"What Original Path?"
Having heard a completely novel concept from Mephisto's mouth, Faust couldn't help but ask curiously.
[Didn't you tell me to shut up? Little Mephisto doesn't know~!]
"Sigh..."
This wasn't the first or second time Mephisto had acted out. For this fellow, teasing Faust seemed to be the greatest pleasure.
But Faust was also a worthy opponent. He could really keep his composure. Since you won't answer, then I won't ask. Better not beg me to tell you!
"Your Highness, you may enter the pool now."
After the cleansing was complete, the maids gazed at the prince with seductive eyes.
According to custom, the time before this counted as their service as attendants, but after this point, it could be considered a reward.
The emerald-haired older sister in particular had curves so generous that even the white bathing towel couldn't fully contain them, smooth as white jade. She had coiled her emerald-green long hair at the back of her head and knelt down before Faust.
"Tap, tap, tap..."
Just as Faust was about to go along and play some little games with the maids, the sound of boots striking the floor came from outside the bathroom.
The emerald-haired older sister, who had already tucked the strands of hair by her cheeks behind her ears, had no choice but to rise and open the bathroom door.
However, the head maid's initial displeasure instantly dissipated upon seeing who had arrived, and she bowed respectfully:
"Miss Roselin!"
The one entering the bathroom was none other than Faust's childhood friend, the young guard with pale golden hair, whose picturesque, dignified, and beautiful figure formed an incredibly stark contrast with the debauchery inside the bathroom.
The instant Viviana entered, the maids who had been intoxicated by the handsome prince all sobered up, fastening their towels and rising to their feet.
Viviana's magnificent purple eyes swept around the bathroom once before she addressed Faust:
"I have important matters to report, classified intelligence."
The implication was self-evident.
Faust released the two beautiful maids he'd been embracing and waved his hand with a smile:
"You may leave first."
"Yes."
A single sentence from Viviana brought the maids to a halt, yet none of them dared voice any objection, leaving in orderly fashion.
In the Kingdom of Aurum, because the old king had firmly insisted on giving his good brother equal treatment, the Roselin family's status and the royal house weren't particularly distinct. One might even say the propriety had somewhat collapsed.
Amusingly enough, even now, Viviana still held inheritance rights to the throne.
But because the Kingdom of Aurum was young enough, and everyone came from backgrounds that weren't old aristocratic bloodlines, naturally no one minded this point.
For precisely this reason, when facing the heir of the Roselin family, who held status equal to royalty, even the prince's personal maids had to show sufficient respect.
Only while nodding and lowering their heads did they also grumble inwardly.
After all, though Viviana used to be inseparable from His Highness in the past, she would never intrude on the scene, always saving whatever matters for later.
But ever since a few months ago, when His Highness Faust's relationship with Miss Roselin became particularly intimate, the Knight Commander had broken through that final boundary, leaving many maids lamenting endlessly.
However, such complaints would only remain buried in their hearts. Though the prince was extremely approachable, the degrees of intimacy among those close to him still existed. Any fool who couldn't see their own position and status clearly didn't deserve to remain by His Highness's side.
After the maids left, only then did Viviana's gaze fix directly on Faust, her eyes roaming over the man's body that resembled a classical sculpture. Whether from the bathroom's temperature or something else, a slight flush appeared on the girl's fair and delicate cheeks.
"My apologies for interrupting your refined pleasures. Does Your Highness find it difficult?"
Faust waved his hand dismissively: "Not at all. It's a good opportunity to adapt to my ability to control my body."
The experience from [Martial Saint] needed to be used more. Even if he couldn't reach the level of controlling every muscle at will and regulating hormone secretion, achieving natural control should be no problem.
Viviana's left hand's fingers twined around strands of her hair as she said expressionlessly:
"But I still feel bad about it."
What, do you really think I'm a monkey that thinks with my lower half?
Just as Faust was about to voice this complaint, he saw the blonde girl's other hand, her index finger and thumb touching, as if rehearsing some motion.
He immediately swallowed his original words and responded to his childhood friend's hint.
"Mm... then I'll trouble you."
Thus Viviana sat down facing Faust, the former playing beautifully while saying:
"The Second Empire has sent another secret letter. Their special envoy will soon enter the Kingdom of Aurum's borders."
Faust gave a muffled grunt, then said:
"Finally here. Are they coming under a concealed identity?"
"Of course. They're even traveling the entire way by regular transportation, expected to arrive at the capital in three days."
Viviana's expression was quite calm, completely impossible to connect that serene pretty face with the actions she was performing:
"The leader of the Second Empire's special delegation is an imperial princess."
"Hm?"
Now Faust was surprised: "An imperial royal? The Second Empire only has a few royals, and with the civil war so intense, they still have the leisure to come to us?"
[What's so surprising? If Lotus didn't send her most beloved child, then I'd question her sincerity. At that point I'd really have to control her.]
Mephisto said discontentedly, seemingly feeling that the contractor didn't quite trust their own influence.
Faust thought about it and realized it made sense. He'd previously been comparing the national power of the Kingdom of Aurum and the Second Empire, completely failing to factor Mephisto into the equation.
This alliance wasn't between the Kingdom of Aurum and the Second Empire. It was a union between one Fae and another Fae!
However, since the other side was giving such face, Faust had to reciprocate:
"Good. Reply to the special delegation that as long as they're willing to come, no matter which station they arrive at, I'll personally go pick them up."
Doesn't the capital have only one station?
Viviana tilted her head in puzzlement:
"Understood."
Having finished the official business in just a few words, the bathroom suddenly became quiet, with only the bubbling sounds of the hot spring.
Faust and Viviana looked at each other for a moment. He cleared his throat twice and said:
"By the way, how is 'she' doing?"
Faust was asking about "Cinderella." Considering that "Cinderella" was one of Viviana's masks, he was actually asking in a roundabout way about Viviana's psychological state.
The pale-golden-haired girl immediately placed a hand on her chest:
"Please rest assured, I can still suppress her."
Can you really suppress her? Faust was deeply doubtful, just look at how repressed you are!
Faust said: "Actually, there's no need to be so strict. Letting her out is fine too."
Viviana showed a troubled expression:
"But I promised you that if you didn't break your promise, I would never let her out either."
Faust said earnestly: "This doesn't count as making an exception, because I want to see her."
This was no lie. Faust truly wanted to let [Cinderella] out now.
Viviana had the [Witch] fate, but her [Witch] characteristics were almost entirely manifested in her mask personality. During this period of returning to normalcy, she had indeed learned quite a few incredible skills, but beyond that, she showed no intention of continuing to expand.
After much thought, it was still because the [Witch] essence wasn't being released enough. If Viviana kept suppressing [Cinderella], that would truly be putting the cart before the horse.
The greatest trump card Faust held for defying fate was that highest-priority [Witch's Feast].