After promising not to read more than a chapter, Iris quickly finished the entire book. The plot was gripping, the steamy scenes exciting. She kept making excuses for one more chapter until she finished everything. Though a part of her soul felt empty, another part of it felt satisfied, fervent.

Shameful. Hypocrite. I have no shame. I've just judged someone else for reading such a lewd book, but I also can't stop reading it. I even get swayed by the plot!

Iris raised the book, preparing to throw it away, then lowered her hand gently. She placed the book on the table in front of her and sighed.

I mustn't discriminate against literature; the book is well-written. I merely appreciated the literary skill of the author. I didn't read because of the sexual scenes; I read because I like the writing style! Secain would have agreed with me!

"Secain," Iris said. "Is it a good book?"

"I like it, but I like you more." Secain's voice softly echoed beside Iris's ears. "After all, reading the words on the pages isn't as good as having our bodies intertwined."

Iris faintly blushed. "Remember the pledge. Everything stays a secret. Everything."

"Does that mean I’ll have to live as your mistress?" Secain pressed her chest onto Iris's left shoulder, but Iris couldn't see her. "It is my honour. I'm . . . elated beyond words."

"Twisting my words like that, do you want to get punished?"

"Please punish me; scar this body until I can’t forget your touch; make me yours and yours alone."

The atmosphere stiffened. Silence continuously compelled the desires dormant inside Iris and Secain. The faint sensations, which dwelled inside the black carriage of the past, crept into their hearts and whispered demands they hated to refuse.

Secain's warm figure manifested beside Iris. She leaned forwards, blowing. A puff of hot air caressed Iris's cheeks, which turned flush-red. The distance between Iris and Secain rapidly shrank. They closed their eyes.

"We've waited long enough." Iris hastily got up, turning away from Secain. "Ludmint and others are waiting for us at Yellow Dandelion Orphanage. We have to give them the two artefacts before someone tries to search for us again."

Secain looked down, disappointed, but she didn't voice her objection. She lightly clenched her fists, suppressing her discontentment. She was Iris's attendant, nothing more than that.

"As compensation, I'll let you kiss me once," Iris said. "That is for helping me with the plan. I'll also return the poisoned dagger, as promised. And for this interrupted moment, what do you want in return?"

Secain raised her head, surprised at Iris's shaking voice. As a Master Assassin of Two-Fold Wind Order, Secain knew much about tones and their associated emotions. Hidden in Iris's voice was not anxiety nor fear; it was anticipation, excitement, as well as timidity.

"Then, Lady Iris, can I request a continuation later?"

"I can't promise that. Can I satisfy you with something else?"

"Your love, can I have that instead?" Secain smiled. "I don't need any intimate moments. Just the permission to have your embrace and hold your hands."

Secain almost stuttered when she uttered such words. Despite her skill in seduction, such perversely innocent request filled her with embarrassment beyond what any dirty thoughts could.

As Secain processed her thoughts, Iris pressed her hands on her cheeks, hiding her red blushes.

Is that a confession? A Human and a Monster Girl? This is a plot straight out of fiction! Is it even possible? Do I need to turn her into a Monster Girl first? Wait, Iris, don't get flustered! This isn't your first time.

"I'll allow you to hold my hands and embrace me."

"What about your love?"

"You can stay inside my heart." One more won't hurt. "But, it will be a lot more difficult to get out compared to getting in."

"I don't plan on leaving you, Milady." Secain walked to Iris and embraced her back. "I'll become your shadow as to be with you forevermore."

Secain's silhouette melted into Iris's back, lurking inside Iris's shadow. Iris faintly smiled as she glanced at her dark, rippling shadow. A sense of security enveloped her, ridding the subtle anxiety and weariness deep inside her heart.

Her eyes sparkling, Iris knelt in front of her shadow and reached her right hand forwards. The Virtual Space Ring glowed. A poisoned dagger manifested in her palm. She grabbed its handle and lowered it to the shadow. As her hand moved, her skin bubbled into a slimy texture before shifting to a slender, pale, frail arm.

Iris's arm leaked out the aura identical to Secain's. It contained the power of shadow, assassination, and seduction. After she got to know intimately about Secain, Iris's power rose; she could mimic Secain's appearance, mindset, feelings, and skills.

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"Take it; it is your reward and compensation." Iris turned her hand into a shadowy form and passed the dagger through the shadow. "I've imprinted you into my body and soul. This way, you will never be able to separate yourself from me."

Iris's shadow swayed, expressing joy.

"Then, Secain, please continue to watch over me."

Iris packed the books, notes, and clothes inside the prepared suitcase. She cleaned up the room, messed up a few things deliberately, and burned a Card of Destiny to mislead any divination attempt. After adding false clues into the room, Iris resumed her scholar identity, changing her outfit into casual yet reserved clothes. Even her demeanour morphed from aloof to moderate.

Now, she was the scholar Iris, who spent a few hours inside the coffeehouse, reading her documents, writing her papers. She had never left the private room in the afternoon or gone anywhere near the crime scene.

Hopefully, the Court has significantly prepared cover-up and evidence for my innocence. They have been operating for so long in the Garcient Kingdom; they ought to have powerful means and connections.

Well, even if I somehow get in trouble, Ludmint will definitely save me!

