"Liliana's cooking skills have improved again. This dessert is delicious," Phoenix remarked, savoring the exquisite treat Liliana had made. Perhaps she had grown accustomed to living as a girl.
The young girl, who hadn't initially enjoyed sweets, now found it increasingly difficult to resist them.
Fortunately, Valkyries possessed bodies that defied weight gain. As super-soldiers, such small indulgences had no impact on their physique.
"If the King likes it, I'll make it for you every day from now on!" Liliana exclaimed, her face lighting up at Phoenix's praise.
But the moment she finished speaking, she realized she had said something rather bold, and her cheeks flushed crimson.
"Alright!"
Just as Liliana braced herself for a scolding, Phoenix suddenly agreed. The unexpected response left Liliana stunned and speechless.
When Liliana finally recovered, she stared at Phoenix in astonishment. Had Phoenix just accepted her confession?
Liliana's heart began to race uncontrollably.
Liliana still felt a sense of unreality, as if this were all a dream, and hesitated to press further.
"King, what kind of gir- boy do you like?" Liliana nervously glanced at Phoenix. She had almost asked what kind of girl Phoenix liked, but then thought better of it and quickly changed it to "boy."
As soon as she said it, she regretted it.
Even Erica, standing nearby, couldn't resist shooting Liliana meaningful glances.
"What kind of boy?" Phoenix looked at Liliana with genuine surprise. "I like... pretty boys, especially the kind who are even prettier than beautiful girls—the kind who look like fairies when they cross-dress. You know, what you'd call a 'Big O Moe' type."
Phoenix paused thoughtfully, then turned to Liliana with a completely serious expression. "That's what I like."
"A... a Big O Moe type?" Liliana froze, as if struck by lightning.
"King... you like boys like that?" Erica was equally stunned.
What an unexpectedly refined and unconventional taste!
A boy dressed as a girl, even prettier than a beautiful girl? That's impossible...
No, wait, maybe it's not.
After all, King is so handsome when she's dressed as a man. If a boy were naturally beautiful enough...
"King, your tastes are... truly unique..." Liliana said, forcing an awkward laugh. The question she had prepared vanished from her mind, completely overwhelmed by Phoenix's unexpected answer.
She didn't know how to respond.
"Actually," Phoenix said casually, sipping the juice Liliana had made, "I care more about looks than gender. As long as they're cute and pretty, gender doesn't matter."
"Huh?"
Hearing Phoenix's nonchalant words, Liliana's eyes widened as she stared at her.
Gender doesn't matter? As long as they're cute and pretty? So that means...
Liliana's hard-won composure began to fray once more.
"King..."
"Hmm?" Phoenix turned to look at her.
"Um... am I pretty?" Liliana asked hesitantly, her voice filled with nervous anticipation. As soon as the words left her lips, she realized her question sounded presumptuous and quickly added, "Of course, I don't mean compared to you, Your Majesty. Anyone would feel inferior in your presence."
"Well..." Phoenix paused, her gaze lingering on Liliana's beautiful features before answering matter-of-factly, "Do you think I'd choose an ugly knight?"
"..."
Hearing Phoenix's words, Liliana's racing heart settled, and Erica, standing nearby, also seemed pleased.
Compliments about their beauty were commonplace for Erica and Liliana—so much so that they were almost tired of hearing them.
But praise from their "King," a ruler as stunningly beautiful and dashing as the Nine Heavens Mysterious Maiden herself, carried entirely different weight.
Liliana and Erica exchanged glances, sensing the perfect moment. They couldn't resist preparing to confess their feelings. Even for girls, especially such beautiful ones, taking the initiative felt a little...
After all, girls were generally expected to be more reserved, to know how to maintain a delicate balance between showing interest and appearing too forward. Being too bold could give the other person the wrong impression.
When it came to confessions, even if you liked someone, it was best for the guy to make the first move.
But this situation was different. The object of their affection wasn't a boy, but another girl, just like them.
That meant they had to take the lead. Otherwise, there would be no chance at all.
Liliana wasn't a lesbian, and she didn't typically like other girls. But... she loved Phoenix!
Especially Phoenix in her male attire—she was her Prince Charming, her god!
So... liking Phoenix wasn't the same as liking other girls.
It might seem strange for girls to like other girls, but liking Phoenix is perfectly understandable.
In HI3, there are plenty of female Captains, but seventy percent of them are devoted to Fu Hua, for no particular reason.
When boys are beautiful, girls don't stand a chance. Conversely, when girls are cool and handsome, boys don't stand a chance either.
By "this girl," I mean someone like Fu Hua or Phoenix.
Liliana gazed at Phoenix, then abruptly pulled Erica to her side, ready to confess her feelings.
Alone, Liliana lacked the courage. Phoenix was so exceptional that Liliana felt it would take two people to be worthy of her.
"Your Majesty..."
"If we meet your standards, then... then I could..."
"Mmm, that smells delicious! Sister Phoenix, you're so stingy! Eating all this good stuff without telling me!"
Before Liliana could finish her sentence, a little girl with fox ears and a fluffy tail darted to the table and rudely snatched several pastries to eat.
Higokumaru interrupted Liliana's confession, causing her to frown in exasperation.
When Liliana met Higokumaru's gaze, she immediately understood that the interruption had been deliberate. Higokumaru was glaring at her with unmistakable hostility.
This Higokumaru... she also loves the King.
A rival in love!
"If you like them, I can make you some more later!" Liliana said, feeling a headache coming on as she faced the hostile Higokumaru.
Liliana was a kind and straightforward girl, lacking any guile or cunning. How was she supposed to deal with a rival like this?
She had finally mustered the courage to confess, only to be interrupted before she could even get the words out. It was enough to give anyone a headache.