In the backyard, the women were caught off guard and fell into the pool. When they finally climbed out, their soaked clothes clung tightly to their bodies, accentuating every alluring curve.
But this tantalizing scene was destined to go unappreciated. Lucia activated her ability—purple light flickered over her body, and the intense heat quickly dried her clothes. The rustling of Sugar's clothes as she climbed out revealed she was also using her ability to dry herself, though clearly not as efficiently as Lucia.
"Lady Lucia, what just happened? How did we suddenly fall into the pool like that?"
Lucia paused to think for a moment before answering.
"It should be Lily's ability. I've seen her use spatial teleportation before."
"Then why did she suddenly do that? She could've at least given us a heads-up..."
"Maybe it's because..."
Lucia's words trailed off. Her pretty face flushed slightly, and after a brief cough, she spoke solemnly.
"Lily isn't someone you should pry into. Only the Young Master can keep her in check. Even if the Young Master is present, it's best not to provoke her."
Sugar, who acted far more obediently around Lucia than she ever did around her blood-related sister Monet, quickly nodded and replied sweetly,
"I understand, Lady Lucia."
Lucia turned to glance at her and reached out to gently pat Sugar on the head.
"No need to be too tense. I believe Lily will eventually be completely conquered by the Young Master. When that happens, she'll become one of us."
"I believe in the Young Master's strength! But Lady Lucia, how long do you think it'll take for Lily to be conquered?"
"The Young Master is already working on it. Our job... is to make sure we don't interfere."
...
Inside the room—
Lily's long sea-blue hair whipped wildly through the air. Her flushed cheeks gave her a seductive glow. Suddenly, she froze mid-motion, lips curling into a playful, mischievous smile.
Carl lay with his hands behind his head.
"Why'd you stop all of a sudden? Tired already? If you are, I can take over now, you know."
Lily snorted in disdain, her bright eyes full of challenge. Tilting her chin arrogantly, she said,
"This little bit? You think that's enough to wear me out? I only paused because I heard your maids talking. That Lucia girl was busy bragging about how you're going to 'conquer' me."
"Mind your words. Lucia never brags. She was simply stating a fact."
"Heh, I see. With a master like you, it's no wonder a maid like her acts so smug. If it were before and someone dared talk about me like that behind my back, I'd have..."
Her voice cut off, her body suddenly tensing.
The room temperature plummeted.
In the air, black flames began blooming like ominous flowers.
Carl's voice was cold.
"Lucia is far more than just a maid. Keep your pride in check."
Hearing that utterly emotionless tone, something twisted in Lily's chest. She bit her lip and spoke stiffly.
"So it's true. Lucia holds the top spot in your heart, doesn't she?"
Carl said nothing. Perhaps because his bond with Lucia didn't need words to be proven.
Seeing his response, Lily nearly bit her lip bloody. Her heart surged with a bitter emotion she hadn't felt in centuries.
She'd long sensed that Lucia held a unique place in Carl's heart.
Normally, she wouldn't care what a few maids had to say. In this world, aside from Carl, no other humanoid creature even registered to her.
After spending 800 years locked in floral solitude, she didn't actually mind the idea of becoming Carl's woman.
But her pride always made her waver—caught between resistance and surrender.
Just now, she'd finally let go and unleashed all her hidden desires. In her heart, she'd accepted Carl as her man.
And since she'd done that, naturally someone as proud as her wanted to be the most special woman in his heart.
In beauty, body, and strength, she believed she had no equal.
But Carl's words were like a bucket of cold water dumped right over her head.
Now calmed down, Lily forced a stiff smile. She turned her face away, her tone harsh.
"I heard a saying once... 'A man doesn't recognize anyone once his pants are back on.' But you're something else—your pants aren't even on yet and you're already like this. After everything I've done... and you still think Lucia is more important?"
She didn't need to think too hard—this was obviously something Sugar had babbled about.
But seeing Lily's downcast face, Carl's heart stirred. Wait... could it be? Was Lily actually... feeling something for real?
Was she... jealous?
He'd always seen Lily through a lens of stereotype, even treating her like some emotionless NPC. But now—her reaction shattered that illusion completely.
Carl blinked. Then, with a flick of his wrists, the black restraints around him shattered into scattered motes of light.
But Lily didn't react. She just stayed frozen in place.
Carl stood and pulled her into his arms. She didn't resist—only buried her face into his chest with stubborn determination.
A woman who once stood at the pinnacle of the world's power now throwing herself into someone's arms like this—what kind of reversal could be more drastic?
Carl gently stroked her soft, fair back. But what he said next could make anyone explode:
"Uh... did that hit you that hard?"
Lily didn't reply.
She simply pinched his waist—hard.
Of course, a pinch without even a trace of Haki was laughably ineffective against Carl.
But still, he played along, hissing in fake pain.
"Hey hey hey! Since when did you learn to pinch people?"
Lily stayed silent for a moment. Then, muffled, she replied,
"This queen pinches whoever she wants."
Carl tilted his head and looked down at her with amusement.
"You know... this is actually the first time I've been pinched by a woman. Huh. It's kind of a special feeling."
Lily's body trembled slightly.
Then she spoke again, still muffled.
"If you like it so much, why don't you let your precious Lucia pinch you too?"
"Oh-ho~ So you are jealous, huh? You're totally jealous, aren't you? Admit it!"
That did it.
Lily suddenly pulled away from his chest, locked eyes with him, and snapped,
"You're so annoying!! So what if I am, huh?!"
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+140 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg