No one disturbed Sophia again. She slept until sunlight streamed through the window and warmed her skin. Only then did she slowly open her eyes.

She rubbed her sleepy eyes, stretched with a soft yawn. Bathed in pale golden dawn light, her graceful figure unfolded—delicate features like a fairy from legend.

Yet no one witnessed this beauty. Sophia sat up, slipped back into her black robe.

"Good morning!"

The moment she stepped outside, two bandits emerged from either side of the door, bowing stiffly.

Their polite words and forced gentlemanly gestures were visibly awkward—clearly not their usual style. Sophia didn’t mind. She even understood their clumsy attempt to appear refined before a lady.

Still, a faint wave of disgust stirred within her.

"Respected Lady Magician, breakfast is ready for you," one bandit murmured, head bowed, holding out a food box. A warm aroma drifted from within.

Sophia nodded silently, took the box, returned to her room, and closed the door firmly.

She didn’t eat right away. Pressing her ear to the wood, she listened.

"Bro, when’s the boss gonna claim this little beauty? I’m waiting till he’s done so we can have our turn. One look earlier and I—"

"Shh! Keep it down… Boss said treat her well these days. He’s stressed about Regan Empire patrols. Once they move on, he’ll take his turn."

"Whatever. Just keep watch. Don’t stare. Boss finds out? You’ll be fed to the beasts."

"Hehe… Relax. She’ll be ours soon enough. We can wait."

Shrill, nauseating laughter followed.

Sophia straightened, set the box on the table, and began eating slowly.

The bandit boss had spared no effort: eggs, toasted bread, fresh milk—a luxury for men who usually choked down stale black bread.

"Hey. Did you expect this?" An slipped from Sophia’s wrist, shifting back into a small cat and curling atop the table. Vertical pupils gleamed with amusement.

Sophia glanced at him. "Which part? That they wouldn’t move against me yet… or that they’d bring milk and bread?"

"The former."

"No."

"Hm?" An blinked, startled.

If she hadn’t predicted it, why had she remained so calm all along?

"Aren’t you afraid they might actually hurt you?"

"They can’t."

"...Right." An remembered—this "little princess" was no helpless mage.

Give her a sword, and she could slaughter every bandit in camp.

"Now I can rest peacefully. Once the soldiers leave, the boss will 'inform' me himself."

As she finished speaking, breakfast ended too. She licked a stray drop of milk from her lip. Her aquamarine eyes stayed cold.

An felt a flicker of pity for the bandits—especially their leader.

The moment he came to "notify" her would be the moment his soul met Death.

To avoid trouble, An reshaped into a bracelet and fastened around her wrist.

Days passed exactly as Sophia foresaw—quiet, uneventful.

Each morning held only one question: what to eat after waking. Even strolls outside came with silent escorts.

Had she ignored the occasional leering glances—disgusting, hungry—they might have fooled her into believing the empire still stood.

A full week drifted by.

At dawn, loud thumping shook her door.

"Hmph. Here we are," Sophia murmured, eyes opening. Sleep still lingered in her gaze, but cold clarity had already returned.

She donned her black robe and opened the door.

A towering figure lunged in. Steel-like hands shot toward her.

Sophia nimbly stepped back, avoiding his grasp. She watched him freeze, expression calm.

"U-um… Sir Bandit? Is… is something wrong?" She widened her eyes, voice trembling slightly—lively eyes shimmering with feigned fear, like a startled fawn.

The bandit leader’s pulse quickened. Her faint, sweet fragrance coiled around his restraint.

"Ahem… Lady Magician. The Regan Empire soldiers have withdrawn. So…"

"So I may leave? Oh, thank you *so* much for telling me personally! Hehe~" Sophia cut in, beaming with innocent delight. Her crystal-clear gaze shone upon him.

Seeing her purity, he burned to stain this little fairy—to claim every inch of her.

But he clung to ceremony. Nobles bathed before feasts. This delicacy deserved the same reverence. No rush to ruin the moment.

"Of course—you may leave anytime. However…"

"Mm? Is something troubling you, Sir Bandit?" Sophia tilted her head, concern softening her features, as if genuinely worried her departure might burden him.

The bandit leader grinned. "Well… you’ve seen how we live. Stale black bread even peasants choke on."

"But *I* took the liberty of serving you milk and toast. As our guest… some brothers feel… discontent."

"Oh… what can I offer to compensate? I gave all my coins already… Wait!" Her eyes lit up. "My wand! My academy teacher said it’s worth at least ten gold coins!"