‘Seriously, I got this excited just from licking the same fork…’
Natalie looked at the fork in her hand and sighed.
Natalie thought that her past self probably never imagined she would end up like this.
The old Natalie had absolutely no understanding of why someone would risk their life to protect their lover.
But now, Natalie understood.
If anyone dared to hurt Emily, she would kill them.
Natalie pondered these things while eating Xilina’s cooking.
Of course, having grown up on fine cuisine, Natalie didn’t think Xilina’s food was good.
It was barely edible.
‘When I think about it, I do need a chef. Rather than letting some shady man or woman cook and end up targeting Emily, it’s better to have this brat as the chef.’
Because of her intense possessiveness over Emily, Natalie unhesitatingly considered every man and woman in the world other than herself as potential “rivals in love.”
Only a little girl like Xilina made Natalie feel she wouldn’t go after her Emily.
Even a little boy wouldn’t do, because little boys could also fall for an older sister out of admiration or similar feelings.
So Natalie could only accept a naive little girl.
Natalie thought she might be a bit oversensitive, but that was a common flaw of monarchs.
Ancient emperors, fearing someone might target their women, would turn all the servants in the palace into eunuchs.
Compared to those emperors, Natalie simply forbidding others from getting close was already quite good.
Of course, Natalie also understood Emily’s intention: she wanted Natalie to take Xilina in as a servant.
Although Natalie herself thought the same, this was a perfect opportunity for Emily to offer her “payment.”
Natalie naturally wouldn’t let that slip, so she planned to completely ignore Xilina’s existence and wait for Emily to bring up taking Xilina in on her own.
That way, Natalie could make her own demands.
Natalie was already thinking about what she could make Emily do in exchange for this.
“You said this was made by that brat, right?”
“Yes!”
When Natalie suddenly said that, Emily responded with some excitement.
Because Emily thought Natalie might take this chance to accept Xilina as a servant.
After all, Natalie originally lacked a servant who could cook, and Xilina happened to be able to cook.
Under normal circumstances, Emily thought she would likely take her in.
Fully aware of Emily’s mindset, Natalie naturally wouldn’t follow Emily’s expectations.
Instead, she replied very coldly, “Oh, I see.”
She brought up the topic solely to make Emily anxious and take the initiative to ask about taking Xilina in.
Having said that, Natalie started reading a book as if the matter was over.
Seeing Natalie so cold, Emily didn’t know what to do.
Because Emily was afraid that if she herself asked Natalie to take Xilina in, she might be offered some very “harsh” conditions in exchange.
Moreover, showing such obvious concern for Xilina might once again provoke Divine Punishment.
Seeing Emily suddenly stand there in silence, Natalie simply said, “What’s the matter? Is there something else? If not, you may leave.”
‘Has the Demon King seen through my thoughts…’
The change in Natalie’s attitude toward Emily was far too obvious.
Although Natalie had said that if she ever lost interest in Emily, she would give her to her subordinates.
But just half a day ago, Natalie was constantly sexually harassing Emily.
Emily thought it unlikely that Natalie would suddenly lose interest in her, so she must be playing hard to get.
“By the way, regarding that brat’s whereabouts, you’d better figure it out within a day! I don’t want to keep a stray girl in the house. If word gets out, it’ll damage my reputation.”
Just as Emily was thinking about whether to play a long game with Natalie, Natalie blurted out this sentence without warning.
After all, in Natalie’s eyes, Xilina was merely a “toy” to manipulate Emily.
If Emily wouldn’t do something for her through Xilina, then Xilina’s meaning of existence was minimal.
If Emily didn’t bring it up, Natalie truly wouldn’t mind kicking Xilina out of this mansion.
Realizing that Natalie was serious, Emily weighed her options internally.
In the end, Emily decided to make concessions herself.
Although Emily didn’t know what excessive conditions Natalie might propose, considering she was already her slave.
If Natalie wanted to do something dangerous, she wouldn’t need Emily’s permission.
So the conditions Natalie set were probably not a threat to Emily’s safety.
At worst, it would be the same as before—sexual harassment from her.
Just being sexually harassed a little to save an innocent girl’s life—Emily thought it was a win no matter how she looked at it.
Emily also understood this wasn’t because she was kind; it was still for herself.
If she truly abandoned Xilina, she would be consumed by guilt.
Then she probably wouldn’t even be able to sleep peacefully.
She was helping Xilina for peace of mind, not out of sainthood like a real Saintess.
“Um… Lady Natalie?”
“What’s wrong? Didn’t I tell you to leave?”
Though she said that, realizing Emily was already prepared to give in, Natalie’s tone instinctively carried a hint of excitement.
“About Xilina…”
“Oh? About that brat.”
“…Aren’t we missing a chef?”
Because of Divine Punishment, Emily couldn’t speak too clearly and could only respond with these subjectless words.
And Emily knew Natalie understood what she meant.
“I see. Is that your thought? But Emily! You haven’t forgotten your identity, have you? Taking in this brat has already exhausted my limited kindness.”
‘No, Miss Natalie, are you sure you’re okay saying that? Although the words “Demon King” and “kindness” don’t exactly match…’
“Miss Emily, to achieve your goal, you should know what you need to do, right?”
“You say.”
“…”
After seeing Emily agree, Natalie thought about what she should make Emily do.
But because there were too many options, she couldn’t decide at once.
Natalie had considered taking this chance to make Emily kiss her voluntarily, stealing her first kiss.
Even though it would be Natalie’s first time too.
But on second thought, Natalie felt that was going too far.
She still wanted Emily to do it with love, under circumstances where Emily already liked her.
“I can’t think of anything. We’ll talk later.”
“I see…”
For Emily, this was the most tormenting outcome.
Because Emily really didn’t know what strange methods Natalie might come up with to “play” with her body.
But the words had already been spoken, and Emily couldn’t take them back.