Chapter 172: A Frightened Aili

The pitch-black curtain slowly shrouded the sky, and night descended.

Clouds drifted overhead, with only a few scattered stars emitting faint light.

Silver dust gently filtered through the window, scattering across the carpet—and onto Liyakade’s small, delicate, white feet as she stood.

Liyakade wore a pink-and-white nightgown, tugged up the slipping strap on her shoulder, and gazed out the window, casting a distant look at the sky before slowly drawing the pale blue curtains closed.

Today, there was the Magic Power Test and shooting practice during the day, and in the afternoon, she’d discussed strategies to deal with Darkness with the others.

Even Liyakade felt a little exhausted now.

“Mmm…a bit sleepy. I’ll take a bath and go to bed.”

She yawned tiredly, rubbed her eyes, and then walked barefoot across the carpet toward the bathroom.

Just then, a faint knocking sounded at the door.

Who could it be at this hour?

Liyakade was puzzled. She hadn’t expected anyone to come looking for her so late. She responded and then slowly made her way to the door.

“Who is it?”

“Liyakade, it’s me, Alice.”

Alice answered softly.

Hearing the familiar, gentle, melodious voice outside the door, Liyakade recognized Alice immediately. But Alice’s tone seemed hesitant, almost fearful.

“So it’s Alice.”

Liyakade carefully opened the door.

It was already bedtime, and everyone else was probably resting.

She kept her movements light, not wanting to disturb anyone.

“Come in.”

Outside, Alice wore a pale yellow, thin nightdress.

She clutched her collar with one hand, pinched the hem of her skirt with the other, and bit her lower lip.

Her golden eyes looked conflicted and a little afraid.

Seeing this, Liyakade gently took Alice’s hand and pulled her inside.

“Alice-chan, coming to see me so late…don’t tell me you want me to lull you to sleep?”

After closing the door, Liyakade let out a soft laugh, teasing half-jokingly as she looked at Alice’s hesitant expression.

“N-no, that’s not it…”

Alice shook her head, blushing.

No matter how you put it, she was almost an adult.

Letting someone lull her to sleep was too childish…

“It’s just…I suddenly wanted to spend a bit more time with Liyakade.”

“So clingy, Alice-chan.”

Liyakade smiled, helplessly flicking Alice’s nose with a slender finger.

“Um…Liyakade, aren’t you going to take a bath?”

Alice stammered.

“I was about to, but then you came. By the way, how did Alice-chan know I was going to take a bath?”

Liyakade replied, then asked in turn.

“Because.”

Alice pointed at the pink-and-white Princess Bed, where a bath towel and a new set of underwear lay on the sheets.

“Uwah!”

Liyakade hurriedly dove onto the bed, snatching up the underwear.

Though they’d seen each other naked—and even done more—it was still embarrassing to have her underwear seen unexpectedly.

“Alice-chan…do you want to bathe together?”

“Eh? O-of course, that’s fine.”

Surprised by Alice’s sudden request, Liyakade froze for a moment, then nodded and agreed.

Both Liyakade and Alice slipped out of their pajamas and entered the bathroom together, white steam swirling through the air.

“I’ll help you tie your hair, Liyakade-chan.”

“Ah, okay, thank you, Alice-chan.”

Alice moved behind Liyakade, wrapping Liyakade’s silky, silver hair tightly with a towel.

This was to keep it from getting wet while bathing.

“…Then I’ll help you tie yours, too.”

“Okay.”

Liyakade circled behind Alice.

Alice sat by the edge of the bath to make up for their height difference.

Liyakade’s heart fluttered as she looked at Alice’s brilliant golden hair.

Before transmigrating, Liyakade had liked Alice’s character in the original work.

Although blonde hair didn’t tug at her XP the way white hair and red eyes did, the original protagonist’s actions were simply too unlikable, so Liyakade’s fondness for Alice far surpassed the original.

Alice was just so kind.

And though she seemed delicate, she was actually incredibly strong.

In the original work, even after being bullied by Irina Zi and the original protagonist, Alice quickly pulled herself together and grew stronger.

She faced the Demon Army without fear, standing against them head-on and shouldering the responsibility of defeating the Demon King.

