Chapter 36: I… I Wasn’t Thinking About Anything, Meow

“You haven’t been to the Back Garden of the Evernight Palace yet, have you?”

As soon as Lucia spoke, Lilia’s hair stood on end.

Back Garden?

That’s an open area!

A place where Servants and Guards come and go!

“Tomorrow’s weather looks nice.”

Lucia paused.

“Perfect for a walk.”

She emphasized the word “walk” heavily.

Lilia’s mind went blank, her blood freezing.

What was this pervert thinking?

Did she want to ‘walk’ her like a dog in front of everyone?!

“No! I don’t want to! Meow!”

She shook her head wildly, tears welling up in her eyes.

“I’d rather die than go to a place like that! Meow!”

Inside this sealed Study, she could endure whatever happened.

But if she were seen like this in public…

She’d rather smash her head against the wall!

“That’s not up to you.”

Lucia lifted her foot, the tip of her shoe pressing against Lilia’s chin.

“This is an additional punishment for failing your task today.”

She bent down, lowering her voice beside Lilia’s ear.

“Or… do you want Lilith to personally lead you out?”

Lilia froze.

Let Lilith lead her?

Just imagining it made her suffocate.

On one side was the Demon King, on the other, the icy Head Maid.

There was no choice at all.

Or rather, only one option that was less deadly.

“I…”

Lilia squeezed out the words through clenched teeth, her voice trembling.

“I’ll go with you… meow…”

“Good.”

Lucia straightened, nodding in satisfaction.

She released the Magic Rope in her hand, and the black light dissipated.

The pressure around Lilia’s neck disappeared, but she felt no relief.

The thought of tomorrow weighed on her more heavily than the rope.

“Now, come here.”

Lucia sat down behind the desk, patting her thigh.

“As a reward for your effort today, I’ll allow you to eat here.”

Lilia glanced at Lucia’s thigh, then at the steaming night snack on the table.

Her stomach growled even louder.

After a full afternoon of training, both her strength and spirit were drained.

The aroma of food made her hunger unbearable.

She crawled over slowly, laying across Lucia’s lap.

Just like last night.

Her body had memorized the posture.

Lucia speared a small piece of meat and brought it to her lips.

“Open.”

Lilia opened her mouth and chewed mechanically.

The meat was tender and perfectly seasoned, but she tasted nothing.

Her mind was filled with thoughts of tomorrow.

To be led around the Back Garden on a ‘walk’.

How would the Servants look at her?

Would they whisper behind her back?

What kind of expressions would they have?

“Focus on eating.”

Lucia tapped her forehead lightly with the fork, noticing her distraction.

“What are you thinking?”

“Nothing… nothing at all, meow.”

Lilia quickly pulled her thoughts back and continued eating.

But the anger in her heart only grew stronger.

Why?

Why did she have to suffer this humiliation?

She was a Hero, after all!

Even if she looked like this now, her soul was still that of a Hero!

“Lucia.”

She lifted her head, staring at Lucia.

“Just wait, meow.”

“Someday, I’ll put a Silver Collar and rope on you too, meow.”

“I’ll run circles around your throne, meow!”

Lucia raised an eyebrow.

“Oh? Still dreaming like that?”

“It’s not a dream! Meow!”

Lilia stiffened her neck and glared.

“I’ll definitely make it happen, meow! Definitely!”

“Interesting.”

Lucia set down the fork and reached out to stroke Lilia’s hair.

“Then I’ll look forward to that day.”

Her fingers slipped through the silver strands, so gentle it was maddening.

“But before that—”

Her hand paused atop Lilia’s cat ears, kneading softly.

“You’re still my little Pet.”

Lilia’s body trembled involuntarily.

Damn it, her body was reacting again!

A faint purring escaped her throat without her control.

“Do you hear me?”

Lucia leaned close to her ear.

“Your body is more honest than your mouth.”

“I… I’m not… meow…”

Lilia tried to argue, but her voice had softened.

The comfort flooding her body made any resistance weak and useless.

“Remember to wake up early tomorrow.”

Lucia withdrew her hand and picked up the fork again.

“The morning light in the Back Garden is beautiful, perfect for a Memory Crystal keepsake.”

Memory Crystal?!

Lilia’s eyes widened.

Was this perverted Demon King planning to record her disgraceful appearance with magic?

“You… what are you planning? Meow?”

“To keep a memento, of course.”

Lucia answered matter-of-factly.

“It’s my first time taking a Pet out for a walk. I have to record it.”

“Maybe I’ll even make a Memory Crystal Album someday and call it .”

Lilia felt the sky collapse.

Memory Crystal Album? Growth Diary?

If that kind of black history got recorded, how could she ever face anyone again?

“No! Meow! Please! Meow!”

She clung to Lucia’s clothes, eyes brimming with tears.

“Anything but the Memory Crystal! Meow!”

“That won’t do.”

Lucia refused without hesitation.

“Since it’s a reward, it needs to be official.”

She continued feeding Lilia.

“Oh, right. Lilith will prepare New Clothes for you.”

“Specially tailored for tomorrow’s walk.”

New Clothes?

Lilia shivered.

With this Demon King’s twisted tastes, it couldn’t possibly be anything normal.

“W-what kind of clothes? Meow?”

She asked cautiously.

“You’ll see when the time comes.”

Lucia teased.

“I promise you’ll love it.”

Lilia lay on Lucia’s lap in despair.

It was over. Completely over.

Tomorrow, she’d suffer social death in the Evernight Palace.

And have it all immortalized in magic images.

Such black history would haunt her forever.

“Are you finished?”

Lucia glanced at the empty plate.

“Finished… meow…”

Lilia replied weakly.

“Then go back to your room and rest.”

Lucia stood up, and Lilia climbed off her lap.

“Tomorrow is a big day. Make sure you’re well-rested.”

“Remember, at eight in the morning, Lilith will come for you.”

“Don’t even think about running.”

Lucia walked to the door and looked back at her.

“The entire Evernight Palace is my domain. You can’t escape.”

She opened the door and left the Study.

Lilia stood alone in the empty Study.

The Silver Collar around her neck gleamed coldly under the Magic Lamp.

She raised a hand to touch the metal ring.

Tomorrow, she’d be led by this thing, in front of everyone…

“I will never give up, meow!”

She clenched her fists, determination burning anew.

“Lucia, just you wait, meow!”

“Someday, I’ll make you taste this too!”

But as soon as she finished, Lilith’s voice came from outside the door.

“Miss, it’s time to return to your room.”

Lilia froze.

When did the Head Maid appear? Did she hear what I just said?