Just as Lilith, hidden inside the wardrobe, held her breath—ready to snatch a random costume skirt to cover her face and bolt out with Maur the moment Mavis pulled the door open—

outside, the theater club members finally reached a decision.

Voices brimming with excitement, speaking fast and loud:

“Decided! This one! It’s the costume I wore for my very first stage performance—so full of meaning!”

“Huh? Hearing you say that, Ive, I kinda want to sign my name on *my* debut costume too…”

“Captain, which will you pick?”

“Huh? I… I was torn between my favorite knight outfit and the dancer’s dress…” Captain Alice hesitated. “But… neither seems to be here.”

Mavis’s fingers had already brushed the wardrobe handle—a slight tug would’ve revealed everything inside. Yet the news of the missing costumes instantly diverted her attention.

She withdrew her hand, turned to the puzzled Alice, and asked gently, “Something’s missing?”

“Yes… vanished overnight. They were definitely here yesterday,” Alice murmured, troubled.

*Knight outfit and dancer’s dress?*

Mavis glanced at Alice’s height and frame—surprisingly close to Maur and Lilith’s.

Meaning Alice’s costumes could fit them.

Knight outfits came with helmets. Dancer’s dresses had veils. Both hid the face.

*So Lilith planned to disguise Maur and escape?*

*But after how Maur reacted when the Forest Fey dragged him from the haunted house earlier…*

*Better confirm first.*

Mavis’s expression softened with sincere concern. “Losing your two most cherished costumes would be such a shame, Alice.”

“Let my friends help search,” she said, gesturing to the Glory Support Club members lingering nearby, curiously observing the prep room. “They’re kind-hearted girls. Finding your costumes would truly make their day.”

The Mickey-Mouse-Magic Theater Club had only seven members. Searching hundreds of tangled costumes in this vast room? Time-consuming. Extra hands were welcome.

“If they’re willing—absolutely!”

“Perfect! This’ll lighten our load.”

Noon was near. The morning’s final show had just wrapped.

They should’ve been washing off makeup, savoring lunch—*Captain Alice’s special spread*. As commoners, such delicacies were rare; noble-tier meals.

For *this* lunch alone, they’d scour every seam to find the captain’s favorites—so she’d sign one for Senior Mavis.

Maybe she’d treat them again if pleased~

“Thank you for your help,” Mavis told the Support Club girls.

They scattered instantly to search.

Only Mavis remained before the wardrobe.

Inside, Lilith sensed Maur’s state worsening.

His trembling intensified. He strained to make sounds.

But Mavis stood right outside—any second might pull the door open.

*Why is she just standing there?*

Lilith’s entire focus locked onto her.

*"Move at my fastest speed."*

*"The instant the door opens…"*

*"Cover my face. Grab Maur. Burst out!"*

*Must get Maur out.*

*Someone in his current state cannot be seen.*

*"Absolutely."*

Eyes wide. Unblinking.

So tense she missed Maur’s escalating distress.

A bead of sweat traced Lilith’s temple, slipping past her strained eye.

Suddenly—cheers outside:

“Found it! Captain, is this your knight costume?”

Lilith didn’t flinch. Eyes stayed glued to Mavis.

But Maur jolted violently at the noise—shaking harder than before.

*Too loud. Too wrong.*

Lilith realized too late.

*…No. Not now?!*

Startled, her grip slipped—forgot to cover his mouth.

She instinctively recoiled.

No space. Nowhere to hide.

Her wrist was seized—Maur’s grip surprisingly strong.

Distracted, she lost sight of Mavis—

*Click.*

Mavis yanked the door open.

*Whoosh!*

*Shush… shush—*

Right before her eyes.

“Mmph… uh!”

Freed, Maur gasped. Relief washed over him.

The Roukou fruit’s haze faded. Consciousness slowly returned…

Light sliced through the narrow gap—just a fist’s width—but enough to see everything.

Especially the item that tumbled from Maur the moment the door opened.

Mavis’s lips pressed tight. Knuckles whitened on the handle.

*"Discovered."*

*"…Missed the escape window."*

Lilith met Mavis’s gaze, numbly wiping her cheek.

Outside:

“Amazing! Finally found it!” Alice cheered.

“But… weird. I looked right there earlier?”

“Captain’s being careless again!”

“Ive just praised you, and *bam*—careless mode activated.”

“Sigh… our captain~”

With the costumes found, Support Club members headed back toward the wardrobe.

*"More people = trouble."*

*"Break through now—only Mavis saw us."*

Lilith tightened her hold on Maur, muscles coiling to charge—

—but Mavis slammed the door shut.

“So glad you recovered your treasures, Alice,” she chimed, voice bright as if she’d seen nothing. She turned toward the group, gently steering the approaching Support Club members away.

“Please sign now. My apologies for the delay—it was my doing.”

“During the Initiate Festival, all lunches will be hosted by the Fred family. My personal thanks.”

“This includes our wonderful Support Club volunteers.”

*"No one will notice the wardrobe now,"* Mavis thought, fist still clenched tight.

Amid rising cheers,

she dipped her head slightly and murmured—just loud enough for Lilith, the half-silver wolf, to catch:

“Princess Lilith… please stay quietly inside.”

“Until Maur… regains consciousness.”