Lucia and her students moved against the flow of the crowd, heading straight for the Little Log Cabin. There, they happened to run into Mahina, who was just preparing to leave.
Mahina was somewhat puzzled by Lucia’s sudden appearance, but she still greeted her. “Long time no see. What’s the matter? Isn’t the Star Moon Festival still a few days away? You’re back already?”
Lucia let out a sigh. “I was sent away… Since the Magical Beasts have mostly been dealt with, I decided to come back early.”
“Sent away?”
“Let’s not talk about that. Let me hug Maid Little Merlin.”
Lucia had already spotted Little Merlin’s maid outfit from a distance. This time, Little Merlin did not resist, nor did she act stubborn. She spread her arms to welcome Lucia. Perhaps it was because she had already exhausted her sense of shame while facing her classmates earlier, or perhaps she felt a sense of security seeing the familiar Lucia, but Little Merlin surprisingly did not say ‘no’ as she usually did. She stood obediently where she was, holding her arms open toward Lucia.
Lucia smiled and slipped her hands under Little Merlin’s armpits. At the very moment she pulled Little Merlin into her embrace, Lucia tilted her head to the side, her gaze drifting over Little Merlin’s shoulder to cast a look at Mahina.
Mahina didn’t shy away. She simply stared back at Lucia and Little Merlin like a lazy cat.
“Mm-hmm.”
Lucia didn’t mind the gaze at all. She was used to it; had there ever been a shortage of people looking at her since she was a child?
To steady the child in her arms, Lucia’s hand naturally moved to support Little Merlin’s thigh.
“Mmm…”
A violent shudder ran through her entire body. The moment Lucia’s palm brushed against those legs, Little Merlin flinched. Her small feet, clad in black high-heeled French Mary Janes, swung helplessly in the air. The white semi-sheer pantyhose were as thin as a cicada’s wing, tightly wrapping around her youthful legs and giving the skin a creamy, smooth texture.
Lucia’s hands, roughened by years of wielding a sword, were slightly coarse. When her warm palms rubbed against the skin of the legs through that thin layer of fabric, a strange sensation instantly exploded from the inside of Little Merlin’s thighs.
“Nngh… Haa…”
The fine fibers of the stockings were squeezed and rubbed by the external force, making every nerve ending seem magnified countless times. A current of electricity raced up the curves of her legs like tiny snakes, instantly crawling up Little Merlin’s spine and triggering a layer of fine goosebumps.
“Mmph…!”
Little Merlin bit her lower lip, her cheeks flushing crimson in an instant. It felt as if a cat’s claw had scratched her heart—itchy and tingly. The spot where Lucia was supporting her felt scalding hot, the heat flowing through her blood to her limbs, making her feel feverish and unbearably numb. That electric tingling sensation made her toes curl shyly inside the white silk stockings.
“No… Don’t…”
Little Merlin finally couldn’t take it anymore. She squirmed restlessly in Lucia’s arms, pressing her hands against Lucia’s chest as she whispered a protest with a hint of a sob. “Put me down… It tickles… It feels weird…”
Although Lucia didn’t understand why the previously obedient Little Merlin was suddenly struggling, and didn’t realize how much of an impact the texture of her palms had caused, she was satisfied now that she had finally hugged the limited-edition Maid Little Merlin.
“Alright, alright.”
Little Merlin was placed back on the ground. She gripped her mother’s skirt tightly with both hands, peeking out with only half her head as she watched Lucia warily. Her exquisite little face was flushed, and she was still panting slightly.
“Gwahhh… This is why I don’t like wearing these… It feels so strange… Waaah.”
Little Merlin buried her face deep into Ophelia’s skirt, letting out a whimper like a wronged kitten. The lingering aftereffects of that current racing up her spine still remained on her legs, making them tremble slightly. Even Ophelia didn’t fully understand what her daughter was talking about. She gently stroked the top of her daughter’s head, her fingertips running through the soft hair in an attempt to soothe the young soul.
Mahina’s gaze still hadn’t left Lucia. “So, you ran all this way back just to hug Little Merlin?”
“It’s because Mia is here. I don’t know what they’re up to.”
“The Candidate Saintess?”
Lucia naturally found a wooden chair and sat down. “It seems you already know.”
Mahina crossed her arms and leaned against a tree trunk. “I’d heard her name before, but we only actually met yesterday.”
“Mm-hmm.”
“What about the Candidate Saintess? In fact, haven’t we always been chatting casually with another Candidate Saintess, Highness Lucia?”
Upon hearing that title, Lucia curled her lip, looking thoroughly disgusted.
Ophelia leaned down and gently picked up Little Merlin, who was still rubbing against her. The toddler’s body felt light as she snuggled into her mother’s warm embrace. She squirmed a few times on Ophelia’s lap like a small animal finding its nest, adjusting her skirt and her white-stockinged legs. Once she found the most comfortable position, she finally settled down.
The tea set was already laid out. Orino tactfully organized the tea things, leaving an open space for those present. The only empty seat was next to Lucia, and Mahina sat down somewhat reluctantly. Lucia paid no mind to Mahina’s small movements. She picked up a teacup, watching the dark red tea ripple in the cup, reflecting her slightly tired eyes.
“Although there are currently several Candidate Saintesses, only Mia is actually active in public. Did you know I was a Candidate Saintess too?”
“Only in the past… I heard about it back when you were still with the Talane Estate. Actually, there are only two truly competing for the position of Saintess. Besides, isn’t the former Saintess your mother? It’s not strange for you, who inherited her power, to be a Candidate Saintess.”
Lucia snorted. “I have no interest in that position. It’s just that the people on this side don’t really want Mia to take the throne either. Both sides have been at a stalemate for years. Besides, my mother supports Mia.”
Lucia leaned back in her chair, looking at the distant sky. In truth, if one paid attention to the news, even if they didn’t see the two together, they would find reports of them being practically inseparable.
Mahina nodded thoughtfully. “Indeed, the rumors among the commoners say their relationship is as close as mother and daughter.”
“Ah… Yeah.”
Lucia’s voice was low. In reality, they were mother and daughter. It was just that, given her status as the Empress, actually adopting Mia would cause a lot of unnecessary trouble. On the surface, The Church had adopted her, but in reality, Mia’s life and training were almost entirely handled by Helena personally.
“So, in reality, Mia is Helena’s foster daughter. The Church is just a formality. I’ve hardly ever done anything.”
“Jealous?”
“With me around, her adopting other girls feels perfectly normal. Why would I be jealous? Ever since I can remember, Helena has hardly ever…”
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