“I will take up the mantle of the leader,” Flamira said. Her meek voice, filled with satisfied fatigue, lingered in the bedroom. “We shouldn’t delay this any longer. Our Invisible Shield requires a representative, an authority figure. I’ll be that anchor.”

Errenia, panting, turned her head to face Flamira. She took a long, deep breath and then exhaled. She wanted to get up from the bed, but her numbed body refused to move.

“Flamira, are you taking advantage of my fatigue?” she said. “You . . . don’t have to do this. I’m still a Hastinda, and I’ll eventually be crowned the Family Head. If we were to compete, my political prowess would outstrip yours.”

“But right now, my power surpasses yours.” Flamira beamed. She lifted her right hand. Her dense azure Corruption Power coiled around her index finger. “You must’ve noticed . . . that I’m much more passionate tonight.”

Errenia averted her eyes. She sluggishly moved her hands to cover her pinkening cheeks. Indeed, her Flamira was too intense . . . too beastly. It was divine, as if she were taken to the tallest peak to witness beauty of the highest order.

That technique, those whispers, those perfuming moans, they forced open her heart, muddled her thoughts, and imprinted an unerasable tattoo onto her soul. She . . . really thought she might suffer a heart attack and perish then.

“You’ve always repressed yourself, Flamira. Even your main body said so.” Errenia laughed. “It’s lovely that you finally release your desire. However, please tell me beforehand; my unprepared heart almost gave up.”

Flamira swallowed a puff of steamy air. She couldn’t even refute those words. She . . . indeed repressed herself. Her feeling, churning inside her heart like a raging tide, might irreversibly change her. She . . . disliked changing, disliked passion, disliked that she might regret it.

“This body, this longing, they’re insatiable,” Flamira said. “But . . . if you don’t mind, if you wish for more . . . I’ll gladly help you. We’re family; we help each other.”

“Then, allow me to help you more and more.”

“I . . . you’ll understand after feeling it.”

Flamira drew her right hand, where her Corruption Power coiled around her fingertip, to Errenia’s face. It slithered past Errenia’s hands and tapped those soft lips, lightly grazing them with her fingernail.

Errenia trembled then flashed an embarrassed smile. She opened her mouth and nibbled on that cold, slimy finger. A swirl of chill permeated her mouth, wrapped around her tongue, and stroked the back of her throat. Itchiness persisted on her inside, but she almost couldn’t feel it.

As if submerged in a cold, vast abyss, Errenia felt weightless, light as nothingness, suspended in the void, in the realm of stasis. No. In this world, there existed a large, all-encompassing presence, a placating warmth of an all-powerful being. It enveloped her, embraced her deeply, and stuffed her with comforting discomfort.

She grabbed Iris’s hand and carefully drew it away from her face. Her tongue playfully licked the fingertip, tasting the leftover blue light. Its sour, fruity flavour enchanted her, though it failed to overtake her sense.

A streak of saliva connected her lips with Iris’s fingertip. Errenia wiped it from her face. Her eyes stayed on Iris, emotions bubbling with them.

“You . . . you’ve broken through?” Errenia said. “What . . . kind of power did you use? It . . . feels I like was taken to another world. Was that a dreamland?”

Flamira’s touch reinvigorated her. She rose up, pulling Flamira with her. An urge to hug her lover flared up, but she curbed it from showing in her starry eyes. Something about Flamira changed; her expression, her lovely countenance now peered deep into her heart.

Her chest warmed whenever she met Flamira’s eyes. Was she getting seduced, seduced by Flamira’s mere presence?

Flamira smiled. Her overflowing aura, which permeated the bedroom and sprinkled the air with a pinkish hue, withdrew inside her body. She could listen to the gradually stabilizing heartbeat of her Errenia.

She must be careful, or she might unwittingly charm her partner; she didn’t want to go for another round.

“I’ve reached the Condensation Phase,” Iris said. “That power of mine, I don’t know its origin. I . . . merely acquired it.”

Errenia took a deep breath. The pinkness on her face slowly subsided. “What divine method did you use? Is it . . . possible for me to learn it? I’m willing to trade my body!”

“I would’ve already told you if I knew. The advancement, it originates from my soul, our soul. The other me must’ve broken through.”

Flamira bent down her head. Her hair delicately danced around her face, which flickered with a dull glow.

Her main body was in an unknown place, away from her most beloved, separated from her trusted family. The other Iris now resided in The Broken Empire, pestered by political intrigues, indulged by her most lovely family. Flamira herself lived with her Errenia, with the resource of Hastinda Warrior Family at her fingertips, without any disturbance.

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She should’ve been the one to help her other selves. Was she . . . too slow?

Errenia grabbed Flamira’s hands and held them close to her chest. “Flamira, there’s no one who knows you more intimately than me; I’ve watched you do your best every day; I’ve been beside you at every step of your progress.”

“I haven’t said anything, Errenia. I’m . . . not sad. Why should I be?”

“I’ve touched every part and felt every mood of yours. I wouldn’t have the heart to call myself your dearest if I couldn’t even notice your sadness.”

Flamira lifted her head. Her eyes quivered. “Am I childish, pathetic?”

“You’re lovely, charming.”

“Don’t evade the question!”

“You’re my to-be wife, Flamira. We’ll be together, even if your other Irises object.”

“They wouldn’t—” Flamira stopped herself. Her face reddened. “What . . . did you just say?”

“We sleep with each other almost every day, Flamira. How would you take responsibility, if not take my hands and vow to be mine?”

