「Time Check: 06:30 A.M」
Tina and Lilia had just left the laundry room reserved for G6 and Brenda. Tina carried G6's training gear.
"Did Lady Reise say she was returning to her training?" Lilia asked.
"Yes. Before I left last night, she instructed me to bring this," Tina answered, unusually calm.
"But doesn't she usually sneak out before sunrise?"
"Perhaps she wished to rest longer. Yesterday was long." Tina's voice held a quiet happiness.
As they reached the stairs, they spotted Edmund on his way up. "Edmund!" Lilia called.
He halted, waiting. "You address Tina with respect, though she is younger," he said to Lilia, their usual banter.
"Miss Tina is different. Hmph." Lilia puffed her cheeks.
"I haven't seen you since we returned," Tina remarked as they caught up.
"It took time to settle matters at the Utility Magic Department. By my return, it was dark. I assumed Lady Reise was occupied, so I went to the Collegium Library," Edmund explained.
"You did right. She was quite tired."
"Did she not eat Alistair's food?" Lilia asked.
"No. She refused, claiming she was full."
They reached the second floor, heading toward G6's room. They encountered Brenda, up and ready.
"Good morning, Lady Brenda." A curt bow from the three.
"Good morning! I assume Lady Reise is still asleep? May I join you?" Brenda smiled, full of energy.
"Of course." Tina replied. Brenda fell into step.
"You returned quite late. Are you not tired?" Edmund asked.
"A bit, but manageable. Preparations are finished. By tomorrow, the expedition knights will be back to take over training." Brenda's expression softened. "And I've missed several meals with Lady Reise. I miss her."
"They haven't eaten together for two days," Lilia whispered.
"It seems Lady Brenda is genuinely fond of her," Tina remarked, smiling.
"More like she adores her," Edmund commented under his breath.
"I adore Lady Reise, too!" Lilia chimed. Edmund shook his head; he'd meant a different affection.
At the door, Tina took the lead. Two knocks, then she opened it. Her foot stumbled over a coat on the floor.
"What is this?" Tina asked. Lilia picked it up.
"It's too large. Not Lady Reise's."
The adults exchanged glances, stepped further inside. A man's vest also lay on the floor.
Their eyes fell on the tea table: two bottles of hard whiskey, an empty wine bottle, two shot glasses, a wine glass.
"There are two shot glasses and a wine glass. Did she—" Edmund's words cut off as their collective gaze shifted to the bed.
Their mistress was there, but someone else lay beside her, sleeping soundly. The man she always deemed unworthy.
"P-PRINCE DIO?" Tina stammered. The training gear clattered to the floor, her hands flying to her mouth.
"Why… why are they…" Lilia stammered, flustered.
"Tell me this is a dream. Wake me up," Brenda said, composure crumbling.
"Were you not with her last night, Tina?" Edmund asked, lost.
"This… should we leave, or—" Tina panicked, incoherent.
Brenda clutched her chest, breathing heavy rage. "It is not a dream! PRINCE DIO, YOU SCUM!" she yelled.
For a moment, they stood frozen—a silent tableau of shock. The only sound was Brenda's ragged breath and the soft rustle of sheets as Prince Dio shifted, his arm brushing G6's back.
The movement broke the spell. Tina's eyes widened in fresh horror. Lilia's hands flew to her mouth. Edmund, ever-pragmatic, stepped forward, voice a hushed, urgent whisper.
"Everyone. Out. Now." He herded them back. "We were never here. We saw nothing."
Lilia, flustered, stepped back and bumped the tea table. The empty bottles clinked together, loud and jarring, shattering the morning silence.
In the bed, G6's eyes snapped open.
No groggy confusion. One moment asleep; the next, grey eyes laser-focused, taking in the scene: her three servants and Brenda at the foot of the bed, the warm weight beside her.
Her head turned slowly, gaze traveling from the silver hair on the pillow to Prince Dio's sleeping face. Her expression remained flat, but a deadly chill radiated from her.
"What the fuck is this?" she asked the four people who obviously had no answers.
"L-Lady Reise. We are about to leave," Tina said, ushering the furious Brenda out.
"We are so sorry," Edmund added, wishing he could pinch Lilia.
The three servants moved to leave with Brenda, too furious to speak, when a loud thud sounded. Prince Dio was on the floor. G6's position made it obvious she'd kicked him off.
