Crystalline tears spilled from the corners of her eyes, slowly sliding down her cheeks.

Feeling that coolness, Sophia opened her eyes.

She held Celitia's head tightly and gently kissed away her tears.

Salty, wet, and cool, just like her body temperature that could never be warmed.

"What's wrong?" Sophia asked softly.

"Why?" Celitia asked chokingly. "Why didn't you leave no matter how I pushed you away..."

What exactly should she do?

She had tried so many times, attempted so many times.

She had fought countless battles with her heart, forcing herself to keep distance from her.

But she had failed, utterly and completely.

When she learned that Sophia might leave, her heart couldn't accept it at all.

When she discovered it was her little scheme, actually another confession, the enormous joy that erupted in her heart.

The rationality she had once been proud of had completely collapsed.

Like falling into the ocean, constantly sinking, sinking, feeling seawater flooding her senses, getting farther and farther from the surface.

Powerlessly extending her arms, wanting to grab driftwood, but unable to find salvation.

Celitia finally completely admitted defeat.

When the black flames in her heart burned more and more fiercely, someday they would burn everything to ashes.

But...

She could no longer control it, and could no longer endure it.

"Hmph, why should I leave?" Sophia tilted her head, pretending to be angry. "If I just casually walked away like that, wouldn't that make me seem useless?"

She lowered her head and lightly licked the girl's cheek, cleaning away those two transparent tear tracks.

"Moreover, you know...

I like you, Lily."

Celitia looked up, gazing into those azure eyes, silently watching her own reflection within them.

What fell into her eyes was her own appearance.

And hidden beneath were countless secrets that couldn't see light, and the surging black shadows that even she didn't fully understand...

"No matter what kind of person I am," Celitia asked in a low voice, "will you still like me?"

Sophia smiled: "Mm."

"No matter what happens, you won't leave me?" she pressed further.

Sophia continued to smile: "Mm."

Celitia's breathing paused slightly.

She knew clearly in her heart how fragile this promise was.

Yet it was so magnificent, so magnificent that she was willing to...

...weave lies for it.

Her lips trembled, gently opening, and from deep in her throat, she uttered one word:

"...Okay."

Celitia actively reached out and hugged Sophia tightly.

Her face buried into the girl's neck, greedily nuzzling that bit of coolness.

"I'm so hot... Sophia..."

Sophia was slightly startled, suddenly remembering something, and her face unconsciously flushed with a large patch of red.

Turning her head to look at the girl so close before her, Sophia couldn't help but open her mouth and bite her earlobe.

"Ah—!"

Celitia cried out in surprise, as if an electric current surged through her, her body trembling constantly in Sophia's embrace.

"...Ugh, ugh... Sophia... Sophia..."

She kept calling Sophia's name, wrapping around her body like a snake.

Sophia embraced her, changed direction, and gently pushed the girl down onto the bed.

Clasping her hands, fingers interlaced, palms pressed together.

Long hair fell down, golden and light gray intertwining, no longer distinguishable from each other.

Sophia leaned slightly closer to her, breath mixed with lavender sweetness brushing across Celitia's cheek.

She asked softly: "May I... have you?"

Blush spread across both cheeks, adding a different color to that usually pale face.

Celitia slowly closed her eyes and let out a response as faint as a mosquito's buzz from her throat:

"...Mm."

Getting Celitia's response, extreme joy showed in Sophia's eyes.

She reached out and slowly undid the buttons and ribbons on the girl's dress.

The black evening gown slipped away inch by inch, revealing the delicate and fair skin hidden beneath.

Compared to the usual unhealthy pallor, the skin on her body now glowed with a lustrous red light.

Sophia complained quietly: "Damn, I've wanted to say this for a while—I can't believe your back was exposed so much..."

Celitia embraced her neck, a vague sound escaping from her nose:

"Wasn't this custom-made by you?"

"Yes," Sophia regretted it even more. "I absolutely won't make this style again next time. Every inch of your skin belongs to me—I won't let them see it."

"Pfft."

Celitia couldn't help but laugh softly.

"Don't laugh!!"

Sophia blushed with annoyance and kissed her lips again, firmly blocking that perpetually sharp mouth.

Unlike the gentleness from before, this kiss was domineering and forceful, full of the princess's exasperation, kissing Celitia until she could barely breathe.

Finally releasing those slightly swollen lips, while Celitia hadn't yet recovered, Sophia lowered her head and kissed her way down from her neck.

Cool lips slowly fell upon her skin, red marks spreading from neck to chest.

Then Sophia mischievously gave a light bite.

"...Ah!"

Celitia cried out, her body springing up like she'd been electrocuted, but was pressed down by Sophia.

Her legs involuntarily convulsed, and the burning fire throughout her body blazed even more fiercely.

"Lily looks so tempting right now, it makes me want to devour you completely."

Sophia lifted the girl's body, letting her lean against the bed rails and pillows.

"Oh my... you're already like this, Lily."

Smiling like a little devil, Sophia whispered in her ear, "You want my help, don't you?"

"...Ugh... Sophia... Sophia..."

Celitia's gaze became increasingly hazy as she repeatedly called her name.

Her five fingers were nimble, gently caressing with utmost tenderness.

Her body trembled violently, intoxicating gasps escaping from her throat as Celitia unconsciously gripped the girl before her.

"Hehe, keep your voice down, my dear Lily..."

Sophia's face leaned close to hers again, kissing her lips and blocking all those gasps inside.

But her fingers didn't stop.

"...Mmph... mmph... ah... haa..."

Limbs wrapped around the girl's body, Celitia's hands gripped Sophia's shoulders tightly, even her knuckles turning white.

Her consciousness sometimes soared to the heavens, sometimes crashed to earth, the depths of her body tingling as if electrified, and in that extremely gentle and lingering kiss, she finally soared to the clouds.

Celitia looked up with tear-filled, hazy eyes, reproachfully staring at the girl before her:

"...Sophia... you..."

"What?" Sophia curiously tilted her head. "Could it be that... Lily wants to go again?"

Celitia's ears turned completely red with embarrassment. She bit her lip and accused angrily and shamefully:

"You... why are you... so skilled?!"