The cold wind blew soft snowflakes, covering Shirley’s body in a thin layer.
Most of the young girl’s body had already blended into the snow. Combined with her snow-white complexion, it was impossible to spot her without looking closely.
She was buried alive, and completely silent!
“Shirley!”
Anis rushed over and pulled her from the snowbank. Her body was ice-cold, but she was still breathing faintly.
“Xiao Mi!”
“Meow!”
Xiao Mi lay down in the snow, making the fur on its back soft and flat. Anis placed Shirley into the soft, warm sea of cat fur and took off her robe to cover her for warmth.
Xiao Mi quickly sprinted down the mountain. Anis looked worried, her hands remaining interlaced with Shirley’s to monitor her temperature.
Fortunately, with the dual warmth of the cat fur and the thick robe, her temperature began to rise.
But Anis was still puzzled. ‘She only used a few magic-infused sword strikes against the Ice-Toothed Tiger. She has no external injuries, so why did this happen?’
‘Maybe she was just underdressed and froze?’
Regardless, she needed treatment now!
Anis only had a small amount of healing potion on her. After feeding it to her, Shirley regained some consciousness.
“Phew…”
After taking a deep breath, she slowly opened her eyes and gave a pale, weak smile. “What? Shouldn’t you be happy that something happened to me? Why do you look even more anxious than I am?”
“You…”
Anis’s face flushed red as she gritted her teeth. This bratty girl’s first move upon waking up was to tease her!
“Fine, then I won’t bother with you!”
Anis turned her back and sat down firmly. It was cold wearing only her inner clothes, but she just hugged her arms and curled up as much as possible.
She couldn’t bring herself to take the robe back from Shirley.
“Anis, where are we? It feels like we’re on the back of some creature.”
“Haven’t you realized whose back we’re on yet?” Anis gave her a hint. “Don’t you find its fur very warm?”
“Cat fur? Xia Mi?” Shirley’s brow furrowed. “How is he here?”
“Actually, I’ve had Xiao Mi following us during this mission to prevent accidents. It seems my judgment was correct.”
She lied without blushing. After all, in her previous life, Shirley had followed her like this during missions too.
“Is that so…”
Shirley rolled over and lay on the cat’s back, slowly closing her eyes. “Thank you. It really is warm.”
“Wooo?”
Shirley yawned. Before falling asleep, she gave one last instruction. “Anis, come to my bedroom at midnight. I have something to discuss with you.”
“Something to discuss? What is it?”
Anis looked at her, confused. But the only response was silence and the sight of Shirley fast asleep.
Before the sky turned completely dark, Xiao Mi successfully brought the two girls down the mountain.
Anis put her robe back on and let the kitten crawl into her arms. At the same time, she leaned the sleeping Shirley against her shoulder.
She summoned her broom and headed south, returning successfully just as it became pitch black.
Cybil was standing at the door, her face looking a bit uneasy as she gazed toward the north. Seeing a broom flying toward her, she hurried to the gate.
The three of them met at the courtyard entrance.
“Lady Shirley!” Cybil immediately saw the motionless Shirley leaning on Anis’s shoulder. She rushed forward to take her, asking urgently, “How is Lady Shirley?”
“She’s mostly fine now, but she needs rest.”
After being warmed up throughout the journey and given some healing potion, Shirley’s body was no longer in danger; she just needed time to recover.
After handing her over to Cybil, Anis went back to her room to rest.
—
Late at night.
The mansion was completely quiet, with only dim yellow lights remaining in the corridors.
Anis avoided the guards’ gaze and quietly slipped up to the second floor. Standing before Shirley’s door, she raised her hand but hesitated to knock.
She was conflicted about whether she should actually be there. A voice in her heart kept asking, ‘Why do I have to listen to her?’
How strange.
However, before she could find an answer, she had already knocked three times with her middle knuckle.
There was a slight movement inside, and a moment later, the door opened.
Shirley stood behind it. She had changed out of her outdoor shirt and skirt and was wearing a hooded onesie pajama set. When she saw Anis, she looked surprised.
“Didn’t you tell me to come?”
Anis was confused. Had this bratty girl forgotten after her nap?
“No, I’m just surprised you’re still wearing your outdoor robe.”
“If I don’t wear this, what should I wear? Pajamas?”
“Exactly! Pajamas!”
Shirley took a step back and welcomed Anis inside. “It’s so late. It’s weirder not to wear pajamas! Why don’t you go back and change into yours?”
“Maybe next time.”
Anis didn’t want to play house; she wanted to finish the conversation and go back. She hadn’t even studied a few pages of that black magic book yet.
But after entering, her jaw nearly dropped when she saw what Shirley was holding.
It was the set of pajamas she had hung on the drying rack before leaving!
‘Wait! Didn’t I lock the door?’
But then she realized her drying rack was near the window. Someone must have climbed in through there!
There was only one truth!
Cybil!!!
“Anis, I didn’t know your pajamas were so… bold.”
Shirley held up the clothing, her smile turning mischievous. “I think you wouldn’t want the servants whispering about how the young Lady Anis wears these pajamas to do all sorts of bold things in the middle of the night, would you?”
“I’m warning you, that’s slander! I have the right to sue you!”
“And where would you sue me?”
Shirley’s grin widened. She snapped her fingers. “Cybil!”
“As you command.”
Cybil, who had been hiding in a dark corner of the room, suddenly appeared and effortlessly restrained Anis from behind!
“Since when — !!!”
Realization finally dawned on Anis. Cybil’s secondary job was taking care of Shirley, but her actual profession… Her stealth was maxed out!
“Now then, Anis, please don’t resist. Hehe~”
Shirley’s hands reached out. “Don’t worry, I won’t do anything else. I’m just going to help you change into your pajamas.”
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