"Liliana, wake up. We should set off."
In the morning, a gentle warmth of sunlight spilled over the area, illuminating the two girls embracing each other in the luxurious bed. Seeing this, Ainz truly felt reluctant to wake them. But everyone else had already finished packing. They could not delay any longer.
"Understood, big brother."
The moment his voice fell, Chu Lian—currently going by Liliana—opened her eyes. Together with Nabe, who had also awakened, she put on her shoes, stockings, and cloak before stepping out of bed.
She handed the two wing-shaped golden hairpins to Nabe, letting her fasten them into her long hair. Stretching lazily, she looked at the busy group and said, "Another beautiful day. I hope we can reach our destination today."
"We will. According to Nfirea Bareare, we'll arrive at Carne Village soon. Yesterday we set out in the afternoon and ran into a monster attack, which delayed us. Today, nothing unexpected should happen. We ought to reach it before noon," Ainz replied. He was the sort who liked to think things through and had already clarified these details early in the morning.
"Carne Village… It truly is a fascinating place, isn't it, big brother?"
Chu Lian smoothed out her collar, turning her princess dress from wrinkled and messy from sleep into neat elegance.
"It's a place that changed my understanding of this world. Every time I come here, something extraordinary happens."
Ainz was referring to yesterday's battle. Such weak enemies had possessed astonishing magic immunity. If not for their overwhelming strength, a weaker group might have been wiped out entirely.
"This world is always fascinating."
She repeated the word once more. Ainz did not quite understand what she meant, but he did not pursue it. Instead, he turned to leave.
"Be careful not to let them discover our identities."
"Our identities? Heh. I've already concealed the places where you might have exposed yourself before. But that doesn't mean we won't be discovered. This world is always fascinating, isn't it?"
It was the third time she had used that word. Though her voice was soft—very soft—Nabe, walking behind her, still heard it and felt slightly puzzled.
Taking out a dressing mirror and placing it before her, Chu Lian checked her reflection. Once Nabe finished fastening the hairpins and she adjusted her skirt again, she stored both the large bed and the mirror away. Then she walked forward with the neatly dressed maid.
"Your Excellency, good morning."
The centaur girl had camped elsewhere with her tribe the previous night. She had arrived early in the morning and immediately bowed upon seeing Chu Lian.
"Good morning, Rania. You look much more energetic today."
Chu Lian nodded in satisfaction at the restored smile on the centaur girl's face. At last, she seemed healthy again.
"I suppose so. I rested well, and I'm no longer disturbed by that voice. I slept very comfortably."
Rania flashed a bright smile. Combined with her wavy golden hair, she looked full of vitality.
"Isn't that wonderful? Wearing a smile is the best way to face the world. No matter how much sorrow you carry, you shouldn't sacrifice your smile."
Chu Lian spoke like a true leader offering heartfelt advice.
"Thank you for your guidance, Your Excellency. Rania will remember it."
The centaur girl bowed deeply in gratitude, then added, "I've already ordered my tribe to hunt. Soon we will have food for Your Excellency to taste."
"That's thoughtful of you. Could you find two centaur girls for us to ride? It should make the journey easier."
It wasn't that Chu Lian disliked walking. She simply wanted to experience what it felt like to ride a horse—especially a centaur girl. The thought intrigued her.
"That won't be necessary. I can carry both Your Excellency and…"
Rania paused awkwardly, realizing she did not know the maid's name. She stammered, unable to continue.
"Pfft…"
Chuckling softly, Chu Lian took Nabe's hand and lifted it slightly.
"She is my fiancée. You may call her Lady Nabe—or simply Nabe."
"Please don't, Lady Dolo—Liliana. You have a rightful principal wife. It's best not to call me Lady Nabe. Just Nabe is fine."
Hearing that Nabe had nearly let her true name slip out, Chu Lian did not press the matter and simply nodded.
"Then Nabe it is."
"Yes, Your Excellency. I can carry both you and Nabe without any problem. It won't burden me at all. There's no need to summon others."
Rania seemed unusually determined about this.
"If you're certain, then we'll ride with you. But listen—if you feel tired at any point, you must tell me."
Chu Lian nodded. Since the girl insisted, she would not refuse. Whoever carried them made no real difference.
"Yes!"
Rania reared up slightly in delight, hooves lifting as she laughed and dashed around in a burst of excitement.
"What a lively girl. We're all too quiet. Having someone who can lift the atmosphere isn't so bad, is it, Nabe?"
Chu Lian watched the centaur's energetic figure and spoke softly.
"I'm sorry, Lady Dolores. I'm not very good at lightening the mood."
