Chapter 250: Jealousy Among Best Friends; Succubus Queen vs. Evil God Academy Headmaster (2)
"Your daughter's pretty cute," Diana remarked with a playful smirk. "A bit of a goof, but she's fun to watch. Just a little too naïve."
"That's why she needs to experience the world," Eden replied, raising her glass to clink it against Diana's.
"And speaking of daughters, shouldn't you start thinking about skincare? Your kid's already grown up."
"Excuse me? My skin is flawless! I could pass for twenty!"
"Sure, sure," Eden said, smirking as she looked Diana up and down.
Diana leaned closer, her tone conspiratorial. "I have a secret skincare routine that keeps me looking like a young maiden. Want to learn it?"
Eden arched a brow, unimpressed. "You? A young maiden? Who would believe that?"
"Jealousy doesn't suit you," Diana shot back, puffing out her chest. "It's not just my skin—I've got the figure to match!"
Eden wasn't about to be outdone. She straightened her posture, showing off her own assets.
"You think you've got me beat? Please."
"And look at you—your skin's already losing its elasticity."
"My body is soft! Soft! That's completely different from being flabby, okay? This kind of softness is the ultimate display of a girl's charm. Unlike you, all stiff and rigid—no wonder you haven't had a man for years!"
"My figure is 'elastic'! Elasticity is a hallmark of youth, alright? And you have the nerve to brag about being soft?"
"Your skin is rough!"
"You're not fair enough!"
"Your skin isn't tender—too old!"
"You've got wrinkles!"
"..."
The two women glared at each other, neither willing to back down, nitpicking each other like enemies.
They stared, big eyes meeting big eyes, locked in a stalemate. It was like watching two kids argue over a playground squabble.
But since neither could convince the other, a mediator was needed. Both women, so confident in their beauty and self-care, knew there was only one way to settle this.
"This arguing won't get us anywhere. Let's find someone to judge who maintains themselves better!"
"Fine!"
A shadow flickered through Diana's mind.
At the same time, Queen Eden thought of someone.
"To keep it fair, how about we each pick one judge?"
"Deal!"
Ten minutes later.
Shia stood awkwardly in front of the two older women.
Both their eyes lit up simultaneously as they glanced at Shia, only to immediately swivel their gazes back to each other, speaking in unison.
"My judge is here. Where's yours?"
Their faces froze as they realized the situation, exchanging looks of disbelief.
Both pairs of piercing gazes landed squarely on Shia, locking him in their sights.
The mutual besties suddenly spoke in perfect sync again.
"You know her well?"
Shia wasn't the same naive boy he was yesterday. Today, he was Alexander Shia—head held high but scalp tingling with anxiety.
First, Diana had texted him to come to her office.
Then Queen Eden summoned him.
His plan was to first respond to the headmistress and then meet the queen, but somehow, 'both' were here together!? And judging by their interaction, they seemed rather familiar?
This… no matter how he answered, it felt like walking into a trap.
"The headmistress is someone I deeply respect. She's the pillar maintaining stability in the academy. As a model student, knowing her shouldn't be surprising, right?"
Shia forced a smile, explaining as calmly as he could.
"And what about her?" Diana pointed at Queen Eden.
"Queen Eden is someone I greatly admire. To lead the succubi clan and establish her footing in foreign lands while achieving so much… Previously, I visited with Rong to discuss a collaboration about Drunken Dreams."
Every muscle in Shia's back tensed as he gave a neutral but respectful response.
Queen Eden wasn't entirely satisfied with his answer, but her annoyance was redirected at her best friend. Grabbing Diana's accusing finger, she flung it aside.
"Stop pointing that claw of yours at me!"
"What if I do?"
"It's rude! Don't you know that?"
"Oh, throwing your bestie's hand isn't rude?"
The two immediately dove into another argument.
Shia thought about stepping in to mediate, but seeing the fierce back-and-forth, he ultimately chose to lower his presence and silently watch. It felt like intervening right now would be a very bad idea.
However, the tension between the two soon revealed something more subtle. Both of them were quick to pick up on an unusual vibe coming from the other.
They weren't fools. They could sense it: the moment Shia had appeared, they'd noticed the slight change in each other. It was a subtle yet unmistakable sign of mutual feelings for the young man standing between them.
The air between them only grew sharper as their words became a battleground, driven by their self-confidence and territorial instincts.
As the argument escalated, Shia reluctantly decided to step in. "Alright, you've been friends for years. Isn't it unnecessary to argue like this?"
Queen Eden's sharp eyes stayed locked on Diana. 'Hah!' She'd been right—this young man was incredibly attractive to women. Even this "old hag" couldn't help herself. Thank goodness she came to check on her daughter—otherwise, how could the inexperienced girl compete?
"You're the one going after younger men, huh?" Diana shot a knowing glare at Queen Eden, as if enlightened.
Her eyes widened in realization. "It's you trying to rob the cradle, isn't it, old hag?!"
Queen Eden, who had originally restrained herself from commenting on Diana's age out of consideration, instantly snapped. How dare she!
"You're the hag! You're older!"
"No, you're the hag! I'm gorgeous and youthful!"
"..."
Shia weakly raised his hand. "Didn't we agree to stop arguing?"
Both women froze for a moment before turning their heads toward him.
Now, why had they called him over again?
Since both were clearly interested in Shia, it seemed natural to make him the arbiter of their little contest.
Shia felt a shiver run down his spine. Why had he opened his mouth? He realized too late it had only made things worse. But staying silent didn't seem like a good idea either. Between these two stubborn women, he was just the poor bystander caught in the crossfire.
The atmosphere thickened as both women leaned in.
"You tell us—who looks better?"
"Who's more charming?"
"Who looks younger?"
The questions came rapid-fire, each one more pointed than the last. Shia, feeling the full force of their competitive energy, instinctively tried to shrink into himself.
And so, a new battlefield emerged: Succubus Queen vs. Fallen Goddess Headmistress.
Caught squarely in the middle, Shia became their unwilling tool for settling scores.
Raising a feeble hand, he managed a weak protest. "Wait! One at a time!"
The two women exchanged heated glares before Diana broke the silence.
"Fine. Start with this—who looks younger?"
She turned to Shia, her gaze sultry as she batted her lashes, throwing him a flirtatious wink dripping with charm.
The allure of that glance sent a shiver down Shia's spine, making him tremble slightly.
Queen Eden, however, wasn't about to lose. She grabbed Shia by the chin, forcing him to look at her instead. Their noses were so close they nearly touched, and her warm breath caressed his lips as she stared directly into his eyes.