Pixie’s emotions were a storm of contradictions.

  On one hand, she had just unleashed a vicious verbal slap at her father, using the news of Eirik's Eye of Divine Insight as a weapon. The last two simulations had pushed her to the brink of madness thanks to her father’s incompetence. But now? Seeing the old man’s stunned, awkward, and humiliated expression filled her with an almost unbearable sense of satisfaction.

  Hah! Serves you right, you fool.

  The Ravenshadow family was doomed with him at the helm. If this house was to survive and thrive, it would have to rely on her—Pixie—and her powerful ally, Eirik!

  She should have felt nothing but joy.

  After all, she had finally secured Eirik, the golden card she’d long coveted throughout the simulations. But just as it seemed everything was falling into place, disaster struck.

  Her incompetent father had invited Elvynna-senpai—and worse still, suggested making her a guest retainer of the Ravenshadow family!

  Pixie’s stomach churned in disgust.

  Why, you senile old fool! Are you so bent on destroying this family that you'd bring a rival to live under our roof?!

  She’d fought tooth and nail to steal Eirik away from Elvynna’s grasp, and now her idiotic father had invited the very person she had worked so hard to best. It was like letting a wolf into the sheep pen!

  First, the debacle with the Crimson Frost Duke’s estate, and now this—her father might as well have a cursed “family-ruiner” trait. It was as if some dark shadow followed him everywhere, choking the life out of everything he touched.

  When she finally took control of the Ravenshadow estate, her first act would be to strip him of his power and force him into an early retirement.

  Honestly, how much more can I sacrifice for this family?

  As Pixie grumbled to herself, a smooth, velvety voice slithered into her ear, sharp as the bite of winter.

  “Junior Sister, thank you for preparing this garden for Eirik and me. It’s been cleaned so thoroughly. I quite like it.”

  Pixie’s head snapped up.

  Wait… What?!

  Did she just say “for Eirik and me”?! Was that a taunt?

  With a sweet, syrupy smile, Pixie replied, “Oh, senpai, you must be joking! This garden is far too humble for someone like you. We’re practically sisters! How could I let you stay here? You’ll be sharing my room, of course! I’ve always wanted to spend the night with you, talking until dawn!”

  Pixie took Elvynna’s hand, squeezing it affectionately. “We have so much to talk about, don’t we?”

  Elvynna’s expression remained cool and distant. “Junior Sister, you’re too kind, but I’m just a humble guest. Sharing a room with you, the lady of the house, would be far too improper. This garden suits me perfectly.”

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  Like hell I’m staying with you. I’m staying with Eirik, whether you like it or not.

  Elvynna silently tightened her grip on Pixie’s hand.

  Pixie winced but kept her smile fixed in place. “Senpai, don’t you think it’s a little inappropriate for you two to stay alone together like that?”

  Elvynna’s calm facade cracked just enough for her to lean in closer, sending a pulse of telepathic energy straight into Pixie’s mind: “What’s inappropriate? He’s my husband. Aren’t we supposed to live together? You call yourself my sister, but you’re stealing my man?”

  Pixie scoffed, her own mental voice laced with smugness. “Your husband? I claimed him first. Finders, keepers.”

  Elvynna’s jaw tightened. She fought to keep herself in check, barely resisting the urge to draw her magic blade and strike Pixie down right then and there.

  Pixie beamed. “Oh my, senpai, are you getting violent? How unlike me—I’m such a sweet, gentle girl. No wonder everyone loves me.”

  “Stop talking like that,” Elvynna hissed through telepathy. “It’s disgusting. There’s no need to pretend—he can’t hear us.”

  Meanwhile, Eirik watched the two women link arms and exchange what seemed like affectionate smiles, their sisterly bond almost palpable.

  So… this is what friendship between women looks like, huh?

  He sensed the underlying tension but dismissed it. Maybe he was just overthinking things.

  After a brief but subtle battle of wills, Elvynna reluctantly agreed to move into the garden house. But Pixie insisted on staying there too. With a space this large—bigger than some of the residential complexes from Eirik’s past life—there was no reason not to. There was a whole team of maids attending to the property, and having a few more people around wouldn’t hurt.

  Inside her new room, Elvynna sighed softly.

  Plenty of time...

  She believed destiny would eventually bring her and Eirik closer. They were meant to be, after all—hadn’t they been husband and wife in the previous simulation? But just thinking of Pixie’s smug grin made her blood boil.

  As much as she hated to admit it, Pixie was a formidable rival. Men tended to favor girls like Pixie—bubbly, charming, and impossible to resist. In contrast, Elvynna knew her cold, distant demeanor made her less popular. Even at the magic academy, Pixie’s charm had far outstripped hers.

  This Junior Sister is trouble.

  Meanwhile, in another room, Pixie kicked her feet angrily on her velvet-covered bed, muttering curses under her breath.

  She had acted all sweet and composed earlier, but inside, she was seething.

  Damn that old man! If it weren’t for him, I would’ve won easily. Now this idiot has thrown a wrench into everything.

  But Pixie wasn’t about to give up. This was the Ravenshadow family, her domain. She’d already claimed Eirik once, and she was sure she could do it again.

  Clenching her fists, she called out toward the door. “Talia! Go to the vault and bring a box of Essence of Mana for Eirik!”

  The maid nodded and hurried off, and Pixie smirked in satisfaction.

  Hmph, let’s see how Elvynna competes with that! She was determined to shower Eirik with gifts and overwhelming generosity, leaving Elvynna—the penniless rival—far behind.

  I’m the Ravenshadow family’s heiress. I’ve got resources for days. What does Elvynna have? Nothing!

  In his room, Eirik took a deep breath, marveling at his new surroundings.

  The grandeur of the estate made him feel like he was living in a dream. Just that morning, he had been stuck in a dingy shack, and now? He was a guest retainer of one of the most powerful families around.

  The family’s young lady adored him. The patriarch had high hopes for him.

  This... is the life.

  But Eirik wasn’t naive. Not everyone was happy with his sudden rise. The steward, in particular, seemed displeased—apparently, this garden house was supposed to go to someone named Chad, someone close to the steward.

  Whether Chad would stir up trouble or accept the situation quietly remained to be seen.

  Either way, Eirik thought, I need to focus on getting stronger. The stronger I become, the less anyone else’s opinions will matter.

  With that resolve, Eirik activated his simulator once again.

  Time to make good use of this cheat ability.