The arrogant and ruthless Queen Evelyn had never trusted anyone easily. In her eyes, the word “trust” simply did not apply to anyone outside of herself—or more precisely, no human being could ever earn her true trust.
Perhaps because of this, Erica, as a Demoness, was the only one who could gain her favor and receive her personal rewards.
“Go boil some water.”
After gaining Evelyn’s preliminary trust, this phrase had become her coded way of bestowing rewards. The Queen seemed very satisfied when she granted rewards to her subordinates, but to be honest, Erica found it hard to like these so-called rewards.
Even so, the girl simply didn’t have the courage to refuse the Queen’s gifts. Just think about it—Erica’s fate in the book was a public execution, and the one to wield the axe could very well be that capricious Queen Evelyn, perhaps for nothing more than having fallen out of favor.
There’s a saying—damn if I know whether to laugh or cry—I’ve worked so hard just to live, yet I can’t even have a reliable ally?
Suppressing her inner dissatisfaction, Erica, still wearing her working Court Uniform, headed toward the Queen’s spacious and extravagant Private Palace. There should have been fully armed Royal Guards, secret sentries, and high walls, but at the moment, none of these were in sight.
At the main gate, only a single Maid stood guard. “Lady Evelyn has already entered and is waiting for you inside,” the unknown blonde Maid said in a cold, emotionless voice.
Hmph, looks like just an ordinary Maid, but any core personnel knew—this one was actually a Combat Maid who could slit a throat with a flick of her dagger. This girl alone was worth an entire squad of regular guards.
There was a trace of contempt in the Maid’s eyes, but Erica had no intention of fussing over this emotionless girl.
“This way, Lady Erica, please stand in front of me.”
Whoosh—just as usual, Erica spread her arms before the Maid for a routine inspection. This was to check if she carried any items or weapons that could harm the Queen, but it was mostly just for show.
“Um, lifting my skirt hem is fine, but do you really need to pat down my underwear?”
“Just following orders.”
“You can tell at a glance, Noble Lady.”
“Please don’t make things difficult for me, Lady Erica.”
“…You win.”
“You may go in.”
Only then did Erica nod slightly at the Maid who stepped aside. Though she felt a bit taken advantage of, since they were both girls, there was no need to make a fuss.
Stepping through the door, what first greeted her eyes was the magnificent, moonlit Royal Garden. Swans and Egrets spread their snowy wings, playing elegantly around a small Artificial Lake. Amidst a riot of blossoms, colorful fruits dotted the emerald branches, perfection heaped upon perfection—this was the Palace garden.
At the garden’s center, she could see a steaming Hot Spring.
“Your Majesty the Queen, then, if you’ll excuse me.”
“Ah, you’ve come.”
There was already a guest who had arrived before her. Since this was the Royal Family’s private ground, the one soaking in the Hot Spring could only be Her Majesty the Queen. Evelyn was immersed in the steaming water, her gentle breathing causing her black hair to spread out and gather on the water’s surface. Now and then, she’d duck beneath the water as if playing, only to rise up moments later, splashing.
The royal maiden wore nothing but two towels wrapped around her chest and waist, leaving the rest of her snow-white skin exposed. Oddly, even though this showed less than a bikini, the way she half-disappeared into the water made the scene far more striking.
“…Stop staring. Even someone as noble as me can feel a bit embarrassed.”
“Understood.” Erica lowered her gaze slightly, but her eyes still darted around.
Even though I’ve become a girl, I still like girls after all! As for boys… didn’t I see enough in my last life? No matter what I become, girls are still best (thumbs up).
Those long legs alone would let her call herself Queen in any world. Her skin was so white and flawless you could barely see a pore, and though her stomach lacked defined abs, there wasn’t an ounce of excess fat—her figure beautifully streamlined. Of course, she never bothered with horse riding or archery, but the Palace had a Court Chef managing her nutrition.
“In any case, you’ve come at just the right time. Now, help lather my beautiful body with soap,” Evelyn said, as naturally as ever.
Applying soap to the Queen’s arms and back while she bathed—this was Evelyn’s “reward” for her. To witness the bathing of a beauty lauded as stunning enough to topple a kingdom, and even serve her side—this pleasing process was a reward in itself—at least, Evelyn truly believed so.
Yet Erica had no way to object. She even wanted to ask: do you already know about my orientation?
Though she was unwilling, it was true Evelyn was dazzlingly beautiful—even Erica, who checked herself in the mirror every day, could not refute it. Before and after transmigrating, aside from that Demoness bug, in all the girls she’d seen, none could compare to Evelyn’s aura and looks.
How could such a girl turn out so wicked? The Royal Family should be all about education, yet they’d let her grow up like this? Erica couldn’t figure it out—if only she could transmigrate back and demand a character guide from the author.
