Volume 2 – Chapter 26: “Why Isn’t It Working?!”

Drink it. Hurry up and drink it.

Teresa held her teacup, feigning a calm, demure sip. In truth, her eyes never left Bilodis, watching her every move like a hawk. Bilodis’ lips parted, touching the rim of the cup. The tea tilted gently with her movements, slipping past her cherry-petal lips, and into her throat.

A barely noticeable wicked smile tugged at Teresa’s lips. She watched with smug satisfaction as Bilodis sipped the tea she had “accidentally” spiked.

Oops~ She forgot to warn her that this cup had been “accidentally” tainted with a potion. But now it was too late. Best not to mention it at all.

Teresa took a sip of her own tea—bitter as ever. But her heart? Sweeter than honey.

“What’s got you so happy, little Sha?”

“Hmm? Do I look happy?” Teresa replied calmly, locking eyes with Bilodis. Her gaze was flat, unruffled. “Spending time with you? I’m more likely to be miserable.”

“Oh, really~?” Bilodis rested her chin on one hand, smiling brightly as she gazed at Teresa, as if no thought in that little golden head could escape her notice.

By ordinary standards, Teresa was acting well enough. But that calmness was precisely what made it so unnatural.

Normally, if Teresa saw her coming back, she’d sulk without a word—or at least turn her head away and pretend she didn’t exist.

Even if she’d lost her memories, Bilodis knew her sister far too well. With just a flick of the leg or a tilt of the waist, she could already tell what Teresa was about to do.

Teresa tried to keep her attention on the scenery, pretending she wasn’t watching Bilodis at all. But her behavior gave her away.

She hated bitter things, especially bitter tea. Compared to this grassy “dew tea,” she preferred sweetened white or red teas, ideally paired with desserts. Today was no different. After two sips, she’d left the cup to the side, untouched.

Bilodis seemed engrossed in her tea, but her mind was entirely focused on observing Teresa.

Though she had confirmed this was indeed her sister’s soul, she’d added several layers of verification—test number three being this “dew tea.”

The real Teresa would be repulsed by it.

At first, she had responded just as expected. But ever since Bilodis returned from briefly stepping out, Teresa’s attitude had changed completely.

She was sipping the tea intermittently, gazing absentmindedly at the scenery—then returning to her cup.

What was going on?

Was it just nerves making her drink so much? Or… was it because Teresa didn’t actually mind the bitter taste?

The possibility was slim. But if it were true…

A sharp glint flickered deep in Bilodis’ eyes—cold, dangerous.

Even the tiniest chance had to be ruled out.

Teresa was right about one thing: Bilodis would never allow herself to spend decades of painstaking effort only to arrive at a false conclusion.

She would never tolerate an unfamiliar soul occupying her sister’s body.

All her gentleness, all her tenderness—it was built on the premise that this person was Teresa. If that premise crumbled, she couldn’t promise she wouldn’t do something extreme.

Yes, her recent “teasings” and “meridian-clearing sessions” weren’t just therapy or flirtation—they were part of a gauntlet of tests.

If this was not the right soul, then what Bilodis might do… could be worse than Teresa imagined. Of course, none of this was revealed.

The graceful golden-haired elf girl continued to smile elegantly, maintaining her serene mask while silently observing Teresa.

Unaware of the undercurrents swirling in Bilodis’ mind, Teresa kept pretending to drink tea and steal glances at her.

She noticed Bilodis sip another mouthful of tea.

A subtle smile crept across her lips.

No turning back now.

And this wasn’t the end—she had more humiliation planned.

“Miss Bilodis, is tea-drinking and sightseeing all you do in this secret realm of yours?”

“Occasionally, we indulge in other amusements,” Bilodis replied.

“Oh? Like what?”

“Chess,” she said simply.

“Ah, chess.” Teresa sighed with boredom. “So dull. How do elves play? Teach me. Let’s play a game.”

“Of course.” Bilodis didn’t even ask why Teresa was suddenly so interested in chess—just smiled.

Soon, the maid Lillin arrived at the garden with a chessboard and pieces.

How had she known?

Teresa suspected Bilodis had alerted her somehow—but how exactly, she couldn’t tell.

They had been sitting together. It wasn’t like Bilodis had sent a signal or anything. Could it have been soul communication?

“Elven chess is quite different from the human version. I wonder how much you remember,” Bilodis explained, laying out the rules while Teresa studied her face and subtle movements.

No matter how well someone acted, physical discomfort would inevitably show in micro-expressions or restlessness.

But Teresa saw nothing.

Could it be the potion hadn’t kicked in yet? Fine. She could wait.

No way celestial maidens didn’t need to metabolize things, right?

“There’s also one more rule that’s different from the human version,” Bilodis added. “Once a match begins, it can’t be interrupted.”

“You must abide strictly by the rules. Otherwise, don’t play.”

Now this was a delightful surprise.

“Naturally. Rules are rules,” Teresa said with forced composure, heart doing backflips.

