Chapter 331: Mary Sue Gets Brutally Dominated by the Evil Mother, How the Suffering Hero Was Made (3)
Lilith watched with wide eyes as Shia peeled fruit and placed slices in front of Sophia, shamelessly claiming everything that should have been hers.
She didn't know why, but it felt so frustrating.
But the competition wasn't over yet.
Sophia had already given a new request.
"Good boy, my stockings got torn today. Can you help me put on a new pair?"
Her eyes held a faint, hopeful look as she gazed at Shia.
Those clear eyes with a bit of timidness, like she was embarrassed to ask.
She had just finished speaking when Sophia lowered her head.
"Of course, if you don't want to, that's fine too... ya~!"
Shia had already knelt in front of Sophia.
He reached out and gently held her ankle.
Despite her curvy body, Sophia's frame was small.
Her slim ankle fit perfectly in one hand.
Her skin was silky smooth, and the soft feel was incredible.
Sophia blushed slightly, turning her head away.
She lowered her voice a little.
"Good boy, isn't this a bit much for you?"
Lilith was already grinding her teeth to dust nearby.
So you do know you're putting him in a tough spot!?
Asking him to help you put on stockings—how shameless can you be!?
Even I, the legitimate childhood sweetheart, haven't gotten this kind of treatment yet!
This is just too much~!
Is this really something an old woman like you should be saying!?
"Did you walk too much today?"
Shia held Sophia's ankle, his voice gentle and soft, bringing a strong sense of reassurance.
"Yeah, I twisted my foot a bit when I went to the wine cellar today," Sophia said with a hint of complaint.
Shia paused for a moment.
"If it's causing trouble, then don't go anymore."
"How could that work?"
Sophia shifted positions.
Her luscious legs arched slightly.
Her knees pushed up the skirt, and with Shia crouched down, he saw her pale skin stretch up under the hem, disappearing into the couch's shadow.
This scene was pure temptation for any man.
And yet Sophia seemed completely unaware of her allure, continuing to express concern for Shia.
"If I don't go check on you, won't you forget to eat again?"
"Your health is the most important. You have to take care of yourself."
Shia nodded as if deeply moved, his hands slowly slipping the stockings onto her foot.
To distract himself, he looked up at Sophia's face.
From his angle, with Sophia half-lying down, above her huge chest were her seductive, sleepy eyes.
Eyes gazing at him, full of charm.
Add to that the mature, curvy leg stretched out toward him—the visual impact was insane.
The soft feel of the fine stockings, the smooth skin underneath—it was overwhelming.
If I were a guy, I wouldn't last a second!
Right now.
Lilith watched the whole thing unfold with her own eyes, practically weeping inside.
But she couldn't do a thing.
Because of the rules and the test, she couldn't step in.
She could only watch as Sophia shamelessly seduced Shia.
Lilith bit her lip, feeling utterly defeated.
How could she compete with that?
How do you even fight back against something like this!?
That level of manipulation, those calculated moves—she just wasn't there yet!
And since Shia had obediently served Sophia from beginning to end, she didn't even get a sliver of a comeback.
Not even the chance to argue or turn things around.
She could only watch helplessly as her childhood sweetheart was taken advantage of.
Lilith was no longer the all-powerful Mary Sue she used to be.
Now, she was a suffering Mary Sue with a tragic heroine aura.
Even though she was trembling all over, even though her heart was crushed, all she could do was silently observe the lesson.
She had been completely wrecked.
When the two childhood sweethearts finally came out from Sophia's room, Lilith felt like she was walking on clouds, stumbling, dazed and lost.
Even after Shia called her name a few times, she didn't respond.
Until she walked into a wall of muscle.
"Oof~!"
Lilith rubbed her sore nose and stumbled backward.
Shia reacted fast and caught her slim waist, pulling her into his arms.
Looking down, his gaze was clear and a bit concerned.
"What's wrong? Why are you so out of it?"
Lilith looked up into Shia's eyes and couldn't help but feel wronged, a bit of grievance flickering in her eyes.
"Why did you listen to her so much!?"
Her fiancé was right next to her, yet he went off to serve another woman.
This was just too much~!
Shia looked innocent.
"She's your mother."
"Even so, what's with helping her put on stockings!?"
"I think she's got some ulterior motives toward you!"
"Before she even gave those ridiculous orders that split us apart, and you still listen to her!"
Shia waited until she finished venting, then spoke helplessly.
"I really had no choice."
Lilith broke free from his arms, turned her head to the side with a pout.
Shia calmly moved to face her.
"It was just a little effort, serving an elder."
Lilith turned her head the other way.
Shia followed again.
"You can't seriously let something like this make you fight with your own mother, right?"
Lilith stopped turning. She looked up at Shia.
Her face was full of stubbornness.
Tightly pressed lips showed just how unhappy she was.
Shia seemed relieved that she was finally listening, so he continued.
"Right now, you're still too weak."
He barely began before Lilith tried to interrupt.
She wasn't that weak, okay!?
She had a name for herself in the academy!
But Shia motioned for her to stay quiet and continued.
"An individual's strength means nothing in front of the family. You might be a favored daughter now, but going against the family is still too hard."
"Fighting with Madam over something small could make you lose their support."
"And having or not having the family's backing? That makes a world of difference."
"That would do you more harm than good in the long run."
"I don't want you to fall into that situation."
Shia looked into her eyes deeply, laying out all his thoughts.
Lilith didn't try to argue anymore. She just stared at him blankly, her eyes starting to tear up.
She never imagined he'd thought this far ahead.
And it was all for her sake.
She was about to cry from being so touched~!
Lilith bit her lip, clearly moved.
"Shia, you really thought of me like that, I... I'm so touched."
"But this is just too hard on you."
"I really don't even know how to thank you properly."