Taking Celitia's disbelief as embarrassment after being exposed, Shanie believed she had guessed correctly and became even more excited.

"They say the commotion was quite loud! Dormitories nearby could hear everything clearly! B-but, isn't this a bit too intense? Before you start, maybe setting up a sound barrier would be better?"

"..."

In her life, Celitia had heard many outrageous rumors, but she swore this was definitely the most outrageous one.

"Nothing like that happened. Please stop this wild speculation; it will negatively impact Princess Sophia's reputation."

"Oh, it's not like that?"

Shanie widened her eyes.

"But many people said they heard the princess's cries, and you loudly telling her not to touch you..."

Looking at Shanie's eyes full of curiosity and gossip, Celitia felt a faint throbbing in her head and couldn't help but rub her temples.

"It was like this: last night the princess and I had some disagreements. Our argument might have been a bit loud, disturbing you all. Later, my old illness flared up, and I fainted. The princess took me to the hospital—that's the entire story."

Shanie's eyes showed complete disappointment as she muttered:

"Fine, I thought I'd hear some tortuous and beautiful love story, like the princess falling in love at first sight and forcibly keeping you by her side as her lover or something."

This girl should read some "domineering CEO forced love" novels...

While inwardly musing, Celitia asked:

"When you say 'spread,' do you mean the rumor has already circulated among many people?"

"Yes," Shanie nodded. "There are many versions of the rumor, and the version I heard is the most widely spread!"

Probably because it's so explosive...

Rumors are always like this—they start off sounding somewhat normal, but as they spread, they become increasingly outrageous.

Celitia felt her headache worsening.

In her current powerless state, controlling widespread rumors was almost impossible.

However, Sophia herself wouldn't let such reputation-damaging rumors go unchecked, would she?

"Anyway, Shanie, if anyone mentions this to you, I hope you can help clarify the truth."

"I will!" Shanie patted her chest. "I'll definitely help a friend!"

Celitia smiled slightly at Shanie: "Thank you."

With her gentle smile, the knots between her brows were swept away, leaving her as clear and clean as the boundless blue sky of early morning.

"Hey, Lily, has anyone ever told you how beautiful you look when you smile?"

Shanie's eyes lit up as she beamed at Celitia, her voice bright and cheerful. "You should smile more!"

"Is that so..."

Somewhat uncomfortable with Shanie's frankness, Celitia could only respond haphazardly.

Since her rebirth... no, to be precise, even before that, as the burden on her shoulders increased, she had smiled less and less.

She had somewhat... forgotten how it felt to maintain a smile.

"Yes! Let me tell you, I met several new friends last night, and they told me many interesting things about the city!"

Shanie's chatter ensured there wasn't a moment of silence on their way back to the dormitory. Even Celitia, who considered herself worldly, was occasionally made to laugh.

After laboriously climbing to the fourth floor, Celitia discovered that the dormitory still maintained yesterday's mess. It seemed Sophia hadn't returned yet.

Celitia sighed, both relieved and worried.

Her not returning meant Sophia might not yet know about the outrageous rumors. When she heard about them, who knew how angry she would become.

Shanie volunteered to help her, and together they tidied up the room, finally making the chaotic room look somewhat presentable.

"I'm so hungry... Lily, what would you like to eat?" Shanie turned to ask.

Celitia's thoughts were still revolving around the princess, recalling the "little cake" Sophia had been muttering about in her dream that morning. She unconsciously asked:

"Do you know where they sell good cakes?"

Just after asking, Celitia regretted it a bit.

After all, she had just angered Sophia and sent her away. Even if she remembered the other's kindness, it wouldn't be possible to buy a little cake for her at this time.

Otherwise, Celitia suspected, the angry princess would press the entire cake into her face.

"No, never mind..."

Before Celitia could finish, Shanie excitedly interrupted her:

"I know, I know! I already asked Rebecca about several places worth visiting yesterday! I was just thinking of asking you to go together today!!"

With that, Shanie reached out, hooked Celitia's arm, and happily pulled her outside.

"Uh... this... alright..."

Celitia was truly helpless against Shanie. Seeing her expectant eyes, she couldn't bring herself to refuse and half-reluctantly followed Shanie out the door.

It didn't take long for the two to walk back to the commercial district on the outskirts of the capital, Cassia.

Cassia was a coastal city with frequent trade exchanges, offering a dazzling array of novel goods.

Not just Shanie, who had rarely entered the city, but even Celitia felt somewhat dazed.

"It's been so long since I've been to Cassia. I didn't expect it to develop to this extent," Celitia muttered softly. "Coastal areas really are different..."

"What?" Shanie hadn't heard clearly and casually asked.

"Nothing," Celitia calmly explained. "I usually stay at home and rarely go out. I'm just a bit surprised to see such a prosperous commercial district suddenly."

"Exactly! The capital is indeed different from our rural village!"

Shanie nodded in agreement.

"They say our baron's domain is one of the better developed ones nearby, but compared to the capital, it's like heaven and earth!"

While enthusiastically surveying the nearby shops, Shanie happily continued pulling Celitia forward.

"We'll come back to browse later. Let's go get some desserts first!"

Walking with Shanie through the bustling streets, Celitia passed by a store window and casually glanced inside, only to discover a familiar figure.

It was Sophia.

Beside Sophia was an elegantly dressed blonde girl.

Celitia recognized her—she was the noble girl who had rudely pushed her out of line yesterday. If she wasn't mistaken, her name was Charlotte Williams.

"Look, this is a natural Helms magic diamond!" Charlotte said very excitedly. "Sophia, whether as your crown, a ring, or a magic crystal, it's perfectly suitable!"

Sophia hesitated:

"But aren't Helms magic diamonds supposed to be white? I've never heard of red Helms magic diamonds..."

"No, as far as I know, red Helms magic diamonds do exist and are more precious than white ones!"

Charlotte asserted confidently. "Sophia, my judgment is absolutely infallible!"