Chapter 174: Whoever Bullied Our Sweet Princess...
Lila Vexera was currently sitting at a lunch table, her eyes scowling beside her.
Rosana and Mel, with forks in hand, fed each other crispy chips casually.
No teasing smirk. No relaxed expression. Just soft smiles aimed at each other, ignoring only a certain blue head.
"Mel."
She called out, pouting as her fork and knife hovered over her untouched plate.
"Ah, Lila!"
Sitting right to Mel, the pink-head swiftly switched to shove food into Lila's mouth.
"Tasty?"
"...no."
Lila glared at the now-smirking Rosana, though she crunched softly at the food, savouring every bite under Mel's expectant gaze.
It's only two sessions, yet when Lila regrouped with Mel, she hesitantly found another certain Heiress with her.
Worse, they were clinging together! Not even minding the whispers in the cafeteria!
Reading the flicker of complaint in Lila's eyes,
"Now now, my dear Lila."
Mel petted Lila, her hand brushing the smooth locks with a motherly gentleness.
"I like you a lot, too. So much so Rosana can't compare now, so no worries!"
A temptation to dote on Lila rose as she watched Lila's cheeks flush, her lips parting and opening hesitantly.
"Of-of course..." Lila stammered. "I'm always Mel's favourite... mm..."
Mel was not lying; who could match her Lila's cuteness? No one! Ah, maybe except herself.
Though that earned a tug on her left, as she turned to face an intrigued stare of Rosana's.
"Don't be jealous."
Mel grinned. "You could be loved too, Rosana! Just lend out your lips, and I'll ensure you taste the greatest joy in your life!"
Then, the frowning lips curved, as Rosana's palm occupied one of Mel's thighs.
"I wouldn't mind if you gave up yours first, Mel."
Rosana tugged Mel's chin. "Or? Would you be willing to bet your entirety for me and me only? I promise you won't regret it."
"Nope!" Mel raised her shoulder, shrugging off Rosana's touch.
Yet she then shot a teasing glance. "I could, however, go up to your dormitory door all naked and wanting! Hehe... interested?"
Rosana's brows raised; another daring remark, yet this time, Rosana could tell Mel was only 'half' joking.
"Sure."
She treated herself again to the fried fish, each bite imagining the taste of Mel's skin on her teeth.
Soon, she shifted closer to Mel, her nose tingling at the lingering, sweet scent from Mel's shampoo.
"When's the time?"
Oh? She really took the bait?
Mel made sure to take one look at Lila.
Ah, her cute Lila was still immersed in being called the favourite! A chance!
"How about... next week?"
Rosana's ruby eyes narrowed; Mel's innocent face as she casually suggested the vile date. How sensational.
"I'd make sure not to touch anywhere inappropriate."
Cutting up the fish fillet, she once again brought the crispy fish fillet to Mel's lips.
"Do you have any method to come up, unspotted?"
"Of course!"
Mel nodded, thighs fidgeting excitedly as she munched on Rosana's feed.
As her thoughts drifted away, wondering how Rosana would tease her to the brink of madness like Maria, or how the opposite would happen-
"Mel."
Another call for her name, calm yet carried a certain weight, considering the cute voice she always accompanied.
"What's wrong, Lila?"
Mel ensured her posture relaxed before locking onto Lila's heavy gaze.
"Um..." Lila pointed. "I think we should help."
Blinking, a foreboding feeling crept up as Mel gazed in a specific direction.
The petite, purple-haired princess hunched on the bench, drawing her knees to her chest and burying her face in them.
The table sat without food or drink, and there was no sitter-by either.
As Selaria's shoulders visibly trembled, Mel's ears perked up.
She couldn't hear it.
But it was apparent again. The Princess was once again hiding her crying face from the open public.
"I think..."
She tapped her chin. "I've an idea why this happened."
Recalling the 'mochi tickets' in Embervale, Mel soon lifted her own plate of food, which was only half-finished.
The Third Princess was absolutely crucial for Samantha's route, so no slacking!
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As Mel settled on the opposite seat of Selaria, however, she was met with another dilemna.
"Hic... hic... stupid sister..."
Mel's lips parted hesitantly, her hands almost reaching out to carress Selaria's head.
Rosana, who just seated beside Mel, merely let out a huge, loud sigh.
And that single reaction prompted the Princess to raise her head.
Her glare, still bordered with grudgeful tears, snapped to Rosana.
"What're you doing here?
Rosana raised a brow, before propping an arm on the table and casting a lazy glance at the angry Selaria.
"Interrogation shall always come before conduct, Princess."
The call of her moniker immediately awakened Selaria; her waist now completely straightened despite her stubbornly strained expression.
Unbothered, Rosana merely pushed her plate of food to Selaria.
"Next time, don't cry in public."
She glared across the cafeteria; all audiences dressed in the formal academy uniform, silenced with the Heiress's pure irritation.
As Rosana puffed out an air, she only stated.
"Revealing your weakness would invite nothing but troubles, especially in this idle academy that thrived on rumours."
As she stated this, however, a subtle, almost faint sound drummed aloud just now.
With her ear a little itchy, she glanced at Lila beside her, yet her lover's attention focused more on Selaria instead of the sudden drift in the air.
Did something happen? Lila didn't hear it either, and... no. Rosana couldn't sense it too.
As Mel held her chin, contemplating, Lila merely called out to the Princess.
"So what's wrong, Selaria?"
Lila, too, shifted her own plate forward with an inviting, albeit nervous smile.
Strange. Mel and Maria could do it naturally, so why can't she?
As Lila questioned herself over her control over facial expression, Selaria merely lowered her brows at the food offered.
"It's-"
Her palm settled on both the plates, arms stretching awkwardly with one spot remaining in the middle.
Shrugging, Mel soon pushed her own to fill the emptiness in-between as well.
"Say it!"
Mel's eyes glimmered. "Believe it or not, I love gossips, a lot!"
And whoever bullied her poor princess would get a nice batter, but Mel promised that's it!