"Lady Reise!" Tina called, shocked by the disrespect.
Prince Dio slowly sat up, rubbing his aching, alcohol-fogged head. Satin inner clothes, graceful posture, reddish lips—every bit the beautiful prince.
"What is happening? Where am I?" he mumbled.
"Why are you still here? Why didn't you leave?" G6's voice was low, flat. Ironic—the scene was scandalous, yet her reaction was nowhere near what it should be.
"Oh my god. Prince Dio, you were allowed to stay! I am not staying to listen!" Brenda's voice rose as she stormed out.
The three servants, flustered, hurried after her.
"Did I fall asleep here? What happened?" Prince Dio said, standing groggily.
"That's your concern? The four people who stormed out think the worst, and you act like they didn't see you? And why are your stupid clothes on the floor?" G6 was pissed—hangover and drama.
She stood, kicked Prince Dio's coat aside, and went to the counter for water.
"I could not care less." Prince Dio sat on the bed. "You are my fiancée. Sooner or later, we will share a bed." His voice wasn't its usual cold; it sounded proud, taunting.
G6 turned, took a sip. "Tsk. Say something like that again, I will kill you."
"You owe me for those." She pointed at the empty bottles.
"I was truly glad you let me stay longer."
"I allowed it for a reason. Stop your mind from wandering. Nothing happened."
This shitty Snow White. Hard to get information. Cost me three bottles, and I got nothing. Could this world really be that different?
「FLASHBACK: LAST NIGHT」
G6 was on her sixth shot, Prince Dio on his third.
"So, Snow White. Tell me, why do you hate me?" G6 pressed.
Prince Dio poured another glass. "I told you. I do not hate you." He downed his fourth.
"You're not a good liar." G6 leaned on the table, staring flatly.
"Call me what you want, but I never hated you. I thought I was giving you the freedom you wanted." His voice was almost a whisper.
G6's eyes scanned his. Eyes of guilt. What exactly happened between you and the real Reise?
"I thought if I acted distant, bluntly showed I was also against this marriage, you would find courage to oppose it."
He's saying something I don't know. The real Reise was also against this? Then what made her crazy in love? Could it be what Tina said? Her strong will to fulfill her purpose?
Perhaps it was the alcohol. For a split second, G6's eyes softened. Not from empathy, but recognition. The look of a person trapped by duty was a language she understood.
Reise… What is the meaning of those eyes? Prince Dio wondered.
Driven by purpose. G6 smirked bitterly. "What a stupid similarity," she whispered, loud enough to be heard. This time, she didn't drink from the glass; she grabbed the bottle and drank like water.
Prince Dio stood, went to her side. "REISE! YOU'LL DAMAGE YOUR HEALTH!"
"Let go. If I don't drink this away, I might not stop." She held the nearly empty bottle.
Prince Dio sighed, sat beside her. "Then, you wouldn't mind if I drank it with you?"
G6 looked at him, remembered the one who always drank with her—Pisces.
"Fine." She stood, grabbed another bottle hidden in the shelves. "Let's be drinking buddies, just tonight. Consider it payment for being a jerk to the old Reise."
"Old Reise…" Prince Dio whispered. "Then I will." He looked at G6 with difficult-to-suppress longing.
G6's face returned to being unreadable. Yet with every pour, every exchanged word, there felt a hidden agenda.
The rest of the night, they exchanged words, nothing of substance. G6 kept pressing for information based on the book, always met with the same realization: It doesn't match.
They emptied two bottles of whiskey. G6 brought out wine. "This is what you call a cool-down," clearly drunk.
"Must we finish it?" Prince Dio asked, equally drunk.
"Are you stupid? This should be beer! But there's no beer in this fucking place." Annoyed.
She opened the wine, filled a glass to the brim. "Drink up! You're twenty. Live stupidly. Forget political stuff; forget you're a prince. That way, you'll feel lighter." Encouraging him to get wasted.
Her manipulative attempt felt like comforting words to a prince trapped and tired. His smile was unrestrained, from the heart, eyes sparkling. G6's presence, contrary to her cold behavior, felt warm. In that moment, there was nothing he wanted more than to be with this woman he'd once wished to set free.
After a few more glasses, G6 was thoroughly drunk, world spinning. She tried to pour more; the bottle was empty. "What? It's finished?" Still trying to pour as if stuck.
