Satisfying Lila's squeezing, venting urges, Mel plopped down at the dinner table, pulling Lila beside her while Leia sat across from them. No need to say anything more, but from the glimmers that hinted at playfulness, Mel could observe the optimism Leia regained.
It would seem like the right choice. Mel smiled to herself.
Lila sensed her friend was distracted. What's the secret? Even her sister seemed happier because of it. It can't be that... she actually planned to propose, didn't she?
The Witch of Envy shook off the thought. Mel must have infected her. How could she fantasize about such vulgarity when they haven't even held hands?
She slid the bowl to Mel. "Eat." So that she will not be distracted by any weird thoughts.
[ Witch of Envy anticipated the 'secret' proposal! ]
[ Favourability: 29 -> 32 ]
That's awkward. Mel's expression stiffened a little, only noticeable by the observant Leia.
She stirred her stew a little, the silky liquid sending a spiced scent to her nose. Lila's cooking has always tasted homely, reminding one of her home-cooking too often.
"I have already eaten breakfast, though." She smirked at Lila, who cut an apple for her sister with a knife.
"Mm. Then don't eat." Lila pouted, her tentative eyes still focused on placing the pieces of fruit on a plate.
Mel leaned onto her hand on the table as she stared at Lila. "That means my lips are not occupied now?"
Poof. Mel could see the blush deepen with a cloud smoking over Lila's head, her fingers trembling with utter disbelief.
Her friend glared at her with misty eyes before Mel retracted her gaze and scooped out the stew with the spoon.
"Mm. Very nice. Lila! I suddenly feel like eating breakfast again!"
Hearing her sister's chuckle, Lila poked at Mel's arm, her heart flaring with humiliation and embarrassment. Worse, she knew a hint of excitement stashed at the heart's corner, a feeling she won't acknowledge anytime soon.
Lila glanced at her friend. Even while eating, Mel's lips glistened with meaty flavours. Her hold over the spoon was tactfully graceful, and her eyes curved slightly every time she drank from the soup, savoring every taste.
Her heart calmed down upon a realisation. She also knew... that this tasting was a mere act. No, not an act of fakeness. Lila's 10 years with Mel made her realise that at least her smile was always genuine, but even then, Mel's every act seems intentional, a carefully crafted facade for someone to watch. For… her to watch.
The Witch of Envy didn't have time to contemplate this 'act' before glancing over to her sister, her thin hand dragging the spoon into her mouth in small sips. Another act. Another stubbornness. Seems her sister lied about having an appetite again.
"Really," Lila muttered, hanging her head. "I'm surrounded by liars."
[ The Witch of Envy feels loved by those around her. ]
[ Favourability: 32 -> 39 ]
Hm? Mel's spoon stuttered a little before resuming to eat. Did Lila overthink something again? She merely acts normally without a second thought. It also helped that the stew was as fantastic as she remembered. Saria could learn a thing or two from Lila!
"Master."
A neutral, dead tone of voice penetrated her thoughts. Mel smirked, as she judged by her pet's habit not to initiate contact unless necessary, that means...
"I have captured the... Undead Merchant. I have yet to take away his
Wow. Seeing through him at first glance? Her familiar is terrifying.
"No issue." An image that carried the scent of wood flashed in her memory, as she nodded to herself. "I will be there in half a day."
For now, however, she peeked at Lila, silently gazing at her bowl while feeding herself a tasty stew. What a waste, the chef had to appreciate her cooking more.
With a slight smirk, she nudged the housewife. "Come on now. Eat."
Lila merely glanced at Mel, the golden eyes caring nothing but sincerity. This. This is not an act.
"...mm." Lila smiled in silence.
Leia blinked at the duo, a certain warmth creeping over her frosty, weakened lungs.
She suddenly felt she could stomach another sip or two.
------------
In the end, however, Leia could only take three more sips before she coughed. Sensing this change before it happened, Lila carried Leia back to her bedroom, sending an apologetic gaze over to Mel.
"No worries. Take care of your sister first!"
