"You... could it be—" Aiden stared at the uninvited guest in surprise.

"Bet you didn’t expect to be caught by me, that’s right..." The person suddenly flipped the hood and proudly puffed out their chest. "It’s me, Fille!"

"..."

"..."

The scene fell into silence.

Seconds later, Fille murmured dissatisfiedly, "Give me some sort of reaction, this is really awkward."

"I truly didn’t expect it to be you." Realizing the troublemaker was Fille, Aiden actually breathed a sigh of relief. He glanced at Veronica, who was pressed against him, "What did you do to Veronica?"

Veronica had been staring at him with an intense gaze that made one’s skin crawl.

"Hehe, that’s a long story..." Fille said, playing with her hair smugly.

Three hours earlier, at the Malt Tavern.

Veronica felt a hand on her shoulder and swung hers back in a reflex, only to hear a painful cry of "Ouch."

She took a closer look and saw a familiar face.

"Big sis, why such a violent reaction? You almost broke my hand there." Fille rubbed her hand, looking pitiable.

"What are you doing here?" Veronica scrutinized the other, "And dressed like that?"

"I came to check on big sis. When you weren’t home, I asked the landlord at the door where you might have gone," Fille waved her hand casually and naturally sat down next to Veronica.

"How did you know where I live?" Veronica narrowed her eyes suspiciously.

"Just asked around a bit, I’m well informed," Fille said evasively.

"You just tried to hypnotize me, didn’t you?" Veronica frowned, "Did you intend to get back in just after getting out?"

"No way, it was just a small joke. You know a succubus’ hypnotic abilities have less effect on the same sex, and I’m not interested in women," Fille said apologetically, and then turned to the barkeeper to order as if to change the subject. "Bring us a bottle of twenty-year-old wine, any of the five big vineyards will do."

The bartender paused: "We don’t carry that kind of high-end stuff here."

This place was actually a regular joint for nearby wage workers and residents. Ordinary people came here for a meal set, and some might gather for a drink in the evening.

The wine this newcomer ordered was the kind of thing you’d find in major hotels and nightclubs.

"Then a ten-year-old will do," Fille said with a look of regret as she compromised.

"Don’t have that either," the bartender said somewhat helplessly.

"How do you not have any of these?" Fille sighed. "Just bring the best wine you’ve got here, and two more glasses."

The bartender suddenly got the impression the girl was there to cause trouble, with veins on his forehead near bursting. But seeing that she seemed to know Veronica, he held back and turned to get a bottle of gin from the cabinet and placed it on the bar.

"Sorry, big sis, your money’s no good here today because this meal’s on me," Fille announced with gusto. "Waiter, the menu, please!"

Veronica didn’t even glance at her, shoveling the remaining food and then pulling out her wallet to pay. "Waiter, the check, please. I’m heading back."

"Hey, what’s with the lack of respect?" Fille was taken aback.

"Though I don’t know what you’re up to, I don’t feel like indulging you," Veronica replied coldly, standing up as soon as she got her change.

"Well then, I guess I’ll just go to Aiden’s place and wait for him all by myself," Fille suddenly said, nimbly opening the bottle of wine and pouring into two glasses.

Veronica, who had just turned to leave, stopped in her tracks.

"Ah, I’ve been looking forward to this since before I got out of prison; today, I will definitely win over Aiden," Fille proclaimed loudly.

"Do you really want to go back to missing the bed in cell thirteen?" Veronica turned back with a frown.

"Just going over to a man’s place on my own initiative isn’t breaking any laws, is it?" Fille replied nonchalantly.

"Cut it out. You don’t have a permit anymore, so you know you’d be back inside if you dared," Veronica said irritably. "Not to mention, the boss would definitely kick you out."

"If I play without taking money, it doesn’t count as selling, right?" Fille spread her hands. "And why would Aiden kick me out? I’m not a prisoner anymore, so whatever he does with me wouldn’t be misconduct."

Veronica was at a loss for words.

"Since you don’t seem to care, big sis, I’ll just go ahead and do it," Fille said with a taunting smile, then pushed one of the glasses of wine in front of Veronica’s former seat. "If you join me for a drink, I’ll consider your advice."

"What exactly do you want?" Veronica eventually sat back down.

"Drink first, and then I’ll tell you," Fille gestured invitingly.

Veronica eyed the glass and took a sip of the wine.

The corner of Fille’s mouth curled into a sly smile, unknown to Veronica that in those few seconds she turned away, Fille had discreetly poured a bit of powder into her glass when no one was looking.

When Veronica put down her glass, Fille switched back to a seemingly innocent smile.

"Okay, no joke, I just think the atmosphere’s been weird between you guys lately, I just wanted to give you some advice," Fille said with a smile.

"Why are you poking your nose into this?" Veronica still kept her guard up around Fille. "I know you too well. You definitely don’t have good intentions... huh?"

She felt a wave of heat surge up, making her head spin.

"Don’t be like that. This time, I think Aiden is in the wrong, so I genuinely want to help you," Fille leaned in close to Veronica, speaking in a hushed tone, "I think you shouldn’t always be compromising; since Aiden is the one in the wrong, you should take a stronger stance and have a proper talk with him."

The suggestive power of a succubus’ hypnotic talent is actually quite weak and generally works best when infiltrating dreams. Direct hypnosis, unless enchanting the opposite sex, is something that most people with a modicum of willpower can resist.

"..." But after the drug, topped off with the effects of the alcohol, Veronica’s consciousness started to blur. Under Fille’s suggestion, she began to feel like hearing Fille out wouldn’t hurt.

"Let me tell you, I have a plan that can definitely help you," Fille, seizing the opportunity, draped her arm more boldly around Veronica’s shoulders, "You need to corner Aiden so he’s forced to confront the issue. I have something good for you, and since Aiden trusts you completely and has his guard down around you, I have just one small condition—that you take me along when the time comes..."