Chapter 79: An Unexpected Proposition

Given the current circumstances, there was no choice but to agree for now. After all, this had to be the sole reason for Faltis’s personal visit.

Perhaps it was to allow Eileen to glean more from Saiana, given that both belonged to the Silver Dragon clan, and Saiana surely possessed more than Faltis.

Eileen had no idea what had transpired between the two of them, nor could she fathom why Faltis hadn’t simply killed her.

“However, let’s be clear: that immense magic I used against you earlier? Lady Faltis could withstand it with a single hand. If you truly expect me to defeat Lady Faltis, you might as well go to bed and dream.” Despite recounting her own defeat, Eileen spoke as if the vanquished party were someone else entirely.

“That’s perfectly normal, but you are still very young! Your progress is incredibly swift! At this rate, you will soon surpass Faltis!” Saiana gazed at Eileen with fervent eyes.

“I hope so.” Eileen had no desire to speak with her further. “If there’s nothing else, Teacher Saiana, I’ll take my leave.”

Eileen bowed and then departed from the dungeon.

“How was it?” Faltis inquired.

“What do you think of Saiana’s words to you?” Faltis pressed.

“Lady Faltis brought me here herself, so what choice do I have? Is Lady Faltis perhaps expecting me to refuse her?” Eileen retorted.

“That might not be out of the question, actually?”

“Then I’ll go back and refuse…” Eileen had just taken a step before halting in place.

“Why aren’t you going?” Faltis asked.

‘Why am I not going? Isn’t it because you’ve been staring at your finger this whole time?’ Eileen knew exactly what Faltis meant.

‘If she were to go back now, she would undoubtedly be in for a thorough ‘lesson’.’

“Why would Lady Faltis do this? Teacher Saiana betrayed you and committed so many egregious acts,” Eileen stated.

“You truly wish for her demise,” Faltis observed.

“No, I’m just a little curious, Lady Faltis. Why are you doing this?” Eileen asked.

“Precisely because she committed such errors, she cannot be allowed to die so easily. She has lived for a long time, seen much, and like you, she is of the Silver Dragon clan. Having committed so many outrageous acts, she must be completely exploited,” Faltis explained.

“Furthermore, haven’t I told you? You can challenge me anytime; I will not refuse your challenge. I welcome your defiance, and I even anticipate the day you might defeat me. The day you replace me and become queen.”

“If such a day truly comes,”

“If that day truly arrives, what would be the first thing you’d want to do?” Faltis looked at Eileen. “Would it be to revert? Or to kill me?”

Eileen’s answer was something Faltis had never anticipated.

‘The first thing would definitely be to spank Lady Faltis.’

Faltis fell silent for a moment.

‘Lady Faltis, are you angry?’

Faltis shook her head, then burst into laughter. “Oh, Eileen, you truly delight me.”

‘Jasmine scent tonight, understood?’

There were always those who, oblivious to their own peril, sought to provoke Faltis. And what was the price for such audacity?

Tonight, Eileen would undoubtedly provide the answer.

But at least, for now, Eileen was free. “So, Lady Faltis, may I leave for a little while now?”

“Of course, you may. However, I must warn you: be one minute late, and you’ll have a finger in your mouth,” Faltis stated.

Eileen found this condition quite acceptable.

“I wasn’t referring to *that* mouth,” Faltis clarified.

‘Not *that* mouth? Then what could it be…’ Eileen seemed to understand.

“Do you understand now?” Faltis smirked mischievously.

“How could I possibly be late, Lady Faltis? You know me; I’m always punctual,” Eileen declared. Then, fearing Faltis might be setting a trap, she added, “Lady Faltis, the time you mentioned was 8 PM, right?”

“Quite clever, aren’t you?” Faltis complimented, nodding. “Indeed, it’s 8 PM. Don’t be late, little glutton.”

Eileen calculated the time. She had about two hours left, but after accounting for cooking and showering, she’d probably only have about an hour. That should be enough, as she wasn’t doing anything particularly special. “Then I’ll head back now.”

“Mm.”

Eileen walked back to her room. Lately, it seemed the number of things she encountered had increased, and they had become a little more troublesome.

However, compared to before, this was nothing. After all, she could always rest whenever she pleased.

But… the Sky-Colored Fantasy Island.

The thought of being sewn up by Peroy after going to the Sky-Colored Fantasy Island made Eileen’s head ache.

Eileen still didn’t understand why Peroy was so fixated on her. Eileen hadn’t done anything, and she had barely even met Peroy a few times.

