No voice sounded in response.
Lathel was in no hurry. He watched Mira as she prepared the wine, then bit her lip and looked at him, asking softly, "Your Highness, do you truly not need me to attend to you tonight?"
He shook his head, giving her a warm smile that made Mira's face flush even redder.
That smile sent her heart into a frenzy, pounding like a frightened deer darting in every direction.
"No need," Lathel replied with a gentle laugh. "Go get some rest. Tomorrow, we'll leave for Carol Magic Academy."
"Yes, thank you, Your Highness." Mira bowed her head respectfully, her voice tinged with a strange emotion.
She was about to step out when Lathel suddenly called after her, "Wait! Come back here."
Startled by his voice, Mira's heart was filled with conflicting emotions—embarrassment, fear, and a flicker of anticipation.
She slowly turned back, her body trembling slightly, hands nervously clutching her dress. Her steps were hesitant, but eventually, she came to stand before him.
Lathel reached out his hand, and seeing this, Mira drew in a sharp breath. Her face turned bright red, her breathing grew rapid, but on her face was also a look of determined resolve—as if she had steeled herself for whatever might come next.
But instead—
Pock!
Lathel tapped his forefinger lightly against Mira's forehead, smiling gently as he said, "Good night."
Mira jumped in surprise, but then her face turned so red it seemed ready to explode.
She stared at Lathel in a daze, taking in his face and smile.
"Ah! Th-thank you, Your Highness." Mira used both hands to cover her forehead, then hurriedly scurried out of the room.
Lathel watched her retreating figure until the door closed behind her, then poured himself a glass of wine.
As the burning liquor slid down his throat, its sharpness and aroma sent a pleasant thrill through him.
He leaned back, his expression as relaxed as if he were basking on a sunlit beach.
"Are you planning to pretend you're mute now?" Lathel suddenly spoke up.
His eyes were half-closed, his lips still curved in that warm smile. But this time, the smile was no longer warm.
In a space lit only by a few flickering candles, his smile grew chillingly cold and saturated with killing intent—like a bloodthirsty monster awakening from slumber.
"Are you… are you really human?" A voice echoed out.
That voice sounded like the overlapping whispers of many people at once, twisted and unnatural.
Lathel gently swirled the wine in his hand, still smiling as he replied, "Hm… I don't like your voice right now. Change it up a bit."
"Ah! I want it to be the voice of a mature woman, a touch of sternness, but also a bit of allure."
"You…" Celesthalis's voice quivered, as if she were barely containing her fury.
Lathel smiled, his eyes opening just a sliver—cold, predatory light gleamed in them, enough to make the temperature in the room seem to drop.
Celesthalis panted for a moment, then said, "Like this—is it acceptable?"
"A bit clearer," Lathel instructed, still smiling.
"Like this?"
"Perfect!" Lathel nodded in satisfaction as her voice finally matched all his requirements.
Now, her voice sounded like a fallen queen—dragged into the mud, struggling in vain.
He went on, "I also dislike your old name. That belonged to the spear, but you… from now on, you'll be Evelyn. Evelyn Noctis."
"Huh! Suit yourself." Evelyn snorted—she didn't refuse, but her displeasure was obvious.
"And about my question…" Lathel took a sip of wine before continuing.
Evelyn fell silent for a while before answering, "I don't know. I only awakened when I met you. My memories are a mess, I… I don't even know what my purpose for existing is anymore."
Lathel frowned; he didn't believe Evelyn was lying to him.
His sharp gaze drifted off into the distance for a long moment, then he asked again, "What else do you remember?"
Evelyn was quiet for a moment, as if searching the depths of her mind, then she said, "I… I can't recall anything else. What I do remember is… I must find someone to help me get revenge, to restore the glory I once had."
"Beyond that… I can't remember anything."
Lathel took a deep breath and sighed, his eyes closing once more. He frowned and silently asked the System: "Is there any item that can help me unlock memories or help Evelyn level up?"
🔔 [Because Evelyn is a special item, to level her up, you must complete special missions.]
"Special missions?"
🔔 [A Special Mission Card will be available in the 'System Shop' after you complete five normal missions.]
Seeing this, Lathel curled his lips into a smirk.