Swish, swish—
Despite her doubts, Erica’s body moved on its own, mechanically. She soaped Evelyn’s body from fingertips to chest, slender waist and smooth thighs, knees, all the way down to her ankles, every part carefully covered in vanilla-scented white foam.
“Very good, it’s nice and clean. Now—”
Evelyn looked over her own body in satisfaction, then said,
“—You may lick now.” Evelyn glanced with satisfaction at the girl, tying her black hair with a silk ribbon, baring her snowy nape—more precisely, her nape.
“……”
No matter how many times she did this, it was something she could never get used to.
“Quickly now—Erica, prove your loyalty to your Queen.”
“Yes, Your Majesty the Queen.”
To avoid dirtying her Court Uniform, which she needed again tomorrow, Erica took off her white Cloak and neatly folded it aside, wearing only a thin vest and underdress as she stepped into the water.
She gently and evenly applied some unfamiliar body lotion to Her Majesty’s nape, then pressed her lips to it.
“Phwah, so ticklish—”
Of course it tickled, and now her mouth was full of lemon flavor. Couldn’t whoever made this lotion have made it orange flavored? Oh, right, it’s not meant to be eaten? Never mind, then.
But those close to the Queen really can get away with anything. Hurry up and make me something new!
“Mmm, that’s just the right strength. Erica, like that—don’t let my neck be stained by anything, mmm…” The Queen’s gentle voice hovered by her ear, tinged with approval.
Erica had no idea what kink this person had—was her sensitive spot really her neck?
Still, Evelyn’s nape truly was lovely, mingling the intoxicating scent of her body with the floral fragrance of her hair. There was nothing to clean away, but this patch of snowy skin made her want to take a big bite.
“Hu…mmm…”
“……”
Please don’t make weird noises. Sure, this counts as a reward, but who knows if this woman might cut her down in a rage for seeing her at her weakest—just a little scary.
Even now, it was hard to believe—Evelyn was surprisingly guarded about her body. She never had men nearby, and even Maids weren’t allowed to touch any skin but her hands when dressing her. Erica had originally assumed Evelyn didn’t mind being open with another woman, but that wasn’t the case.
Just a month ago, Erica had almost been poisoned by a Maid. Even after, she said nothing, still shouldering blame and shielding the Queen. Evelyn, thinking this showed loyalty, was deeply moved and, for the first time, summoned a subordinate to her Private Palace, allowing her to wipe her body.
No one knew which talkative Maid leaked the story, but the ministers, who had been unconcerned, now believed Erica, secretly meeting the Queen, was bewitching even women. It was said she was the Demoness, the Queen’s favorite, and even that the Royal line might end because of her.
So dark! Both the blame and their hearts. It was unjust.
But who would believe her defense? If she were in their shoes, she wouldn’t believe the words of a pampered favorite either.
“Slurp!”
To vent her grievance, the girl pressed her face closer to the Queen’s nape and gently bit it with her small teeth.
“Erica, only you—mmph, only you think of me, act for me…”
She wasn’t sure, but Erica almost felt Evelyn’s body was giving off wisps of fragrance, enough to make her head spin—was the Hot Spring water really that hot?
“Mmm…it’s a little odd. All right, that’s enough. Erica, that’s enough for today.”
Evelyn untied her ribbon, letting her hair fall, and gently pushed Erica’s face away. Maybe it was the heat, but both of their faces were a little flushed.
“Ah, forgive me, Your Majesty the Queen. Ah~ glug, phoo.”
Erica quickly turned away, splashed water on her face, scooped some to rinse her mouth, and spat into a basin on the side.
“No matter, this is a reward.”
She’s totally a bad woman—a bad woman!
Letting me lick her nape and then stopping halfway—isn’t that just torture? There’s no way I’ll be able to sleep tonight.
“Enough, that will do for today. I’ll wash the rest myself.”
Evelyn patted the girl’s shoulder, then poured a dipper of water over herself. Splash—she rinsed away the last of the soap, donned a Bathrobe embroidered with gold and purple thread, and emerged from the water like a lotus in bloom.
Sigh, I’m not nearly that cool.
Erica climbed out, her vest and underdress soaked, squeezed out some water, and put her Cloak back on, covering her slightly reddened skin.
She then dried Evelyn’s hair and combed it for her. At first, brushing a girl’s hair was awkward, but after a few times, she got used to it.
“All done. Your hair is as black and lustrous as ever.”
“Is it?”
Evelyn tossed her silky hair and checked herself in the mirror. Though she was a tyrant, she was still a girl who, after bathing, gave off an alluring scent—a girl tyrant, nonetheless.
“It seems you have something to say, Erica. That’s not like you. I allow you to speak freely.”
As Erica dried her hands and mouth with a handkerchief, Evelyn quietly asked her, toying with Erica’s black-violet hair. At times like these, her perceptiveness was almost unnaturally sharp—how did she always know Erica had something to say?
In the end, she decided to tell Evelyn about today—no, about what had been weighing on her mind lately.
