The tattered clothes slid slowly downward. Liang Lin caught a fleeting glimpse of Liang Di’s bare skin—and in an instant, her face flushed crimson, as if blood might drip.

Liang Di gently cupped Liang Lin’s face. “Outside, I said I didn’t want our first kiss to be so rushed. But now… we’re in my room. We can take our time. Feel each other’s warmth…”

Liang Lin raised an arm to block her, turning her head away. “Hey…! What’s the difference between this and forcing me?”

No reply. Only firm fingers gripping Liang Lin’s chin, turning her face back.

Tentacles coiled around Liang Lin’s restless wrists, lifting her hands above her head. Liang Di settled onto her struggling legs, fingers tracing Liang Lin’s slender waist, tilting her chin up, leaning in slowly.

A soft, tingling warmth brushed Liang Lin’s lips. A jolt shot through her body. Her eyes flew wide. Breath hitched. Frozen.

No—wait. Was her first kiss really…?

Wrong!

Why was her very first kiss being given away so carelessly?! Panic flickered in Liang Lin’s chest. Struggling was useless. The tentacles held like iron clamps. No matter how she twisted or pounded, not an inch of freedom.

Liang Di carried a bewitching scent. The closer, the longer she breathed it in, the more strange illusions swirled in Liang Lin’s mind. Now, pressed flush—lips entwined—Liang Di was anything but gentle. This wasn’t just a touch. She hungered to take everything.

“Mmm…”

Liang Lin swore she never meant to make that sound. Yet it slipped out, shame flooding her. Why… did a hint of pleasure flicker beneath the resistance? Was this… okay?

Deeper now. Her back cold against the wall; the body in her arms warm, soft. The contrast sent a strange, intoxicating shiver through her—a pleasure both forbidden and thrilling.

Breathing turned ragged. Her mind blanked, starved of air. A total newbie, she didn’t know how to breathe. Panting, wanting to speak, to curse—but no words came.

She’d meant to bite Liang Di’s lip. But pinched cheeks slowed the motion, made it clumsy. Even the bite felt like reluctant surrender.

Truth was, Liang Di was new too. First time with another girl. Maybe instinct. Maybe the bold just *know*. Effortless. Natural. And surprisingly skilled.

Liang Di breathed heavily, utterly captivated by Liang Lin’s scent.

The kiss ended.

Liang Di’s gaze lingered on Liang Lin, dripping with affection. She straightened slowly, breath slightly quickened—but nowhere near Liang Lin’s gasping, wide-mouthed struggle.

“Big Sister Liang Lin…”

The whisper snapped Liang Lin back. Flustered fury flared. She shot Liang Di a sharp glare. “Enough! You’ve had your fun. Let me go.”

*Damn it!*

Ever since learning Liang Di was her childhood friend, a twisted frustration coiled inside her: she still wanted to kill this woman… yet couldn’t. They’d once been close. The conflict gnawed at her sanity—aching, stifling, maddening.

“Big Sister Liang Lin… I never said it was over.”

Liang Lin glanced down. A soft rustle. Liang Di’s slender fingers unbuttoned her shirt, one by one.

No… not again.

Memories surged—vivid, overwhelming. That terrifying comfort. She *had* liked it… but the shame? Unbearable. She couldn’t endure it twice.

“Liang Di! Stop!” Liang Lin’s voice cracked, desperate. “You recognized me! You *know* who I am! Why humiliate me like this? Let me go—I’ll forgive everything!”

“I’m not humiliating you,” Liang Di murmured, fingers still moving. “I just want more time. I just want you… to stay with me.”

“I *will*!”

The words burst out.

Liang Di stilled. The eerie green in her eyes softened. Hope flickered. “Really?”

Liang Lin nodded firmly.

Before, she’d have died defiant. But facing her childhood friend? Cursing felt impossible.

Inside, she screamed. A déjà vu of utter powerlessness washed over her—desire trapped, voice swallowed. Curses formed, circled her tongue, then vanished.

*Damn it.* She valued family. Friendship. That was her weakness.

“Donathew told me to assist you! Before, I fought you for House Langwendi’s leadership. But now—I’ve found my sister. We’ll revive the Kronin Family together. I don’t need to compete anymore!” Her thoughts were mush, yet words tumbled out. “I won’t leave until you secure the position. And after? My sister and I will visit often. Octavial’s here… they’ll live together. We might see each other weekly!”

*Wow. I impressed myself.*

“So… you never wanted to live with me. You don’t want to marry me.”

“We’re *girls*! How could I marry you?!”

“Then… you *do* want to marry someone else?”

“…Can you stop being disgusting?”

“Big Sister Liang Lin,” Liang Di whispered, hands resuming their slow, deliberate motion, “trust me. I can give you joy beyond imagining.”