At first, Loko was simply curious why Shilufei was still asleep. But the moment she stepped into the room and saw the girl’s sweet, peaceful face, she froze—captivated.

Shilufei seemed to lack security even in sleep, curled tightly into herself.

Thinking of her troubled past, the posture suddenly made perfect sense.

Yet, as if dreaming something joyful, she slept not only soundly but with a faint, happy warmth radiating from her.

Loko crouched by the bedside, gaze level with Shilufei’s.

A quiet thought surfaced: *I could watch her like this for a long, long time.*

She felt a flicker of awkwardness—but then remembered her role.

As a spy, wasn’t learning Shilufei’s habits only natural?

Besides, Shilufei had already learned so much about *her* last night. What was a little observation today?

Loko waited, half-expecting an awkward toss or muttered dreamwords.

But Shilufei remained perfectly still.

As noon approached, sunlight streamed through the window, gilding Shilufei’s golden hair.

Like a storybook Sleeping Beauty, her long lashes fluttered slightly—then her eyes opened.

The first thing she saw was Loko’s curious face right before her.

Startled, she jerked backward, stiffened, and tumbled off the far side of the bed with a sharp, pained hiss.

“Hiss…”

Loko hadn’t expected such a reaction. She tried to stand—but legs numb from crouching protested sharply, forcing her back down.

As feeling slowly returned, Shilufei blinked, taking in the sunlit room, then Loko’s worried face across the bed. She exhaled in relief.

She’d feared betrayal upon waking—another nightmare. But seeing no weapon, no advance, tension eased.

Rubbing her sore waist, she spoke with a hint of complaint:

“Loko… what are you *doing*? You scared me half to death.”

Loko’s cute face instantly crumpled with hurt.

“I… I woke and didn’t see you. You always rise early, so I borrowed the key to check… and then—"

Shilufei rubbed her temples.

This was the first time she’d faced Loko un-groomed—her usual liveliness softened into sleepy, disheveled charm.

“I see.”

She understood. After all, *she’d* been so tense last night she didn’t sleep till dawn.

Loko stepped closer, guiding Shilufei back onto the bed.

The brief brush of skin sent Loko flustered.

“Wait—were your legs asleep? How long *have* you been crouching here?”

“W-well… not that long?” Loko glanced at the clock. “I came around ten…”

“So… an hour and a half?”

Shilufei’s head turned slowly, robot-like. Her gaze held undisguised astonishment—even Loko read it clearly.

*How bored must someone be to watch me sleep that long?*

More sharply: *I was completely defenseless for a full hour?!*

Her shock wasn’t just at Loko’s boredom—but at her own lowered guard.

“U-um… but you slept peacefully! No mumbling, no awkward poses…”

Shilufei sensed a trace of disappointment in Loko’s tone.

*Did she… hope I’d embarrass myself? Why?*

A thought struck her. *Is she holding a grudge over last night?*

*But it was her father rambling—I was just a bystander!*

Shilufei nearly cried out in injustice.

“Miss Loko, Miss Shilufei—lunch is ready.”

The maid’s voice dissolved the tension.

“Um… I’ll go down first. No rush,” Loko murmured, slipping hastily out.

Shilufei stared at the closed door, expression unreadable.

*Should I… dare to place my fragile trust in her?*

…

“Milady.”

At the York estate, Eve followed Haya in a crisp maid uniform.

Though noble-born herself, she wore it whenever beside Haya outside school—a deliberate defiance of convention.

Elegant as it was, nobles saw only servant’s garb. But Eve cherished the contrast.

“The temporary fourth-year candidates were finalized yesterday. They’re thrilled and pledged full support. The roster’s submitted.”

“Well done.”

Haya nodded, voice devoid of warmth.

A contingency plan—no one foresaw betrayal at the final hour.

“And for tonight’s royal banquet, your attire is chosen. It won’t overshadow Her Highness.”

“Acceptable.”

This time, a lighter note touched Haya’s tone.

“Will you join me inside this time? Or wait outside?”

“As always.” Eve answered without pause.

Her role: wait beyond the hall doors, enter only if needed, escort Haya home after.

“But I heard Teresa is bringing *that* Loko.”

Eve’s steps faltered—then quickened to keep pace.

“She misunderstands etiquette. Miss Teresa was likely polite; Loko took it literally.”

“Etiquette… hardly matters. With your viscount status, you *could* attend.”

“I refuse… to let Teresa outshine me. You understand?”

“…Thank you for your consideration, Milady.”