“It’s about the issue with the Minister of Finance this afternoon.”
“What about the Minister of Finance?”
“With all his nonsense, it would be no surprise if he was executed on the spot. But thinking it over, there may have been something worth considering in what he said.”
“Go on.”
Ever since the “reward” system was implemented, Evelyn had grown much more tolerant, so Erica often took advantage of her good mood to talk about things she wouldn’t normally dare mention—her own version of a pillow talk.
Now was the time, so she mustered her courage and spoke slowly, “If you have already seen through everything, Lady Evelyn, then a wise ruler excels at turning waste into treasure.”
“You mean even the useless can be reused, that surplus value should be squeezed dry? I know that saying.”
No, what you’re quoting is from Das Kapital.
“Ahem, yes, that’s right. From that perspective, perhaps we could pick out useful parts from Lord Qionov’s proposals and those of his many subordinates.”
“Hmm.”
“You can leave the selection to me—or, besides myself, you could keep other capable subordinates at your side.”
“Bang!”
With a loud crash, something hit the ground, immediately followed by the sound of breaking stone. In an instant, a delicate little sculpture in the garden was reduced to rubble and white dust.
A breach had been smashed in the open-air bath, water spilling out. The birds that had been playing nearby took fright and soared away. All this was the work of Evelyn, who had slammed her fist down, the force transmitting through the table to the ground, sending dust everywhere.
“Erica!” Evelyn’s sudden roar was deafening. “You dare suggest I keep others by my side? Don’t ever say such things again! I—I only need you. If not, then what are all these things between us supposed to mean… Erica, are you trying to arrange for others to stay with me so you can leave?”
“No, no, absolutely not.” Erica, whose mind had gone blank, finally came to her senses and waved her hands in panic.
Leave? When did I ever say I wanted to leave!
Gurgle—The water in the Hot Spring seemed to boil in an instant, and the surrounding mist was so thick it felt like smog. It made one suspect that all the water had evaporated. The steam was so fantastically unreal, it almost seemed a dreamlike illusion.
But Erica knew, for Evelyn, this was nothing—this wayward Princess was a seventh-rank Great Sorcerer. Moreover, she was one of the kingdom’s few first-rate sword masters.
This crazy woman was absurdly powerful. The body search at the door? To keep me from bringing in a weapon and committing suicide?
That was why the ministers and the people didn’t dare rebel or attempt to purge and expel Evelyn—and why Erica herself was powerless to do anything about her.
Yet now, this overwhelmingly strong beauty’s voice quivered: “All the others are traitors, betrayers! Masked liars! They smile at me, but behind my back, all they think about is stabbing me—the lot of them are despicable rats.”
“……”
“My brothers and sisters are all dead—at some point, for one reason or another, each of them was killed. My parents, my siblings… Whoever killed them must be somewhere in this court, somewhere in this kingdom!”
“Ah…”
“I’m next. If I want to live, I can’t trust anyone.”
Evelyn’s suspicion had become paranoia, and this sickness, along with her obstinacy, was one of the many reasons she’d become a tyrant. The Queen firmly believed her ten-plus deceased siblings’ deaths were no accident—there must be some plot behind it.
She further believed that the plot would one day claim her life as well.
Was this the reason for her constant strange behavior?
After all, Erica herself struggled desperately to avoid her “execution” ending, so she could somewhat understand Evelyn’s feelings.
But did she know that rumor said it was Evelyn herself—cold-blooded and power-hungry—who’d killed all her siblings to seize the throne?
How ironic.
“I’m surrounded by treacherous villains, and flatterers who want to ride my coattails to power. Masks, masks—all hypocrites in disguise!” Evelyn grabbed Erica by the collar, gazing down with red eyes. “Don’t ever suggest I keep people like that around, Erica. Only because it’s you did I overlook what you just said.”
“Forgive me, please pardon my ignorance.”
“Hah… I forgive you.”
Only then did Evelyn’s anger fade. She gently released Erica’s collar and even tidied her clothes for her. At that moment, the Hot Spring’s steam cooled and fell like rain, soaking them both all over again.
Evelyn’s smile was innocent: “Looks like we’ll have to dry off all over again.”
Erica couldn’t smile. Evelyn didn’t know she wasn’t really Erica—she had no idea Erica was merely a Demoness-masked outsider.
Would this mask count as falsehood, too? If, one day, her true identity was revealed—what end would await her?
“Ah, by the way, Erica. The Expeditionary Force will be back tomorrow.”
“Expeditionary Force?”
“Yes, I hear they’ve just subdued the Southern Barbarians’ Primitive Tribe and are on their way home.”
Erica hadn’t gotten any report. Aside from Evelyn herself, only one other person could shake the command structure where she was practically regent.
Suddenly, the night wind swept across the girl’s body, her wet clothes clinging coldly to her skin, sending a chill through her.