“It’s how we practice our Innate Talent!” Flamira’s voice peeked. She couldn’t even convince herself. “I . . . I couldn’t control myself. Whenever we enter our bedroom, the mood’s always perfect. How could I resist?”

Errenia drew Flamira’s hands to her lips and kissed them. “You don’t have to resist. You . . . can always ask for more.”

Flamira swallowed a gulp of air. She pulled her shivering hands back from Errenia’s grasp. The warmth lingering on them tickled her. This ambience, this strange feeling, it intoxicated her.

“Since I can wish for more, I’d like to become the leader of Invisible Shield.” Flamira held up her chest. Her milky eyes cleared up. “I’m now the sole Condensation Phase Monster Girl. Such reason alone should suffice.”

Errenia sighed. She reluctantly nodded. Although she could assert herself as the leader, and Flamira wouldn’t stop her, such a rash decision wouldn’t benefit anyone.

She would one day become Hastinda Family Head. She shouldn’t assume the role of the leader of Invisible Shield. Her involvement with it must stay subtle and untraceable.

“What will happen, when I reach the Condensation Phase?” Errenia said. “Would you allow me to rule your organisation with you, as I would allow you to rule my family with me?”

“This role’s always been half yours.”

“Like I, half yours.”

Flamira giggled and leaned close to her lover. She lightly brushed her lips on Errenia’s cheek, feeling that slight shivering. “You’re making it difficult to control my urge, Errenia.”

“Whatever you do, Flamira, remember that I’m exceptionally good at holding grudges.” Errenia pressed her cheek against Flamira’s lips. “You might be stronger than me now, but the future is uncertain. Whatever you can do, I’ll learn it and best you!”

“All thanks to my extraordinary teaching.”

Errenia hmphed. There was nothing she could do to catch this slippery Slime Girl. She got up from the bed and walked to the balcony glass door. Moonlight tickled her body, glistening her soft, sensitive skin.

“Now that you no longer need me, what are you going to do?” Errenia said. “Our Invisible Shield has become quite a star among the newly established Secret Organisations. How will you celebrate this achievement?”

“It’s time we extend our shield beyond our closest reach.” Flamira reached for a hanging line by the bed and tucked it. A muffled ringing sound seeped into the bedroom. “Aside from the most elites of Tentoid Empire, no one can stop us.”

“Will you subvert my family and install me as the rightful family head?”

“Such a task will stir too much attention, and the risk of failure isn’t negligible.” Flamira carefully adjusted her pyjamas, covering her exposed skin. “Most importantly, you wouldn’t let me meddle, would you?”

Errenia grinned. “You’ve helped me enough, Dear. If I couldn’t even win this familial game, how could I hope to help you on the national stage?”

“I shall reserve my judgement until the outcome is nigh. However, I must still prepare for the unexpected.”

Flamira raised her right hand and pointed at the bedroom door. It creaked and opened before the maid could even knock on it. With a settled expression, she glanced around the room.

Her mistress Errenia stood by the glass door, looking at the moon whose beautifying light illuminated her aura. And her mistress’s confidant, seated on the messy bed, looked at her, observed her appearance, examined her figure.

She lowered her head, her heart racing. Her body heated despite the nightly chill.

“Mistress, what do you need of me?” she said. “Please pardon my tardiness, the other maids . . . they were getting ready.”

“We take no offence,” Flamira said. “After all, we’ve never called any of you during this special period.”

The maid gasped. She pressed her clenched hands on her abdomen as she lowered her head further. Her short hair rustled with her rigid movement. Did her mistress notice it?

“Overthinking already? How cute.” Flamira beckoned for the maid. “The hall is cold and lonely. Remember to close the door softly.”

The maid did as instructed. She looked at her mistress, who had yet to turn to face her, and once more at Flamira. Whatever was going to happen, she wasn’t sure if she could handle it.

“It’s . . . my honour to serve you, Lady Flamira.” The maid trembled. “But, I am still Mistress’s. This kind of service, does Mistress . . . allow it?”

Errenia turned around. Her orange hair, although tainted by pale blue shades, still radiated its fiery air. Her sharp eyes pierced the maid’s heart and lit a flame in her chest.

“Do whatever your heart desires,” she said. “Once you accept her offer, there will be no turning back.”

The maid tilted her head. “What kind of offer?”

“An offer of a new life, a path to the new world.” Errenia walked to the bed and sat near Flamira. “We extend you a permanent contract, not as a maid of Hastinda Family, but as our maid.”

“What would be my job? Would it be dangerous?”

“You’ll assist me in paperwork and supervision. And you’re free to give suggestions whenever possible.”

The maid blinked. A permanent contract was amazing, but the level of confidentiality accompanying it was also worrying. She was only a commoner blessed enough to work as a maid in a well-off noble family.

As she contemplated her choice, Flamira clapped her hands. The maid raised her head, and Flamira flashed her a graceful, thoughtful smile.

That smile arrested her gaze. Her hesitation, her rationale, and her doubt melted away, dissolved by a torrent of uncontrollable emotions. She didn’t want to disappoint Lady Flamira, didn’t want to see that expression turn into blues.

Had she turned silly? She didn’t know, but her heart had decided, and she must follow it.

Zeal burning in her eyes, she inched closer to the bed, where her mistress and Lady Flamira awaited. Her face flushed while she tried her hardest to maintain her composure.

Flamira drew open her arms. “Congratulations on your new position, Head Maid.”

As the maid entered Flamira’s blissful embrace, the curtains around the bedroom fell. Warm, misty air cloaked the room, with soft cries rising and falling. The quiet night continued, interrupted only by the faintest noise, unheard by all but three passionate Monster Girls.