Despite Lorient’s insistence, Iris made her a cup of fragrant tea. She sprinkled sugary particles and floated a dainty flower on it, giving it a colourful appearance.

“Thank you for your kindness, Lady Iris.” Lorient picked up the cup and drank the tea. As she savoured the surprisingly flavourful taste, her eyes shimmered.

“An elegant lady should not drink her tea too fast,” Iris said. “You have to admire it first. Hold the cup near, close your eyes, and twirl your fingers. Let the scent drift, and let your emotions guide your heart.”

Lorient wanted to speak, but Iris’s serious look made her listen and take note of the lesson. She carefully grabbed her teacup, hovered it in front of her, and closed her eyes. Her hand gently shook, and the tea playfully splashed.

“That was cute, but unfortunately not graceful.” Iris placed down her cup and then snapped her fingers. The tea vanished, cleansed by her magic. “Or maybe you want to be adorable instead.”

“I don’t know. I . . . didn’t come for this.” Though confused, Lorient still held onto the cup, twirling it, mimicking Iris. “It smells like nature, a waterfall. I’ve never drunk any tea like this before.”

“I created this recipe.” Iris laid her hands on her lap and straightened her back. “Be careful not to let your pinky fingers loose. Make sure your posture is appropriate. Wear a smile, a faint, lovely smile.”

“Lady Iris, I didn’t come here to beg you to join the high society.” Lorient scratched her head. “I appreciate your help, but I want—”

“I’m giving you what you want.” Iris smiled. Her eyes fixated on Lorient, who unconsciously tensed up.

“But I haven’t said my request yet. I didn’t know you could read my mind.”

“I, and many others, can read your mind.” Iris tapped the table. Lorient flinched. “I don’t need magic to know that you are nervous and frustrated; I just need to pay more attention to your manner.”

“I—I’m sorry, Lady Iris.” Lorient’s head drooped. Her hesitant hand lowered the teacup before picking it up again. Her demeanour shifted, turning from soft to cold. “From now on, I’ll be more careful.”

“Your charm will be of great use. At the very least, it will distract the onlookers from what’s important.” Iris chuckled. “Now, what is it you want?”

Lorient blinked. “I thought you knew.”

“Speak slower and suppress your tone. Your emotions leak through your voice. I can guess your reason, but never the full picture. Without omniscience, one can never be fully correct.”

Instead of her other friends, Lorient came to Iris. A deliberate choice. It meant the favour she sought required a significant influence that those of her standings could not satisfy. Moreover, it wouldn’t be dangerous; otherwise, she would’ve gone to other senior members, the Condensation Phase Monster Girls.

“Since you are now under my supervision, I shall treat it as a reward. What can my measly connection do for you?”

“I don’t need anything; my sister needs it.” Lorient gracefully sipped the tea, which cured the tightness in her chest and granted her confidence. “My sister, Alvalin, can’t walk. She’s a strong girl. Because of our circumstances, we lack the money to send her to a specialised school.

“Alvalin had never said anything about wanting to study, but I’ve caught her, multiple times, trying to read and write using the old books we have. She has the talent and determination to be successful if not for our livelihood holding us.”

The Court never mistreated its members, yet there existed nothing it could do to alleviate the situation. Lorient could not use the unexplainable wealth to save her family, nor could she use the suspicious connections to pull the strings for her sister.

“All my friends don’t have the necessary connections to help me without risks. Lady Iris, you are my last resort.” Lorient bowed. “I’ll serve you to the best of my ability. Please help my sister.”

“As a noble lady, you must carefully weigh your word choices.” Iris raised her right hand and clenched it tightly. “If I were malicious, I could twist your meanings. Are you implying that you haven’t been serving me to the best of your ability?”

“No!” Lorient raised her hands, about to slam the table, when she composed herself and shook her head. “You’ve mistaken my intention, Lady Iris. My dedication to you will not change no matter the outcome. I’ve already decided to serve you, and I shall do so with my heart and soul.”

“You’re willing to give me your heart and soul? Such a bold decision is unexpected.” Iris leaned forward, her eyes revealing glee. “I shall give you a moment of reconsideration. Before, I only used you to punish you, but if you decide to become mine, there will be turning back.”

“You’re Lady Iris, the youngest, newest senior member of The Court. You lack the robust foundation like other senior members, and you’re still in the rapid growth phase.” Lorient bitterly smiled. “I . . . am not worthy of the attention of the other senior members. My contribution to The Court is average, and I lack the knowledge or expertise to become valuable.

“However, it doesn’t mean that your value is lower than theirs. It’s just that . . . I’m already yours. My life is in your hands. This chain of obligation binds me, but it also connects me with you.”

“Are you willing to preserve the chain, forevermore?”

“It is an opportunity that I might never have again. I’m willing to risk it.”

“Why should I accept you?” Despite her aloof tone, Iris still gave off a gentle, carefree aura. “You’ve just shown me your careless, opportunistic self. Do you not fear me, who could treat you poorly?”

“You’re kind, Lady Iris.” Lorient lowered her head. Something in her clicked, and the pinkness spread throughout her face. It was as if being with Iris had awakened her shame. “You . . . could have done much worse to me. I trust you’ll treat me well like how you treated Secain.”

