Chapter 56: Oh No! The Perverted Demon King Is Actually Smiling?

Only the sound of breathing remained in the study.

Lucia sat on the throne.

A streak of purple liquid marked her face.

It ran from her brow, down her nose, and dripped to her chin.

She didn’t move.

Her blood-red eyes locked onto Lilia, not even blinking.

Lilia’s legs went weak.

The boldness from earlier evaporated instantly.

A chill shot up from her soles to her skull.

The Magic Energy Water Gun in her hand disappeared with a soft “puff,” dissolving into light.

Gone.

Completely gone.

“Ma…Master…meow…”

Her voice trembled violently.

Her lips quivered for a long time before she could squeeze out a few words.

“I…I was just joking, meow…”

“This is…this is Beauty Serum! Right! Newly developed Beauty Serum, meow!”

She waved her hands frantically, cold sweat sliding down her forehead.

“Promotes blood flow, reduces bruising, tightens skin, the effect is especially good, meow!”

Lucia still didn’t speak.

Lilia’s heartbeat nearly exploded.

Damn!

Why didn’t this monster react at all?

Being smeared with high-concentration chili water on the face—shouldn’t even a god feel pain?

At least shed a tear, or sneeze, or something?

But she just kept staring.

Like looking at a corpse.

Lilia’s mind screamed alarms.

At that moment, the side door opened.

Lilith walked out from the shadows, carrying a basin of water and a towel.

She walked straight to the desk without glancing sideways.

Setting down the items, she bowed.

“Your Majesty.”

Lilith’s voice was steady.

But the fingers holding the tray trembled slightly.

In truth, Lilith’s mind had already exploded.

She had been in the next room, resting.

When the pungent scent of chili and konjac wafted over, she knew something had happened.

That little creature had really acted.

And succeeded.

When she rushed in, the scene she witnessed was unforgettable for a lifetime.

The supreme Demon King, sole ruler of the Era of Eternal Night—

Had her face smeared with an unknown liquid.

And the culprit was standing, hands on hips, laughing madly.

At that moment, Lilith had already prepared herself for the entire Evernight Palace to be razed to the ground.

But…

Her Majesty’s reaction was completely beyond expectation.

No anger.

Not even a trace of displeasure.

She simply sat quietly, watching the little troublemaker.

And in those blood-red eyes, an unprecedented…brilliance shone.

A mix of surprise, shock, and intense interest.

Lilith had followed Lucia for centuries, never having seen such an expression.

Her Majesty…was pleased?

The absurd thought exploded in her mind.

“Leave.”

Lucia spoke.

Her voice was a little hoarse, choked by the pungent smell.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Lilith bowed again.

She quietly exited the study, closing the door.

Only two people remained in the room.

The pressure on Lilia grew heavier.

She watched Lucia pick up the towel, wet it, then gently wipe the purple liquid from her face.

Every movement was light.

Slow.

Each stroke pounded on her heart.

Lilia gritted her teeth.

She waited.

Waited for the icy mask to crack.

Waited for the blood-red eyes to blaze with anger.

Waited for the overwhelming power that could crush her to erupt.

But…

Nothing.

Lucia wiped her face clean and set down the towel.

Then,

She smiled.

That perpetually cold face, lips curling upward.

First the left.

Then the right.

Finally, a complete smile appeared on that holy and dignified face.

Lilia stared in shock.

This wasn’t that fake, dangerous smile from before.

It was…a genuinely happy smile.

More terrifying than a hundred fits of rage.

“Beauty Serum?”

Lucia stood up, circled the desk, and approached her.

High heels made no sound on the carpet.

But to Lilia, every step seemed to stomp on her heart.

“My little pet, you’ve come up with so many new ideas lately.”

Lucia stopped before her, gazing down.

A chilling light flickered in her blood-red eyes.

“I was wrong, Master meow!”

Lilia dropped to her knees with a “thud,” hugging Lucia’s leg.

“I won’t dare anymore, meow! I swear, meow!”

She only wanted to survive now.

“No more?”

Lucia pinched her chin, forcing her to lift her head.

“But…”

Her fingertips traced Lilia’s trembling lips.

“I’m not finished playing yet.”

“As a reward for the surprise you gave me……”

Lucia leaned to Lilia’s ear, warm breath brushing her ear.

“Let’s play an even more interesting game.”

“G-Game? Meow?”

Lilia clung to Lucia’s leg, her voice trembling beyond recognition.

Just hearing the word made her want to run.

This perverted Demon King’s “games” were never normal!

“Yes, a game.”

Lucia released her chin and patted her head instead.

The motion was gentle, but the words were cold enough to freeze.

