Chapter 12: The Demon King’s Twisted Taste! It’s a Pet Collar, Meow!

Lilia woke up in warmth.

Her consciousness was still a little hazy, and her body felt soft and limp.

She moved slightly and discovered she was leaning against a soft, warm place.

An arm was wrapped around her waist, holding her firmly in place.

Wait.

What happened last night?

Memories rushed back—

A pink potion, an aggressive interrogation, and that sentence that slipped out—

“Meow~!”

No way.

No way, no way.

Lilia stiffly turned her head and met those blood-red eyes.

Lucia had already woken up and was lying on her side, watching her.

Black long hair spilled over the pillow, the collar of her sleepwear loose, revealing a glaringly white collarbone.

A faint, elusive smile hung on her lips.

“Good morning, my little kitten.”

Her voice was hoarse from just waking up.

Lilia’s face turned red.

“L-let me go, meow!”

It’s over.

It’s happening again.

Lucia burst out laughing.

Those blood-red eyes were full of amusement and even a hint of schadenfreude.

“So energetic so early in the morning?”

Her fingers traced lightly across Lilia’s back.

Lilia shuddered.

“Who told you to hug me, meow! Let go, meow~!”

She struggled, but her strength was so little in front of Lucia that it couldn’t even count as a tickle.

“You were the one burrowing into my arms all night.”

Lucia’s tone was excessively innocent.

“If I didn’t hold you, you’d have fallen off the bed.”

“Who would believe that, meow!”

Lilia’s voice was almost tearful.

But the lingering comfort and sense of security in her body silently slapped her face.

Damn it.

Why is my body so honest?

Lucia didn’t say anything else, just stared at her with those blood-red eyes.

Lilia felt completely unsettled under her gaze and finally could only bury her face in the blanket.

Playing dead.

“Time to get up.”

Lucia’s voice sounded above her head.

The next second, Lilia felt her body lighten as she was lifted off the bed.

“I can walk by myself, meow!”

Lucia ignored her and carried her into the washroom.

When Lilia saw herself in the mirror, she almost choked.

Her silver twin tails were messy, with a few strands of hair sticking up rebelliously.

Her cheeks were flushed from just waking up.

Her heterochromatic eyes—one gold, one blue—were filled with shame, anger, and confusion.

She looked exactly like a little kitten who had just woken up.

“Your Majesty.”

Lilith’s voice came from the doorway.

She pushed a cart with toiletries and breakfast into the room.

When she saw Lilia in Lucia’s arms, her movement paused.

When that gaze swept over her, Lilia swore she saw a hint of laughter.

“Put the things down.”

Lucia ordered.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Lilith arranged the items, bowed, and quietly retreated to the corner.

Throughout the entire process, Lilia felt prickles on her back.

This maid was definitely holding back laughter!

Lucia placed her on a small stool in front of the washstand.

“Will you wash yourself, or should I help you?”

“I’ll do it myself, meow!”

Lilia snatched the towel and rubbed her face haphazardly.

Right now, she just wanted to end all this quickly and find a hole to crawl into.

After washing up, Lucia carried her to the dining table again.

Breakfast was abundant—

Golden toast, perfectly cooked bacon, and a steaming cup of milk.

Lilia’s stomach growled in protest.

She picked up her knife and fork and viciously sliced the bacon on her plate.

She imagined it was Lucia’s face.

“Eat slower.”

Lucia sipped her tea leisurely beside her.

“No one’s competing with you.”

Lilia ignored her, burying her head and eating desperately.

The meal ended in a strange silence.

When Lilith stepped forward to clear the dishes, Lucia stood up and walked to a cabinet in the corner of the room.

She took out a delicate black velvet box from inside.

Lilia wiped her mouth and peeked over curiously.

Inside the box lay a silver collar.

It was thin, without spikes or chains, and its design was extremely refined.

In the center, a golden bell hung.

It shimmered softly under the light.

But—

Lilia’s heart sank.

No matter how you looked at it, this thing was meant for a pet.

“Th-this… what is this, meow?”

Her voice trembled slightly.

“A gift.”

Lucia’s answer was excessively concise.

She took the collar from the box and walked toward Lilia.

Lilia instinctively took a step back.

“I don’t want it, meow!”

“Why not?”

Lucia’s tone was calm, but her blood-red eyes flickered with a dangerous light.

“It suits you very well.”

“This is for pets, meow!”

Lilia’s face flushed with anger.

“I’m not your pet, meow!”

“Oh?”

Lucia raised an eyebrow.

“Then what do you want to be?”

Lilia opened her mouth.

She wanted to say, “I want to be your master,” but the words wouldn’t come out.

Even if she said it, it was useless.

While she hesitated, Lucia had already reached her.

The cool touch of metal pressed against her neck.

Lilia trembled all over, trying to tear it off.

But Lucia gripped her wrist.

The strength allowed no resistance.

“Don’t move.”

“Click.”

The collar’s clasp locked in place.

Lilia froze.

She could clearly feel something new on her neck.

Every slight movement made the golden bell emit a clear “ding ling” sound.

Shame flooded her instantly.

She, once Hero Link, was now wearing a collar and bell!

“Bastard! You pervert, meow!”

Tears welled up in Lilia’s eyes.

“Take it off now, meow!”

She tugged at the collar on her neck with all her might.

But the seemingly delicate collar was unusually sturdy.

It didn’t budge at all.

“Ding ling… ding ling…”

Lucia admired her handiwork, eyes full of delight.

She reached out and gently flicked the golden bell.

“Ding ling.”

“Don’t touch!”

Lilia slapped her hand away.

“From today on, without my permission, you’re not allowed to take it off.”

Lucia withdrew her hand.

“Keep dreaming!”

Lilia glared at her.

“I’ll break it sooner or later!”

“You can try.”

Lucia was unfazed by her threat.

“If you break it, I’ll give you an even sturdier one.”

Lilia opened her mouth, but in the end, she couldn’t say anything.

She stood there, the sound of the bell around her neck ringing with every movement, as if constantly reminding her of her current status.

Pet.

The Demon King’s pet.

Her tears finally fell.

Plop, plop.

They dripped onto the carpet.

Lucia looked at her, a hint of gentleness flickering in her eyes.

She raised her hand and gently wiped the tears from Lilia’s face.

“Why are you crying?”

“I never said I’d abuse you.”

Lilia bit her lip and stayed silent.

Lucia sighed.

“All right.”

She straightened her clothes.

“There are new lessons to teach you today.”

Lilia looked up, her eyes full of wariness.

“What lessons?”

Lucia’s lips curved into a playful smile.

“As a qualified little kitten…

Your first lesson is—”