Chapter 26: The Demon King’s Personal Lesson! This Punishment Is Way Too Embarrassing, Meow!

Lilia froze in front of the desk, nearly dropping the tray.

Kneel?

She was supposed to serve tea while kneeling?

Her mind exploded.

She was a Hero!

Even if she’d been gender-swapped into this ridiculous form, her dignity remained!

“I won’t—”

The words had barely left her mouth when Lucia lifted her eyelids and glanced at her.

There was no anger in those blood-red eyes, only a natural, indifferent calm.

Lilia’s throat tightened.

Her body remembered the fear of the Desire Domain—

That despair of being conscious yet unable to move a single finger.

She gritted her back teeth, but her knees buckled uncontrollably.

“Thud.”

Both knees hit the Persian Carpet, skirt spreading, the Bell chiming with a crisp ring.

She lowered her head, her face burning, fingernails almost digging into her palm.

‘Good.’

Lucia’s voice came from above.

“Now, brew another pot.”

Lilia gripped the edge of the tray, her knuckles turning white.

She crawled up from the carpet, legs shaking.

Back in the Tea Room, she boiled water, warmed the cup, and added tea leaves.

Her movements were stiff and mechanical.

Only one thought remained in her mind—

Endure.

Endure until she found a chance to strike back.

She returned with freshly brewed tea, this time kneeling without hesitation.

She held up the tray with both hands, presenting it to Lucia.

The Bell rang again.

That sound was especially piercing in the quiet study.

“Raise your hands higher.”

Lucia leaned against the chairback, not even straightening her waist.

Lilia gritted her teeth and lifted the tray a few more inches.

Her arms began to ache.

“Wrong.”

Lucia stood up, walked over, and half-knelt in front of her.

Lilia’s whole body stiffened.

Those cold hands covered hers, adjusting the tray’s angle.

“Steady your wrists. Keep your back straight.”

Lucia’s voice was right beside her ear, warm breath brushing against her Cat Ears.

Lilia trembled even more.

“Look at me. Don’t lower your head.”

As soon as the words fell, her chin was lifted.

Lilia was forced to meet those blood-red eyes.

So close she could see her own reflection within them.

Kneeling on the floor, Cat Ears drooping.

She’d never felt so ridiculous in her life.

“Yes, just like that.”

Lucia’s fingertips stroked her chin twice.

“Let your master see your obedience.”

Lilia’s breathing faltered.

Her mind went blank, without even the strength to protest.

“Hand me the tea.”

Lucia released her and sat back down.

Lilia followed mechanically, maintaining the posture she’d just been “trained” into.

Lucia picked up the Tea Cup and took a sip.

“The taste is much better this time.”

Lilia was just about to sigh in relief—

“But your expression is failing.”

She froze.

Expression?

“When serving your master, you must smile.”

Lucia set down the Tea Cup.

“From the heart.”

Smile?

Smile at a time like this?

Even Lilia’s tail puffed up.

But she didn’t dare act out.

She could only return to the Tea Room and brew more tea.

This time, kneeling before the desk, she tried hard to force a smile.

“Master, please enjoy your tea, meow.”

Her voice was trembling.

“Too fake.”

Lucia didn’t even look at her.

“Again.”

Lilia’s hands trembled even harder.

She knelt again with the tea, forcing out a smile.

“Master, ple… please enjoy your tea, meow.”

“No emotion.”

“Again.”

“Master… tea… meow…”

“Too quiet.”

“Again.”

Lilia didn’t know how many times she repeated the process.

Her knees were numb, her arms aching.

The muscles in her face had gone stiff, the smile hurting with every attempt.

She was being taken apart piece by piece, every action tightened, corrected, and polished.

Just when she was about to break—

“This time, you barely pass.”

Lucia finally nodded.

Lilia almost collapsed to the floor.

At last… it was over.

“First lesson, tea ceremony, passed.”

Lucia stood up and approached her.

“Now for the second lesson.”

Lilia lifted her head, her mind still lagging behind.

“Change my clothes.”

She was stunned for a full three seconds.

Change… clothes?

“I want to bathe.”

Lucia’s tone was matter-of-fact.

“As a personal maid, isn’t undressing your duty?”

Lilia’s mind exploded.

She was supposed to undress Lucia?

“What are you standing there for?”

Lucia spread her arms, making a waiting gesture.

“Come here.”

Lilia struggled to stand, her legs weak.

She faced Lucia, staring at the finely tailored Black Dress.

Buttons, laces, hidden fasteners… it was more complicated than she’d imagined.

She reached out, hands trembling, and unfastened the first Gem Button at the collar.

Beneath the cool gem was delicate, warm skin.

Her fingertip accidentally brushed against it.

Lilia recoiled as if burned.

“Focus.”

Lucia’s voice came from above.

Lilia bit her lip and continued with the second, third buttons…

Layer by layer, the dress peeled away, revealing Lucia’s perfect body.

A flat stomach.

A slender waist.

And the breathtaking curves wrapped in black Lace Lingerie…

Lilia’s face was burning up.

She didn’t know where to look.

She could only focus desperately on her own movements.

When the final waist tie was undone and she pulled the elaborate dress from Lucia’s body—

Her breath nearly stopped.

“There’s more.”

Lucia lifted her foot, pointing to her Long Boots.

Lilia: “…”

She closed her eyes and exhaled.

Then she squatted down and began untying the laces of the boots.

This position was even more humiliating than kneeling.

Head bowed, her fingertips touched the smooth leather of the boots—and Lucia’s pale, gleaming calf.

By the time both boots were finally off, her dignity had been shattered.

“Not bad.”

There was a hint of amusement in Lucia’s voice.

Barefoot, she stepped onto the carpet and walked toward the Bathroom behind the study.

“Clean up here.”

“Then wait for me at the door.”

The bathroom door closed.

Soon, the sound of running water came from inside.

Lilia collapsed onto the floor, gasping for air.

That ordeal had been more exhausting than fighting a dragon.

She rested for a long while before forcing herself to get up.

She began to tidy the tea set and clothes.

When she picked up the dress that still carried Lucia’s body heat, her face grew hot again.

A faint, cool scent lingered on the fabric.

It smelled good.

Driven by some impulse, Lilia brought the dress to her nose and sniffed lightly.

“Meow!”

She jerked, throwing the dress away.

What was she doing!

Smelling that pervert’s clothes!

Lilia clutched her head, squatting for ages before the heat finally left her face.

She put everything away and walked to the bathroom door.

Standing straight, hands at her sides.

Awaiting her master’s summons.

She had no idea how much time passed.

The water stopped.

The door opened from inside.

A wave of heat washed over her.

Lucia stood in the doorway, damp black hair clinging to her, wrapped only in a towel.