Chapter 12

"Stop!" Queen Silva cut Roland off. "What same-sex love?"

"Yenoa likes you. She must’ve done something… shameful to you, right? I mean the *you* from before," Roland declared confidently. "That’s exactly why you two are at odds—because Yenoa has feelings for you."

"I don’t recall Xiao Ya doing anything to me, nor do I understand what you mean," Silva said, slightly puzzled.

"No, no, no. She definitely did something. Like… things girls sometimes do when affection overflows. Maybe she’d smell your worn clothes, or sneak in while you slept," Roland said, glancing at Yenoa. She remained utterly expressionless, calm and composed as if none of it concerned her.

*Wait. Shouldn’t she be terrified her biggest secret’s exposed? Why so calm?*

*Could Detective Roland’s deduction be wrong? Impossible. I never err. Yenoa’s acting!*

*To fix this, I’ve got to push this angle…*

*Hold on—what were they even fighting about again?*

Roland mentally replayed it all.

First: just as Silva was about to make a move on him, he spotted Yenoa silently watching from the window—like she’d caught them mid-act.

His mind instantly spun wild rumors. He’d concluded Yenoa was into yuri and secretly loved Silva.

Then Yenoa climbed through the window, acting like she didn’t know Silva, and spat coldly: "You’re not Silva. You’re just a magical contract’s construct—a disgusting parasite living in her body. You’re not my friend. And you have zero right to decide if Silva gives her first night to Roland *here*, *now*." That only cemented Roland’s belief: Yenoa loved Silva and hated this queen-like imposter.

Tension crackled. Fearing Queen Silva would strike first, Roland jumped in to mediate.

*Logically sound… so why does it feel off?*

"My feelings for Xiao Xi aren’t romantic," Yenoa stated flatly. "I don’t know where you heard rumors, but we’re just good friends."

"Exactly. Xiao Ya never did those things. We’re only friends," Queen Silva nodded—met instantly with Yenoa’s icy glare.

"My friend is Silva. Not you, parasite."

"I’ve said it countless times: *I am Silva!*" Anger flickered across the queen’s cold face. Regal and unyielding, she radiated sovereign authority.

"The real Xiao Xi would never rage like this. You’re a parasite. You’ll never become her," Yenoa said coldly. "You defiled Xiao Xi. Twisted her with strange habits. That’s why I despise you."

Roland finally got it.

*Damn. My imagination ran wild—I forced a yuri plot onto Yenoa, assuming love caused the rift.*

*But the core’s the same: whether she’s into girls or not, Yenoa hates this queen version. She thinks you ‘defiled’ the real Silva.*

"And you." Yenoa’s gaze snapped to Roland, eyes dripping disgust—as if staring at a maggot. "Everything’s your fault. Compared to a parasite? I hate *you* more."

Thick-skinned as ever, Roland shrugged it off. "I saved her life. Without me, you’d never see her again."

Yenoa ignored him completely.

"You’re erasing my effort and dumping all blame on me," Roland muttered, a dark line etching his forehead.

Silence thickened. Neither woman would yield. Queen Silva demanded recognition; Yenoa refused compromise.

Roland’s head pounded. *Please, let Silva revert soon. Once she’s back to her shy self, everything fixes.*

As if hearing him, Silva’s frame shrank slightly.

She clutched her forehead, swayed for a dizzy second, then steadied.

Roland exhaled. *She stepped back. Didn’t want to hurt her friend.*

"Mmm…" Silva shook her head clear. To her, she’d just felt bolder—but still *herself*.

Every memory flooded back. The near-step into adulthood… *her* taking the initiative with Roland… Her face burned crimson, blushing like a ripe apple.

"Ahem." Roland cleared his throat softly. "Sort things with her first."

Silva jolted awake, pulling Yenoa aside to explain.

After patient words, Yenoa gave a reluctant nod—accepting, barely.

Silva sighed inwardly. She knew Yenoa: solitary since childhood, fiercely protective of her only friend. This was the best possible outcome.

As for Roland?

Yenoa’s glare stayed glacial—like he owed her eight million or was a cockroach underfoot. Roland figured: *If not for Silva’s feelings, this dead-fish-eyed head maid would’ve erased me already.*

*Black-hearted maid!*

Without a word, Yenoa slipped silently out the window.

Silva sat on the bed, back turned, cheeks flaming. Remembering her boldness, she wished the pillow would swallow her whole.

Roland, shameless as ever, found her flustered charm irresistible. He wrapped arms around her from behind, lips curling into a wild grin. Teasingly low:

"Hey, beauty. Wanna pick up where we left off?"

Silva flushed deeper, dewy and adorably still—offering no resistance.

*TAP. TAP. TAP.*

Knocks echoed at the window.

They turned—and froze.

Outside the dark pane: a face cold as ice. And a pair of dead fish eyes.

Chilling. Emotionless. Staring straight through them. A silent warning.