"I've been looking for you." Lisa said with a relieved expression, "I've just realized that you wouldn't be able to enter the mansion again, because of how tall the walls are."
Liora blinked to herself, realizing that Lisa was right "Haha..yeah, I should've thought about that." Liora said with an awkward laugh, looking away to avoid further embarrassment.
Lisa's eyes fell over Liora's robe which was now covered in blue goo, "Slimes, huh?" Lisa asked while raising an eyebrow, "I hope you had fun with that."
"Not really," Liora said while shaking her head, "But anyway, let's head back home." Liora glanced at herself, realizing how terrible she looked, Liora's face turned to disgust as she gave herself a quick sniff, the stench wrenching her soul.
"I really need to take a bath." Liora said, letting out a small yawn as exhaustion crept onto her mind "And go to bed."
Liora said while walking forward into the capital grounds, tossing a few coins to the guards to gain her passage. She had pulled her hood over her head to avoid recognition, otherwise, the guards at the gates would've spotted her as she entered the gates again.
The night was quiet, only disturbed by Liora's boots clopping on the stone roads. Lisa soon caught up to Liora, walking only a few steps behind her.
"A bath, huh?" Lisa asked with a small grin evident on her face, leaning in over Liora's shoulder "I can help with that."
Liora turned her head back and stared for a few seconds, "No, not happening." Liora replied coldly.
Lisa frowned, "Eh? Come on, the maids do it, so why can't I?" Lisa asked, sighing over Liora's shoulder.
Liora simply looked away, focusing her eyes on a nearby fountain as they walked through the capital square, "Simple, because you're not my maid." Liora said before looking back at her.
"As your sister I hold a higher status than your maids, so I will be the one to clean you, understand?" Lisa said with a low intimidating voice, staring Liora dead in the eyes with an expression she couldn't describe, but it sure sent shivers down her spine.
Liora's body trembled a bit and she couldn't come up with words to say anything, so reluctantly, she nodded. Lisa's face beamed as she playfully hugged Liora, "Yay!" She exclaimed in a childlike manner.
Liora sighed, 'I've never really had a sibling relationship in my previous life, even though I do possess siblings in this one. But I wouldn't consider them that, I'll only make an exception for Lisa, she seems nice, at least for now.' Liora thought to herself, letting out a small smile.
"Wait a minute," Liora said in surprise, turning to look at Lisa with a raised brow "How come the guards didn't react to seeing you?" Liora asked.
Lisa chuckled, rolling her eyes playfully as she answered: "Well, you see. I've bribed them and told them if this information gets out, they will lose their lives, along with the lives of their family and everybody they hold dear to them."
Lisa replied in a calm manner which only made Liora shiver more. "Hm, What's wrong? You're shivering a lot lately, are you perhaps cold or something?" Lisa asked Liora, her expression turning to that of concern.
"N-no, I'm fine. Don't worry yourself, let's just focus on getting home first." Liora replied, with a fake smile, trying to cover up her fears.
'How can someone so terrifying, have such a playful side to them? The military of this world sounds awfully terrifying.' Liora pondered to herself.
After a bit of walking they arrived back at the mansion, Lisa scooped Liora into her arms like a princess, before leaping inside her room in a flash with terrifying speed. Once inside, Lisa let go of Liora. "Finally, we're back." Lisa said to Liora with a grin "Now, let's go take that bath."
Lisa said as she grabbed Liora's hand and dragged her out of her room. "L-Lisa!" Liora tried to protest but was caught off guard by what Lisa said next.
"Shhh, the people are sleeping. You don't want to wake them up, do you?" Lisa asked with an evil grin. All Liora could do at that moment was sigh, she just had to go along with it.
---
The next morning...
The golden beams of sunlight filtered through the windows of Liora's room, signalling the start of a brand new day. Liora stirred awake in her sleep, slowly opening her eyes as she rose from her bed. Her hair was messy, but it didn't take away any of her natural beauty. Her skin shone with the evidence of last night's bath, Lisa's water magic was really something, it all amazed Liora further.
Liora stretched her limbs, which were brimming with newfound power. A sudden knock from the door made her jump in surprise, "Young Mistress, are you awake?" her maid Mira called from behind the door.
Liora sighed in relief, letting out a small laugh "Yeah, come in." Liora said and the door swung open.
"Liora, it's time for your morning ba-" Mira suddenly stopped as her eyes fell on Liora's shiny skin, her eyes widening in surprise.
"Have you already bathed? Your skin and hair are simply beautiful, but your hair needs to be combed, and I'll be more than glad to help." Mira said with a small smile as she approached Liora, grabbing a hair comb and brush from her mirror's cabinet.
Liora sat down on a small stool as Mira began to brush and comb her hair, the room was silent as no one dared to speak, but within that silence bloomed a radiating warmth. "You're really beautiful young mistress," Mira started, "I'm sure that within a few years, you'll be the most beautiful woman in the Royal Captial."
Liora let out a chuckle, rolling her eyes "Maybe," Liora commented.
Soon the maid finished with her hair, making Liora look elegant and presentable. Mira smiled at her work, feeling accomplished with her abilities. "Now, it's time to get you dressed."