As Bilodis explained the rules, Teresa listened seriously. She had always been meticulous in everything she did—even if she wasn’t interested, she would still approach it with full focus. That was just her way.

By the end, she had a solid grasp of the elven chess rules—and even guessed at a few implied but unspoken mechanics.

Her learning ability was excellent. Despite never having played, she held her own. But against Bilodis, who likely had a thousand layers of cunning, it was no contest.

Still, Teresa didn’t mind losing.

She wasn’t here to win the game—just to win back her dignity. And as long as she could trip Bilodis up, she won.

Watching Bilodis calmly make her moves, Teresa sneered internally.

Let’s see how long you can keep that poker face.

Just wait till the effects kick in...

“Miss Lillin, right?” Teresa called out suddenly as the maid turned to leave.

“Yes, Your Highness?”

“Are you done with today’s cleaning?”

“There are a few small tasks left,” Lillin answered politely, puzzled by the sudden interest.

“No need to rush. Why don’t you wait until our game is over?” Teresa said, placing a piece. “There’s no harm in taking your time, right?”

“As Your Highness wishes.” Lillin paused, gazing at the sisters playing in peace. The scene stirred a deep sense of nostalgia in her.

Teresa didn’t care what Lillin was thinking. The more people saw Bilodis’ potential embarrassment, the better.

If even her maid witnessed it, wouldn’t that destroy her image of divine dignity?

Yes, Teresa admitted this was petty. But—

She’d been humiliated nonstop these past days. Even her much-vaunted curves couldn’t compete with Bilodis’.

Her pride demanded she win at least once.

So she chose a hyper-defensive strategy, dragging the game out.

She’d lose on the board—but outside the board, she’d win.

She’d already rehearsed what to say if Bilodis got up to leave.

“The game isn’t over, Miss Bilodis. Didn’t you just tell me the rules forbid interruption? What now, trying to break your own rules? I guess that’s a forfeit, then.”

There was no downside for her.

…But wait. Why wasn’t that she-devil showing any signs of discomfort?

Teresa’s brow began to furrow. Her moves slowed noticeably.

Bilodis’ attacks were relentless. To stall her, Teresa had to spend more and more time thinking.

Elven chess—known as Floral Chess—had five phases: Opening, Early Game, Mid Game, Late Game, and Final Stage.

They had already passed the Mid Game—meaning over half an hour had passed. During that time, Bilodis had sipped her tea repeatedly.

And still nothing?

Teresa’s expression finally showed some cracks—but Bilodis noticed it immediately.

This match wasn’t just about chess for her either. She was observing Teresa’s behaviors.

Despite memory loss, certain physical habits—“muscle memory”—were soul-deep.

On the surface, Bilodis’ focus seemed to be on the game. In truth, she was monitoring every micro-expression.

Teresa not hating the dew tea? Suspicious.

Volunteering to play chess? Suspicious.

And now, this flicker of emotion?

Was this a mistaken result… or just a guilty conscience?

Glancing down at the board, Teresa’s position had already collapsed—but she didn’t seem to care.

Her sister had never been this indifferent to winning or losing.

If it wasn’t a soul mismatch, then…

Bilodis eyed her own teacup—and her beautiful green eyes curved into crescent moons.

“Little Sha~?”

“Hmm? What?” Teresa replied absently, head down, still calculating her next move.

“You’ve finished your tea.”

“Mhm.” She barely registered Bilodis’ words.

“You seem to love dew tea so much. I haven’t finished mine. Let me pour you some~” Bilodis said sweetly—and without waiting for a reply, split her tea and poured half into Teresa’s cup.

“Mhm.” Teresa nodded on instinct.

No reaction??

A flash of sharp suspicion crossed Bilodis’ eyes, instantly hidden.

No change in expression. Could it be that there was nothing wrong with the tea? That Teresa hadn’t spiked it?

But then, why the odd behavior? Unless.

“Hmm?!” Now Teresa finally processed what Bilodis had just done. She lifted her head to stop her—but it was already too late.

“I don’t want it anymore. You drink it,” she said quickly.

“Oh?” Bilodis’ eyes gleamed, a smile deepening with implication. She tilted her head, feigning confusion. “Didn’t little Sha just love this tea? Why the sudden change?”

“I’m not thirsty. You drink it.”

Of course not. She knew what was in that cup! Elves drinking it? That was just asking for trouble!

“But tea isn’t for quenching thirst, little Sha~” Bilodis said sweetly. “What does thirst have to do with it?”

“Anyway, if you don’t want it, that’s fine. After all… this tea does taste a bit different from earlier. Maybe it’s because it’s been infused with your love~?” she added teasingly.

Teresa’s spine straightened imperceptibly.

She understood the subtext loud and clear.

You won’t drink it? That confirms it—you spiked my tea. You’re hiding something.

“Tch. You’re such a child,” Teresa muttered, giving Bilodis a glare—then took a casual sip of the tea.

She had a backup plan.

If Bilodis drank it and was fine—then she’d be fine too, right?

Maybe… maybe she’d mixed up the potions and used a healing one by mistake.

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