---o---
For Theresa, Rita's arrival was indeed a problem.
Even before Rita became Durandal's adjutant, the precocious young maid held a unique affection for the petite Theresa.
Of course, this affection was by no means romantic love, nor was it admiration for a superior.
Rather, it was a certain emotion that bordered on the ambiguous, teetering on the edge of criminality.
It was a feeling of "wanting to get closer," "wanting to possess," "wanting to take her home," and "wanting to kiss, hug, and lift her high in the air."
In layman's terms, it was somewhat similar to... a lolita complex.
But Theresa was a mature adult, over forty years old this year, and the Principal of St. Freya Academy. She had to maintain her image in front of the students at all times.
Therefore, she was extremely poor at handling Rita.
The mere thought of Rita staying for at least half a month gave Theresa a headache.
But one person's sorrow is another's joy.
On the evening of July 4th, an NPC of Rita appeared in Ye Feng's St. Freya.
"It's been almost a month. Why did Otto only send Sis Rita over now?"
Ye Feng even suspected that the main reason was probably Higokumaru and Yae Sakura, rather than Kiana and the others entering his world.
No... if it was Otto, it was probably still because of Kiana after all.
To be precise, it was because of the Herrscher of the Void slumbering within Kiana's body.
"Whatever, who cares what he's thinking."
Ye Feng wasn't concerned.
What surprised and delighted him was that two Ritas had appeared this time.
One was the Rita from the proper world, and the other was the long-haired "Fallen Rosemary."
The two looked identical, except one had long hair and the other had short hair.
Their temperaments were also quite similar, but beyond their elegant and enchanting auras, there were subtle differences. The short-haired Rita leaned more towards a gentle charm, while the long-haired Rita inclined towards a mysterious quality.
Standing shoulder-to-shoulder, they looked like a pair of twin sisters.
"Still, I feel like a counterpart and actual twin sisters are missing a little something."
What exactly was missing?
Ye Feng couldn't be bothered to think about it.
"Ye Feng."
An elegant voice came from behind him. A beauty resembling a classical court lady, dressed in a pale gold palace gown, approached gracefully with her long skirt trailing behind her.
"Ah, it's Ji Lin."
Ye Feng turned his head and introduced the newcomers to her. "Rita Rossweisse. You should have already met her today, right?"
"..."
Actually, she hadn't.
Ever since playing "Phoenix Seeking a Mate" from the best seat in the house the day before yesterday, Ji Lin had constantly felt a scorching heat in the arches of her feet.
In reality, there was no heat; in the real world, her body was even being occupied by Black Ji Lin. This was just a phantom heat.
She felt utterly ashamed even when she was alone.
How could she possibly face Kiana, or... face Red Kite?
So, Ji Lin had flown to the small island of Chiyou to stand guard by the crystal stones that Danzhu and Cangxuan had become.
She clearly had so much she wanted to confide in Red Kite... but these past few days, her mind had been completely filled with Ye Feng's unyielding erection.
"Ji Lin, if you want to become a proper maid, you must at the very least start by changing how you address people. On this point, you should learn from Rita."
Ji Lin's face was cold as she said flatly, "This one is no longer your maid. Why have you summoned me here?"
The moment Ji Lin entered this space, her body began to "auto-path" to Ye Feng's side.
Ye Feng took out a stack of dueling cards and revealed a brilliant smile.
"Let's play cards."
"This one does not know how."
"I've already input the rules into your mind. A woman as clever as you, Ji Lin, will get the hang of it quickly."
"..."
Ji Lin stared at Ye Feng with hesitation. Ye Feng tempted her with a honeyed tongue:
"Rest assured, our duel will be absolutely fair. I won't cheat in any way. If you can beat me, I will grant you one request. Any request at all. If you lose, your punishment will be similar to before."
"To be your personal maid for a day?"
"No, you'll just have to call me Master."
"?"
Ji Lin looked at Ye Feng in disbelief. The terms were this favorable?
"I only have to call you Master?"
"That's right. However, this 'calling me Master' has no time limit. If you lose, you'll have to keep calling me that forever."
"Fine."
Ji Lin agreed in a single breath.
In the past, even when she saw no hope, Ji Lin would fight to carve out a sliver of a chance.
What's more, the worst that could happen now was a mere title. In that case, she would risk it all and give it her best shot.
"If there are no problems, then sign your name here."
Ye Feng produced a contract.
Ji Lin looked it over, her eyes immediately drawn to the terms.
[In case of Ji Lin's defeat: At any time, in any space, she must address Ye Feng as Master.]
[In case of Ye Feng's defeat: He will satisfy any one of Ji Lin's conditions.]
[Should either party violate the contract, they will be subject to punishment.]
Ye Feng held up a finger.
"The punishment is mutual. If I break the promise, I will be punished as well. Don't look at me so suspiciously. These are my own rules; there's no need for me to shoot myself in the foot."
Mm!
Ji Lin nodded slowly and firmly.
She signed her name on the scroll.
If she could just win, she would grasp a sliver of hope.
"The contract is forged. He who breaks his word shall suffer the penalty of a full-naked dogeza."
What was a "full-naked dogeza"?
Ji Lin shook her head.
It didn't matter; she had no intention of breaking the contract anyway.
If she lost, she would just have to call him Master. It wasn't a big deal.
Besides, was she guaranteed to lose?
Not necessarily!
Ji Lin clenched her fists slightly, as if trying to grasp the future.
That sliver of dawn in the darkness was right before her eyes.
Even if she had to run with all her might, she would—
She stumbled.
Ji Lin still lost to Ye Feng.
Even if Ji Lin was familiar with the rules, her experience was no match for Ye Feng's.
Damn... it!
But Ji Lin didn't find it terrifying.
"From now on, please address me as Master."
"Yes, Ma- Master..."
Ji Lin's pupils constricted.
Because her subconscious wanted to call him Ye Feng, but she couldn't even think the name "Ye Feng."
Not only the words she spoke, but even in her mind!
Just how powerful was this contract?
Ji Lin wanted to test it. She looked at Ye Feng and tried to call out his real name in her mind.
Thud. She fell to her knees.
Her sash came undone, and her clothes slipped from her flawless, fair body, like a beautiful flower blooming in full.
"?"
"Ji Lin, you're not following the rules. Trying to break our promise so soon?"
"?"
"Look closely. It says, 'At any time, in any space, she must address Ye Feng as Master.' The 'mind' is also a type of space."
Eh? Eh?
Was that really how it worked?
Ji Lin had clearly read the contract over and over again and thought there were no problems.
But even just thinking it in her mind would trigger the punishment mechanism?
"I had a lot of fun playing cards with you today, Ji Lin, but it's getting late. I'm going to go have a chat with Rita now."
Huh? Wait a second.
He's leaving?
This is the cafeteria! It's almost dinnertime!
What is this one supposed to do?
Does he intend to just leave me like this?
Wait!
Seriously, wait!
At least let this one put her clothes back on!