The memory inside the black, foggy carriage surfaced. Iris bit her tongue to maintain her composure, but her eyelids still quavered, though Lorient was too preoccupied to notice it.

“Between Secain and you, I will choose her. Are you willing to accept this blatant partiality?”

“She has been by your side longer than me, but it doesn’t mean I’ll give up. If you give me a chance, I shall protect with my life a piece of your heart.” Lorient pressed her hands on her chest. “I only hope that you’ll try to save both me and Secain, even if you can only save one.”

Iris giggled. “You already had it the moment you chose to serve me. I’m possessive. Everything that is mine, I shall protect until I am no more.”

“Then I shall be yours until I am no more.” Lorient got up and knelt beside the table. “Please protect me well, Mistress.”

“Call me Lady Iris as per usual.” Iris also got up from her seat. “It’s getting late. If you return home after dark, you’ll worry your sister.”

“Thank you, Lady Iris.” Lorient got up from her knees, but her manner had changed. The invisible weight pressing her had dissipated, replaced by relief and gratitude. Her eyes relaxed, expressing a different kind of charm. At that moment, she resembled a farm girl admiring a sea of flowers under the picturesque sunset. “Please command me.”

“I’ve heard that you sold flowers. Prepare a few bouquets and send the invitation to these people. Before I can use my connection for your sister, you must have adequated social standing first.” Iris took out a slip of paper and blew it.

It drifted toward Lorient, who respectfully received it. “Please be assured; as a Plant-Type Monster Girl, my bouquets will satisfy you.”

“Remember to pick a good set of clothes to attend the party. You shall go not as a servant but as a florist.”

Lorient shivered, but the lesson Iris taught her echoed in her mind. She calmed herself and flashed a kind smile before leaving. Her manner carried a hint of dignity, no longer of the pitiful girl who sold flowers on the streets.

Once the door closed, the room returned to silence. Sighing, Iris sank back into her chair. The tea in front of her had cooled, but, as she tasted it, its flavour remained refreshing. Nothing tasted better than nostalgia.

“Even though her manner isn’t good, her admirable heart won over me,” Iris said. “She has a curious potential. Once she finishes learning noble etiquette, she will become one of the popular ladies.”

Iris raised her head and grinned. “Am I right, Ludmint?”

“Indeed, I cannot hide from my wife. You know me the best, most intimate.”

Through the ceiling, Ludmint’s ethereal body phased into the guest room. Her clothes, now tattered and ghostly, revealed her pale, smooth skin, inviting Iris to stare, to imprint its appearance into her heart. Still, Iris would not fall for such a distraction.

“Why didn’t you come out?”

“My shyness overcame me. I couldn’t look at her in the eyes.”

“If only you were like that in the bed too.” Iris clicked her tongue. “Your desires overcame you. If you get too close to her, you might fail to restrain yourself, and when I arrive, I will catch your unspeakable act.”

“Dear Iris, I cannot stop my mind from yearning, but I can stop my actions. I endure it for you, for my beloved.” Ludmint wiggled her floating body. “Should you not reward my determination?”

“You could have helped her. Your connection, power, charm, your everything is beyond mine.”

“But she did not come for me. She wanted you, and you wanted her.”

“I don’t recall saying that.”

“I read your heart, taste your saliva, and immerse in your scent. Our intimacy goes beyond mere words.” Ludmint licked her lips as her feet touched the ground, and her body anchored itself to the physical world. “My ability is stunning, is it not?”

“I’m not arguing with you; it’s been a long day.”

“Then, allow me to massage your back. My touches will heal your spirit and instil vigour into your body. You’ll be fresh and ready to do many things during the night.”

“There is no . . . nevermind. I can use some counselling. Let me take a nice bath first.” Iris eyed Ludmint, who smirked and nodded eagerly.

“I shall go prepare myself. I’m cancelling all experiments tonight!”

“I don’t need your whole night, just an hour or two.”

“But I’ll need your whole night, not just the night, but the whole you, too.” Ludmint stuck out her tongue. Her fingers pointed at her bouncy, perky tongue, which slithered playfully, waving at Iris. “Cleanse yourself well!”

Frowning, Iris averted her gaze and went to the bathroom on the second floor. It was a spacious bathroom that Iris didn’t normally use. While waiting for the bath to fill up, she undressed, admired her figure, and slapped her face gently a few times until her flushes vanished.

The hot stream gradually filled the room. As Iris sank into her bath, she turned her head to the unlocked door. It soundlessly parted, revealing a pair of slender, mischievous eyes.

With anticipation written on her sparkling face, Ludmint entered the bathroom. “You should’ve told me you want me to sneak into your bath.”

“I cannot stop you if you want to come in.”

“I might not if you used the other bathroom, but you intentionally eliminated that possibility.”

“I . . .” Iris closed her mouth and her eyes, sinking into her bath. She wouldn’t argue with Ludmint, for she indeed desired a warm embrace. Though she couldn’t admit it, she could implicitly agree.

In the silent, streamy bathroom, a few cries occasionally resounded, and with it, a whirlpool of pleasures, both carnal and spiritual, mixed into a tempest that would rage for a long time. Fortunately, no sound would leak out of the sealed house, no matter how loud, how lewd, how tempting they were.