Chapter 557: A morning question or confession?

“Hnng~”

A soft yawn slipped from Alice’s lips as she stretched lazily, her slender arms reaching above her head.

Morning sunlight poured in through the half-drawn curtains, painting her pink hair in soft hues.

She rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand, lids still heavy from sleep.

“Good morning, master~”

The voice was smooth and mischievous.

Floating in front of her was a disembodied feline head, fur black as ink mixed with gray, its grin stretching from ear to ear.

The creature rolled upside down midair, its sharp teeth gleaming like polished ivory.

“Cheshire…?” Alice blinked, tilting her head.

“Mhm~,” the cat purred, spinning in a lazy roll. “Seeing as you aren’t annoyed by my face first thing in the morning, you must’ve had a good dream?”

“Hehe~ I guess you could say that…” Alice giggled softly, her cheeks tinting the faintest pink as she swung her legs over the side of the bed.

She rose, pulling off the white cardigan draped around her shoulders and tossing it lightly across the sheets.

Walking toward the window, she opened it wide and leaned out slightly, letting the crisp breeze wash over her face.

The air carried the faint fragrance of dew and blooming flowers, clean and alive.

She inhaled deeply, her lips curling into a content smile as her golden eyes caught the reflection of the greenery below.

“Yup. Spring really is the best season~” she murmured.

“I thought you were more of a summer person, master,” Cheshire teased, his grin widening as his head lazily floated behind her.

“Well, summer is fun,” she admitted, tapping her chin. “But spring is just perfect. It’s… softer. Livelier. Like the world’s waking up again.”

Her gaze wandered past the balcony, sweeping over the courtyard.

The academy grounds were already brimming with motion.

Students hurried about in groups, chatting and laughing, some still groggy, others rushing like they’d overslept.

The season had only just begun, but the academy showed no signs of slowing down.

In fact, it was livelier than usual.

Although… she noticed something. From her balcony view, the first years were almost nowhere to be seen. Even most of the second and a good portion of the third years were absent.

The dungeon evaluation exams were still ongoing.

Those younger students would be spending their days proving themselves in the depths, earning their place and sharpening their resolve.

Which left… the upperclassmen.

Her golden eyes lingered on the grounds below, where clusters of third-years and above strolled through the academy, exuding confidence and experience.

Their presence filled the air with a different kind of energy—seasoned, steady, and watchful.

Alice leaned her arms on the balcony rail, resting her chin on her wrist as a gentle smile curved her lips.

“Busy as ever, huh…”

Cheshire tilted his head at her, his grin never faltering. “You say that like you aren’t about to cause your own share of trouble, master~.”

Alice laughed lightly, closing her eyes as the breeze carried her hair back.

“Are you going to run for student president this time, master?”

“Hn?” Alice blinked, tilting her head. “Of course not! Snow’s practically guaranteed to win.”

“Is that so?” Cheshire’s grin stretched a little wider, his floating head rolling lazily in the air. “Considering the amount of time you spend inside the student council room without even being an official member, I thought you’d be interested by now.”

Alice puffed her cheeks slightly, golden eyes narrowing at him. “Well, I just like helping out, okay? And besides, with Snow around, it makes everything much more fun! Even Rose—though she complains the whole time—still ends up joining us. Seo pops in randomly too. Honestly, it feels lively that way.”

“Mm, I see,” Cheshire purred, his sharp teeth gleaming as his grin softened. “By the way, master… when will you tell Master Riley about it?”

“Ah…” Alice froze mid-sentence. She tapped her lips with her finger, realizing she had completely forgotten. “W-Well… I’ll just tell him when the time comes! Hehe~ knowing him, I’m sure he’ll love surprises~”

Cheshire chuckled, the sound rolling like a low purr. “I don’t really think that’s the case… but if it’s Riley, he’ll probably accept anything from you.”

Alice’s cheeks turned a little pink. “H-Hey, this isn’t just something for me! It’s for both of us! A-and for everyone too… I’m sure the other girls feel the same… maybe? Well, not that it matters, right?”

Her voice grew softer.

Her hand drifted downward, fingers brushing gently against her lower belly.

A tender smile touched her lips as she tucked a strand of pink hair behind her ear.

Her golden eyes shone with quiet determination.

“After all… I am his lover. His fiancée,” she whispered.

Then, glancing back at Cheshire, her smile brightened, brimming with the kind of warmth that no mask could hide. “Aren’t you excited about it, Cheshire?”

The cat’s grin stretched ear to ear, but his eyes softened. “Of course I am~”

Alice giggled, tilting her head.

She knew him well—behind all the mischief, all the sly grins and teasing words, there was no one more loyal or caring than her fantastical companion.

“Hehe~ you’ll make a great uncle, you know…”

For once, Cheshire didn’t quip back. He just smiled.

“I should probably wash up now. Lorraine might actually kill me this time for being late.” Alice stretched her arms, a playful pout on her lips. “Be sure to take care of the realms today, Cheshire~”

“Tch tch tch~” Cheshire clicked his tongue dramatically, his wide grin not faltering for a second. “You’re seriously passing your responsibilities to me so casually now, master?”

