The morning sunlight slipped through the gap in the heavy curtains, casting a soft glow across Ophelia’s face.
Like a feather gently tickling her, her eyelashes fluttered, and a pair of deep blue eyes slowly opened.
Her vision was still a bit blurry.
Ophelia turned her head and saw a delicate, doll-like face come into view.
She was leaning on the edge of the bed, asleep, breathing evenly, her silver hair falling smoothly down her back.
Ophelia yawned and tried to stretch, only to realize her left hand was tightly entwined with Anna’s.
Recalling everything that had happened in the room last night, her cheeks involuntarily flushed a deep red.
What foolish things had she said…
Her empty right hand pressed against her forehead.
Her emotions had collapsed last night, but after a good sleep, she felt clear-headed again.
Now that those honest words were out in the open, how was she supposed to act around Anna going forward…
“Good morning.”
Anna lifted her head from the bed’s edge.
Her eyes were puffy, and her neck was stiffly bent forward.
Clearly, she hadn’t slept well.
“Why aren’t you sleeping in your own bed?”
“Eh…”
Rubbing her eyes, Anna’s bangs were messy, and a red mark from the bed’s edge still remained on her forehead.
She looked down at their tightly clasped hands, then suddenly covered Ophelia’s bandaged right hand with her own.
Ophelia’s hand was sandwiched between Anna’s two hands.
The bandaged back of her hand felt rough, while her palm was soft, sticky, and warm.
Her gaze drifted toward Anna’s face, but Anna avoided eye contact and turned to look out the window.
“Because…” Anna’s voice grew low, “If I don’t sleep here, we can’t hold hands.”
What kind of reason was that…? Well, this time Ophelia would let it slide.
But next time, if she mistreated her body like this again, she wouldn’t be so forgiving.
Anna’s frame was already fragile; how could she endure the torment of sleeping all night in such a stiff posture?
Ophelia felt an inexplicable pang of concern.
Anna tried to stand but wobbled as her legs went numb.
Thankfully, she caught the bed edge just in time; otherwise, she would have fallen.
“Sit down here, Anna.”
Ophelia gently patted the empty spot beside her.
Her bed was wide enough to easily fit a petite Anna.
Anna hesitated, but whether it was Ophelia’s commanding gaze or her own stiff, cramping legs, she obediently sat beside her.
Ophelia shifted to the foot of the bed and pressed her palm against Anna’s sole, suddenly applying force.
Anna let out a muffled groan from the pain.
She tried to pull away but Ophelia firmly pressed down on her knee.
Under that unyielding gaze, Anna gave in.
Anna felt her face flush as if she were a fiery magic crystal heated by a kitchen stove.
It was the first time someone had grabbed her foot.
Even though her socks separated them, she felt deeply embarrassed.
“Last night,” Ophelia’s voice was soft, “The things I said…”
A dull ache in her calf suddenly faded.
“If Ophelia wishes, I can forget them.”
“Who told you to forget? I want you to remember every word.”
“Eh… Is that really okay, Ophelia?”
Anna’s surprised expression irked Ophelia slightly.
She grabbed Anna by the collar and dragged that delicate face close.
Pressing down on Anna’s chin, her fingers traced along the jawline absentmindedly.
Suddenly, she wanted to kiss her.
Immediately, she let go.
Maybe she should just kiss her.
As soon as she released her hand, Ophelia regretted it.
Anna’s eyes were half-closed, her lashes fluttering lightly.
Could she be hoping for a kiss?
If that was the case…
Unconsciously, Ophelia’s nose lightly brushed Anna’s cheek, like a dragonfly skimming water.
Anna flinched as if shocked by electricity, clutching the bedsheet tightly.
Ophelia felt her own cheeks burn.
Surely, it was the sun’s heat.
Even though only a few rays of sunlight had made it inside the room.
“Miss Ophelia.”
Anna’s voice was tinged with helplessness.
“Can I be a little selfish?”
Before Ophelia could respond, Anna pressed her lips against hers.
Anna’s lips were slightly dry, and between her teeth, there was none of the stickiness Ophelia had imagined.
Her kiss was restrained and brief.
She ended it hastily, climbed off the bed, and began undressing.