Lila's time with her friend is always limited. Boiling the medicine takes time. Gathering the herbs for medicine takes time. Easing her sickly, stubborn sister to sleep takes time. Mel learned not to judge, only compromising by offering to occasionally gather herbs and other food for Lila.
Wiping off the emptied bowls with a kitchen towel, she inquired for more information from her familiar. The merchant seemed to have come with a couple of guards and adventurers, all knocked out and brainwashed into forgetting her assault.
"You did adjust the brainwash, right? No complete memory wipe?"
She scowled at the air, as if her cautiousness would reach the recipient. As her familiar, Nyxie inherited lower-tier versions of her abilities, including
"Don't worry, Master. I have been careful."
The Witch sighed in relief, finding irony that she was more scared of her pet than the humans.
"All done." She put aside the cleaned bowls before shouting at the open door.
"I'll be off, Lila! Take care!"
No time to waste. One more hour, and Leia would start coughing up blood again.
"Mm. Tell Miss Saria to come over if you can!"
"Will do!"
She waved goodbye to Lila and Leia, the latter harboring a knowing smile, before mouthing with her lips.
"Good luck."
Her steps halted at the door. Contemplate a little. Then her hand raised itself.
For a big, fat thumbs up.
Leaving behind a confused Lila and a chuckling Leia, she left the cottage, her heart beating urgently.
She had a sneaking suspicion that if she didn't hurry, something unexpected might happen.
"That human wannabe merchant will pay for these troubles."
It is not his fault that Leia was poisoned, but thanks to his 'tear-jerking' quest for love, Leia had to suffer in his stead. He is going to pay even though he's not even the culprit who poisoned her!
Mel justified the little 'prank' she would unleash on the poor soul before turning into an alleyway, the shadows enveloping her figure before she uttered.
"Switch: Witch Form."
Robes stretched into a luxurious dress. A Witch's hat was woven atop her head. The Witch of Lust closed her eyes in focus. It has been a while since she practiced magic in secret, especially after she started living with the retired Holy Knight Saria.
She had to keep her identity under wraps after all. Her carefulness paid off with no one to know her identity, at the cost of a lack of practice for her Witchcraft.
After casting a
A magic circle was conjured on the ground, before a two-foot-tall golem stood tall before her. The rock was glassy like obsidian, and the tiny blue pupils radiated eagerness to serve. Its chest held a blue core with patterns carved like roots, thrumming with a forgotten, dwarven power.
As the Witch of Lust, Mel specialised in
Mel tried elements like fire before realising the small flame on her fingertip could only play a 'backburner prank' on Lila. She adjusted quickly, though, upon learning how well her magic synergised together.
She extended her hand to the Golem. "
An apprentice-buff magic. From the chant, a tale of a soldier's desperate last stand for his lord, and the Golem's soul flared up.
The Golem smashed its fist together and roared. He has always been the convenient 'tool' for his master, a mere speck of dust compared to the all-powerful Nyxia, so to be graced by her Master's magic for the first time bore immense significance.
After being returned to the
[ Gatebearer's stat doubled!
Mel patted the bumbling golem's head, giggling as a weird sense of pride grew in her. After all,
Paired up with her dear summons? A deadly combo was easily formed.
With a wave of her hand, the golem puffed out its chest with pride. Magical particles gathered at the core before forming into a blue, void-like portal. What used to take half a day for travel now takes only a step.
"Nyxia. Still there? No knights nearby?"
Like a certain Saria. She was no flagbearer, but asking won't hurt the chances.
"None for now, Master. Aside from the wild animals around. Requesting elimination?"
"Please don't."
A cold sweat dripped from Mel's forehead. She knew her familiar was itching for a fight as her race's instinct demanded, but not when she knew full well even the forest wouldn't survive her assualt, and a sudden empty clearing was bound to attract attention.
"Now then..." With a nod to acknowledge the golem's smiley eyes, she glanced over at the portal with a weird sentiment, the void from within sucking out any hesitation.
And so with a steady gaze, she stepped forth.
For her best ending.
For her sister-in-law.
For Lila.