up. He grinned. "Deal."

His eagerness unnerved Alicia. "What favor?"

"Not decided yet."

Suspicion flared. "Don’t scheme anything. Or my forty-meter saber drops on you."

"Sure, sure. Let’s go—we can’t stay here." Larry grabbed her hand.

Alicia frowned. "True. Bruno won’t wake easily after... that."

Larry froze. "Tell me exactly what happened."

She recounted everything.

Larry released her hand, stepping back slowly. "All these years... you hid being a pervert! Did you approach me with ulterior motives?"

Alicia: (≖_≖)

"Yes! I planned to drug you, ship you to a country to turn you female, then feed you milk in my basement! Stop staring—it was Mitchell’s idea! I used it reluctantly to extract intel!"

Larry’s gaze dropped. "The tools?"

"His private stash! I’m useless beyond enhancement, support, and defense magic. Spatial storage needs master-level skill! I’m innocent!"

Larry exhaled sharply. "Oh. Good."

Alicia narrowed her eyes. He hadn’t been joking earlier—he’d been probing. "What happened while I was out?"

"Nothing. Just chatted with Mika."

"About?"

"Are you my mom? Wait—don’t pull that whip! She... accepted reality. Said we’re too close, she had no chance, and then—"

"And then?" Alicia leaned in.

"She confessed."

"What? She confessed knowing she’d lose?"

"She wanted closure. Gathered courage to confess, then got my clear rejection."

"You rejected her?"

"Of course."

Alicia facepalmed against the wall. "You oblivious straight guy! How’d Mika react?"

"Too blunt, maybe. She looked ready to cry—then kicked me out." Larry sighed. "I had to! My hesitation made them chase me. It took guts to say those words! You know I’m always gentle with girls unless they’re unreasonable—"

"Enough. Stay put. I’ll check on Mika. Quick."

Alicia dumped her clueless friend in the room and dashed to her own.