"Kira, are you trying to resurrect me from your world?"
Cecilia's voice was gentle, her gaze resting on Shigure Kira's lowered lashes, carrying a trace of knowing warmth.
Shigure Kira slowly nodded, her fingers unconsciously tightening around the hem of her clothes, her eyes darkening slightly. "If it were really possible... of course I would want that."
She paused. "But I know that's nothing more than self-deceptive wishful thinking."
"Not necessarily." Cecilia suddenly curved her lips into a smile, faint light rippling in her eyes. "The possibilities of the future are endless. Perhaps one day, the Cecilia from your world will truly stand before you again."
"...I hope so." Shigure Kira let out a soft sigh, an unshakable melancholy hidden in her tone.
At that moment, Cecilia suddenly leaned a little closer. Her warm breath brushed against Kira's ear, carrying a mischievous smile. "Speaking of which, Kira, do you like me?"
Shigure Kira jerked her head up as if scalded, her cheeks instantly flushing pink. Her gaze darted away in panic, and even her words stumbled. "Y-Why would you suddenly ask something like that..." She forced herself to sound composed. "Lady Cecilia is so gentle. Anyone would be unable to help liking you, wouldn't they?"
"Is that so?" Cecilia let out a soft laugh, her voice full of indulgence. "But the way I like you is the kind that's only for you alone."
"!" Shigure Kira's cheeks burned instantly. She subconsciously bit her lower lip, her gaze dropping to her clasped fingers. Her voice was barely audible. "Lady Cecilia... the way you like me should just be the affection between companions, right?"
Seeing her so flustered, Cecilia could not help laughing. She lifted her hand and gently stroked Kira's hair, her fingertips gliding through the soft strands. "What do you think?"
She paused before continuing. "In my world, I didn't accept Otto's arrangements, and I didn't marry Siegfried."
"W-What?!" Shigure Kira shot her head up, her eyes wide with disbelief.
Is this Lady Cecilia... hinting at something?
No!
The one I like is the Lady Cecilia from my world, the one as warm as the sun!
Even if this is Lady Cecilia from a parallel world, she can't replace her!
Cecilia watched the turmoil and panic swirling in her eyes, the smile on her lips deepening slightly. "Did I say something wrong?"
"No..." Shigure Kira shook her head and took a deep breath, her tone carrying a trace of firmness. "You are her, and yet you aren't. I can't treat you as her substitute. That wouldn't be fair to you."
"I don't mind." Cecilia's smile remained gentle.
I mind!
Shigure Kira screamed inwardly.
This Lady Cecilia was far more playful than the one she knew. It was clearly the same face, yet there was always a teasing cunning about her... Of course she knew the other woman was deliberately teasing her!
Shigure Kira coughed lightly and hurriedly changed the subject. "By the way, Lady Cecilia, why did you come to this world?"
"For the person I like most." Cecilia's tone carried a hint of mystery, bright light flickering in her eyes.
The person she liked most?
Shigure Kira froze.
Was it Siegfried? But she had just said she didn't marry him...
Was it Kiana? But without Siegfried, how would Kiana exist?
Before she could figure it out, Cecilia had already taken her hand. The warmth at her fingertips was steady and reassuring. "Kira, would you like to come with me?"
"Come with you? Where?" Shigure Kira asked, confused.
"To Academy City, St. Freya Academy." Cecilia smiled, her eyes curving gently. "I'm going to take over as the principal. Would you be willing to accompany me?"
This was the identity Sirin had arranged for her, and it was also her first step in becoming familiar with the outside world.
"N-No!" Shigure Kira quickly shook her head, an awkward expression appearing on her face. "Lady Cecilia, I probably wouldn't be able to get in there."
"Why?" Cecilia asked, puzzled.
"Because in our world, the principal of St. Freya Academy is Sirin," Shigure Kira explained softly. "My relationship with her... isn't very good."
"I see." Cecilia nodded thoughtfully. Then she tightened her grip on Kira's hand, her smile still radiant. "It's fine. Little Sirin is actually quite easy to talk to. Besides, she's no longer at St. Freya Academy now."
Before she finished speaking, Shigure Kira felt the scenery before her twist. Ripples spread through space. The next second, they appeared within a teleportation array—one of the entrances from the Holy Kingdom to Academy City.
Before she could react, the teleportation array lit up, and the two of them were already standing on the streets of Academy City.
Shigure Kira's arrival immediately caught the attention of a certain white-haired woman.
Misteln raised an eyebrow as she looked at the two figures in the distance.
It was rare for someone from the same world to come here.
But when she clearly saw the woman standing beside Shigure Kira, she could not help being startled as well—that face was identical to her own.
No sooner had Cecilia and Shigure Kira arrived than several well-known "dangerous elements" of Academy City proactively approached them.
Some of the girls here liked to make a move on newcomers before they were familiar with the environment, taking advantage of them.
When she first arrived, she had almost been entangled beyond escape. It was only after Bronya gave her the identity of a disciplinary committee member that those people restrained themselves somewhat.
Sigh, what a hassle!
The girls who had been itching to make a move caught sight of Misteln approaching, along with her disciplinary committee status. They immediately withdrew their steps tactfully. After hurriedly sending Cecilia and Shigure Kira friend requests, they turned and ran.
Shigure Kira watched the girls who had suddenly changed direction, then looked toward the white-haired woman walking toward her. Her pupils contracted slightly.
Another Cecilia?
No.
As Cecilia's most loyal follower, she was intimately familiar with that lady's aura.
The woman before her, though identical in appearance, did not possess even a trace of Cecilia's unique gentle presence. She was more like a stranger who merely shared the same face.
"You're Misteln?" Shigure Kira spoke first, her tone probing.
"I didn't expect you to recognize me." Misteln sized her up from head to toe, curiosity flickering in her eyes.
"I heard Natasha mention you," Shigure Kira explained.
"Natasha? Oh, Raven." Misteln suddenly understood and then asked, "How is she doing now?"