"Let us rest, Reise…"
"Tsk. Don't boss me." She stood, took off her robe, threw it on the floor, collapsed onto bed. "Out." Her last words before sleep.
Prince Dio, also drunk and disoriented, thought he was in his own room. He took off coat and vest, threw them on the floor, kicked off shoes, and collapsed onto G6's bed. Unaware, he pulled the same sheet over himself and fell asleep beside her.
「END OF FLASHBACK」
Back in the quiet room, dawn breaking, Prince Dio had approached G6.
"I'll snap your neck if you think you can get cozy just because we slept in the same bed." Flat.
Prince Dio simply smiled. What the fuck is he smiling about?
He was about to speak when the door opened. Janin stood there. "I suggest you return to your quarters, Your Highness." Clear disapproval.
"Janin, it's not what you think." Prince Dio seemed almost afraid of being scolded.
Tsk. Snow White has a soft spot for Janin. "Tell him that." G6 moved to the couch, sat as if nothing amiss.
"I won't repeat myself. Word will reach everyone in the villa any moment. And… it will reach the Queen. What will the House of Worthon think of this? You know how gossip spreads." Janin picked up Prince Dio's clothes, walked to him.
"What do you mean?" G6 asked, crossing arms.
"Lady Brenda is having an outburst, babbling about strangling Prince Dio with her golem. She was on her way to the dining room." Janin handed the prince his clothes. "Now, go. Get ready. Alistair is preparing breakfast and hangover remedies." She ushered him out.
"Wait, Janin. I'm not yet—" Prince Dio was out the door, Janin closing it firmly.
Prince Dio sighed, took a deep breath. "I had fun, Reise." He mused with a smile, then walked toward the bridge to Annex-Unus.
Back inside, Janin stared at the empty bottles.
"Lady Reise, even engaged, it's inappropriate to share a bed while unwed." Not nagging, but intent clear.
She picked up G6's fallen training gear.
"Stop nagging. I have no interest in that stupid Prince." G6 clasped her hands against her head. Hangover setting in.
"Perhaps not. But I won't lie—the Prince has changed, just as you have." Janin emerged from the bathroom with a laundry bag.
She placed bottles and glasses inside, began removing pillowcases reeking of alcohol. Cleaning up, leaving no trace.
"I've drawn your bath. The tub should be nearly full." Still busy.
"Why are you the one here?" G6 stood.
"Tina clearly doesn't know how to face the child she's cared for since infancy after finding her in bed with a man. I took initiative after hearing kitchen gossip. You should brace for rumors."
G6 smirked. Before entering the bathroom, she paused. "I'm lucky to have quick-witted people." No smile, but clear acknowledgment.
「DINING HALLS」
Silver utensils set. Heavy air.
Tina and Lilia were absent. Brenda sat next to the head seat, Eliza beside her. Across, Earl, with playful Keith.
Brenda held a butter knife, clicking it against her plate, fury obvious.
"So…" Keith finally ventured. "Brenda… you're saying… Dio and Reise… slept? Together? In a bed? The same one?"
Brenda's eyes twitched. "Don't make me repeat it. I'll have my golem use your head for pottery."
"But are you sure? Reise would rather sleep on nails than share a room. Maybe he passed out on the floor—"
"They were under the same sheets!" Brenda snapped, voice cracking. "His clothes were on her floor—empty bottles everywhere! A den of iniquity!"
Earl spoke, calm, measured, soothing. "We shouldn't jump to conclusions. A reasonable explanation. Prince Dio wouldn't overstep so brazenly."
"Reasonable?" Brenda laughed, sharp, humorless. "The only reasonable thing is he finally succumbed to her unnatural magnetism! I knew his change of heart was suspicious!"
"Or," Keith said, mischievous glint, "our lovely Reise finally decided to stop threatening and start taming. I always said there's a fine line—"
A napkin holder flew at his head. He ducked.
"Don't finish that!" Brenda hissed.
"If I may, I believe Prince Dio wouldn't cause a scandal," Eliza interjected.
"I doubt that. It's obvious Dio is head over heels now for Rei—" Keith was cut off as Earl stepped hard on his foot under the table.
"WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU TWO!" Keith whined in pain.
The door opened. All heads snapped toward the entrance.
It was only Prince Dio.
