Anya froze when she saw the newcomer, her steps coming to an abrupt halt.
Her hand, hanging by her side, quietly clenched her sleeve, and the coldness on her face grew even more severe.
It was as if she hadn’t heard the other’s words at all and only wanted to walk around her and move on.
“What’s this, trying to leave as soon as you see your Cousin?”
The golden-haired girl took a step forward, reaching out as if to block Anya’s shoulder.
“I heard you were kidnapped by those Dragonkin. So? You didn’t wet your pants in fright and even came back in one piece? Don’t tell me…”
She deliberately dragged out her tone, her gaze sweeping wantonly over Anya, her voice both ambiguous and biting, “Did you have so much fun playing with them that you only came back once you’d had your fill?”
“This doesn’t concern you.” Anya didn’t get angry at the golden-haired girl’s mockery; instead, she looked at her very calmly.
“Miss Meidi, if there’s nothing else, please step aside. I need to return to my room and rest.”
Iris was not pleased, hugging her bear in her arms, glaring at Meidi with a look of obvious displeasure.
Was it the oppression from her Cousin, her father’s inability to express love, and the attitude of the Valet that created the current Anya?
A child at this age should be growing up happy, yet now Iris only felt that Anya was bearing burdens she shouldn’t have.
Meidi twirled a lock of her wavy golden hair that hung over her shoulder, her lips curled in a falsely sweet smile as she stepped aside to clear the way: “Dear little cousin, isn’t Cousin just worrying about you? After all, Uncle always tells me to look after you more.”
“Then thank you for your concern, Cousin.” Anya nodded, and with that, she lifted her foot to leave, heading toward the corridor’s corner.
But Iris clearly saw that Meidi was up to no good. Meidi’s seemingly casual retreating foot was actually quietly hooking toward Anya’s ankle.
Yet Anya seemed not to notice at all, still walking forward with steady steps.
Iris pouted. How did I end up with such a pushover for a host? Looks like I’ll really have to teach her properly from now on!
Although Goddess Oli turned Iris into a System, she still had a bit of power to affect the outside world, though it worked in subtle ways.
Her gaze swept over the Iron Window on the corridor wall, and suddenly an idea flashed.
She snapped her fingers in the air, the corners of her lips lifting with a mischievous smile.
With a soft “click,” the Iron Window swung open.
A biting cold wind rushed into the corridor like a wild horse, instantly lifting Meidi’s meticulously arranged skirt and flipping the thin underskirt inside out.
“Ah!”
Meidi’s cheeks flushed bright red in an instant. She hastily pressed down her flying skirt, her foot that was about to trip Anya instinctively snapping together and drawing back.
The cold wind blew into her collar, making her shiver involuntarily.
Anya seemed completely unaware of the commotion behind her, not pausing her steps, quickly disappearing into the shadow around the corner.
Iris laughed so hard she almost couldn’t straighten up, making a face at Meidi’s back before obediently catching up with Anya.
The Valet standing by the corridor had witnessed the whole process and now stood frozen in place, not knowing whether to advance or retreat, looking helpless.
Seeing the Valet staring at her embarrassment, Meidi’s anger only flared hotter.
She pressed down her skirt with one hand and pointed sharply at the Valet with the other, scolding loudly: “What are you standing around for? Think I’m not humiliated enough? Hurry and close that window!”
The Valet snapped out of it as if waking from a dream, scrambling forward to hurriedly close the Iron Window with many hands.
At last, the cold wind stopped. Meidi quickly smoothed out the wrinkles in her skirt.
That gust of wind hadn’t just messed up her skirt; it had nearly caused her to lose all dignity in front of the Valet.
The thought that Anya might have seen her in such a sorry state made Meidi stomp her foot in anger.
But Anya was already gone, so she could only vent all her fury on the Valet.
“Useless idiots!” Her brows drew together angrily and her voice was shrill. “Who told you not to keep the window closed tight? Now I’ve been thoroughly embarrassed in front of that wretched girl!”
“We…” A Valet started to speak, then fell silent before bowing and saying, “Sorry, Miss Meidi, we’ll be sure to check carefully next time.”
“Get lost! All of you, get out of my sight!” Meidi shrieked in rage, waving them off.
“Yes, yes.” The Valet, as if granted amnesty, quickly bowed and retreated, vanishing at once down the corridor.
“Damn it!” Staring at the now-empty corridor, Meidi ground her teeth, a vicious light flashing in her eyes.
“That bunch, and they still failed. Utterly useless fools!”
……
Iris followed Anya back to her room, looking around curiously.
She had never seen another girl’s room before.
In her previous memories, her own little sister’s bedroom had walls covered in magic girl posters and piles of stuffed toys adorned with ribbons.
But Anya’s room was excessively plain. The dark Oak Wardrobe was carved with simple vine patterns, a few worn Magic Scrolls were spread on the desk, a Heavy Sword hung on a metal rack in the corner, and aside from a bed covered in plain white linen sheets and a private bath, there was nothing else for decoration.
The white bed was so tidy it was almost rigid, completely unlike what a girl of her age should have.
Anya took the Heavy Sword from her back and gently hung it on the rack.
After all this, she went straight to the bed, burying her face in the soft pillow, her shoulders sagging.
The tension of the day finally left her, exhaustion washing over her.
“Iris, that thing in the corridor just now—was that your doing?” Anya asked, lying on the bed, her voice muffled and suddenly breaking the silence.
“Of course!” Iris immediately floated in front of her, puffing out her small chest and giving a proud huff.
“That scheming Cousin of yours was about to trip you! How could I, your exclusive assistant, just stand by? That little lesson was just a warning for her!”
Anya slowly rolled over, gazing up at the fluffy white ball floating above her, waving her hand gently.
After a moment, the tips of her ears reddened, and she said in a low voice, “Thank you.”
“Hm? What did you say? The wind was too loud, I didn’t catch that~” Iris purposely floated even closer, almost pressing up against Anya’s face.
“…It’s nothing.” Anya quickly turned her head, avoiding Iris’s eyes.
“I totally heard you! You thanked me, didn’t you?” Iris spun around proudly, drawing a snow-white arc through the air.
“Hmph, I’m the one personally appointed by Goddess Oli as her agent. Little things like this are no trouble at all!”
Her little chin was nearly tipped up to the ceiling, her eyes filled with a clear demand for praise.
Anya couldn’t help but smile faintly at her proud little look, a light, fleeting joy glimmering in her eyes.
But it was soon replaced by exhaustion and wariness, her expression becoming distant once again.
Seeing this, Iris pouted in dissatisfaction. “Little Anya, if you want to laugh, just laugh. Holding it in is so uncomfortable. Now that you have me watching your back, who cares what those people think? If anyone dares to bully you again, I’ll take care of them, just wait and see!”
The fluffy white ball before her really was pretty, with those bright blue eyes sparkling like stars.
Even if it was only a phantom projection, with it so close, Anya could feel its vivid warmth.
Suddenly, an absurd thought popped into her mind: if this ball were real, would it feel soft and squishy to the touch? Would she even want to…kiss it?
The instant the thought appeared, Anya stiffened, her face going so red it could drip blood.
She quickly squeezed her eyes shut, not daring to look at Iris any longer.
Knock, knock, knock.
Three light taps suddenly sounded, breaking the subtle atmosphere in the room.