Because of her deep disdain for humans, Nabe found it impossible to create a pleasant atmosphere among them. If anything, she would likely ruin it.
"It's fine. I like you just the way you are. You're adorable."
Gently squeezing her hand, Chu Lian reassured her warmly.
"Mm."
Nabe responded softly and followed her forward toward the members of the Swords of Darkness, watching them busy themselves.
"Oh, Liliana and Nabe are awake. Looks like you both slept well," Dyne Woodwonder said cheerfully while carrying supplies.
"You seem energetic too, Uncle Dyne. We went to bed early and woke up first, so being refreshed is only natural."
Before the Swords of Darkness and Nfirea Bareare, Chu Lian wore the layered disguise of Liliana once more.
"Haha, we adventurers are used to this kind of hustle. Gotta make a living," Peter Mauk chimed in after loading materials onto the wagon and wiping sweat from his brow.
"Life isn't easy, after all," Chu Lian replied with a smile.
She did not step forward to help. Instead, she simply stood with Nabe to the side, quietly watching them work.
Before long, Rania returned with two of her tribe members. She directed them to place the corpse of a wild boar—an arrow cleanly embedded in its forehead—beside the group, then waved them away.
"A dignified centaur chieftain. It seems you're doing quite well, Rania," Chu Lian teased as she watched her handle everything with practiced ease.
"That's because I led them out of hardship. A qualified leader must let her subordinates see her capability," the girl replied confidently. It was clear she had always worked hard in this regard.
"So, young lady, you were born with the charisma of a leader."
Chu Lian rose slightly onto her toes and leaned closer as she spoke.
Then, without caring about what the centaur might be thinking, she turned and called out to the Swords of Darkness.
"Hey, hey! Come lend a hand. There's a wild boar here that needs taking care of."
"Looks like we're having a good breakfast today."
Lukrut Volve immediately ran over. Squatting down to inspect the boar, he said happily, "A very healthy one. The meat should be delicious. Come on, everyone—let's get to work."
As he spoke, he took out a dagger and began skillfully preparing it. The others smiled and shook their heads. After putting away the last of their supplies, they came over to help as well.
Seeing them busy themselves, Chu Lian did not disturb them. Instead, she took Nabe's hand and walked toward a small river not far away.
Walking across the grass, Chu Lian suddenly spoke in a low voice.
"Nabe, if you don't want to be my fiancée, you can pretend none of this ever happened."
"Why would Lady Dolores say that?" Nabe was slightly stunned, unsure why she had suddenly brought this up.
"When Rania asked how she should address you just now, I felt your resistance," Chu Lian said gently with a smile. "Is it because we're both women? Or because your heart belongs to big brother?"
"I…"
Before Nabe could finish speaking, Chu Lian continued.
"After all, I'm only a Supreme Being who took the position halfway through. I can only take charge of Nazarick if big brother is absent. You…"
"That's not it. It's not like that at all!"
Suddenly, Nabe wrapped her arms around her. The maid's voice trembled slightly.
"I was only thinking that Lady Albedo is still in Nazarick. That's why I didn't want to accept that form of address. It's not that I don't want to be Lady Dolores' fiancée."
"These past two days, I've truly been happy. When Your Highness said I was your fiancée, I was surprised—but I didn't feel any urge to deny it. It's strange. Being by Your Highness' side is truly, truly a joyful thing. There is absolutely no rejection."
Listening to the maid's heartfelt confession, Chu Lian could not help but think of the other girls. Were they carrying similarly complicated emotions? They knew they were both women. They knew her heart was not devoted to a single person. And yet, they still chose to remain by her side.
Meeting them, receiving their affection—was this not the greatest favor fate had ever granted her? The most beautiful memory this world had given her?
"Nabe, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have doubted your feelings."
She was genuinely moved. Perhaps at first Nabe had not refused because of her identity—but now, she had truly accepted the role of fiancée.
"It's not Lady Dolores' fault. I simply didn't explain myself clearly."
Letting go, the maid stood behind her once more. The tremor in her voice had vanished. She had returned to her usual composed demeanor. Aside from the faint moisture lingering in her eyes, nothing betrayed that she had nearly cried.
"All right. Let's wash up. We shouldn't keep them waiting."
Chu Lian turned around and gently took the maid's hand.
"Isn't it nice—my fiancée being a maid?"
"Yes…"
With a soft smile, Nabe followed her forward. As she looked at the pure white girl ahead of her, she murmured silently in her heart:
Your Highness… This is the first time I've felt that someone truly cares about me. I'm really… very happy…
In the early morning, under the gently warming sunlight, the two girls stood by the river, leaning close to one another—like the most beautiful painting in the world…