Arcane Arts Capital, Lokiya.

The magictech lamp on the bedside table emitted a soft orange glow, illuminating the soft, white bed and the faces of the boy and the girl. Enola lay there, propping her chin with her hand, gazing at the sleeping boy's profile on her lap, just as she did every morning.

On ordinary days, Shiayar always carried an air of mystery. Although he was the same age as Enola, his every word and action bore the maturity of an adult. He meticulously planned all their actions and strategies, making it difficult for anyone to see through him.

But the sleeping Shiayar would reveal his childish side.

Like his innocent sleeping face.

Or sometimes, when half-asleep, Shiayar would wrap his arms around her waist.

And then he would mutter absurd sleep talk like, "HEHE, my little Ennie, HEHEHE... my little Ennie," "Ennie, take me away...," or "Ennie, we're going to have an entire basketball team—no, a football team!"

At these times, Enola would suppress her thrill of joy.

Then, without a sound, she would take out an Image Capture Crystal and quietly record Shiayar at his silliest.

Of course, Shiayar absolutely must not find out about these Image Capture Crystals. They're my personal secret, and valuable material for when he leaves the Empire Capital for archaeological excursions, leaving me alone at home, tossing and turning.

However, sometimes accidents happen. Like when the Image Capture Crystal, while recording, suddenly captures Shiayar's dream talk about someone else. It might be Su Lun or, increasingly, Miss Silvia...

And so, when Shiayar woke up, he would find a pile of crystal shards in the trash can and never quite understand where they came from.

Heat waves came from the stove, the warmth in the air wafting around, causing Enola to become somewhat absent-minded.

This kind of waiting makes me a bit unhappy.

It was different from their usual sharing of a bed.

Back then, Shiayar was sleeping as well, but Enola knew he was still there by her side, just like that night on the Ceylon Snowfields when he carried her on his slender shoulders.

Enola understood. Even though his body is still in the hotel room, the Shiayar right now is actually in another world, experiencing everything in a strange dimension that I can't reach. He might even be fighting for another woman. Just like how Shiayar once passed out in the washroom for three full days for Miss Silvia.

SIGH—

The girl's long sigh dissipated into the evening breeze, along with the flickering light of the magictech lamp.

Not long ago, when Su Lun left Lokiya, perhaps it was due to some unspeakable guilt, or that superficial sisterly affection, or maybe a wariness toward women other than Enola. Whatever the reason, the Dawn Saintess eventually gave her foolish friend a few words of advice.

"You can be a little more proactive when it's necessary, Ennie," the Dawn Saintess advised. "After all, our rivals now aren't just each other; there are some other big bad wolves from outside. Strike when the opportunity arises; don't hesitate. Don't let a good thing like this go to an outsider."

So, with such thoughts in mind, Enola leaned in slightly, letting her pale golden hair fall and drape over the boy's cheeks. Then, she moved closer to Shiayar's sleeping face.

Their faces were very close; Enola could even count Shiayar's eyelashes.

The usual Shiayar is my beloved and my all, the person I can trust unconditionally and rely on without question. But the sleeping Shiayar seems more like a child, invoking in me a feeling of tenderness and a desire to protect. However, no matter which Shiayar it is, I like them both equally.

As she thought this, a flash of light sparkled from the ring on Enola's finger.

A ripple of spatial energy emerged, and in the golden-haired girl's hand, a notebook quietly materialized.

The Empire's latest portable Magic Conductor technology was nearing perfection, and Shiayar, as a Swordbearer, had previously received some prototype Storage Rings.

But Shiayar had Shiny's Spatial Pocket, so he naturally had no use for those inferior Storage Rings. Thus, he had equipped little Ennie with them instead.

And this notebook, taken from the Storage Ring, was one of Enola's biggest secrets, unknown even to Shiayar.

Shiayar's flirtatiousness was never a secret. As the person who had been with Shiayar for the longest time, Enola naturally couldn't have been oblivious to his little quirks. Therefore, although she hadn't understood much at first, over the years, Enola had actually been silently expanding her own knowledge and skill reserves.

While helping Shiayar manage those luxury goods and clothing stores, she was constantly observing. She studied famed ladies, female teachers, nurses, doctors, and similar types known to stir men's desires. She meticulously noted their attire and style, even their mannerisms, posture, typical phrases, and overall character.

Then, she learned how to use role-play to perform for Shiayar alone.

However, in the past, Enola had never really had the chance to use these learned skills. This was mainly because her feelings for Shiayar were too deep. They shared a bed every night so openly that, unlike Su Lun who could act brazenly fueled by the longing from years apart, Enola found herself unable to make such a bold move.