"I'll ask you this: do you have any right whatsoever to interfere in my personal relationships with other men?"
Lusamine extended a single finger toward Wicke, her voice cold and unrelenting as she continued to question her:
"Or do you think you had the right to bring outsiders into my private home without permission?"
"I've been alone all these years—raised two children on my own. And now I can't enjoy myself a little?"
"Or is it that you, as my subordinate, think it's wrong for me to pursue my own happiness?"
"Ah... well..."
Lusamine's righteous tone was so forceful that Wicke was momentarily at a loss for words.
Indeed, from any objective standpoint, Wicke had neither the position nor the right to interfere in this matter.
Because this really was a personal affair for Lusamine.
But... what about Lillie?
Didn't Lillie have feelings for that man too? Were they just going to force her to give up? Or worse...
No, no, no! Surely it won't go that far!
Neither Lillie, nor Lusamine, nor that so-called Haru would ever allow that to happen.
Especially Lillie—she was still completely in the dark right now.
If she only learned the truth once things had progressed too far, she'd be even more devastated.
It can't happen... it won't happen...
While Wicke was frantically trying to piece things together in her head, Lusamine showed no sign of letting up:
"I know you think this is unfair to Lillie. But have you ever considered another possibility?"
"Lillie is a very soft-hearted girl. If she were to find out about this—how do you think she'd react?"
"Isn't it possible that she might do something extreme?"
"Haru was the one who pulled her out of her darkest days. I don't need to tell you how much she values him. If she thought I had stolen away the person most important to her..."
Lusamine didn't finish her sentence. But in Wicke's mind, countless tragic outcomes for Lillie began flashing on their own.
Wait... there really aren't many good outcomes here, are there?!
Could it be... that she was the one who was wrong?
A giant question mark now hovered over the bespectacled woman's head.
Still... dragging this out wasn't a real solution either. Sooner or later, they'd have to face the issue.
Unless Lusamine planned to let Lillie and Haru interact freely forever, as if they could each live their lives separately.
But that was clearly impossible.
Sensing Wicke's doubts, Lusamine continued:
"I'm not saying I plan to keep this from Lillie forever."
"But this isn't something that can be rushed. Even deciding who should step aside is a matter that needs careful discussion."
"In the end, I will tell her myself—in a way that's more appropriate."
"And if it really comes to it... I'll withdraw myself."
In truth, Lusamine wasn't nearly as confident as she appeared. Deep down, she still felt guilty toward Lillie.
But she simply couldn't control herself when it came to doing things she shouldn't do.
She really was unwilling to let go just like that.
As for whether she'd actually withdraw in the end... that was a question for another time.
Meanwhile, Wicke still found Lusamine's entire approach deeply troubling.
After all, something had already happened between Lusamine and Haru. If Lillie and Haru ended up... well, anything happening between them after that would only make things even more absurd.
Even if Lusamine withdrew, it wouldn't erase what had already transpired.
Still, there wasn't much she could say now. Lusamine had promised she'd eventually give way—what could an outsider like her do?
In the end, this really was their family matter.
And perhaps... right now wasn't the best time for her to try and tell Lillie the truth either.
Thoroughly talked around and manipulated, the bespectacled Wicke finally stood up:
"I understand. I'll go back and think it over."
"Go on."
Lusamine waved her off without even looking up.
But just as Wicke stepped through the door, a sudden thought struck her—one she had deliberately been ignoring until now.
Why had Lusamine dressed up like Lillie back then?
That... no matter how you explained it, was really strange, wasn't it?
She was tempted to turn back and ask—but found that Lusamine had already shut the door behind her.
After hesitating for a moment, Wicke finally chose to leave for good.
And only after she had gone did that door open once more.
Standing in the doorway was none other than Lusamine—eyes now dim and devoid of their usual brilliance.
She watched Wicke's departing figure, her expression grim.
Unstable elements. Those two women were far too dangerous.
Even though she'd given them a warning, there was no guarantee they wouldn't change their minds and betray her.
And Lillie was a sharp girl. If they slipped up and left any clues, Lillie would easily pick up on them.
If she found out everything, the family bonds Lusamine had only just started repairing would shatter instantly.
That must not happen!
This all had to be kept hidden—for now.
Should she simply... eliminate them?
No—that was too extreme. She couldn't take lives so lightly.
Besides, Haru and Lillie would surely object if she did something like that.
But... perhaps there was another way.
If she couldn't be certain they'd keep quiet—why not make them part of the secret?
As long as they, too, became addicted to the pleasure, the secret could remain safe!
As long as Lillie doesn't know... nothing else matters.
And achieving that wasn't difficult.
Lusamine's thoughts were growing darker and more twisted. By now, her eyes were even starting to redden.
A lively short-haired girl who loved fishing, and a bespectacled woman with two big, mischievous 'electro-charged Poké Balls'... surely Haru would enjoy them, wouldn't he?
Perhaps once he received her little "gift," he'd pamper her even more...