"WHAT DO YOU AN KIDDIE’S PANTY?!"
"Uh..." Verena’s brain lagged for a second. Who else would it belong to? "Oh..." She slapped a hand over her mouth way too late.
"J-Just because I’m small doesn’t an—!"
[WARNING!]
[Your Affection Points with Sera have dropped to -5!]
THAT MUCH?!
Okay, maybe that was deserved. She really should’ve known better than to trigger the landmine that was Sera’s pride.
But after a long day of council work, it was like her brain cells had clocked out early.
Sera always acted invincible, like she didn’t care what anyone thought.
But one jab, especially about her height, her family, or anything vaguely personal, her whole ego trembled like a house of cards. She’d never admit she was scared or hurt.
To her, "tough" just ant yelling louder than your feelings.
Thank the stars Saphira, her familiar, wasn’t around to witness this disaster. Beatrice had kidnapped the poor creature for "experints" right after council duties.
Verena couldn’t even think of a proper excuse for saying sothing so tone-deaf. Sera wasn’t even lashing out like usual. No insults. No swearing. Just silence.
That was worse.
"Give that," Sera muttered, quickly snatching the panty.
[SYSTEM ALERT: Ergency Affection Event Triggered!]
[Status: SILENT TREATNT IMMINENT.]
[Sera Anverre has withdrawn emotional engagent.]
[Penalty Applied: [Wobbly Knees Debuff] – Movent speed reduced by 15%. Emotional defense down. Dignity slowly leaking.]
[Ti: 10 Minutes]
"Uh oh..."
Verena knew exactly where this was heading.
These damned "Affection Events" were just barely-disguised sex flags! At this point, the system wasn’t even trying to be subtle anymore.
Before she could curse it out loud, her foot slipped.
She tumbled forward, crashing right into Sera. They both hit the ground, but Verena managed to catch the girl’s head before it thudded against the floor. Everything went blurry for a second, both of them dazed, ntally buffering.
"KYAAAAAAA!"
SMACK!
Verena closed her eyes. Her cheek stung. But as she looked down, she subconsciously exhaled.
Oh no.
She was right between the girl’s thighs, limbs tangled in the most compromising position imaginable. Sera’s face was red with rage or was that embarrassnt?
"YOU PERVERT! WHO THE HELL TRIPS LIKE THAT?!"
Verena opened her mouth to defend herself. She wanted to scream, "THE SYSTEM TRIPPED !" but... how could she even begin to explain that?
Her mouth opened, but no words ca out.
For a mont, Verena just... stared.
Sera always felt more like a bratty little sister than anything else.
Loud, an, endlessly annoying. Honestly, she reminded Verena a bit too much of her own sister from her past life. Bratty, bitchy, absolute nace.
But right now woth her flustered expression, trembling voice, and that flash of insecurity in her eyes... for the first ti, Sera actually looked like a girl. Like soone vulnerable.
"W-Why are you looking at like that?! Get off!"
"I... I’m sorry," Verena said. "It just... feels like I’m seeing you in a whole new light."
"W-What?!" Sera’s face went crimson, heart thumping.
"I’m just saying... you really are a woman, huh? Guess I just needed the right angle."
SLAP!
"PERVERT!"
"Oww..." Verena winced.
"Now get off !"
Sera shoved her off with a huff, but to her surprise, Verena didn’t bounce back. Instead, she wobbled, barely catching herself on one knee.
"...No way. Are you a grandma or sothing?"
"Now who’s body-shaming who?" Verena grumbled, clearly betrayed by her own joints.
But it made sense. When soone’s small and constantly underestimated, they learn to bare their fangs just to survive. Letting their guard down felt like surrendering everything.
Sera really was like a stray—just looking for a place to belong, but always treated like an outsider for being a different blood from either parent.
"You know," Verena said gently, "you don’t have to puff up your chest around . Love isn’t a weakness, it’s strength. When you show your true self, you’re braver than anyone else. Most people hide their need for love out of fear that they won’t get it in return."
"W-What are you even saying right now?"
"I’m saying... I like you, just as you are. Even when you’re a bitch, you’re still completely charming and so beautiful. I could tell you that whole day."
Verena braced herself for a slap, then two, maybe three, until her face could no longer feel anything. But when their eyes t, for the first ti, she noticed a slight sparkle in Sera’s gaze, like a constellation coming to life.
"W-Whatever!" Sera huffed, still the stray dog she was, even if her "tail" was wagging just a little.
"I an it! Who else has the guts to bite soone in the middle of lunch?!"
[ 4 Affection Points Earned!]
[Debuffs Removed!]
[SYSTEM NOTICE: Mission Successful!]
[Love Target: Sera Anverre]
[Affection Points: -1]
Negative one? How harsh...
Dealing with one heroine was exhausting enough, and now there were two.
Soone, please save ...
***
"So huge..."
Verena stood in awe before Penelope’s estate. It wasn’t just any mansion, it was practically part of the Imperial Palace, complete with not one, but two massive buildings. She reminded herself of her mission.
It was the weekend, and a letter to Penelope was due.
By now, Penelope’s reputation was taking a hit, but that was beside the point.
From up here, Verena could spot familiar faces. The Emperor with his fake smile, and of course, she gave him a polite smile and a respectful bow.
Sword practice. Magic practice. Descent Points. All the things she had to work on. Because she knew one thing for sure. Things were about to get a lot tougher.
When Verena finally stepped inside, she was taken aback. The letter she had sent about her visit wasn’t old—no, it had been rushed.
"Verena! I just saw your letter!" Penelope quickly ducked behind her room.
Wait... were those bruises on her arms?
There were attempts to cover it with makeup, but it seed like she had been too quick for them to make a proper effort. Verena decided it wasn’t wise to ask, but judging by the expressions of the maids around her...
It was clearly their doing.
Reviews
All reviews (0)