### Chapter 136: Morning Shenanigans
In the depths of my dreams, there were flickering lights and lingering fragrances.
I could faintly hear the sound of goat cheese.
“Bah—”
“Bah—!”
The raspy bleats crescendoed, getting clearer and clearer, making me furrow my brows in annoyance. Groggy, I reached out with my little hand, trying to grab anything nearby to hurl out the window at that darn bird.
What met my palm was a warm and soft sensation.
…?
What is this… a doll? A pillow? No…
My sleepy brain struggled to process it.
Sniff sniff… it smells so good…
Not the usual scent of lilacs…
After a flutter of my eyelashes, I opened my eyes.
All I saw was a golden hue.
After a few seconds of staring blankly, I realized that it wasn’t sunlight.
That was… hair! Who the heck is sleeping next to me?!
I jolted up, confusion overtaking me as I glanced to my side.
A blonde woman was peacefully sleeping beside me.
She lay with her back to me, her tall and slender body curled slightly. Her fragrant shoulder was exposed, and her smooth long hair sprawled messily across the pristine sheets, with a few strands brushing against her cheek, close to her lips, rising and falling with her steady breaths.
It was Victoria.
When she slept, all that overwhelming, heart-stopping aura she usually had melted away, making her look like a quiet, insecure, premium breed of cat. Her delicate hand clutched the sheets tightly, as if she had had a nightmare, and her furrowed brows communicated a vulnerability that made my heart ache.
A slight discomfort tugged at my lower abdomen.
Pressing gently with my left hand, I sat up and surveyed my surroundings. Familiar wardrobe, familiar dressing table with a big mirror… Yep, I was definitely in my bedroom.
What on earth happened last night?
I thought hard for a moment, memories trickling back like a haphazard fountain.
Last night… I was on the terrace with Victoria, she was drunk, and I asked her to teach me how to sing. Then… then I got a bit thirsty and, for some reason, couldn’t resist a glass of wine… drank another glass… and soon enough, we were clinking glasses and rambling nonsense. What exactly did we talk about again? After that, I just fell asleep…
And then… nothing.
I had no clue how I ended up in bed and why Victoria was here too.
As I gently lifted the blankets, I noticed I hadn’t even changed out of my dress, still wearing the same outfit from last night… Maybe Victoria carried me here? But wait, she was drunk too, and then just… fell asleep?
Ah, alcohol, you mystical elixir…
With that thought, I raised a finger and stealthily poked toward Victoria’s face.
Smack.
Before I even touched her flawless skin, my wrist was suddenly seized.
…Huh?
While I was stunned, the room was hit by a gust of wind, and boom! Next thing I knew, a delicate yet strong fist was flying straight at my face.
cr*p!
I dodged just in time and scrambled down from the bed, shouting, “Don’t hit! Victoria, it’s me! It’s me!”
Wham—
Amongst the flurry of sheets and pillows, Victoria launched herself into the air.
As she opened her eyes, her sunlit golden pupils reawakened from a momentary daze, instantly chilling back to their usual icy demeanor.
That terrifying aura was back.
“What are you doing?” Victoria’s intense gaze locked onto me, her tone indifferent.
Her guard relaxed. Lowering her alabaster arm that contained that terrifying Power of Order, she finally calmed me down.
Goodness, you nearly scared the living daylights out of me!
With a dramatic eye roll, I repeated her previous question with added drama, “What are you doing?!”
Victoria’s perfectly shaped brows knitted together slightly.
She landed gracefully, standing by the bed as her eyes scanned the room. After glancing around a few times, it seemed she understood the situation.
“Don’t do that next time,” she said.
Next time?
If you think I’m doing anything like that again, think again! Who wakes up like this?! This woman is way too dangerous… this is my home, you know!
…Wait, next time?
“I’ll treat you like an assassin.”
“Whoever heard of such a cute assassin!” I retorted.
Does Victoria encounter assassins often?
Recalling yesterday’s events… I’m sure there are tons of people who’d want her dead.
Living like this is way too exhausting.
I looked at the divine beauty before me—elegantly fashioned like a divine artwork.
Victoria also hadn’t changed out of her clothes. Having slept and just gone through those acrobatics, her thin, wrinkled green dress slipped off one shoulder, exposing it to the gentle morning light, with a neckline that was a bit too low for my comfort…
Oh dear.
If I could just squeeze that shoulder!
Wait, her dress is filthy!
She sat on the dusty terrace chair yesterday without even bothering to dust it off! The bed sheets are ruined!
Ahhh! My sheets!
Suddenly wide-eyed, I couldn’t help but stride forward to check. Just as I took a step, that familiar sticky sensation returned between my legs.
I froze.
“What’s wrong?” Victoria asked.
“Uh, nothing.”
I forced a smile, quickly scanning the sheets… Good, no evidence.
The ultra-thick, leak-proof pad does wonders; thank goodness I had the foresight, otherwise, I’d have been mortified.
But the pang in my lower abdomen was worsening… something felt off.
Victoria probably sensed my odd behavior, but she wasn’t one to pry. Seeing I didn’t want to talk, she simply walked over and opened the bedroom door.
A bunch of young, pretty maids were already waiting outside, and upon seeing her, they all bowed in unison.
Victoria didn’t say a word, just waved her hand gently, turning to the dressing table as the maids hurriedly followed her, bowing their heads and readying to pamper her with warm water and hairpins to get her glammed up, while holding an extravagant gown for her to wear.
I stood aside, mesmerized by her nearly perfect figure. Then I noticed a few maids sneaking glances at me, their eyes shimmering with… flirtation?
I pursed my lips.
Did you misunderstand something… whatever, it’s not important.
I turned around, heading to the washroom to freshen up. By the time I returned, Victoria was already dressed and looking stunning.
A fabulous dark gown, a stylish sun hat adorned with elegant feathers, and jewel-encrusted boots… the royal demeanor of the queen was highlighted beautifully by her outfit.
She summoned Rect over.
“How’s the preparation?” Victoria inquired.
“The council is convening today at noon; they request your presence,” Rect replied, standing by the door. Victoria nodded in response.
“Let’s head to the royal palace.”
“Yes, Your Majesty…”
Rect hesitated for a moment, catching Victoria’s attention with a single glance.
“You don’t need to worry about the church,” she said.
“Understood,” Rect replied, letting out a sigh of relief.
Thud, thud.
Victoria’s clear footsteps echoed as she strode out. Just as she reached the door, she suddenly turned back.
“Silvya.” Dropping the ‘Miss’ and keeping it casual, she added, “Thank you.”
Out of nowhere.
“Uh…”
I blankly replied while my brain tried to decipher the meaning behind her thank-you, but Victoria had already vanished in a crowd of people.
Shortly after, the sound of doors closing echoed downstairs.
What an… unpredictable woman.
But she no longer annoyed me.
She’s probably off to handle the troublesome people from yesterday… No, today there’ll be even more of them, and the situation will be tougher.
I couldn’t help but worry for her.
Given what I learned yesterday, Victoria had become the enemy of the entire upper echelons of the country, even including her own mother. She’d have a tough path ahead.
I didn’t have the right nor the desire to involve myself in the power struggles of Ethanbel. The battle for power doesn’t show any visible scars; I’m sure Victoria knows better than to fight battles without a chance of winning. But if… one day she gets into trouble, I will do whatever I can to ensure her safety.
As for me… today I’m heading to the Cataloma orphanage.
I hadn’t seen Aili in so long; I missed that lively and adorable girl.