“Hehe~ that’s why I love you, Cheshire~” Alice sang, giving him a teasing wink.

The floating head narrowed his glowing eyes, tail flicking in exasperation despite not having a body. “You’re quite manipulative as well. But as a good familiar, I suppose I’ll do so.”

“See? You’re the best.”

Alice twirled around, her pink hair fluttering as she headed toward the bathroom.

Piles of neatly stacked research papers were scattered across the table, a reminder that her fellow members were close to finishing their portion.

She couldn’t keep them waiting much longer.

Slipping out of her loose lacy nightgown, Alice’s bare form glowed faintly under the morning light.

She hummed to herself, unconcerned, stretching languidly before stepping into the steam-filled washroom.

“Master…” Cheshire’s voice dragged, the grin in his tone sharper than usual. “I know this room has become something of a… breeding ground for you and Riley’s other girls. But could you at least pretend to have some decency in front of me? You’re becoming more of a pervert every time I see you here. Maybe you should try sleeping back in your own dorm room for once.”

Alice nearly tripped. “H-HUH? I’m not perverted!” she protested, spinning toward the floating cat head with her face burning red. “This place just relaxes me, okay?! A-and you’re the pervert for thinking that, you horny cat! I’ll have you know Riley loves seeing me like this!”

“Haah~ I guess perverted maniacs think alike,” Cheshire drawled, rolling mid-air lazily. His grin widened. “Is that why you two go at it the longest compared to the others?”

Alice’s jaw dropped. Her face turned beet red. “W-We last longer…?!”

Cheshire gave her a flat look, the kind that screamed: Is that really what you’re concerned about?

“Anyways,” he yawned, the hazy edges of his form already starting to blur, “I’ll be off now, master.”

A puff of gray smoke began swirling around his floating head. But just before vanishing completely, he paused mid-turn, his grin sharpening even further.

“Ah—before I forget to tell you…” His golden eyes gleamed with mischief. “You’re not the only one bearing the same surprise for Riley~”

Alice blinked, confused. “What do you mean?”

Cheshire’s grin stretched impossibly wide. His voice purred with amusement, every word dripping like honey meant to stir chaos.

“Liyana… she’s pregnant.”

Huh…

“HUHHHH??????!!!!”

Before Alice could even process it, the cat disappeared in a swirl of smoky haze, leaving nothing but the sound of her shocked scream echoing across the room.

………

“Please… for both our sakes, let’s break up…”

It was a normal day.

A normal morning.

Nothing about it felt dramatic or special, and yet here he was—fidgeting, trembling, spilling his heart out like they were in the middle of some tragic romance.

At the far corner of the academy’s central park, beneath the shade of a budding oak tree, Lorraine stood with her arms crossed, her golden eyes half-lidded in boredom.

She let out a light yawn, lifting her wrist to glance at her watch as though she had better places to be—which she absolutely did.

The boy’s voice cracked as he forced the words out. “I know you aren’t really in love with me… and I… I found someone else. I know it might look like I’m being such a bastard right now, but trust me, I just wanted to—”

“Okay, let’s break up.”

He froze. “…Huh?”

Lorraine tilted her head, her pink hair catching in the light breeze. “You wanted to break up, right? So, let’s break up.”

“Well… yes, but—”

“Good. Then I’m going now.” She adjusted the strap of her bag casually, already turning away. “It was nice getting to know you… Clinton, was it?”

“…Kez. My name’s Kez.”

“Ah.” Lorraine blinked once, as if the correction barely registered. “Sorry, your face just reminded me of Clinton. Anyway, it was nice knowing you. Let’s not interact with each other from now on.”

And just like that, she walked off, her heels clicking lightly against the stone path as she left him standing there with a stunned, hollow look.

Heading back toward the academy’s grand library, Lorraine sighed, flicking her hair back behind her shoulders.

She checked her watch again—she still had some time before she needed to meet her group.

Still, now she had to cross half the courtyard just to get back.

“Sigh… did he really have to call me all the way out here just to break up? Now I have to walk twice the distance just to finish what I was doing.”

To most people, her reaction would seem cold, even cruel. To some, maybe she’d look like the heartless one in this story. But Lorraine didn’t really care. That was just who she was—or at least, who she had decided to be.

Love, in her eyes, had always been a bitch.

It came, it went, and it never stayed. It was a fleeting thing that left more bruises than warmth.

That’s why she never let herself hold on too tightly, why she didn’t bother sugarcoating things anymore.

She envied those who could commit to a single partner—who could pour all of themselves into one person without hesitation.

And she hated those who spread themselves thin, who chased after love after love without meaning any of it.

Of course, there were a few exceptions in her eyes.

A very few.

But in general, she hated her kind the most.

