"Huh?" Anna looked at Noel, who was glaring at him with a grim expression. It seemed that he had already known about it the whole time. Anna made an awkward smile, trying to play dumb. "Why are you telling me to say those words?"
Noel's expression became cold. "Are you seriously asking that question?"
"…" Anna felt like Noel would become more pissed if she continued doing this. She thought for a moment and asked, "Since when did you figure it out?"
"From the very start. It was my fault for having my thoughts getting distracted, so it would be weird if you were later than me. That was why when I reached the last stage, I kept a portion of my attention to check on you."
Anna made an awkward smile. Their competitiveness might be high, but their fairness seemed to be beyond it. Just like how Anna wanted to concede the win to him, Noel also didn't like to win without his own effort.
"Then, are you sure you're going to say the words I'm going to tell you?" Anna asked.
Noel looked away with a distorted expression.
"You look so annoyed." Anna's eyebrows twitched. "If you don't like it, why would you even bother to make me the winner again?"
"I don't want to say those words, but I hate unfairness even more. This is not a battle of wits where trickery can be applied. So, since I've lost, I'll follow it through." Noel sighed.
"In that case, let me think about it first. What kind of thing do I want you to say…" Anna looked up for a few minutes before grabbing a paper and writing down her order. "Say this."
When Noel picked up the paper, his expression was distorted.
"Are you kidding me?"
"It's your fault. I've let you win, so you should've taken it if you don't want to do it." Anna shrugged while looking away.
Noel gritted his teeth. Since he had given her the right once again, he had to go through it. He burned the paper with his flame and started unbuttoning his shirt.
"Eh?" Anna widened her eyes in shock. "Why are you unbuttoning your shirt?"
They were sitting in front of each other, but somehow Noel made his way to her bed while taking off his shirt.
"What's wrong?" Noel smiled as he approached her.
Anna didn't know what Noel was planning to do. In fact, this was the first time she experienced something like this.
Noel was right before her, and their bodies were only separated by a few centimeters. She couldn't help but try to move back, but Noel didn't let her go.
He grabbed her hands while asking, "What's wrong? Why are you backing down?"
"I am supposed to be the one asking you. What are you doing?!" Anna became even more flustered. Her cheeks reddened.
"I'm simply following your instructions." Noel smirked. Since you told me to say it, then I should act like it as well.
"You—" Anna wanted to stop him, but Noel's face was right before her. With his hands holding her, she couldn't move away anymore. Her face was completely red, while Noel's eyes were so gentle that she even felt some affection reflected on them.
"I am Noel Stargaze. So, shouldn't I act like I'm one?" Noel smirked, "Madam. You don't have to run anymore."
Anna's body trembled. This was beyond her imagination. She never thought Noel could act this affectionately.
Her muscles tensed up as her brain froze. She was ready for what Noel was planning to do because, surprisingly, she didn't feel any repulsive feelings.
But in that instant, a wide evil grin appeared on Noel's face. The smile was filled with salt as even a dense person would feel the insult behind it.
She realized that Noel had once again tricked her.
"You… You…" Anna had a hard time speaking, both angry and flustered.
"What do you mean? I have said everything you want me to say, but the bet doesn't specify that I can't do anything nor say something different from those lines." Noel smirked. "I don't know what you've seen from that alternate world, but shouldn't you be more mature because of those experiences? I guess it's not really affecting your mental age. You are too innocent in this after all. Hahahaha!"
Noel stepped back while laughing out loud. Even if he lost the bet, he still won the war. Anna was so flustered that she couldn't even talk back.
Anna looked down as her expression darkened. Her body was shaking because of the shame.
Meanwhile, Noel was putting on his shirt back with a big smile on his face.
"You!" Anna grabbed his shoulders in shame, pushing him down. "You bastard. I'm going to make you pay! We're going to bet once more. We'll see who comes first in the next stage of training. Whoever wins can order the other party to do and say anything they want!"
Noel harrumphed. "Do you think I'm afraid of you?"
Obviously, the training task that increased his sensitivity would be the main boost that would allow him to win this competition. However, Anna seemed to be serious about winning this time, no matter what she had to do.
"Just wait. I'm going to make you do this and that while saying those words! I'm going to repay all this shame!" Anna bit her lips.
"Fine? So, can you get off me now?" Noel asked.
"!!!" Anna realized that their position was something that shouldn't be talked about among nobles. In fact, it would lead to the point where this would lead to a big scandal.
Anna hurriedly released him and stepped back. She wanted to say something, but she ended up clutching her head, never thinking she was bold enough to do such a thing. "Aaaahhh. You sly fox, I'm definitely going to make you suffer this humiliation!"
"You won't be able to do it because I'll win this time." Noel harrumphed.