He walked in, impeccably dressed but slightly pale, faint shadows under his eyes. Royal composure—if one ignored the evidence. The room fell silent, all eyes fixed.
He paused, feeling the weight. "Oh, you heard?" Voice even, taunting.
"Thick-faced," Brenda retorted.
"Brenda." Earl's quiet signal to calm down in Eliza's presence.
Keith broke tension with a low whistle. "Well, look what the cat dragged in. Have a good… night, cousin?"
Prince Dio's composure wavered a split second. He ignored Keith, looked at Brenda's icy glare, Earl's analytical gaze.
"It's not what you think." Weak even to his own ears.
Brenda slowly stood, chair scraping loud. "Oh? Then enlighten us, Your Highness." Venomous sweetness. "What exactly is it?"
Prince Dio sat next to Keith. "We just… had a good time." He smirked at Brenda.
The butter knife in her hand bent in two—Physical Enhancement in her fury. "I'll skin you alive."
Eliza frowned at the prince's behavior.
"Is that why you left first last night?" Earl asked, sipping water.
"Nothing wrong with seeing my fiancée." Arrogant.
"At such an unseemly hour?" Earl pressed. No teasing, subtle anger. Prince Dio looked at him sharply.
Tension grew heavy. The door snapped open.
There she was—the other subject. Foul mood, hangover plaguing her, Janin close behind.
"Where are Tina and Lilia?" G6 asked Janin, walking to her usual seat.
"Still in the kitchen, helping Alistair in my stead." Janin followed.
All eyes followed G6, acting as if they didn't exist, nothing happened.
She sat, noticed the bent butter knife on Brenda's plate. "What's that? New art?"
Brenda looked at her, near tears. "Lady Reise…" Begging for explanation.
G6 raised a brow, looked at each. "Don't worry. Nothing happened. Snow White was too dumb to find his own room when drunk." To the worried Brenda.
"Are you certain?" Brenda asked, frowning.
G6 smiled at her. Not warm or lovely, but meant for the smitten lady. "Believe me."
"Meh, let's not make a big deal. If Reise says nothing, it's true," Keith said.
"Right. Janin, please tell servants to stop rumors," Earl agreed.
"When Reise says it, you believe her. When I say it, I'm lying?" Prince Dio asked, offended.
G6 simply smirked, leaned back.
"Well, Reise is more believable," Keith answered.
"Right! I'd rather believe Reise!" Brenda said, still furious.
"I am a prince, mind you."
"So?" "Lady Reise is Reise!" Brenda shot back.
The absurdity of Brenda's declaration hung—childish yet fiercely sincere, silencing even Prince Dio. G6's smirk widened a fraction. This blind, irrational loyalty was a weapon she hadn't known she possessed.
"Enough." G6 intervened; bickering worsened her headache.
"So you're wearing training gear. Returning to morning sessions?" Earl steered away.
"Yes." G6 answered. "Right, look." She pulled out the necklace beneath her turtleneck.
Earl leaned slightly, noticing she wore his gift.
"You… you're wearing it." Earl said, fascinated.
Brenda's brows furrowed, Keith confused, Prince Dio beneath neutrality sensed something odd.
"You said it stores mana. I'm curious how it works," G6 said.
"Wait," Prince Dio interjected. "You gave her a necklace?"
G6 looked at Prince Dio. Earl exhaled. "Merely a magic tool from Omnia."
"Odd. Omnia tools aren't usually so delicate," Prince Dio pressed.
"What's the matter?" G6 asked, unaware of tension, unable to recognize genuine feelings.
"My father used to say the other way to show affection, besides a ring, is a necklace," Eliza commented, smiling.
Her words, innocent, carried weight. All eyes turned to her, as if her ignorance could stir chaos.
"Affection? What are you, five?" G6's voice is laced with mockery. She tucked the necklace back.
"What else could it mean?" Prince Dio asked G6, gaze fixed on Earl. Keith between them looked uncomfortable.
"Earl gave me a ring. Does that mean he wants to marry me?" G6's blunt question momentarily calmed the room.
"Right. I didn't mean anything. This is still part of our agreement regarding her training." Earl downplayed true intentions. "As long as she wears the mana restraint, she remains under my supervision."
"I'll stab you if you make it sound like I'm under you again." G6 clearly offended.
Janin, observing quietly, noted tension always revolved around G6.