Even more critically, Eileen had to complete this task without Faltis noticing. Otherwise, next time, it wouldn’t be a finger in her mouth.

Eileen forced a strained smile. Such a terrifying thought…

Eileen shivered, deciding to push those dreadful thoughts away for now.

Instead of returning to her own room immediately, Eileen went directly to Setia’s door.

Eileen reached out and knocked. “Setia? Are you there?”

Eileen could hear movement inside the room, along with Setia’s hurried footsteps.

Setia opened the door and saw Eileen.

“Eileen! Are you alright now?” Setia’s memory of Eileen was still from when she was called away by those queens. Setia didn’t know what had happened, nor why the Dragon Kings had carried Eileen out. She hadn’t been present, hadn’t seen it, only heard about it from others.

“I told you, I’m fine, see?” Eileen spun around in front of Setia. “I’m sorry I worried you.”

Setia pulled Eileen into her room.

The room was as dark as ever.

“Setia, is it really okay for your room to be so dark? Don’t you trip over things?” Eileen asked. Although there was magic that allowed one to see in the dark, Setia wasn’t very proficient at using it.

“Dark? It’s actually fine; I’m used to it,” Setia said, lighting the magic crystal in the room.

“Only you would get used to something like this.”

Eileen had never seen anyone who kept their lights off all day long.

“Eileen, did you know about this all along?”

“About what?”

“About someone invading,” Setia asked.

“No, why would you think that, Setia?” Eileen countered.

‘This matter must not be told to anyone. Even if Eileen trusted Setia implicitly, this was an absolute bottom line.’

“Because the time you allotted for my healing was ten days, but even when I was perfectly fine, you still made me stay in your room for ten days. And then, exactly ten days later, this incident happened, which is why I feel this way…” Setia explained.

Then, seemingly worried that her words might displease Eileen, she quickly added, “Of course, I don’t mean to blame you, Eileen. I know that even if I had known, I couldn’t have helped much, because I’m too weak and would only cause trouble. I’m just… curious. You haven’t mentioned any of this.”

‘Hmm…’ Eileen’s heart softened, yet she still wouldn’t reveal the truth.

“Ten days is the shortest recorded treatment course. I can show you the records, Setia. If I truly wanted to stall for time, I could have chosen a longer course. Furthermore, the ten-day observation period was a coincidence, as this entire procedure simply requires ten days. I was merely concerned about any unforeseen incidents during that period, which is why I made that decision,” Eileen clarified.

“And after ten days, I sensed the arrival of an intruder, which is why I locked you in my room. After all, within the Golden Dragon Sanctuary, aside from Lady Faltis’s room, there’s nowhere else that’s truly safe.”

“I’m sorry… Even though you were looking out for me, I doubted you…”

“It’s normal to have doubts. After all, there seemed to be a few too many coincidences.”

Setia bit her lip, seemingly having made a decision. “Eileen, can I make an appointment with you?”

“Hm? What’s this all of a sudden?” Eileen looked at Setia, puzzled.

“I want you to come with me to a certain place… Is that not possible?” Setia asked.

“It should be possible, as long as I discuss it with Lady Faltis beforehand. There shouldn’t be any issues, especially if Lady Faltis happens to be away at that time,” Eileen chuckled. “So, when would this be? Let me say upfront, the next month is definitely out.”

“I know that, of course!” Setia took a deep breath. “How about half a year from now?”

“Half a year from now?” Eileen had expected a month or two, not half a year!

“I don’t have any problem with it, but I’ll need to discuss it with Lady Faltis. I can’t give you a definite answer just yet,” Eileen said.

“Mm-hm, I understand. I’ll wait for your news.”

“Mm, alright…” Eileen nodded in agreement, then realized that not much time was left. “Setia! I still have some things to take care of, so I’m going back now!”

“Oh, okay.”

“Bye-bye!”

Eileen left Setia’s room and headed straight for the kitchen.

Eileen hastily prepared some food and rushed back to her room.

Eileen opened her door to find the room meticulously cleaned, just as it had been when she left. It must have been Setia who had tidied it before leaving.

To avoid wasting any time later, Eileen chose her clothes.

Upon opening the wardrobe…

“Is something missing?” Eileen scanned the wardrobe. “It must be my imagination.”

Eileen selected a light blue nightgown and… *a winning set*!

Next, she poured jasmine-scented essential oil into the bathtub.

Eileen then settled into the bath.

This time, Eileen had timed it perfectly, arriving at Faltis’s room a full half-hour early. This time, what could Faltis possibly say?

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