That’s why Liyakade loved Alice’s character.

After transmigrating, Liyakade liked her even more.

When faced with the original protagonist’s bullying, Alice chose to forgive her after Liyakade apologized—even though it was the original who’d done those things, not the transmigrated Liyakade.

But from an objective standpoint, it was still Liyakade’s doing.

When Liyakade’s attitude changed, Alice forgave her, healed her, and became her friend.

To be honest, Liyakade stopped bullying Alice not just to break away from the plot, but because she couldn’t bear to hurt someone so kind.

Later on, Alice trusted and helped her, letting her escape from Irina Zi’s clutches.

Also…after transmigrating, Liyakade realized Alice’s figure was really nice…

Seen from behind, Liyakade’s heart beat faster.

The slender, white swan neck was right in front of her, and the shapely, long legs moved through the bathwater, the delicate waistline graceful, and above that, the barely-revealed side of her chest was enticing.

No, no!

Liyakade quickly shook her head.

She felt like her bloodline was acting up again, turning her into pervert Liyakade.

“All done, all done.”

Liyakade let go, dipping her feet into the warm bath and slowly submerging her slender legs, then her thighs, then her stomach.

“Mmm…so comfortable.”

The warmth made her sigh involuntarily.

Bathing really was one of the world’s greatest pleasures—especially after a long day.

She tried to keep herself from peeking at Alice, but pervert Liyakade couldn’t help but sneak glances.

Unexpectedly, Alice was also looking at her—openly, without a hint of concealment.

“T-there’s a pervert!”

Liyakade hurriedly covered her chest with her arms.

Whether it was an illusion or not, she felt like she’d grown a little.

“Hmph, Liyakade-chan was the one who peeked first—and did it sneakily, too. If you’re so guilty, Liyakade-chan’s the real pervert!”

After soaking for a while, the two wrapped themselves in towels and left the bathroom.

Nothing else happened inside.

“All right, it’s late, and I’m tired too. Alice, dry off and get to bed early.”

After drying off, Liyakade put on the new underwear she’d taken out earlier, then slipped back into her nightgown.

“…I…I want to sleep with Liyakade tonight.”

Alice said shyly.

“Pfft…you should’ve just said so. Didn’t you want me to lull you to sleep after all?”

Liyakade teased with a smile.

“It’s different, okay…”

Alice pouted and dove onto the bed first.

“All right, all right.”

Liyakade replied, sitting by the bedside.

Actually, when Alice came in, Liyakade had already noticed that Alice was anxious about the Test, making it hard for her to sleep—so she’d come looking for company.

But this time, it wasn’t about grades.

It was because real danger might be involved.

Alice lay on her side, facing Liyakade.

Liyakade gently took her hand.

“Alice-chan, are you worried?”

“Mm…”

Feeling the softness in her hand, Alice spoke quietly.

“I’m scared…”

“Scared that something dangerous might happen during the Test?”

“Mm…Liyakade, that Demon Race’s target is me, isn’t it…”

Alice wasn’t stupid.

She understood exactly why the Demon Race came here and set so many Traps—it was to eliminate the greatest threat to the Demon Race—the Light Element Holder.

Being targeted by such an enemy, even living in the Palace felt unsafe.

Besides, the exam was in a few days.

Even though they’d been warned about the Trap of Darkness, who could say whether they could withstand it?

“That’s right. That person’s target is definitely Alice-chan.”

Liyakade admitted.

There was no point hiding it anymore.

Telling Alice directly would help her trust and be more vigilant.

“Being targeted by someone like that…is scary…”

Alice no longer concealed her fear.

Her body trembled slightly, feeling the threat to her life again.

The last time was Irina Zi—and now, this enemy was even more dangerous and cruel.

“Chuu—”

A soft, warm sensation brushed Alice’s cheek.

The hand holding hers squeezed tighter, and the trembling eased a little.

“Alice, I swear, I won’t let her hurt you.”

Liyakade promised firmly, then gently embraced Alice, pressing her small head against her chest.

“Liyakade…”

There was no oath of honor or dignity, nor any flowery words—just a simple promise.

No proof was needed.

It wasn’t something spoken lightly.

Liyakade would use her actions to give Alice peace of mind.