"Well, that's true. I haven't yet given mine," Prince Dio conceded, shrugging off suspicions.
"Right, you promised me that stupid sword," G6 said.
"I'm not yet satisfied with what I'm seeing." Prince Dio smiled at G6.
His words were interpreted differently. Keith flicked water at Prince Dio's face. "You're sick!"
"How dare you say that in front of me!" Brenda exclaimed, close to snapping her fork.
"Again?" Alistair's voice cut through. "Seriously, every time I enter, something's happening." Tina and Lilia followed.
Janin helped serve food. Alistair placed a hangover tonic before Prince Dio, then turned to G6.
"Here." He handed her the same liquid tonic. "Can you tone it down? I'm starting to wonder what kind of tonic I'll have to make next."
"Maybe a tonic to shut your mouth." G6 drank the bitter liquid in one go.
Seeing her finish, Prince Dio drank his, immediately grabbing a napkin to cover his mouth.
"What's wrong, Prince Dio?" Eliza asked, full of concern.
Alistair smiled, satisfied. G6 side-eyed him, observed Prince Dio.
"Alistair…" Prince Dio said, mouth covered. "Why is mine so spicy?"
"Spicy?" Earl asked, confused.
"Ah, forgive me. I may have accidentally added chili." Alistair feigned ignorance. He placed a sweet before Prince Dio. "Fortunately, I have this. It will soothe the burning." He smiled.
Tch, that stupid old man. He did that on purpose. G6 smirked.
Brenda and Keith exchanged glances, struggling not to laugh.
"Here's yours." Alistair placed a cupcake before G6. "And I'll give you only soup. I'll pack a sandwich." Spoke as if she were his own child.
G6 didn't reply, reaching for soup. "Then, enjoy. I'll be leaving." Alistair offered a casual nod.
As he passed Prince Dio, he whispered, "Next time, it will be worse."
A warning, like a protective father figure watching over a son—for in G6's rough demeanor, Alistair saw not a delicate daughter, but a resilient heir he felt compelled to guard.
Prince Dio clicked his tongue, ate the sweet to ease the spice.
"Lady Reise, we've already eaten while helping. We'll wait here." Lilia said as she and Tina moved to their corner.
"Suit yourself." G6 focused on food.
"Then, Lady Reise, I too will take my leave." Janin bowed.
Before dismissal, G6 noticed Edmund's absence. "Where is Edmund?"
"We don't know. He disappeared earlier," Tina replied.
"Ah, before I go, the Queen asked for him," Janin added.
G6 dropped her spoon onto the table with enough force to make it shake.
"What's wrong?" Brenda asked.
What does she want with him? That bitch. G6's eyes grew frighteningly cold.
Janin, noticing rising anger, spoke. "I'm sure it's nothing serious. Please, continue."
G6 didn't answer, falling into a silence so heavy it felt deafening.
What is she playing at? Trying to squeeze information?
The others couldn't continue meals in her silence. She unconsciously radiated a light murderous aura, unsettling everyone.
The door opened. Edmund entered. G6's head snapped toward him.
"What did the Queen want?" she asked, so directly she seemed oblivious to others.
"She merely discussed your proposal regarding the Utility Magic Department. I will brief you after your meal." Edmund bowed.
G6 twitched one brow, picked up her spoon, resumed eating.
"Seriously, Reise?" Keith said. "After you made us all freeze?"
"I don't care. That's what you get for dining in my home."
"I only stopped because you're too beautiful," Brenda said, lightening the mood.
"She's engaged to me," Prince Dio commented between bites. "And why didn't Alistair give me soup?"
"First, stop flaunting political engagement. Second, be careful—Alistair might slip in more chili." Brenda made Prince Dio glance warily at his plate.
Keith laughed at his cousin's rare gullibility, earning a slight kick under the table.
Earl shook his head, returned to his meal.
Breakfast continued, a precarious truce held by routine and G6's imposing presence.
While focusing on soup, she smirked. Not from joy at their care, but cold satisfaction. They saw a person to cherish; she saw only strings to pull.
The clatter of utensils and forced small talk painted normalcy, a fragile illusion. Every glance, every unspoken word, every secret kept and given, orbited the silent, brooding figure at the head of the table. G6 had become the sun around which their world now turned, and her sudden chill was a warning: the warmth of this peace was temporary, fleeting.
—To Be Continued…—