The next morning, Loko didn’t take the usual route from the academy. She headed straight to the training ground.
The morning session was led by a veteran officer retired from the front lines. Since his expertise didn’t align with Loko’s, she simply sparred with Shilufei as usual.
For some reason, though, Loko felt Shilufei seemed a little off today—her energy noticeably dimmer than during their last match.
Time flew. After training, Shilufei and Loko walked out together.
“Loko, are you busy this afternoon?” Shilufei asked suddenly, walking beside her.
“Hm? Not really,” Loko replied, shaking her head.
“I feel my sword skills have slipped… Since you’re free, would you mind sparring again?”
“Ah… well…”
Loko wasn’t the diligent type. Hearing it was *extra* practice, she hesitated slightly.
“Not possible?” Shilufei’s voice carried a trace of disappointment.
Loko quickly shook her head. “It’s not that—I just…”
She remembered: Eve had asked to meet her at noon yesterday.
*Perfect excuse.*
“I’ve got plans at noon. How about after I get back?”
“Alright.” Shilufei didn’t press further or ask who she was seeing.
They walked a little longer before parting—Loko toward the commercial street, Shilufei to the dorms.
*First café at the street corner…*
Loko scanned the shops. A café caught her eye.
Just as she hesitated whether to enter, Eve’s voice sounded beside her.
“Standing here for what? Let’s go in and talk.”
Startled, Loko stepped sideways before turning.
Unlike yesterday, Eve wore a light, flowing dress—softer in appearance, yet the dissatisfaction in her gaze was unmistakable.
Inside, Eve chose a secluded booth. No one nearby. She glanced at the menu.
“You order first. This one’s on me.”
Polite, generous. Loko didn’t hold back—she picked the priciest set meal.
After the waiter took the menu, Eve looked squarely at Loko.
“Loko. The student council election plan—was that your idea for Miss Teresa?”
“Yes.” Loko nodded. She’d guessed why Eve called her here.
“Good.” Eve’s tone softened at the straightforward reply.
“Since we both serve the York Family, no need for pretense.” She paused.
“Straight question: Did your side have a hand in Francois and Augustine’s rebellion?”
Strangely, Loko’s meekness vanished. She straightened her back, meeting Eve’s eyes firmly.
“Senior Eve—you suspect we conspired with them?”
“A reasonable guess. Why else would they leave Miss Haya’s team?”
“Why *wouldn’t* it make sense? Miss Haya reigned supreme for three years. Miss Teresa will clearly control resources for the next three. This year was their best shot to turn the tables.”
“Their families’ ranks rival the Yorks. Breaking the York monopoly on the student council presidency? That’d prove their capability.”
Loko’s voice grew steadily serious.
“Miss Haya has no intent to betray the York Family—and neither do we. Senior Eve, you’re being overly sensitive.”
Eve was momentarily stunned, staring at the girl who’d seemed so timid seconds ago.
Loko, too, was surprised by her own instinctive defense of Teresa.
But the words were out. No taking them back.
“I’m sorry.”
After a long silence, Eve offered a sincere apology. “I overthought it.”
“Anything else, Senior Eve?”
“Mm.” Eve nodded.
“Yesterday, we both attended the royal banquet.”
Loko watched her quietly.
“That banquet wasn’t meant for people like us.”
“I don’t know how deeply Miss Teresa cares for you. But Miss Haya never wants to fall behind her. When she heard you were going, she brought me too.”
*Why mention this?* Loko wondered inwardly.
“Loko, understand the boundary between servant and master.”
“You and I can be friends—even close ones. But you and Miss Teresa? Me and Miss Haya? We can never be friends. Do you see?”
Eve spoke from the heart.
“Since you chose to support Miss Teresa, stand quietly behind her—not embarrass her in places like that.”
“Same for me.” She gave a wry, self-deprecating smile.
“You might not realize: the master-servant line doesn’t shift with kindness.”
“Miss Teresa may be gentle now. But if you accept every favor, your attitude toward her will change.”
“You’ll start wanting to overstep. To cross that line. Then—when a normal order comes, or even a harsh one—will you still obey?”
“And if you refuse… how do you think Miss Teresa will treat you?”
A chill shot down Loko’s spine. Goosebumps prickled her arms.
Eve was… partly right.
If she defied Teresa’s orders, would she end up like in her dream—Teresa’s “pet”?
“We’ve already been collared. The better we’re fed, the tighter it grows—until it chokes you.”
“Do you understand?”
“I do. But yesterday… I couldn’t refuse Miss Teresa.”
Exactly as Eve expected.
She couldn’t refuse Teresa. Just as Eve couldn’t refuse Haya.
When kindness arrives as a command, acceptance is the only choice.
“It’s fine. Just a warning.”
“Miss Haya won’t blindly copy Miss Teresa’s moves.”
Just then, the waiter delivered Loko’s meal.
Eve stood.
“Consider this compensation for your time—and for listening. And for yesterday… I apologize.”
She walked to the counter, paid, and left the café.