Iris quietly exited the coffeehouse and boarded a carriage to Yellow Dandelion Orphanage. This time, she encountered no strange occurrence or accident. Her carriage safely traversed the streets, reaching the orphanage in a short nap's time.

The carriage stopped in front of the wide twin gates of Yellow Dandelion Orphanage. The carriage door opened; Iris, wearing a soft smile on her face, alighted the carriage, paid the driver a few bronze coins, and strolled to the twin gates.

As Iris approached the gates, a pair of guards came to her and greeted her. They offered to help Iris carry her baggage into the main building, but she refused. After a few seconds, the gates parted, allowing Iris to take a relaxing walk across the garden and the greenhouses.

The orphans were playing in the field, running, jumping, sitting under the shades of the trees. Once they spotted Iris, they rushed to greet and tell her about their various activities and amusing moments. She calmly listened before taking out a few candies and cookies from her baggage, gifting them each.

During the past week, Iris had established herself as Ludmint's close friend and pen pal. She came to visit Ludmint at the orphanage and often bought snacks for the orphans. The people of the orphanage, especially the orphans, were fond of her.

As Iris chatted with the orphans, Ludmint exited the main building. She spotted Iris and jogged to her, smiling widely. Though Ludmint didn't reveal any trace of emotions, Iris still felt a tingling sensation as she looked at Ludmint.

"I'm back," Iris said. "Sorry for coming so late. There were a few accidents on the road. Thankfully, I'm unharmed."

Ludmint squeezed into the group of orphans and grabbed Iris's right hand. "You made me worried. If you were a little later, I might have to go to the officer station and file a missing person report."

"Please don't be so harsh; indeed, I had only recently come to Donhalgen, but I wouldn't get lost so easily. My memory is quite good, as you already know."

"You're also quite smart." Ludmint narrowed her eyes. "What am I going to do next?"

Shivering, Iris forced out a stiff smile. "You're going to drag me away to scold me."

"What?" one of the orphans said. "Miss Ludmint, please don't take away Miss Iris. We want her to stay!"

"Iris, give them the snacks." Ludmint slightly increased her grip strength. "I'll compensate you later, but you won't be able to get away from this."

"I fear your compensation more than your punishment."

"You're going to get both, no matter what. After all, we live in the same house, our bedrooms connected."

Ludmint swept her gaze across the orphans and lowered her head, her cheeks reddening. The orphans nodded, took the candies, and sprinted away from Iris, leaving her with Ludmint.

"I hate you." Iris pouted. "That day, I shouldn't have let you decide my backstory."

"No room for regret. However, if you're unsatisfied, I'll compensate you more and more. My bed will always be warm, cosy, and soft. No sound will ever leak outside, including vibration, visual, smell, everything. We can do anything, and only us two will know of it."

"Secain, did you hear that?" Iris said. "Can I request your protection, even after I return home?"

"My apology, Milady," Secain said. "My inadequate skill can't possibly obstruct Lady Ludmint. Both her authority and power dwarf mine. At most, I can share the pain and pleasure with you."

"I changed my mind. Secain, you can leave early today. Go back and practice your maid etiquette."

"But your safety—"

"Ludmint is with me. Nothing can harm me without defeating her first." Iris coyly looked at Ludmint. "Right, my Dear Lover?"

"I hate that you're getting better at using it to your advantage." Ludmint sighed. "But I also like that you're getting into the role. Maybe that role will turn real in the future?"

"You've used that line a few too many times. I can't even blush at it now."

While chatting, Iris and Ludmint strolled into the main building of the orphanage. They passed and greeted multiple workers and teachers, who respectfully complimented them. To these people, Iris and Ludmint were big donators who partially funded the orphanage, someone of high status and generosity.

Iris and Ludmint descended the staircase, entering the official secret base of the Court of Indulgence. Multiple maids and Monster Girls indulged themselves and their partners, while some relaxed among the waitresses and waiters, who donned pretty clothes and danced for the amusement of their patrons.

Instead of heading forward to the private lounge area, Iris and Ludmint turned left at the intersection, heading to the more solemn section of the underground complex. Less and less Pure Races appeared along the way as more and more Monster Girls stood guard each room and doorway.

This section of the underground complex was where most works of the Court of Indulgence happened. Unlike the recreational part, only the trusted personnel of the Court may enter this part, and each must have their identification bracelet and approval before going deeper into the section.

Of course, Iris and Ludmint, both senior members of the Court, could freely enter and exit the complex. Their authority allowed them to do anything except go against the fundamental interest of the Court of Indulgence.

Because the Court Founder seldom graced the Court with her presence, the senior members were the highest authority most Court members could see.

"So, what is it you want to show me?" Ludmint walked into a private soundproof chamber and sat on the bright red sofa in the middle of the room. "You don't normally come to this place. I wonder what new items you've gotten your hands on."

Iris looked around the room. The walls, the floor, and the ceiling were covered with rose-red cushions. Underneath them were isolation formations and containment formations, enough to stop all kinds of signals and auras from entering or leaving.

"I risk my life to get these two artefacts here, so you need to increase my reward." Iris walked to Ludmint and sat on her left, leaning on Ludmint's shoulder. "Not just the compensation from the Court but also you."

"Can this body of mine reimburse your loss?" Ludmint licked her lips. "This room is already soundproof and vibration-proof. We can—"

"Stop. Look at these first." Iris slipped her right hand into her chest and took out the two artefacts, a pitch-black ring and a golden box.