Margaret felt that she had said a little too much and wanted to apologize to Shade, but he said:
"I was the one who neglected you. You were so far away in Wilundell, and I had no way to visit you often. I'm only listening to you talk about the things around you now. It's nothing. If we have time, I'd really like to go out with you to see the Snow Mountain scenery, or casually browse the high-end pocket watch shops in the City of Time Wheels."
"It wasn't you who neglected me. I was the one who neglected you."
Margaret glanced at the tightly shut door, bit her lip, then kicked off her high heels and curled up on the sofa, leaning against Shade's chest. Shade swore he had not done it on purpose, but he noticed that beneath Margaret's skirt was the finest fabric from Exquisite Cloth Works. This expensive material was supplied only to the ladies of Wilundell's great noble houses. Margaret had probably taken it directly from Sylvia.
"After you go home tonight, who will you be... resting with?"
Her Royal Highness the Princess asked quietly. Shade thought for a moment.
"Galina and Dorothy. Sylvia hasn't seen me in a long time, so she'll probably come home with us too."
She moved her head from his chest until it was level with his own, her beautiful eyes filled with grievance.
"Teacher Sylvia really is something. That time was clearly my chance."
She kissed the corner of Shade's lips, then leaned close to his ear and asked:
"Even though this is rather bold, if Teacher Sylvia sees my lipstick mark tonight, what expression do you think she'll make?"
"That's hard to say."
The Blonde Princess blinked.
"Want to try it?"
"This—"
And so the Blonde Princess