Morning had just broken, and the first ray of sunlight streamed through the window when Ophelia woke up.
She had already slept enough yesterday, so this night’s rest was shallow.
Willis had come back late last night, but she hadn’t demanded anything from her, only quietly holding her as she slept.
She hadn’t asked what Willis had done yesterday or where she had gone.
But there was no doubt that Willis had returned very late.
Perhaps too exhausted to do anything else, after her bath, she had fallen into a deep sleep.
A gentle breeze drifted in through the window, mingling with the morning sunlight and faint bird songs.
The young woman’s chamber was simply furnished; the breeze wandered freely, brushing softly over the exposed skin of the golden-haired girl, bringing a faint chill.
Ophelia sat up in bed, tightening the quilt around her.
At the tip of her nose was the scent that belonged to Willis.
She glanced back at Willis, their brilliant golden hair and her luxurious red strands tangled together.
It was breathtaking.
Spread out, lush and dense, like two clusters of red and gold flowers intertwined.
While Willis remained asleep, Ophelia furrowed her brows and looked toward the fruit platter and fruit knife on the bedside table.
There were many ways to kill her.
While she was asleep, the blade could be drawn across her slender, snow-white neck.
Or, a cloth or quilt could be pressed tightly over her mouth and nose until she suffocated.
Or poison could be slipped into her tea, causing her to foam at the mouth, her face turning ashen, dying a dreadful death.
Or…
Her mind ran through all kinds of vicious methods, and finally, the image morphed into Rasser Lyons, her own mother’s snarling face.
“Ophelia! If you dare disobey Her Highness, I’ll break your hands!”
Then came the hopeful faces of her family when she left the Laiensi household.
“Miss, the future of the family rests on you…”
Hope…
How ironic.
The hope she could now bring her family was to bend herself, to endure humiliation, and to gain from her enemy Willis…
“Hmm~!”
Suddenly, Willis opened her eyes and stretched lazily.
She looked at Ophelia, still drowsy.
“Why are you up so early?”
“Hmph!”
Ophelia snorted coldly and turned her head away.
“You think everyone’s like you, a sleepy pig?”
Willis wasn’t angry; instead, she asked, “Is that so? Then why did the maid say you slept almost all day after I left yesterday?”
“By that logic, you sleep more than this princess, right? Ophelia, you pig?”
“You!”
Ophelia turned angrily and reached out to pinch Willis’s neck.
But at that moment, the quilt covering her slipped off, and a moment of endless beauty was exposed to the air.
A chill on her chest made Ophelia gasp softly, then she retracted her hand and hugged herself.
Seeing Willis’s mischievous smile, Ophelia’s face flushed with rage.
“What are you looking at? Keep staring and I’ll hit you!”
“So what if I am? I’ve not only looked but used it…” Willis’s tone turned cold.
“But did you forget our agreement yesterday? If you dare disrespect me like that again, this princess will return the gift…”
“You!!”
“You what?”
Willis sat up, got out of bed, and looked back as she ordered, “What’s wrong, Ophelia, my maid? Come help your mistress dress and freshen up…”
The golden-haired girl was instantly furious, clenching her fists tight, eyes searching Willis’s back for a place to strike.
In the end, she had no choice but to endure and obey.
“Got it…”
“Hm? Say that again!”
“Wi…wi, will do… Maid Ophelia… coming…”
“Good, you’ll get used to this role eventually.”
***
Breakfast was served in a side hall of the Crown Palace.
Aside from a set of luxurious tables and chairs, the room was decorated with bonsai and various paintings.
Behind the folding screen, only three beautiful young ladies added vivid life to the otherwise ordinary dining hall.
Since she was no longer dining alone, Willis had changed the location here.
Previously, she ate only a few bites to fill her stomach, her mind clouded with worries.
But now things were different…
Although just over a week had passed, it felt like a new era.
“Did you sleep well last night?”
Before them were pan-fried eggs, demonic lamb meat, meat soup, and vegetable thick soup…
Along with noodles and various exquisite snacks, this breakfast befitted an Imperial Princess.
Willis asked Annie Donald sitting opposite her.
Today, Annie wore a Moon Skirt of Purple Swallows with pure silver earrings.
Her brownish-gray long hair was pinned up with a seemingly simple wooden hairpin, giving her the refined and noble appearance of a wealthy young lady.
Now, compared to the hurried appearance from last night, Annie was even more beautiful.
The warm sunlight filling the grand hall made Willis’s appetite grow.
“Thank you, Your Highness. I slept very well last night… but…”
Annie set down her chopsticks and seemed hesitant to continue.
Willis asked, “But what?”
“It’s just… I don’t understand why Your Highness won’t let my room be near yours?”
Annie’s words made Willis pause.
She thought, I’m just trying to avoid suspicion.
You like my Eldest Imperial Sister, and Hill Yu probably knows I like women.
If I arrange you too close to me, wouldn’t that ruin your reputation?
If it causes a misunderstanding between you two, I’d be the one to blame.
Her Highness the Grand Princess Hill Yu was the first person since her transmigration to truly care for her; Willis didn’t want to cause any trouble with her.
Of course, that depended on whether Hill Yu would like Annie Donald.
Though she thought this, Willis asked, “Do you want to live next to me?”
“Close by, so I can learn from Your Highness what the Grand Princess likes daily. If she visits, I could see her right away, right?”
Annie blinked, clearly sincere.
Willis considered briefly, then nodded. “Very well, as you wish.”
Annie’s face lit up with a happy smile.
But as she turned away, a hint of confusion surfaced.
Next to her sat a girl dressed as a maid, wearing an expression of deep resentment as if she were a betrayed woman.
Yet this maid was sharing breakfast with the noble princess.
Annie couldn’t understand.
Her appearance and temperament were comparable to hers, but that spiteful expression made her look cold and cruel, unapproachable.
Why would Willis let such a person sit at the table with them?
It was a great honor!
Yet she looked reluctant, even forced.
Feeling a bad premonition, Annie stared at Willis cautiously and asked,
“Excuse me… Your Highness, may I ask who this beautiful lady is…”
“Oh, she’s a maid I just took on these past two days,” Willis said, eating her food.
“She’s still unfamiliar with maid etiquette, so I keep her by my side to personally train her.”
At that moment, a strange resentment also appeared on Annie’s face.
She only caught one phrase: “keep by my side”…
“Is that so? Your Highness has such good taste!”
Annie gritted her teeth and spoke through clenched teeth; even Willis could clearly feel the rancor.
What’s wrong with this woman??
So strange…
One moment she was joking and laughing, the next, she gave this princess attitude. Watch yourself!
Ah, forget it. She’s Eldest Imperial Sister’s woman; I’ll find a chance to get them together and send her off.
By the way, could Hill Yu like women?
That’s pretty unlikely!
Just then, a maid respectfully appeared at the door and said, “Your Highness, Her Highness the Grand Princess has arrived.”