Chapter Fifty-Four: Preparing to Take Action

In the living room of Mayuna’s house, the Sorceress was sprawled across the sofa in a most unladylike manner, watching a television that had been transformed from Dragoon. The poor television-Dragoon had a white patch of tape affixed to its upper right corner, hinting at the mistreatment it had suffered.

“You can take on this form, too?” Alicia was thoroughly intrigued by Dragoon’s current shape. In the past, during great battles, Dragoon had been the main force, able to transform into weapons of devastating power, impenetrable shields, and even droplets of water that slipped into female angels’ clothing, indulging in his personal amusements. Of course, the last one was a peculiar hobby of his.

“…”

“I wonder what Satan would say if he saw you like this. He’d probably think it suits you perfectly, hmm.” Seeing Dragoon play dead and refuse to speak, Alicia circled him a few times, her curiosity piqued by this box capable of displaying endless scenes, and finding even greater delight in Dragoon’s defeat.

“You’re so annoying! I just like this form, it’s not because I was beaten up by that nasty white-haired girl…” Dragoon’s voice was strained and distorted as he glanced at Ruby, who was deep in thought and could only offer a helpless look. After all, the sovereignty of the household had always belonged to Mayuna.

“Nana, I have something to tell you!” These past few days, Her Highness the Princess had treated this place as her own home, going out for her duties during the day, returning in the evening for dinner, and staying overnight. The Sorceress had protested several times, but eventually let her be. Now, Tinaasha had burst in once again.

“Put down what’s in your hand before you speak!” Mayuna immediately sprang up from the sofa, her eyes locked on the pudding Tinaasha had taken from the table.

“Hey, just one bite, only one!” Tinaasha clung to the cup of pudding, unwilling to let go. She had never tasted anything so perfectly suited for girls—softer than bread, richer than milk, impossible to tire of no matter how much she ate.

“That ‘one bite’ is like the maw of the abyss! Give it back!” The Sorceress couldn’t stand it any longer; that woman would definitely swallow it whole in one go. She quickly grabbed Tinaasha’s cheeks, preventing her from tasting it.

“Enough, aren’t you full already?” Ruby placed a hand on each of the two women’s heads, and under the power of his double head-patting, they finally separated.

“I was saving it for a midnight snack!” Mayuna argued her case, but when Ruby’s gaze drifted to her abdomen, she became self-conscious. ‘Did he notice I’ve gained weight again?’ That thought lingered in her mind, and Tinaasha, delighted, devoured the delicious pudding.

“So, what did you want to say?” Ruby’s voice pulled Tinaasha out of her reverie. If he guessed correctly, it must be news from the palace—after all, he had angered the Emperor’s healer into unconsciousness.

“Honestly, it’s all your fault. You drove Healer Ayad to bed, and now whenever Father’s illness flares up, we have to find someone else for treatment. But it never seems as effective as before.” Tinaasha’s face was tinged with grievance. It had been two days since then, and she’d heard the old man spent his days lying in bed, lamenting his impending death—though whether he was serious remained uncertain.

“That’s just psychological. He’s so used to Ayad’s treatments that switching doctors feels unfamiliar. Pain relief is the same no matter who administers it.” Ruby didn’t understand the magical healing itself, but he could guess its effect—essentially a painkiller shot. There’s no reason the efficacy would differ just because the doctor changed; it was purely the patient’s mindset.

“Is that so?”

“Stop pretending to be serious. Seeing that old man faint from anger, you enjoyed it, didn’t you?”

“I—I’m not, I didn’t.” Tinaasha hastily denied it as Mayuna exposed her. To be fair, Old Ayad, as the royal first healer, was used to being arrogant, always putting on a wise elder’s face and lecturing everyone; Tinaasha often found him insufferable.

“Just admit it, oh la la la!” With a mischievous grin, Mayuna reached for Tinaasha’s waist. Despite her immense strength, Her Highness was surprisingly ticklish, and soon surrendered under Mayuna’s playful assault, begging for mercy as their laughter echoed through the living room.

After their bout of playfulness, Tinaasha straightened her clothes, her pale, taut belly exposed to the air as her hem had been lifted. Both Mayuna and Ruby’s eyes were drawn to the sight; Ruby glanced for a moment before shifting his gaze to the Sorceress’s own midriff, letting out a silent sigh.

“What’s that supposed to mean!” Mayuna was so annoyed she could grind her teeth. She felt she ought to hang Ruby from the tree in the yard to teach him that some things simply shouldn’t be pointed out.

“Ruby, please tell me—is your method truly capable of healing my father? Is there any danger?” Tinaasha, unfazed by her own exposure, set aside her smile and questioned Ruby with utmost seriousness.

“No matter how minor the surgery, I won’t promise a hundred percent success. All I can say is that I’ll do everything I can.”

“Your answer reassures me. Come with me to the palace, I’ll persuade Father.” Time ticked by, and throughout it, Tinaasha never broke her gaze from Ruby’s eyes, searching for hesitation or retreat, but finding none. It told her he spoke the truth.