Jacket, blouse, pleated skirt, stockings—all fell from her body like autumn leaves.
Bathed in the scattered sunlight, even though it wasn’t the first time seeing her, Ophelia swallowed hard involuntarily.
She was beautiful.
Anna’s figure wasn’t voluptuous; in fact, it was rather slender.
Shoulder blades, collarbones, ribs, hipbones—her bone structure was especially prominent in the sunlight.
Ophelia reached out to touch her but grasped only air, as if reaching for a reflection in a mirror.
Anna picked up the clothes she’d prepared last night and entered the bathhouse.
Only when the wooden door closed and the muffled sound of running water began did Ophelia come to her senses.
She hadn’t even washed up yet before Anna had taken over the bathhouse.
Who was really the mistress here?
Had she spoiled her too much today?
And she had just been kissed by her too…
But, she didn’t dislike being kissed on the initiative.
Ophelia’s fingers unconsciously caressed her lower lip, as if lingering traces of that kiss remained.
No matter—time to change clothes first.
Today was Sunday.
Everyone should have been at the Center Square listening to the Cathedral’s gospel.
But both she and Anna had overslept, and by now, the gathering there had probably ended.
Maybe she could go shopping with Anna?
Anna probably hadn’t visited the Upper City much before.
That was where the nobles lived.
Ophelia herself had probably never set foot there.
Taking Anna for a stroll wouldn’t hurt.
Similarly, Ophelia had seldom been to the Lower City, where the commoners lived.
The few times she had gone were only to the Arena to watch Anna’s matches.
But Anna must be very familiar with that place, right?
Having her guide the way might be nice.
Decision made.
They’d spend this rare day off wandering around.
Ophelia picked out a simple, light blue, corseted long dress from her wardrobe.
She considered it a modest and casual style.
As for Anna… she seemed to own very few clothes.
Her wardrobe was nearly empty, and the few garments she had were crumpled and shabby.
While Anna was bathing, Ophelia decided to clear out her wardrobe completely.
She’d buy her a few new outfits today and have the Family’s tailor make some custom pieces later.
Watching Anna’s sullen face beside her, Ophelia was in good spirits.
Her dress hung too loosely on Anna, especially around the chest, where it gaped empty.
Unable to find any of her own clothes, Anna reluctantly wore her uniform shirt under the sundress and tied a large corsage at the collar.
Her hair was braided into neat double plaits, hanging obediently over her shoulders.
Her lower half was clad in floral-patterned short socks and uniform leather shoes.
To match the look, she wore a pair of plain glasses.
Honestly, her aesthetic sense wasn’t bad.
If she just dressed up properly, she could be a real beauty.
Ophelia gently hooked her finger through Anna’s.
“Be careful, Ophelia… sister.”
Walking through the Lower City streets, Anna skillfully avoided rats that scurried up from the roadside gutters.
She grabbed Ophelia’s hand, pulling her out of harm’s way.
To avoid drawing attention, Ophelia suggested they call each other sisters today.
Even though it wasn’t necessary.
Judging by their clothes, no one would mistake them for native residents of the Lower City.
Anna stole a glance at Ophelia’s face.
Seeing her expression of wide-eyed curiosity, Anna figured she hadn’t realized her identity was already exposed from the start.
She really couldn’t refuse her.
Anna finally agreed to the idea.
But why was Ophelia the “older sister”?
Anna remembered Ophelia had just turned eighteen, while she was nineteen.
By age, Anna was the elder.
But if others judged by appearance… perhaps they would instinctively think Ophelia was the older one?
Whatever, let it be.
As she aimlessly wandered with Ophelia, Anna found the buildings around them becoming more familiar.
No.
They shouldn’t be here…
She wanted to pull Ophelia away, but her fingers trembled uncontrollably.
Her steps halted, a chill crawling up her spine.
In that instant, the world seemed to spin wildly, and time stopped flowing.
Here were people she didn’t know how to face.
“Anna?” “Anna?”
Two voices called her name, one male, one female, ringing in her ears from left and right.
One was Ophelia.
The other—
Accompanied by the scent of bread, eggs, and milk drifting from the bakery’s oven, Anna knew it was that person.