“I wonder which type I should go around with next…” Lorraine muttered under her breath as she strolled down the academy hall, balancing a small stack of books on one arm. “Cuties are nice, but they tend to get too impatient or too reliant. If I go for the more mature type, they always end up trying to make unnecessary moves… tch. Maybe I should change my perspective and try out that gorilla-looking person?”

Her tone was flat, almost bored.

A few strands of her long hair slipped across her face, and with a flick of her wrist she brushed them back, her eyes scanning the corridor without much interest.

It wasn’t that romance meant nothing to her—she still sought the faint ideal of “true love”—but never with urgency.

For her, it was more like a side hobby, a way to cut through the monotony of academy life.

Endless schoolwork, research, lectures… everything repeated in predictable, suffocating cycles.

Flings and experiments with “types” gave her something to laugh at, if nothing else.

And yet, lately even that wasn’t enough.

These days, she found a different kind of comfort: watching things untouched by cynicism.

Cute, innocent things. Things that reminded her not everything had to be sharp and calculated.

With a quiet sigh, she pushed open the heavy oak doors of the academy’s grand library. Inside, sunlight poured across rows of towering shelves.

She quickly gathered the books she needed before making her way toward the private research rooms tucked in the far wing.

She turned the knob, expecting the usual disaster: stacks of paper slumped across desks, magical chalk marks half-smudged on boards, enchanted markers scattered underfoot, scrolls poking out of messy corners.

She had prepared herself for the ritual sigh and the wasted time cleaning up before they could work.

But instead—

“…It’s clean?” Lorraine blinked.

The room looked almost brand-new. The boards had been wiped spotless, papers neatly stacked, and even the faint scent of lavender hung in the air.

“Ah, Lorraine! Good morning, ehehe~!”

Her golden eyes snapped toward the window.

“…Alice?”

There, sitting by the sunlit desk with a grin too bright for the hour, was Alice.

Her pink hair shimmered faintly in the morning light, golden eyes sparkling as if she were proud of some secret accomplishment.

Lorraine’s stoic expression cracked for a second. “…You? Early? And… you cleaned this?”

Alice puffed out her chest, clearly satisfied. “Come sit, come sit! I have everything ready already.”

“…That’s a surprise,” Lorraine said, setting her books down. “Yesterday this room looked like a battlefield.”

“I have my ways!” Alice giggled.

Lorraine let out a small, reluctant laugh, shaking her head.

Alice might have been the same age, and when she wanted to she could act just as mature, but to Lorraine she was always something else entirely.

A little sister. A bright, innocent foil to her own jaded edges.

And just like the rare things that still managed to make her dull days feel lighter, her Alice was the very definition of something pure and precious.

“So what brought the ever-always-late Alice here so early?”

Lorraine drawled, leaning back in her chair and folding her arms.

“Don’t tell me it has something to do with our research. Normally you scramble for excuses to disappear halfway through. You’re not planning on pulling that again, are you? Or is this another attempt to get exempted, so you can sneak off for a date with your boyfriend—oh wait, fiancé now, isn’t it?”

Her lips curved in a half-smirk. “Honestly, you two have quite the thick faces after that little fiasco at the ball. Bold of you to show up here at all.”

Alice puffed her cheeks, her pink hair swaying as she shook her head furiously. “I-I’m not here to do something like that! And I never did… well—m-maybe I escaped a few times just to relax, but never to spend time with Riley!”

Lorraine raised a brow, unimpressed. “You sure? Last I heard, a few second years saw you flying straight toward his balcony window.”

Alice’s face burned pink to match her hair. “T-That’s a lie! Haha, you know how weird my Riley’s rumors can get, right? People always exaggerate!”

“…”

The silence was deafening. Lorraine’s flat stare pinned her down like a hawk watching prey.

Alice coughed into her hand, averting her golden eyes. “A-Anyway! Trust me, I’m not here to do something like that—or even ask a favor. Besides, Riley’s away right now, so there’s no way I could do any of the things you’re accusing me of!”

Lorraine arched an eyebrow higher. “You literally admitted to one of them.”

“Th-that doesn’t count!” Alice yelped, before clearing her throat in a poor attempt to sound dignified. “Ahem. Anyways, the reason I came early is… I wanted to ask you something before the other members arrived. It’s… um… a sensitive topic. One that falls under your… expertise.”

Lorraine gave her a side glance, lips quirking. “Expertise, huh? Let me guess—love troubles? Did you already get into a catfight with one of his other girls?”

“N-no!” Alice shook her head so hard her hair bounced wildly. “It’s not like that! Everyone gets along, we’re all harmonious and kind and loving with one another! I—I just wanted to ask something really specific…”

“Go on,” Lorraine said flatly, though her curiosity was faintly piqued.

Alice’s golden eyes darted side to side as she fidgeted, then she blurted out in a single breath:

“U-uhm… what are the chances of a woman getting pregnant if she… you know… does it with her lover while there are a bunch of other girls around too? S-since the man obviously gets tired, th-then his, um, semen would get weaker too, right?”

“…….”

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