Chapter 187: The Princess Redeeming Herself Under the Knight's Nose and a Unique Rivalry Between Best Friends (4)
Before Shia could protest, Aph moved again.
She knew exactly what men wanted.
Wrapping her arms around his neck, she adjusted her position, straddling him as she pressed closer.
The knightess, willing to sacrifice herself for the princess, exuded an air of noble resolve.
'I'll give you everything you want, as long as you leave her alone.'
'Whatever games you want to play, I'll play along.'
This was Aph's way of bearing the burden in Violet's stead.
Shia was stunned.
This was not how things were supposed to go!
Aph leaned in close to his ear, her voice dropping to a near-whisper.
"But I've been training lately, so I might be a little… rusty."
Shia didn't fully grasp her meaning at first, but it became crystal clear soon after.
Without waiting for a response, Aph began to demonstrate her sincerity.
The once-dignified knightess transformed, now exuding a fiery passion like a bewitching enchantress.
As she shifted her weight, the sheer fabric of her stockings stretched tightly over her legs.
Under her persistent advances, Shia found himself under a kind of pressure he never expected.
Outside, footsteps occasionally echoed, along with the sounds of stall doors opening and closing.
At one point, Shia even heard the stall door in the next compartment shut.
He was genuinely tense.
'Do you even realize where we are?'
'Do you know what you're doing right now!?'
For heaven's sake, he had only intended to tease Violet a little.
Moved by the bond between the two friends, he had already resolved to help guide the aloof princess to be a better person.
That's why he had agreed to share the distillation techniques and even the exclusive brewing method for Silver Moon Kingdom.
But Violet's cryptic mention of "sincerity" had piqued his curiosity, which was the only reason he'd shown up.
It wasn't like he had initiated any of this!
How had things spiraled so far out of control?
Shia bore it in silence, mentally reflecting on the situation, but no matter how he thought about it, he couldn't make sense of it.
'I just wanted to tease my haughty deskmate a little, and somehow, I've ended up as the victim?'
The small stall grew increasingly warm, the sound of heavy breathing filling the narrow space.
Before long, the stall door quietly opened.
A careful glance revealed Aph peeking out, her eyes scanning the surroundings with caution.
Her cheeks were still flushed, beads of sweat dotting her nose, and her steps were unsteady as she slipped out of the restroom.
Her legs felt weak, her steps wobbly as if she were walking on clouds.
Nearly stumbling, she caught herself by grabbing the wall, steadying her balance.
After confirming no one was around, she leaned against the wall for support and slowly made her way out.
She hadn't expected that even this level of friction could have such an effect.
Aph felt a bit troubled.
'Can I really handle this on my own?'
Her thoughts drifted to the princess.
Back in the classroom, even with tears threatening to spill, Violet had still managed to argue with her.
'Maybe… we should team up?'
Aph shook her head vigorously.
'No! What am I thinking!?'
'That's my princess! Everything I'm doing is for her protection.'
'Even if she has to grow, it can't be through something like this.'
'As her elder sister figure, I must protect her!'
After Aph's figure disappeared, the stall door opened again.
Shia stepped out, his clothes neat and tidy.
Although Aph had been determined, her lack of real-world combat skills made her efforts far less effective than she thought.
Compared to the succubus queen from Dreamland, her ability was laughable.
Once he overcame the initial shock, Shia quickly took control of the situation, using his actions to guide hers.
Given the cramped space, Shia had a clear view of Aph's stunning face as her expression changed.
From the initial stern warning to the unsettling smile, and eventually to the growing panic and helplessness.
By the end, her pleas for mercy were genuine enough.
Shia, magnanimous as ever, decided to let the partner off with a light reprimand for her momentary lapse.
But now that he'd given her a lesson, it was time to address the promises he had made earlier.
The distillation technique was one thing, but the Silver Moon Kingdom's exclusive wine…
"Ahem."
Shia heard a soft cough.
The sound was familiar.
Distracted by his thoughts, he only slightly adjusted his pace, intending to walk past without much notice.
But then the voice came again from behind.
"Shia."
The tone was cold and clear, carrying a sharp clarity that was oddly pleasant.
Shia finally stopped and turned.
Two steps behind him stood a graceful figure.
Her long violet hair was partly pinned up in a bun, the rest cascading down her back like a waterfall. Stray strands framed her face, with one lock clinging to her glossy, rose-colored lips.
Her flawless beauty exuded elegance and gentleness.
If it wasn't Ella, who else could it be?
Only, her current expression was cold, with a faint hint of resentment in her eyes.
Given the situation, it was obvious she had seen Aph's disheveled exit.
Did she also have an idea of what had just transpired?
'Oh no, I'm screwed.'
Shia felt that today was not his day.
First, Aph caught him teasing her princess. Now, Ella had caught him again.
And judging by her expression, she wasn't going to be easy to placate.
Shia forced a smile, maintaining his composure.
"Miss Ella, were you… here for the restroom too?"
He acted as though nothing had happened.
Ella's lips tightened, her displeasure deepening.
"I came to find you."
Her voice carried a strong undercurrent of emotion.
She turned abruptly.
"Come with me to the office."
The click of her heels on the floor was crisp and forceful, a clear outlet for her frustration.
At first, Shia felt a bit nervous and guilty when he saw Ella.
But he quickly calmed down.
'I'm the victim here. What do I have to fear?'
Trailing behind her, he couldn't help but admire her graceful figure.
Her long hair swayed gently with her movements, the ornaments on her hairpin glimmering faintly.
Her slender waist and smooth back curved elegantly.
With each step, her shapely legs and lithe figure moved with a rhythm that was hypnotic.
Only an older woman could walk with such an enticing sway. It was mesmerizing.
Before long, they arrived at the office.
The blinds were half-drawn, letting in some light while keeping the interior hidden from view.
The room was dimly lit, creating a slightly somber atmosphere.
Ella, the cold and composed teacher, sat at her desk, exuding an air of authority despite her seated posture.
Crossing her legs, she rested her chin on her hand, her gaze sharp, and her voice carried an unusual edge.