“A game that will remind you of your identity every moment.”

“Snap.”

She snapped her fingers.

The air distorted, and a tray covered in black cloth appeared from nowhere.

Lilia’s heart twisted.

That cursed thing again!

Last time, the tray held the social-death “Hot Spring Yukata.”

This time—

“Open it.”

The order brooked no refusal.

Lilia’s hands shook so much she could barely grip it.

She swallowed and pinched the edge of the cloth.

Forget it.

Either way, she was doomed.

Steeling herself, she yanked it off!

She stared blankly at what lay within the tray.

It wasn’t a revealing outfit.

But a set of…very refined-looking…cat gear?

A black leather collar with a golden bell larger than the previous one.

A pair of fluffy white cat paw gloves.

Matching cat paw boots, with pink paw pad soles.

And a…tail, with a black furry ball at the end?

Lilia blinked.

This was it?

It didn’t look…that bad?

At least, better than the previous set of mere straps, right?

“Do you like it?”

Lucia watched her expression, smiling.

“This is the ‘Pet Exclusive Outfit’ I personally designed based on your form.”

“It’s…okay, meow…”

Lilia answered quietly.

But her heart pounded with unease.

No.

This woman couldn’t possibly be that kind.

“Then put it on.”

Lucia picked up the oversized bell collar and moved behind her.

“I’ll do it myself! Meow!”

Lilia tried to snatch it away.

“No.”

Lucia pressed her shoulder, fingers resting on her nape.

The cool touch froze Lilia.

“This time, I want to put it on with my own hands.”

“Click.”

The collar snapped shut.

Tighter than before, it itched her neck.

Lilia moved, and the bell immediately rang out “ding-ling-dang-lang,” loudly.

“Excellent.”

Lucia nodded and took up the left glove.

She grabbed Lilia’s wrist and slid it on.

The inside was a soft material, wrapping her fingers comfortably.

Wait.

Lilia sensed something was wrong.

Her five fingers were held together.

She couldn’t straighten them, only keep them curled.

She couldn’t even make a fist!

“No! Meow!”

Lilia tried to pull her hand back.

Lucia’s grip was iron-strong, unyielding.

“A disobedient little cat must be punished.”

She picked up the strange tail from the tray and waved it before Lilia’s eyes.

“Do you know what this is?”

Lilia’s face instantly burned.

Of course she knew!

This was—

“So you do understand.”

Lucia’s smile widened.

“If you don’t obediently wear the gloves and boots, I’ll have no choice but to ‘attach’ this as well.”

She leaned to Lilia’s ear, her voice low.

“Guess how it feels when it’s inside?”

Lilia trembled even more.

She stared at the tail, then at Lucia’s face.

Finally, in humiliation, she closed her eyes and extended her hands.

“I’ll wear it, meow……”

Her voice was barely audible.

Soon, the gloves and boots were on.

Lilia looked at her fluffy, perpetually curled “cat paws.”

And the soft, pink-padded “cat boots” on her feet.

Tears welled in her eyes.

She wasn’t even “human” anymore.

She’d become a fully dressed-up pet cat.

“Very cute.”

Lucia’s voice came from above, full of appreciation.

“Stand up. Walk a few steps.”

Gritting her teeth, Lilia pushed herself up from the floor.

The boots were soft beneath her, but unfamiliar, making her wobble as she walked.

She took a step—

“Meow~”

A soft cat cry burst from beneath her feet.

Lilia froze.

She stared down at her shoes.

She hesitantly took a second step.

“Meow~”

The sound rang again.

It came from inside the boots!

This cursed thing…has a built-in sound effect?!

“How is it? Surprised?”

Lucia laughed.

“I added a ‘Voice Effect Array’ to the shoes.”

“Every step you take, it meows.”

Lilia’s face turned beet red.

Walking in these shoes that “meow” with every step?

This was worse than death!

“And this.”

Lucia touched the new bell at her neck.

“Ding-ling-dang-lang—”

The bell chimed.

“This bell syncs with your heartbeat.”

Lucia leaned close to her ear.

“The more nervous and frightened you are, the faster your heart beats, and the louder it rings.”

“And…”

She turned to the uneasy, flicking cat tail behind Lilia.

“Your tail is enhanced with a ‘Luminous Array.’”

“The greater your emotional fluctuation, the more it…glows.”

Following her words, Lilia looked back.

Right now, from nervousness and shame, the tip of her tail was emitting a faint but distinct…pink light.

Lilia’s mind buzzed.

Shoes that cry.

A bell that changes volume with your heartbeat.

A tail that glows with emotion.

This pervert…

What exactly does she want?!