Shirley feigned nonchalance, strolling casually toward a cluster of blue roses climbing a wooden pole.
A gap had been left at the base specifically during the planting process. After she planted the seed the maid had given her, she stood up and looked around once more.
No one was there.
‘No, I need to be more careful.’
She raised her hand and stroked a petal, pretending to admire the flower while magic flowed through her.
“PERCEPTION FIELD, OPEN.”
Exploratory magic radiated from her, using her as the center and spreading outward until she confirmed that no one was in the entire courtyard. Only then did she relax.
Being able to use ice magic was her most important trump card since her rebirth. It was also a vital safeguard against any unknown events that might occur in the future.
It could absolutely, absolutely, absolutely never be known by anyone.
The natural growth cycle of a Frost Lily of the Valley was extremely long, so Shirley had to intervene manually.
She touched her slender index finger to the soil where the seed was buried. A steady stream of ice-attribute magic flowed like fresh water, providing nutrients to the flower seed.
“Drink up to your heart’s content.”
Shirley closed her eyes, precisely sensing the flow, amplification, and growth of every strand of magic near the seed.
When she finally withdrew her magic, a sprout had already emerged from the dark brown earth.
“Done. In about 7 days, I should be able to give it to Anis to refine into a potion.”
Shirley stood up and looked at the sky. The image of that young girl appeared in her mind, and she silently clenched both fists.
‘Don’t worry, I won’t let anything happen to you.’
As she was lost in her thoughts, a voice brought her back to reality. “Lady Shirley.”
At some point, the maid Sybil had appeared behind her. Shirley hadn’t even sensed her presence, which surprised her, though it felt reasonable.
“Is something the matter?”
“A request for help has reached us from the northern mining region.”
Shirley frowned slightly. “Monsters?”
“Yes.”
“I see. Let’s head back.”
***
Meanwhile, Anis was sitting at the desk in her bedroom reading a magic book. The cat in her arms lay quietly on her lap, eyes closed in a lazy slumber.
A steaming cup of black tea sat on the edge of the table. The young girl flipped through the pages with one hand while occasionally sipping from the cup or stroking the cat on her lap. The scene was peaceful and serene.
Only at times like this could Anis temporarily forget her imprisonment in this bedroom.
Since the head of the family was currently away, it was quite easy for her to go out. If she asked Shirley, the girl would likely agree.
However, she really did not want to look for Shirley. Who knew if that wicked girl would take the opportunity to do something to her?
‘There is no need to find her anyway. The most important thing right now is to secretly accumulate enough strength to oppose her.’
Anis’s hand inadvertently brushed her bandaged left eye, where a dull, aching sensation throbbed once again.
‘Right, it’s been over 1 week since the last application. I need to change the dressing…’
She picked up the sleeping cat from her lap and walked over to the medicine cabinet. But after a quick glance, she remembered a serious problem.
The medicine was with Shirley. Or rather, Shirley had never given her the medicine at all!
“Dammit, that wicked little brat! This is her way of forcing me to see her once a week!”
Anis paced the room in frustration. The wound in her left eye began to throb more intensely due to the psychological stress.
“Meow~”
Mimi comforted her in cat language, licking Anis’s neck with her raspy little tongue.
“Thank you, I’m fine.”
Anis scratched the cat’s head, hugging the pet close.
A knock on the door broke the atmosphere between the girl and her cat. The voice that followed made Anis feel incredibly annoyed.
“Anis, it’s just me!”
Shirley pushed the door open just a crack, poking her small head through with a playful expression. “I thought I heard my dear sister missing me.”
“I wasn’t, I’m not. What are you doing here again?”
If Anis had to rank her most hated things, Shirley’s face would be number one. Unless there was a situation where they absolutely had to work together, she truly wanted nothing to do with her.
“Did Sister Anis forget the doctor’s orders? 1 week has passed. I’m here to apply your medicine!”
She slid a slender leg clad in white stockings and a small black leather shoe through the gap in the door. Then, like a slippery eel, she slid into Anis’s bedroom.
She stood by the door holding a medicine box. “May I come in?”
“Aren’t you already in?”
Anis stared at her coldly. The cat in her arms also watched the intruder with a wary gaze, a hiss of threat ready in its throat.
“Hehe~”
As if she had received tacit permission, Shirley skipped over to Anis’s table, set the medicine box down, and put her hands on her hips. “Don’t worry, I’ve practiced many times. I definitely won’t let it hurt!”
She moved a chair and patted it gently. “But Anis has to come over here. How can I apply the medicine if we’re so far apart?”
“I know.”
Anis spoke crossly, sitting on the chair while holding her cat. She kept a distance of about one person between them.
Outdoors, she didn’t have to be as guarded, but when they were alone, Anis had to be extremely careful. Shirley could snap a necklace onto her at any moment!
“Relax, I won’t do anything. Why does Anis always look like she hates me?”
Shirley looked aggrieved, as if she would cry if Anis said one more word.
“Meow — !”
At that moment, the cat seemed to see through Shirley’s acting and let out a loud meow in retaliation.
“Oh, right. To prevent the cat from making a mess, I’ll confiscate it for now.”
Before Anis could react, Shirley suddenly shifted her target and snatched the cat from her arms!
“Mimi!”
By the time Anis realized what happened, it was too late. The cat was already in the other girl’s hands.
“Meow — ! Hiss — !”
The cat was equally panicked. it meowed loudly and released the hiss it had been preparing. Its two back legs kicked and scratched, but Shirley simply held it high above her head, neutralizing its attacks.
“Heave-ho~”
Shirley pressed the cat onto the bed and rolled it up in a quilt. The poor cat was left with only its head sticking out, unable to move.
“Hajimi, no hissing,” Shirley whispered a threat to the cat. “You’d better be good, or I might accidentally use a little too much force while applying the medicine. Hajimi, you wouldn’t want your favorite master to whimper in pain because of your struggling, would you?”
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