Erica and Liliana left Phoenix's room, Liliana feeling somewhat resentful toward Erica.
"Erica... what should we do now? We've made the king dislike us," Liliana said, though her tone held no real criticism. She knew there was no point in dwelling on past mistakes - better to focus on finding a solution.
Liliana frowned. For the king they served to dislike them—this was no good.
"What are you worried about? Don't fret... The king doesn't dislike us. In fact, I'd say... we're making progress." Unlike Liliana, Erica had regained her smile after leaving Phoenix's room.
"What do you mean?" Liliana didn't understand. The king was clearly angry.
"Given the king's temperament, if she truly disliked us, she wouldn't have merely sent us back to our rooms. Besides, haven't you noticed? The king herself has tacitly acknowledged her preference for women."
Erica walked toward her room with serene composure.
"Really?" Liliana asked, still unconvinced.
"You'll see tomorrow. Everything will be back to normal as if nothing happened."
"..." Liliana fell silent, suddenly feeling her own foolishness. Though she'd always been taken advantage of by Erica, this was the first time she'd truly realized it.
The next day, as expected... it was as if nothing had happened at all. Phoenix had taken Higokumaru out and bought many things, including clothes.
Only then... did Liliana finally relax completely.
-
Then came the morning of the third day.
Liliana, as usual, got up early and began preparing breakfast.
Liliana's cooking skills were decent, so breakfast was typically prepared by her. After all, breakfast was relatively simple and didn't require too much effort.
When Liliana finished preparing breakfast and everyone had sat down at the table, only Phoenix remained in her room, not yet having come out.
Unable to help herself, Liliana cautiously asked through the door. After receiving Phoenix's response, she returned to the dining table.
"How is she?" Erica asked Liliana.
"The Queen says she'll be here shortly," Liliana answered truthfully.
"Oh."
After waiting approximately another five minutes, Phoenix finally emerged.
However... when Liliana, Erica, and Higokumaru saw Phoenix approaching, they all stood up in unison, astonished.
"This... This is... the King?"
"This..."
"So... the King is so handsome..."
The three young girls watched as Phoenix approached. Her current appearance differed from before—where she had previously worn traditional Han clothing, radiating celestial beauty.
Now... she wore a suit, the white jacket accentuating her striking features. She embodied the image of a devastatingly handsome male idol.
She resembled Night Squire Fu Hua, though her hair color was different—not gray. Still, she carried an equally captivating charm.
One could tell from Erica and Liliana's reactions that they were practically swooning like lovesick maidens.
"King, how... do you look like this?" Erica couldn't help but ask curiously, never imagining that the beautiful "King" could appear so dashing in a suit.
"Does it not suit me?"
Phoenix straightened her collar and replied casually.
"N-no... not at all... It looks very handsome. You're the most handsome person I've ever seen," Erica responded hastily. Though she'd encountered many attractive men before, Phoenix's current appearance as a white-clad butler placed her among the most striking.
"King..."
Liliana gazed at Phoenix before her, her cheeks flushing crimson. If... before, Liliana had felt Phoenix resembled the male lead from her novel,
then now the resemblance was complete.
Liliana realized she'd fallen for Phoenix, not because of her family's influence, but because she genuinely loved her.
Never had she imagined that a beautiful woman, with just a bit of styling, could transform into such a dashing "male idol."
"Let's eat! The 11 a.m. flight—let's get there early!" Phoenix walked straight to the seat beside Liliana and sat down, ready to start eating.
"Yes."
Erica and the other responded.
-
Liliana looked at Phoenix beside her. She hadn't felt anything special about Phoenix before, but now she could feel her heartbeat quicken.
If Liliana's feelings for Phoenix had been barely passing at 60 points before today, now they were a perfect 100.
Seeing Phoenix dressed as a white-clad butler, Liliana felt like Cupid's arrow had pierced her heart.
This was the ideal partner she'd imagined, the very god of her dreams.
As for Phoenix's true gender, she'd long since stopped caring.
"King, I made this latte for you. Please try it and tell me what you think."
Liliana, a hint of shyness in her voice, placed the milk coffee she'd prepared on the table in front of Phoenix.
"..."
Phoenix watched Liliana blush like a schoolgirl in love, slightly puzzled but still took a sip.
"It's very good... Did you make it yourself?"
The coffee tasted excellent, clearly freshly prepared.
"Mmm, if Phoenix likes it, I'll make it for you every day!" Liliana exclaimed, her face lighting up with a smile at Phoenix's apparent enjoyment.
"Uh..."
Phoenix froze at Liliana's words...
What the hell? Is she confessing?
"I'm sorry, I misspoke..." Liliana immediately regretted her outburst, realizing she'd overstepped. "I got too carried away..."
"It's fine... Let's eat..." Phoenix glanced at Liliana, piecing together the situation.
So she really does like my male disguise... She fell for me just like that.
This world truly is superficial. Ugh! It's all Class Monitor's fault for being too handsome.
After finishing Liliana's prepared breakfast, Phoenix returned to her room. After tidying up, she headed to the airport.
Though Phoenix's speed far surpassed any aircraft's, she had two young girls with her. Her powers couldn't be used recklessly, bound by various restrictions.
Taking a plane made more sense. Besides, it had been over a decade since Phoenix last flew. She wanted to experience it again, even if it wasn't particularly enjoyable.
Phoenix returned to her room, while Liliana began clearing the table of the remnants from their meal.
Here, Phoenix and Higokumaru could never perform such tasks.
As for Erica... she wouldn't do it either. Only Liliana, who shared the same status as Erica, took on this role.
Liliana was a perfect knight and attendant - not just a genius magician, but also a versatile household manager, far surpassing Erica in these matters.