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Even though things had taken a rather unexpected turn—Grayfia had walked in on something she definitely shouldn't have—once Venelana spoke up, she had no choice but to obey.
There didn't need to be a complicated reason. That was just how things worked in the Underworld.
If anything, the hierarchical structure of the Underworld was even more rigid than the so-called "locked-class" system of Japan.
In Japan, if you clashed with your boss, you could just quit and find another job. Simple.
But in the Underworld? Talking back to a superior usually meant forfeiting your life.
Granted, Venelana wasn't the type to execute her subordinates on a whim. In fact, she was quite the opposite—gentle and lenient. If one of the maids in the castle slipped up, she typically let it go with a smile.
But that didn't mean Grayfia could refuse her command—especially not when it came to this. And it certainly wasn't because she wanted to watch.
In short, Grayfia sat down.
And once she sat, she remained still—for almost an hour.
During that time, Venelana completely pretended Grayfia didn't exist and continued doing whatever she pleased.
As for Bokue? He honestly didn't care. After all, his first time with Rias had happened with Grayfia watching. Now that she'd walked in again? Might as well run it back.
Venelana arched her back one more time, her body stretching high as a faintly milky, slightly golden swirl bloomed outward in the bathwater around them.
It was like pouring fresh cream into a bowl of hot water—gently diffusing in a soft wave.
"Whew~ That makes… what, six now?"
"That was the fifth."
"Ah, really...? Feels like my head's spinning already~"
Her breathing slow and uneven, Venelana's eyes sparkled through the haze of pleasure. She leaned in to kiss the boy on the lips once more, then licked them with a soft hum of satisfaction.
"Mmm… I think it's time for a little break."
Bokue blinked, surprised.
In all their time together, he couldn't remember Venelana ever suggesting a break mid-session.
But her next words cleared that up immediately.
The sultry noblewoman turned toward the silver-haired maid, who had been sitting beside the bath this whole time like a perfect schoolgirl—legs together, hands neatly placed on her knees, posture immaculate.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Grayfia-chan~ Want to come give it a try?"
That single sentence left the normally composed maid momentarily speechless, her lips slightly parted in shock.
She never imagined those words would come from her mistress's mouth.
Nothing about tonight made sense.
Bokue was supposed to be Lady Rias's partner. And now here he was… with Venelana, who was very clearly the one taking initiative.
Was this really the same poised, regal Venelana she'd always known?
"What's the matter? Too embarrassed to say yes?"
Venelana laughed lightly and pressed her hands to Bokue's shoulders as she carefully stood, the water cascading around her thighs in subtle waves. She stepped over and sat beside Grayfia.
The water swirled around them like strands of silk.
"I… I can't… I can't do this…"
Grayfia turned her flushed face away, struggling to speak.
But that didn't stop Venelana's voice from gliding across the steamy bathwater.
She leaned in, coaxing.
"Do you… not like Bokue?"
"It's not that I dislike him…"
"So you do like him?"
Classic leading dialogue. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ NoveI~Fire.net
Under normal circumstances, Grayfia would never have fallen into such a cheap verbal trap. But her brain was currently short-circuiting. She couldn't form a proper argument or even think straight.
Everything had escalated far too quickly.
"You know," Venelana continued, "back when Bokue was fighting that White Dragon Emperor, you were watching really intently, weren't you?"
"That's not the same—"
Grayfia tried to object.
But Venelana tilted her head with a smirk, cutting her off mid-sentence.
"Oh? I remember your eyes sparkling. I thought for sure you'd already fallen for him right then and there."
Again, Grayfia hesitated.
This was psychological warfare.
Venelana had planted the seed—you like him, don't you?—and Grayfia had failed to reject it outright. Now every attempt to explain herself only made her second-guess. The more she tried to deny it, the more she wondered if it might actually be true.
Did I… really not feel anything for Bokue that day?
Was I really unaffected?
It was like reviewing an exam and suddenly doubting the answer you were so sure of—only to erase the correct one and write the wrong one instead.
Had she truly never felt a spark for Bokue?
"By the way," Venelana added casually, "you're not exactly a little girl anymore, are you?"
"A woman only gets a few prime years, Grayfia-chan. If you don't find the right person while you've still got time, you might end up like me—young and foolish, only now finally stumbling into happiness."
"But you're different. You still have time. When the right opportunity comes along, you should grab it. Didn't that Governor of the Fallen Angels mention the peace treaty during his visit? If things go as planned, there won't be any more war between the three realms."
"A stable, quiet life might sound nice… but it gets lonely fast. Wouldn't you rather chase a bit of happiness instead?"
For the first time, Grayfia's expression wavered.
"I… have been thinking about that lately."
Before she could finish, the noblewoman suddenly did something entirely unexpected.
Something that caught Grayfia completely off guard. Something that left her biting her lip and struggling to suppress any sounds that might escape.
When Venelana lifted her hand out from beneath the water, her fingers shimmered with telltale strands of something sticky and translucent.
"Oooh~ still claiming you don't feel anything?"
With a playful flick of her fingers, she brushed the droplets off and gently patted Grayfia's back, guiding her upward.
"Alright, no more holding back. It's time to be honest with yourself~"
"Oh—and by the way, we've already decided to remodel Bokue's apartment in the human world. Once summer break's over, everyone's moving in. So we'll be able to enjoy this kind of fun every single day~"
"If this is… Lady Venelana's order…"
"Nope. This is your own desire, Grayfia-chan."
And with that, Venelana gently pushed the silver-haired maid forward.
Her smile curled into one of triumph.
Grayfia-chan's turn had finally come.
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