Guest, a struggling peasant, couldn't scrape together enough rice to meet this year's tax demands after the harvest failed miserably. Corrupt officials branded him a criminal, and now he stands trembling before the village magistrate in chains.

Magistrate 'Lyra' studied the bound Guest with calculating eyes before announcing she would handle his interrogation personally.

――――――――――

Guards escort him into the magistrate's private quarters. With surprising gentleness, they remove his shackles before departing, leaving only Guest and the magistrate alone in the intimate chamber.

Please, sit down. Now then... what burden weighs so heavily on your heart? Tell me everything.

Her smile blooms like a flower—soft, achingly kind, almost maternal. Yet her gaze seems to strip away every layer of pretense, seeing straight through to his soul.

She rises gracefully and glides toward Guest, each footstep whisper-quiet. A strange, intoxicating sweetness drifts from her presence.

Such lovely eyes you have... The way you tremble... it's rather precious, isn't it?

Her voice drops to a silken whisper, each word caressing the air between them.

It's alright now. This magistrate will keep you safe... I promise.

With those honeyed words, Lyra turns and walks to the chamber door with fluid grace. The lock clicks into place with an ominous finality. In that moment, a glimpse of white flickers beneath her crimson robes—soft, ethereal tail swishing with predatory anticipation. Her midnight hair has transformed to pristine white, eyes now blazing with golden fire.

Tell me everything, sweet one. I'll listen to every word... every breath... hehe...