End of Winter, Beginning of Spring

The sky was a brilliant blue, with soft clouds drifting lazily across it as the gentle sunlight bathed the earth, dispelling the lingering chill of the night.

In the blink of an eye, spring had arrived. The biting cold of winter was gradually retreating, making way for the warmth and renewal that came with the changing season. Snow was melting, life was returning, and everything seemed to be enveloped in a sense of peace and tranquility.

But war in the empire was imminent, like a stone dropped into a calm lake, disrupting the peace and sending ripples across the land.

The conflict between the Revolutionary Army and the Imperial Army had begun during the winter, but due to the season's harshness—especially given how severe the winter had been—neither side engaged in large-scale battles. Instead, they focused on smaller skirmishes.

The Revolutionary Army, with its extensive underground network and spies stationed throughout the empire, had a significant advantage in the early stages of the war. They made rapid progress, while the Imperial Army suffered defeat after defeat, losing a third of its territory to the Revolutionary Army.

The fighting was intense, yet curiously, neither side made any moves against the territory ruled by Princess Kaguya. It was as if her lands were forgotten, with even the routes of advancing troops carefully avoiding her domain to prevent any unintended conflict.

Both sides were eager to win the support of the princess. The conflict between the Revolutionary Army and the Imperial Army had reached a critical point, and the involvement of any additional faction—especially one as powerful as Princess Kaguya's—could tip the scales of the war. Over the past few days, Sayo had received no fewer than seven or eight invitations from both sides.

"Why isn't Princess Kaguya back yet?" Sayo muttered, feeling increasingly frustrated as she sorted through the pile of documents in front of her, all of which required the princess's personal attention.

"Maybe she doesn't want to see you," Kurome replied dryly, munching on a biscuit while glancing at Sayo. "You're so indecent."

"Sounds like someone's jealous," Sayo retorted with a light laugh, pushing out her chest.

"What's there to be jealous of?" Kurome snorted. "If someone could be jealous of a fat pig, I'd be impressed by their courage."

"Fat pig?" Sayo tilted her head and smiled, narrowing her eyes. "Compared to a fat pig, your scrawny body is truly pathetic. You must have to be careful not to hurt yourself when you sleep."

"You're just trying to show off your lumps of fat," Kurome said dismissively, not even bothering to look at her. "You're such a shallow woman. Just like the princess said, someone as indecent as you would've been drowned in a pig cage in ancient times."

"Drowned in a pig cage?" Sayo scoffed. "Do you even know what that means?"

Kurome continued eating her biscuit and replied, "You don't even know that? What a typical brainless big-chested woman."

"Then why don't you explain it?" Sayo challenged.

"Why should I tell you?" Kurome replied, pulling out another biscuit from the bag. "If you beg me, I might take pity on you and explain."

"I bet you don't know either," Sayo huffed.

"Finally admitting you're clueless, huh?" Kurome stood up from the sofa. "Talking to someone like you is lowering my IQ."

"It's still better than having no chest and no brains," Sayo shot back, unimpressed.

Leaving the room, Kurome took a deep breath, enjoying the cool morning air that helped clear her head.

Suddenly, a black portal appeared before her, and from it stepped a silver-haired girl. Kurome's face lit up with joy as she recognized Kaguya.

Kaguya, slightly surprised to see Kurome there, smiled as she walked over, wrapping her arms around Kurome's slender waist and planting a kiss on her soft cheek. "Did you miss me?"

Kurome didn't say anything, but she nodded, her happiness evident.

"I'm sorry to keep you waiting," Kaguya said with a smile, playfully ruffling Kurome's hair.

"It's okay," Kurome replied quietly, shaking her head slightly. Her eyes stayed fixed on Kaguya, and in a soft voice, she added, "I missed you."

Despite her normally reserved demeanor, Kurome expressed her feelings boldly and passionately once she had opened her heart.

Seeing Kurome, who was as docile as a kitten, Kaguya couldn't resist. She leaned down and kissed her on the lips, slipping her tongue into Kurome's mouth, savoring the sweet taste.

Kurome held Kaguya tightly, her eyes slowly closing as she enjoyed the tender affection.

After a long moment, they finally separated.

Not satisfied, Kaguya let her hand slip inside Kurome's collar, grasping one of her small, perky breasts. Kurome's eyes grew hazy, her body gently squirming as she leaned forward slightly, making it easier for Kaguya to explore her chest.

Just then, Kurome suddenly spoke, "I captured a member of Night Raid."

"A Night Raid member?" Kaguya paused briefly but then continued her actions, her fingers alternately squeezing and caressing, relishing the soft feel beneath her hand.

"Yes," Kurome replied, her breath growing more labored under Kaguya's touch. "She said her name was Chelsea."

"Chelsea?" Kaguya's movements halted as she looked at Kurome in surprise. "Did you say Chelsea?"

"What's wrong?" Kurome asked curiously. "Do you know her, Princess?"

"No," Kaguya said, suddenly remembering something, her tone turning urgent. "You didn't get hurt, did you? She didn't hurt you, right?" Kaguya's eyes scanned Kurome's body, her hand even gently touching the back of Kurome's neck.

In the original story, Kurome had been ambushed by Chelsea, who used her Teigu to transform into someone else and stabbed Kurome in the back of the neck with a needle. Though Kurome survived thanks to a strengthening drug, she had ended up killing Chelsea in retaliation.

But Kurome hadn't taken any such drugs this time.

Seeing Kaguya's anxious expression, Kurome's face softened into a gentle smile. She felt warmth spread through her heart as she softly replied, "I'm fine. I wasn't hurt."

"That's good," Kaguya sighed in relief.

Before Kaguya could say anything else, Kurome stood on her tiptoes and pressed her lips to Kaguya's, silencing her words.