Back in class, Eros continued to take minor liberties with Ayesha as usual. However, now that Ayesha knew her secret was out, she was no longer the shrinking violet she once was. She began to resist. Yet, in the middle of a lecture, she didn't dare make her movements too obvious, leaving her defenses full of holes against Eros’s persistent teasing. For the entire duration of the class, she glared at him, her face a mix of shame and fury.
After class, just as the girl prepared to bolt, she heard Eros whisper behind her:
"Though I don't know why you're hiding your identity, I imagine you wouldn't want the other students to find out, right?"
The girl’s footsteps froze. She wasn't afraid of the students; she was afraid of the Academy’s faculty. After all, her situation wasn't what Eros assumed—the Church didn't actually know who she was. If exposed, an investigation would follow, and the gallows might be her only destination.
At that thought, her delicate frame shuddered again. Steeling her nerves, she turned and hissed through gritted teeth, "What do you want?"
Eros raised an eyebrow and smiled. "Young lady, I’ve caught you by the tail~"
Ayesha snorted coldly. "What exactly do you want?"
"Tell me your name." Eros’s tone shifted, becoming uncharacteristically serious. Although he had already learned her name by eavesdropping on her conversations with Natalia, Eros the Heir wasn't supposed to know that.
Ayesha was stunned. She hadn't expected such a simple request. Feeling the weight lift slightly from her heart, she said irritably:
"Ayesha!"
"And your surname?" Eros pressed.
"I don't have one!" Ayesha tilted her chin up, her tone defiant and a bit proud.
Looking at her "I'm-not-telling-you" expression, Eros gave a soft laugh and sighed, "Ayesha... you really are cute."
The girl’s face turned scarlet instantly. She stammered incoherently, "What are you talking about? I’ve answered your question. I’m leaving!" With that, she fled as if for her life.
"Truly cute~" Eros shook his head and laughed.
Just then, a face leaned into his. Undine looked at her brother with deep suspicion. "What are you smiling about?"
"Not telling."
Undine gnashed her teeth and huffed. "Fine then. Originally, Joanie and Elena wanted me to ask you to be a judge for them—they wanted to see which dresses looked better. Now, I’m not taking you."
Stolen novel; please report.
"Please, Sister-Sovereign, you must take me! I couldn't care less about the figures revealed during the costume changes; I’m going solely to admire your divine beauty, Sister," Eros immediately recanted, speaking with solemn, deadpan sincerity.
"Hmph~" Undine tilted her chin up proudly.
A long while later, Eros walked out of Elena’s private apartment, feeling quite satisfied after the "fashion show." It turned out that having one beautiful friend meant you’d meet many more. Or a beautiful sister, for that matter—a beauty’s friends were, with high probability, beauties themselves.
Elena’s legs were exceptionally fair, Belira’s waist was lethally slender, Bertha’s eyes were captivating, and Cali’s bust seemed almost as impressive as Irina’s. He hadn't expected Joanie to look so seductive in a gown either. Undine was still a bit "green" by comparison, but the "smelly sister" was undeniably number one in the world.
Looking at Undine, who was walking with her head held high after his constant praise, Eros let out a light chuckle.
When evening came, Eros was leaning against the sofa leafing through a fashion magazine when Barbara’s voice rang in his ear:
"Your 'Little White Rabbit' has just left the Academy."
Eros sat up abruptly. Are they meeting to exchange info again? He turned to Undine on the other side of the room and called out, "I have to step out for a bit."
Before she could respond, he vanished. Undine stared at the empty sofa and pouted, muttering, "I feel like this brat is keeping secrets from me lately."
On the other side of the city, Ayesha looked at her mother, Natalia. Her first sentence made Natalia tense up instantly.
"Mama! I’m exposed. That Elven bloodline heir found out I’m a woman."
"What happened?" Natalia asked urgently, her expression tight with anxiety. Nearby, Richie and Ornigo also looked panicked. If Ayesha was exposed to the Church, their mission was effectively a failure.
Ayesha sighed and explained the whole story. After listening, Natalia’s gaze went blank. "The Elven race has such a talent? Sensitivity to the scent of a pure maiden?"
She truly hadn't expected Ayesha’s identity to be blown by something so niche. Who could have known? However, she felt a wave of relief that the boy assumed the Academy already knew; otherwise, the consequences would be catastrophic.
Ayesha looked at her silent mother and asked hesitantly, "Should I continue the infiltration?"
Natalia wavered. Ayesha’s identity was known to an outsider. Even if he hadn't snitched yet, who knew what the future held? There were too many uncontrollable variables. But pulling Ayesha out meant abandoning the mission, which she was loath to do.
Just as she was about to make a decision, a familiar voice drifted from nearby—a voice she knew intimately.
"It’s fine. She can continue the infiltration."
Seeing Richie and Ornigo react instinctively to attack, Natalia screamed, "Stop!"
But it was too late. In the next second, both men were bound by shadow tentacles. Their heads were shrouded in darkness, cutting off their sight, hearing, and smell. Ayesha wasn't bound, but her head was similarly veiled.
Eros dropped from a tree and walked up to Natalia. He tilted her chin up, kissed her lips, and chuckled, "I haven't seen you for a few days, Madam. I missed you."
Natalia ignored his advances, her mind still racing. "What did you mean just now? Why can she continue?"
Eros smiled easily. "Exactly what I said. She can stay in the Academy. I’ll protect her. You should know I’m capable of that."
"You... you’re staying in the Academy too?"
Natalia remembered the detailed intel he had provided about the Academy’s containment room security.
"Take a guess~"
