"What?"
Liliana immediately took two steps back, staring at Erica in disbelief.
"Erica, as the King's knight, how could you speak of the sovereign you've sworn loyalty to in such a manner?"
Liliana instinctively refused to believe Erica's words. While homosexuality was perfectly normal in Western countries... even marriage between two women was possible.
For mages, it was even more remarkable - two women could even bear children.
But... Liliana couldn't bring herself to believe that the New King, to whom she'd pledged her loyalty, could possibly be interested in women.
The New King's beauty was undeniable. Liliana was confident in her own appearance, yet still felt she fell short in comparison. Could such a peerless ruler truly be attracted to women?
Impossible!
"Shh, keep your voice down."
Erica urgently hushed Liliana, glancing around to ensure no one was listening before sighing in relief. "Liliana-chan, don't you believe me?"
"No, it's just... it feels too unbelievable... The New King looks..." Liliana suddenly didn't know how to continue.
"Don't worry about appearances. Don't you see this as an opportunity?"
"What kind of opportunity?"
"The chance to become one of us..."
"You can't possibly be suggesting..."
"Exactly. As Italy's Twin Beauties, we might be slightly inferior to the New King, but only slightly. Combined, we're on equal footing.
Moreover, for a King, lifespan stretches beyond measure. There's no need to care about worldly opinions..."
Erica wasn't actually into women, nor had she ever considered such things. But yesterday, she suddenly guessed that Phoenix might be interested in girls.
Erica began weighing the pros and cons.
Phoenix was a King standing at the pinnacle of the world, and also a peerless beauty. The intimate gestures between women were sometimes things people wouldn't even dare to imagine.
It's different from male homosexuality.
If the other party is a perfect woman, women might also prefer same-sex relationships.
For other women, Erica might have reservations, but... with Phoenix, she found it completely acceptable.
However, another problem arose. Even though Erica couldn't match up to Phoenix herself, when combined with Liliana, it was enough.
"But..."
Liliana still hesitated in response to Erica's words.
The information was overwhelming.
Liliana had been daydreaming about her prince charming arriving like one of the heroes from her romance novels. Now this sudden revelation...
"There's no 'but' about it. How could you possibly lose? Becoming the king's lover would be a complete win for you! Whether it's looks, talent, or status..."
"..."
Liliana was at a loss for words.
The New King excelled in everything except one area...
Come to think of it, she might have come out ahead after all.
"I'll think about it some more..."
"Very well, but you must decide quickly."
-
Liliana was at a loss for words.
The New King excelled in everything except one area...
Come to think of it, she might have come out ahead after all.
"I'll think about it some more..."
"Very well, but you must decide quickly."
In London, England, at Greenwich, stood the renowned organization in the magic world—the Wise Men's Council.
Unlike magical societies such as the Bronze Black Cross or Copper-Black Cross, this council had a somewhat peculiar nature. In essence, it could be described as a gathering of busybodies—people who spontaneously organized themselves out of sheer idleness.
Mages, occult scholars, Dr. Mei, and others deeply connected to magic.
Or perhaps those who fell just short of being experts—ordinary scholars, street researchers, priests, ministers, monks, divine officials, artists, wealthy individuals, nobles, royal family members, and imperial descendants.
This circle was formed by ambitious individuals driven by aspiration and curiosity, who gathered to exchange information. Over time, the council accumulated wisdom and gradually increased its influence, eventually establishing its headquarters in Greenwich, London.
But this was merely the public facade.
In truth, the Wise Men's Council existed not for genuine research into the world's mysteries, but for survival.
Established during the Victorian era of the 19th century, the "Wise Men's Council" operated in the heart of the rapidly expanding British Empire.
At that time, even the most ancient Campione - the one with the longest tenure among their kind - resided in the bustling capital of the Empire, living a city life.
This particular Campione was no saint. More deranged than the King of Swords Doni himself, he hunted gods for sport and slaughtered mortals on a whim, treating human lives as toys to be toyed with, utterly without restraint.
Legend has it that this monstrous being once paid a casual visit to Queen Victoria herself, as if attending a social gathering.
To protect both England and its sovereign from this dangerous Campione's threat, the "Wise Men's Council" was truly born - its purpose now to study these divine killers.
Thus, the nature of the Wise Men's Council became entrenched, giving rise to the organization that today continues to research Campione.
London, as the capital of England, enjoys a reputation no less distinguished than that of Milan and Rome.
The specific beauty and prosperity of the city cannot be adequately captured in mere words.
A rough description might be: crowded, bustling, vibrant, full of youthful energy, and tinged with a hint of the peculiar. This is the affluent district of Hampstead, part of London's Tree of London trend.
One of the three most exclusive residential areas in London, it also houses the highest concentration of millionaires in all of England.
Near the lake stands a structure reminiscent of a medieval castle. From the outside, it boasts expansive courtyards, four stories, and four towers, occupying a substantial area.
One might assume the residents here are members of some noble family, but in reality, the owner of this mansion is a single woman named Alice Louise Oup Nasal.
She is the daughter of Duke Goddodin, former Speaker of the Wise Men's Council, who retired due to health reasons and now serves as a special advisor.
Naturally, those familiar with her prefer the titles Princess Alice or the White Princess.
Yet now, this renowned Princess Alice - whose name echoes throughout all of Europe - lies weak and pale on her bed. Her eyes occasionally glance out the window, followed by deep, resigned sighs.
Princess Alice lay on the bed wearing an exquisite white coat. Beneath it, she wore a knitted dress and underpants. Her striking platinum blonde hair cascaded down her back, exuding an air of supreme nobility...
Yet at this moment, she was deeply troubled and distressed.