But what truly crushed her spirit wasn’t the public spanking—it was Aph’s reaction.

Kneeling on both knees, Aph looked up at Shia with unwavering resolve.

“Her Highness made a mistake. Please allow me to atone on her behalf,” Aph said firmly.

“You can punish me however you like, but I beg you—spare Her Highness.”

Aph’s plea hit Violet like a dagger to the heart.

'How could someone so noble and proud, like Aph, lower herself to beg on my behalf?'

Violet’s head shot up, her cheeks still flushed with residual shame, her eyes filled with pain.

“Aph, you don’t need to plead for me!”

Her voice trembled as she spoke, her expression a mix of lingering embarrassment and heartfelt concern.

Her pride as a princess couldn’t bear the sight of Aph humbling herself before Shia. Not for her. Not like this.

Aph was Violet’s closest friend and dearest sister figure.

Though their statuses differed, Violet valued Aph more than words could express. Seeing her kneeling before Shia, pleading on her behalf, was already unbearable. The thought of Aph taking her punishment was even worse.

'I don’t mind enduring pain, but I can’t stand watching the person I treasure most humiliate herself to appease someone else!'

Violet’s face flushed red with anger as she stared at Aph, who remained kneeling, unmoving.

“Aph, I command you, as your princess, to stand up! Stop pleading with him!”

Her voice wavered, carrying a faint sob.

Aph pressed her lips together, her eyes filled with heartache as she gazed at Violet.

As a knight, how could she stand idly by while her princess was mistreated?

'When the ruler is humiliated, the knight must act.'

Aph remained kneeling, her earnest eyes fixed on Shia. Her silent plea was clear: "Please, don’t humiliate Her Highness like this. Punish me instead. I’ll take full responsibility, no matter the cost."

Tears welled up in Violet’s eyes.

“This is an order! Stand up! Stop pleading with him!”

Her tone grew cold, carrying the weight of authority that she rarely used with Aph.

Aph bit her lip, torn but resolute. For the first time, she defied a direct order from her princess.

Violet’s tears threatened to fall, her red-rimmed eyes glaring at Aph with a mixture of frustration and desperation.

At that moment, all her shame, her loss of dignity, and her humiliation faded into the background. None of that mattered anymore.

The two close friends, bound by their mutual care and loyalty, found themselves at odds over Shia’s punishment. Despite their shared affection, their clashing perspectives created tension and division.

To Violet, Shia was a villain to be defeated. She obeyed only to bide her time, waiting for a chance to strike back.

Aph, however, viewed Shia as a necessary force. His challenges, though harsh, were helping mold Violet into a capable ruler.

Watching her princess suffer was painful, but Aph believed it was a worthwhile price to pay. Violet’s transformation—learning to humble herself, work alongside others, and even use tactics like reverse psychology—was undeniable.

'Without Shia’s trials, how many more failures would it take for her to gain these lessons?'

It was because Aph saw the results that her trust in Shia deepened. For her, kneeling and pleading wasn’t humiliation; it was a choice born from love and loyalty.

Violet, however, couldn’t see it that way.

To her, Aph was sacrificing her pride for a villain. It was unacceptable. Violet could endure pain and punishment herself, but she couldn’t bear the thought of someone she cherished being hurt or degraded.

Her possessiveness mingled with her protective instincts, fueling her defiance.

Though they were both trapped in Shia’s web, their differing responses only pushed them further apart.

Shia watched the silent standoff between the two women, a faint headache brewing.

'So much drama… even when I intervene, destiny still takes its course.'

He sighed, finally letting go of Violet, though she didn’t seem to notice.

Aph shot Shia a grateful glance and stood, moving to help Violet to her feet.

But Violet, still fuming, swatted Aph’s hand away. She sat as far from her friend as possible, sulking like a child throwing a tantrum.

The room fell into an awkward silence.

Rong glanced nervously between Aph and Violet, sensing the tense atmosphere but too afraid to speak. She turned to Nia for help, only to find the elf princess hugging a pillow, completely lost in thought.

The uneasy stillness was broken by the arrival of a new presence.

Golden curls bounced as a familiar figure entered the room.

Lilith, the persistent shadow, had arrived. Her keen senses, like those of a bloodhound, had once again led her straight to the gathering.

With her uncanny ability to detect the presence of beautiful girls, how could she miss a room full of them?

The moment she caught a whiff of their unique scents at the villa’s entrance, her eyes lit up with excitement.

Upon stepping into the room, she was greeted by a scene that made her heart race: Shia seated in the center, surrounded by four stunningly unique beauties.

A scene straight out of a harem fantasy.

Lilith’s envious gaze first fell on Aph.

'A knightly older sister figure!'

Her tanned skin, perfect features, and aura of reliability exuded a mature charm. The curves of her body, subtly accentuated by her armor, hinted at a generous bosom that Lilith longed to rest her head against.

Beside Aph sat Nia, the elf princess with a petite frame but strikingly generous proportions. Her golden hair cascaded down her shoulders, her innocent expression drawing anyone in. The way her chest squished against her pillow only added to her allure.

On the other side of Shia were a demure maid and the regal Violet.

The succubus maid, with her modest figure, failed to catch Lilith’s attention—she already had an icy maid of her own.

But Violet?

The white-silk-clad princess, with her cold and elegant demeanor, resembled an untouchable snow queen. Her stockings, pristine and flawless, were irresistible.

Lilith’s jealousy surged as she glared at Shia.

'Why does this guy get to be in the middle of all this?'

Driven by her frustration, she boldly stepped forward.

“Hello, everyone! What a surprise to see you all gathered here!”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by lotustale.com