"Lathel… are you human?" Evelyn suddenly asked, "Why do I feel that you're even more sinister than I am?"
"Are you truly that wicked?" Lathel didn't answer, but instead turned the question back to her.
Evelyn was silent for a few seconds, then replied, "I'm not sure either. Maybe… maybe I am truly wicked, just like the dark energy within me."
Lathel chuckled, "Do true 'black' and 'white' really exist in this world?"
"You mean…" Evelyn hesitated.
"It's nothing," Lathel shrugged, downed his glass of wine, then turned back toward the bedroom.
…
"Hehehe…"
In a small room about ten square meters. The room wasn't large, but it was where she and another maid lived.
There weren't too many belongings in the room, just two beds in the corner, two wardrobes, and a small table.
Right now, Mira had just changed her clothes, giggling foolishly, her face radiating happiness.
"Ah! Did something good happen to you?" came a clear, lively voice from the opposite bed.
On the bed, a blonde girl in a white nightdress lay with her hand propping up her beautiful face, blue eyes sparkling with energy and curiosity.
"Hehehe…" Mira replied, "Lina, you wouldn't understand."
That's right, she was Lina—the maid responsible for serving and looking after the Prince and Selvia.
Lina pouted, "Huh! Don't think I don't know. The Prince must have noticed you, right?"
"Come on, tell me—when are you going to be accepted as his concubine?"
"Ah!" Mira jumped, her cheeks flushing scarlet, quickly stammering, "No, you've got it wrong. I… how could I possibly have that right? It's just… it's just…"
She didn't finish, but the memory of what had just happened surfaced again.
His warm smile, his gentle gesture, his perfect physique… all of it was deeply engraved in her mind.
"Huh!" Lina pouted again.
She slipped out of bed, her collar wide open, revealing two snow-white peaks, brimming with allure.
Lina walked quickly over to Mira, and then—
"Kyaa!!" Mira squealed as she felt Lina's hands kneading her soft mounds.
"If you won't talk, I'll… hehehe…" Lina grinned wickedly, full of greedy intent.
Mira's face turned bright red as she struggled, moaning in protest: "Alright, let go… um… don't… um… stop it…"
Lina released her hands, then brought them up to her nose and sniffed, "Hm… smells so good…"
"You… pervert!" Mira pouted.
Lina's grin turned predatory: "Hehehe… Anyway, we'll both be given to the Prince sooner or later. Maybe he'll take us both at once."
"When that happens, things like just now will definitely happen again. I'm just helping you get used to it a little."
"Given… both at once…" Mira muttered, then quickly covered her burning red face with both hands, feeling as if she was about to catch fire.
"Hahaha… you really are lucky," Lina said, then sighed softly, "Who knows when the Prince will ever notice me?"
"Maybe… I won't be able to stay by your side much longer."
"Huh?!" Mira was startled by Lina's words, looking at her with confusion. "Lina, what are you talking about?"
Lina flopped back onto her bed, propping herself up with both hands behind her, her expression listless and tired. "My family wants me to come home."
"What?! Are they crazy?" Mira suddenly snapped to attention, quickly exclaiming, "You're serving the Prince… THE Prince!"
"Don't they know how noble your job is? Why would they want you to come back?"
Lina shook her head, sighing once again. She let her arms fall, letting her body collapse on the bed, her voice filled with exhaustion: "They want me to get married."
"Married?" Mira frowned, suddenly remembering something, and immediately asked: "You mean… they want you to marry that guy?"
"That's right." Lina replied with disdain, "That country bumpkin."
"Ah! What the hell? They're really insane," Mira said angrily, her brows knitting together. "Marrying a bumpkin like that is better than being the Prince's maid?"
Lina gave a long sigh and said, "I can't understand what they're thinking either. It's just… I heard them say that guy was taught by a Divine Doctor."
"Divine Doctor?" Mira pouted in contempt. "Sounds more like a scammer to me. What kind of Divine Doctor lives up on a mountain, living a poor life?"
"Lina, don't go back. Stay here, the Prince will definitely protect us."
Lina didn't answer. Her beautiful eyes stared up at the ceiling, as if lost in thought.