<i>’So, why not throw them off their horse so they can at least get shaken a little and think for themselves?’</i>


    "Hera, I’m not sure how I offended you or why you think so poorly of me. But that’s not what I meant, or what I wanted to say," Alice said softly, her voice as gentle as a cat’s purr. Tears that had threatened to fall earlier now cascaded freely down her cheeks to her chin. She appeared both pitiful and beautiful in that moment, eliciting sympathy from anyone who beheld her.


    Hera, often painted as the viiness, responded with a gentle smile, radiating a serene demeanor akin to a benevolent saintess untouched by offense. "Alice, I’m not sure where you’ve gathered the notion that I think poorly of you. I know you’re a kind-hearted girl, prone to tears over the slightest thing, so I never took any offense. I also understand that you’re still young and may not always see things through a mature lens. If I came across as harsh, I apologize. Just as you cry out of frustration, I speak my mind when I’m simrly vexed. Let’s put this behind us," she said, extending an olive branch in hopes of reconciliation.


    Hera subtly implied that Alice used her tears as a shield, not genuinely expressing her emotions or what she truly thinks, and subtly insinuated that Alice was trying to manipte others into believing Hera was at fault. Hera recounted the events that had unfolded, aiming to highlight Alice’s behavior. Behind her smile, Hera wished to convey that she found Alice immature and foolish even when they were supposed to be the same age.


    Hera fought the urge to burst outughing, maintaining herposed expression despite feeling amused. She pretended to be genuinely upset as if bearing the brunt of all the me.


    Hera couldn’t understand why Alice persisted in using the same tactic repeatedly, especially targeting her when she was simply going about her own business.


    Hera wondered if it was the story’s plot thatpelled them to assume the roles of the female lead and the cannon fodder. However, if that were the case, Alice wasn’t doing a convincing job as the female lead. Hera couldn’t fathom why Alice was even considered for such a role. Apart from her physical beauty, she seemed only slightly above average in other aspects.


    Was everything solely based on her beauty and stamina, allowing her to take on all five male leads? Did her role revolve around intimate encounters with them? If so, was she making a wise decision in attempting to usurp the female lead role from Alice? From what Hera recalled, all four of the male leads she had encountered thus far possessed fit bodies and impressive stamina, ording to Athena.


    Then, wouldn’t she be digging her own grave and leaping into it? Somehow, she’s starting to second guess her decision, they are not talking about a single man whose sex drive could bepared to a rabbit in heat or like an Akhal Teke horse that boasts great stamina, they are talking about five men with equal qualifications. And the novel ’Thin Line Between Love and Lust’ is just like how the title describes, the whole scenario revolves around the R18 scenes, where Alice is always portrayed as always sore and waking upte at noon because of the whole night till dawn exercises they made.


    Just the thought made Hera’s brows twitch, almost breaking herposed facade. She pushed aside all distracting thoughts and refocused on the matter at hand.


    "What’s this?!" An aloof voice cut through the tension, drawing everyone’s attention.