Morris had to admit, Roselia was nothing like he had imagined—her temperament and appearance were completely different from the impression he’d just formed.
Even her voice was hard to recognize unless one listened very carefully.
At this moment, no matter how one looked at her, Roselia was the very picture of a gentle and beautiful older sister.
Just look at her now, so composed and poised—who could possibly imagine that not long ago, she was simultaneously mocking Morris and kissing him?
As for why Roselia now only sounded somewhat similar to before, how could Morris be sure that the flaxen-blonde maid chief before him and the woman who had just humiliated him were the same person?
Instinct played a part, but the key was that Roselia, when Elvira wasn’t paying attention, shot him a look of utter disgust for just an instant.
She could have kept up her disguise and Morris wouldn’t have noticed a thing.
But instead, she deliberately exposed her identity right here.
That was because, deep down, she thought it didn’t matter even if she was exposed—after all, Morris wouldn’t dare to tell Elvira what had happened between them just now.
It was a reaction full of disdain and contempt.
She didn’t take Morris seriously at all, nor did she believe he could cause her any trouble.
Her arrogance was certainly brazen, but that was simply the truth.
Even if Morris did say something, Elvira wouldn’t believe him; she’d probably just flash that wickedly pleased grin and say, ‘Oh? So, Morris, you like being kissed so much that you’ve started spouting nonsense? Well, I’ll do as you wish and kiss you, then!’
So, Morris said nothing, silently accepting that Roselia looked down on him.
“What a look you’re making, Morris. You didn’t expect this, did you? Even though it was one against many, you still lost to a woman younger than yourself.”
“And as for the numbers, it was only a group because I wanted to capture you alive. If I’d meant to kill you, just two people… no, maybe Roselia alone would have been enough, you know?”
Elvira had no idea what her most trusted subordinate had done just recently.
Seeing the complicated look on Morris’ face, she assumed he’d simply been stunned by Roselia’s appearance and proudly praised her secretary, deputy, and head maid.
“Lady Elvira, you flatter me. There’s no way I could ever defeat Lord Morris alone. After all, he’s the man who slew the Demon King single-handedly. That night, Lady Sivillinde, Dorinnia, and I all struggled bitterly just to keep up.”
Praised by the Queen, Roselia smoothly switched back to her modest and gentle demeanor. That reserved and soft smile was, as far as acting went, utterly flawless.
Not to mention her immediate turn to face her superior and bow in polite deference upon being praised.
If the earlier incident hadn’t occurred, Morris would have thought Roselia a polite, kind, and exemplary woman.
Unfortunately, now that he’d seen her other side, his feelings at this moment were nothing but complicated.
Both he and Elvira had been deceived by this woman—the real winner here might just be her.
“See, Morris? That woman is a famed knight, but I, too, have subordinates I’m proud of. In fact, I have two others just as exceptional as Roselia. Don’t worry, I’ll introduce them to you one by one. After all, you can’t leave this country now, so you’ll have plenty of time.”
While Morris was stewing in his mixed emotions, Elvira still maintained her confident ‘I am the ultimate victor’ attitude, a mocking and cruel smile tugging at her lips and triumph glinting in her eyes.
Morris simply curled his mouth in response, then looked away.
What could he possibly say to such an Elvira?
He certainly couldn’t tell her that he more or less knew who the other two were, or that both he and the head maid at her side had gone behind her back.
Of course, Morris’ reaction was interpreted by Elvira as reluctant silence, unable to retort and forced to accept the situation.
This only served to further fuel Elvira’s vanity as the victor.
Watching Morris sulk as if throwing a tantrum, the twisted Queen couldn’t help but lick her lips, a faint hint of madness and silver avian lust flickering in her gaze.
Though last night was her first experience of such things, precisely because of that, she felt as if a whole new world had opened before her.
Had she known it would be so delightful, she would have stolen Morris from Queen Fastar much sooner.
So this is what they meant by ‘the taste lingers after the first bite.’
Already a cruel, selfish, and arrogant queen, Elvira had now awakened a new, insatiable desire. The way she looked at Morris was like a starving person eyeing a lavish feast, brimming with greed.
“Well then, Lady Elvira, it’s getting late. Please rest early. I’ll be just outside the door, awaiting your orders at any time.”
As the Queen’s most trusted subordinate, one had to be tactful.
Noticing Elvira’s rapidly swelling desire, Roselia sensibly smiled and bowed, seeking the Queen’s permission to leave the room.
“Hm? Mm, you’ve worked hard, Roselia.”
Recognizing her subordinate’s tact, Elvira didn’t stand on ceremony and granted her leave with a regal tone.
“No, this is only what I should do as your head maid. Then, I’ll take my leave. Lady Elvira, Lord Morris, I wish you both a pleasant night.”
It seemed Roselia only ever revealed that other side of herself in front of Morris; in front of Elvira, she was always obedient and thoughtful.
After bidding the two farewell, she left the room without a hint of reluctance and took up her post at the door.
Only Morris, unable to move, and the rapidly emboldened Queen remained in the room.
There was no way to dwell on Roselia’s matter with Elvira present.
Thus, Morris gave up thinking about Roselia for now, focusing instead on the Queen, who had already begun to remove her excess clothing before his very eyes.
“Morris, did you know? Roselia just said I’d be so excited I wouldn’t be able to sleep until midnight. Actually, if I wanted to, I really could do just that. But what about you?”
“I bet you’re in even worse shape than you were yesterday, aren’t you? Why don’t you just beg for mercy and bow your head to me? I might even go a bit easier on you.”
Oblivious, Elvira wore a sadistic and seductive smile as she climbed onto her own bed, pouncing toward Morris.
Seeing that smug face of hers, Morris really didn’t want to waste a single word.
“…Is that so? That’s your answer, then. In that case, I won’t hold back!”
Morris’ cold, silent reaction didn’t dampen Elvira’s spirits at all—on the contrary, it only ignited her sadistic desires.
The moment her words fell, she made her move.
And, just as she wished, it didn’t take long for her to defeat Morris once more.
She was overjoyed.
…Little did she know, before facing her, Morris had already faced off against all three of her closest subordinates.
Honestly, even a man of iron couldn’t withstand so many battles.
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