Darlian’s words pulled Finihiya’s thoughts away from the beautifully radiant moon before her.
She glanced at Darlian with a faint look, then responded ambiguously, “I learned it a long time ago.”
“Well then…” Darlian turned to face her and leaned forward slightly, extending her right hand, “I wonder if I am lucky enough to invite Miss Saintess to dance with me.”
Her right hand.
From the main hall of the castle, a melodious tune floated in.
Finihiya’s delicate cheeks flushed slightly at Darlian’s words. After a brief moment of surprise, she slowly extended her own hand.
“If Darlian-sama doesn’t mind.”
“It’s my honor.”
Darlian’s cherry-red lips curved into that familiar smile tinged with playful amusement.
Her outstretched right hand was gently lifted by Darlian, and she immediately felt the small gloved hand of Darlian rest lightly on her waist.
Silver-white moonlight spilled over them both, and as they moved gracefully, the place around them seemed to sway softly like a dawn-lit dream.
***
In the morning, Finihiya awoke to the faint light filtering through the window.
Rubbing her dry eyes, she slowly sat up, sitting dazedly for a long moment before shifting her gaze toward the clock hanging on the wall.
The hands pointed to 5:20.
Summer days brightened early.
Feeling her head clear, Finihiya stretched and slowly climbed down from the soft, comfortable bed.
When she opened the window, a wisp of white fog drifted inside.
The fog hovered over the surface of the Holzbis Sea, while the fiery sunrise rose from the far horizon. The smoke bathed in the morning light, dyed a dark crimson.
Summer mist was only a brief morning phenomenon; soon the skies would clear.
It had been a week since she arrived at Demon King City of Yabadawi.
She had not been assigned to live in that ancient castle.
This place was in the northeastern suburbs of Yabadawi, right next to the Holzbis Sea, a place of breathtaking scenery.
“Wait up!”
“Don’t leave me behind!”
Suddenly, two youthful voices called from below. Finihiya lowered her eyes to watch, seeing two demi-human maids in uniform carrying large bundles of firewood, running hurriedly.
She quietly followed their movements for a moment before turning and heading toward the room’s door.
“Good morning, Lady Fenyxia.”
As soon as she opened the door, a calm voice sounded beside her.
Turning toward it, she saw a middle-aged woman with tortoiseshell glasses and long red hair pinned up.
Seeing Finihiya, she immediately placed her hands before her abdomen and bowed politely.
“Good morning, Miss Danila.”
“I’m just a servant, Lady Fenyxia. Please, don’t be so formal with me.”
Finihiya smiled without replying.
Danila had originally been the head maid at the Demon Camp’s castle but was now sent by Darlian-sama to serve as the housekeeper here.
According to Darlian-sama, Danila had served three generations of Demon Lords.
With such seniority and years, Finihiya dared not show any arrogance or disrespect.
Besides, this was Demon Territory.
“Lady Fenyxia, would you like anything special for breakfast this morning?”
“…The same as yesterday will do.” Her voice was soft and gentle.
“I understand.”
She walked down a corridor that gleamed like flowing cold water toward the stairs, following the half-spiral staircase carved with various statues and stone murals down to the first floor.
Finihiya went straight to the bathroom in the depths of the residence.
The building’s style leaned heavily toward Rococo—ornate yet exquisitely refined.
Opening the bathroom door, Finihiya began her morning wash in front of the mirror.
Perhaps due to Luna’s matter, Darlian-sama had carefully selected the attendants assigned to her this time, so she had felt no inconvenience these past days—only a slight ease.
Also, perhaps considering racial habits, the attendants arranged by Darlian-sama were demons or demi-humans with human-like appearances.
Scooping a ladle of cold water from the tub to pour into a wooden bucket, Finihiya soaked a clean towel and gently wiped her sleepy face.
Understanding.
Smooth.
Lost in these wandering thoughts, she suddenly recalled the strange noise she had heard in the castle that night.
Since moving here, the sound had not appeared in her mind again.
Though there was a peculiar familiarity to the strange sound, having just arrived in this unfamiliar place, she had little interest in pursuing it.
She wrung the towel dry and hung it back on the rack.
When Finihiya opened the bathroom door, she saw Danila still standing there.
But now, Danila held a wooden comb and nodded toward her.
Back in the second-floor bedroom, Finihiya sat properly before the pure white Rococo-style vanity, quietly waiting as Danila combed through her tangled long hair.
“So beautiful!”
“Hm?”
Danila, who had been silently and gently tending to her hair, suddenly spoke. Finihiya blankly lifted her eyes and looked through the irregularly shaped mirror at her.
“Your hair,” Danila’s lips curved into a soft smile mixed with warmth, “Lady Fenyxia’s hair is truly beautiful—rich and glossy.”
“Thank you…”
“Lady Fenyxia is of the Elf Tribe, yes?”
Hearing this, Finihiya paused before gently nodding.
“To be precise, I am a Half-Elf. Only half of my bloodline is Elf.”
“No wonder your hair is so naturally smooth. Elf hair is born like that; it needs no extra care.”
Finihiya knew little about the Elves that Danila mentioned.
However, over the years, she had met a few Elf Tribe members.
That race dwelled in the southern Ainz Great Forest and rarely left their woods to enter Human Territory.
“Lady Fenyxia, do you have any plans today? Anything you would like me to prepare?”
“No…” Finihiya shook her head lightly, “Nothing special. I just want to quietly read today.”
“You really do love your books.” Danila smiled. “One day, I will ask Darlian-sama to let me bring some from the Grand Library here for you.”
“No…” Hearing this, Finihiya shook her head even more vigorously. “I can manage such things myself. There’s no need to trouble you.”
Clearly, Finihiya was the type to avoid inconveniencing others.
After these days of living here, Danila had come to understand this and chose not to respond further, silently deciding to comply.