Stepping through the door and down a short corridor, she entered what looked like a dressing room.

Mirrors lined the walls. Lavish garments crafted from brilliant fabrics hung on racks or were tossed carelessly across the floor.

Props were scattered haphazardly beside them.

So this was the backstage prep area for a stage play?

Lilith had checked the festival roster. Among freshmen alone, five temporary theater clubs had formed this year.

This must be one of their activity rooms.

"Ooooh—"

"Kiss her awake, kiss her awake!"

"Hurry, Prince! The beautiful princess needs your rescue~"

Cheers drifted from the mirror-lined direction. With Lilith’s sharp hearing, she caught every word without straining.

That had to be the stage.

No wonder backstage was empty—the whole cast was performing.

From the roaring applause, she recognized Somaria Empire’s current smash hit: *The Sleeping Princess*.

A princess blessed at birth by twelve Legendary Spellcasters… cursed on her naming day by a thirteenth, uninvited sorcerer.

"*On her twentieth birthday, the wise and lovely princess shall meet her end.*"

The black-robed villain vanished after uttering the curse.

The king and queen begged the twelve Legendary Spellcasters for help.

But the sorcerer’s power was too great. They could only soften the curse:

"*On her twentieth birthday, she shall fall into an enchanted slumber… until her destined one awakens her.*"

…Despite tweaks, the heroine was clearly modeled after Athena!

Everyone knew the legend: twelve angels descended to bless Athena at birth.

*The Sleeping Princess* just added a villain—but anyone with sense saw the parallel.

Once realized, the entire Somaria Empire went wild.

No one believed the evil sorcerer was real—it was just drama, right?

But the thrill of "saving" Lady Athena, hailed as the Dawn of the Empire and revered by all? Absolutely irresistible.

Initially banned by the crown for disrespecting Athena, the play spread anyway.

Citizens risked imprisonment by law enforcement knights to stage secret performances.

Even nobles led the charge.

Eventually, the royal court relented. Better to let it fade naturally than spark rebellion.

Freed from the ban, *The Sleeping Princess* became Somaria’s most popular stage play overnight.

"With a loving kiss, the prince awakened the cursed princess."

"She awoke, married her rescuer, and they lived happily ever after."

"Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap!"

"Bravo! Encore! Encore!"

The play ended. Actors bowed. They’d return backstage any second.

Cradling Maur, Lilith turned toward the exit.

But as she neared the door—

"Oh my~ Searched so long… no trace. Hiding, perhaps?"

"Hmm~? What’s behind this door?"

A stranger replied, "Lady Mavis, it’s the Mickey Mouse Magical Theater Club."

"Oh~? A theater club?"

Outside, Mavis stared at the listless companion butterfly in her palm.

*That hypocritical Forest Fey, Evelyn!* She’d weakened Mavis’s butterfly—now she could only sense Maur was nearby.

Thankfully, he was with that stubborn Lunar Descendant, Lilith.

What a foolish girl. Didn’t she know? If you want something, you seize it.

Just watching? Others will steal your beloved.

"Go in," Mavis ordered her lackeys.

Lilith, magic-illiterate, likely never noticed the concealment enchantment woven into Maur’s robe.

That single-minded silver wolf relied only on swordsmanship. Without force, hiding or disguising were her only options.

And right here lay the perfect disguise…

A fan club member’s hand settled on the doorknob. One twist away.

Meanwhile, hurried footsteps echoed near the mirrors—the cast returning.

*…After this, I must learn a concealment spell.*

For the first time, Lilith regretted pouring all her years into swordsmanship, neglecting magic entirely.

If only she knew one spell… she and Maur would already be safe at Violet County Manor.

She let out a soft sigh, cradled Maur, and ducked into the middle of three side-by-side wardrobes.

She’d done all she could.

Darkness. Silence. Cramped.

Long dresses crowded the space. Neither Lilith nor Maur was petite—it was tight.

Worse, Maur grew restless.

Forced close, Lilith held him tightly—making it easier for him to move.

He nuzzled her neck instinctively.

"I… I need…"

*He was about to explode.*

"You… you dumb dog!"

Frustrating! He was suffering, and this mutt wouldn’t help himself!

*Just… touch it once…*

His hand fumbled toward the ache—brushing something soft.

Suddenly, voices swarmed outside.

"Amazing! Today’s show was perfect!"

"Iver, your Prince was so handsome~ The crowd adored you!"

"Nonsense. Alice’s princess stole the show. And she wasn’t clumsy today at all!"

Outside, actors chattered. Inside, Maur squirmed, whimpering brokenly.

Lilith covered his mouth—but he struggled harder, noises growing.

Only the cast’s excited chatter masked the wardrobe’s secret.

*What did Teacher Evelyn do to him? His state is terrible.*

*If I don’t… help him, he won’t quiet down.*

As Maur nuzzled again, mouth opening to fuss—

Lilith steeled herself and wrapped her hand around him.

"Mmph!"

Silence.

At that exact moment, Mavis stepped inside, flanked by her fan club.