The dream shattered.
No clear reason—but under extreme emotional turmoil, everything descended into chaos.
Like a dreamer realizing the illusion, trying every method to wake: leaping from heights, pinching her thigh, even suicide.
Naturally, a dream battered like this couldn’t last. Jiang Jiu soon struggled awake, sat up, and stared blankly at Lady Witch behind the bar.
“Is it dead?”
Jiang Jiu asked.
Her tone held no rise or fall. Though a question, it landed like a flat statement—simply stating a fact, to Lady Witch’s ears.
She seemed perfectly normal.
Normal as an ordinary office worker.
Which, to Lady Witch, was deeply abnormal—Jiang Jiu had never been *this* normal.
Frowning, Lady Witch drew her Enchanted Wand, ready to cast an identification spell.
But Jiang Jiu gently grasped the wand mid-air, tilted her head with puzzled eyes:
“That dragon… it’s really dead just like that?”
Lady Witch finally understood. She sighed in relief, withdrew the wand.
“Mm. Dead.”
“But why did it die like this…”
“Is there a problem with how it died?”
“No problem?”
“Of course not.” Lady Witch glanced at the projection frozen on the dragon’s death. “It was just a supporting character.”
“Supporting character?”
Jiang Jiu tapped the table lightly, browsing memories returned by Witch’s Night.
“A character with so many scenes, such a deep bond with the little princess… merely supporting?”
“Mm.”
“Why?”
“This is a fairy tale. Only the princess and prince are protagonists.” Lady Witch added, “Like Snow White—no matter how the dwarfs helped, only the passing prince gets the happy ending.”
“…”
Jiang Jiu fell silent.
Lady Witch teased playfully:
“Don’t tell me you fell for that dragon? Craving fairy-tale romance… so childish. Adorable.”
She waited for the usual retort or calm rebuttal.
But Jiang Jiu shook her head, eyes flickering with guilt, avoiding Lady Witch’s gaze.
“N-no, not at all.”
Suddenly, she seemed the little princess from Witch’s Night—timid, innocent.
Lilith, ready to enjoy the drama or snap back, froze.
*No way?*
*How could Jiang Jiu—the mischievous woman—genuinely like that dream-dragon?*
*Could it be… because she never met someone like him, she went astray?*
*Oh no!*
Lady Witch felt like an auntie rushing to watch a fire—only to find her own house burning.
*What do I do?!* Panic seized her.
Jiang Jiu then smiled subtly, head tilted:
“Worried I might actually like that stupid dragon?”
“Fooled you~”
“How could I like it? I just wanted to see your face when you thought I did.”
The mischievous woman pinched Lady Witch’s baby-soft cheek, withdrew her hand nonchalantly:
“But seriously—how many times must I trick you before you learn? People shouldn’t… *can’t* be this foolish, right?”
*Snap.*
A string in Lady Witch’s mind snapped.
She drew her Enchanted Wand, face dark, ready to unleash a hidden trump card.
But Jiang Jiu lowered her gaze to the empty [Dream] glass.
“Can you mix me another?” she whispered—unusually humble, pleading.
Lady Witch hesitated, then shook her head.
“You said you didn’t like the dragon. Why re-enter Witch’s Night? It’s dead. Set in stone. Unchangeable.”
“I think I can.”
“Can you?”
“Mm. Others? I don’t know. But I believe I can… Don’t ask why—even I don’t know.” A faint smile touched her lips. “Maybe it’s blind confidence. Playing princess made me feel… blessed. But I want to try.”
The mischievous woman’s eyes softened, recalling the dragon’s stubborn refusal to die. An innocent smile bloomed—just like the little princess.
“Even when dealing with a dog, you respect its master. I may not like that dragon… but the little princess does. So no one bullies it.”
“Why must fairy tales end with prince and princess?”
“Why not princess and dragon? Or the dragon slain, the princess choosing solitude for love?”
“I hate having my fate arranged. By anyone. So I’ll go back. I’ll change everything.”
She locked eyes with Lady Witch, voice earnest:
“So… I’m begging you. Help me, Lilith.”
“…”
Lilith stayed silent. Hesitated. Finally:
“What if… I refuse?”
Instantly, Jiang Jiu’s face crumpled—pitiful, on the verge of tears.
“Pleeease~” She tugged Lady Witch’s sleeve. “I’ll do anything!”
“…But even if I refuse, you’re my possession. You can’t disobey.” Lady Witch’s voice was low, expressionless.
“Being forced and acting willingly are different,” Jiang Jiu countered. “You could force me to warm your bed—but my heart would never agree.”
“And I suspect you’d *enjoy* warming my bed. For me? Forcing you… then savoring your humiliated expression… that’s more my taste.”
Lady Witch’s voice turned icy. In a blur, she vanished from behind the bar, reappearing outside. She settled onto a bar stool, looking down at Jiang Jiu.
“Amuse me.”
“If you make me happy… I’ll grant your request.”
She extended one leg.
Lady Witch adored pantyhose. Jiang Jiu’s maid uniforms always paired with them—mostly white, some black.
But Lady Witch herself lived in black pantyhose. Daily. Religiously.
And her legs were lovely: slender calves, thighs with gentle softness.
Now, knees bent on the stool, the fabric stretched slightly, faintly revealing skin beneath—not like pantyhose anymore. Like hot chocolate drizzled straight onto silk. Sweet. Tempting.
*Absolutely tempting.*
The gesture itself was suggestive—teasing, inviting, openly demanding Jiang Jiu lick her foot.
What would Jiang Jiu do?
She might’ve scolded Lilith… but the leg was too alluring.
Jiang Jiu stepped forward, wrapped her arms around it, and pulled Lilith—and the stool—toward the bar.
To keep balance, Lady Witch had to clutch Jiang Jiu’s neck. Pinned against the counter, any shift risked a fall.
Seizing the moment, the mischievous woman lifted Lady Witch’s chin.
“Amuse you?” she murmured, eyes gleaming. “Like this?”
She traced a fingertip down Lady Witch’s cheek, gently pinched her earlobe.
“Or like this?”
Then bolder—trailing down collarbone, under her arm, nearly hooking the bra strap beneath the black dress.
Jiang Jiu winked.
“Or… *this*?”
Lady Witch’s face flushed deep red. Breath hitched, damp and trembling.
She shoved Jiang Jiu away, sat upright, gulped water.
“Enough.” She bit her lip, shot Jiang Jiu a glare.
“Fine. You amused me. I’ll mix the third drink. Happy?”
In a flash, she vanished—reappearing behind the bar like she’d fled.
The little sprites shimmered into view.
The third [Dream] took form.
Jiang Jiu’s playful mask vanished. Silent. Solemn. She tilted her head and downed the cocktail in one gulp.
Then—for the third time—she stepped into Witch’s Night.
[To Be Continued]
