Chapter 44: Just When I Resolved to Fight Back, the Demon King Showed Up!

A sharp pain shot through her butt.

Lilia wasn’t fully awake yet.

But her body protested first.

Lilia jolted upright from the bed.

The moment her butt touched the sheet, she bounced up again.

“Pain, pain, pain… meow!”

She grimaced, reaching to rub the sore spot, but her hand froze mid-air.

Memories of last night surged back.

The sneak attack had failed.

The crisp sound of a slap echoed in her ears again.

Lilia looked around.

She was the only one left on the big bed.

Beside her, an indentation remained.

A faint trace of Lucia’s cool, fresh scent lingered on the pillow.

But the person was gone.

She let out a quiet sigh of relief.

Thank goodness. At least she didn’t have to open her eyes to that face.

Lilia lifted the blanket and struggled out of bed.

The moment her feet touched the floor, her legs gave out and she tumbled forward.

“Meow!”

She grabbed the bedpost for dear life, barely avoiding a faceplant.

Clutching the bedframe, she limped toward the bathroom.

Every step reminded her of how harsh last night’s punishment had been.

In the magic crystal mirror, her reflection stared back—a head of silver hair as messy as a bird’s nest, eyes red and swollen.

The black cat ears atop her head drooped, and her tail dragged limply behind her.

“Damn Lucia… just you wait, meow.”

Lilia muttered a curse at the mirror.

Just as she finished tidying up, the bedroom door clicked open.

Lilith entered, pushing a silver serving cart.

Lilia stiffened instantly, trying to look as normal as possible.

She couldn’t help it—a flash of pain twisted her expression.

“Miss, good morning.”

Lilith’s gaze swept over her, pausing on her awkward posture for half a second before shifting away as if nothing was amiss.

That kind of silence, when someone sees through you but doesn’t mention it, was even more unbearable.

“G-Good morning, Lilith… meow…”

Lilia’s voice was dry.

Lilith set the breakfast tray on the table, her movements silent and precise.

“Miss, this is an ointment His Majesty prepared for you.”

She retrieved a small, pure white porcelain bottle, carved with dark patterns, from the lower shelf of the cart and handed it over.

“His Majesty instructed: Apply after bathing.”

Ointment?

Lilia accepted it blankly.

That pervert… hit her and then gave her medicine?

She pulled out the stopper, releasing a cold blend of herbal and floral scents.

“His Majesty also said—”

Lilith’s tone was steady.

“If, after applying the ointment, the pain remains unbearable, please inform me at any time.”

The Head Maid paused.

“In that case, she will come personally… to check again.”

Lilia’s hand trembled. The small porcelain bottle nearly flew from her grip.

“No! No need! Meow!”

She shook her head frantically.

“I—I’ll put it on myself! It doesn’t hurt at all! Really! Meow!”

What a joke!

Let that pervert “check” again?

She still wanted to keep her butt!

Lilith seemed unsurprised by her outburst, merely bowing slightly:

“Then, please be quick, Miss.”

“Breakfast is ready. I suggest you apply the medicine before eating.”

She pushed the cart out.

The door closed.

Lilia sat hugging the ointment, staring at the door in a daze.

Then she limped back into the bathroom and locked it from inside.

Gritting her teeth, Lilia scooped out a dab of emerald green ointment with her fingertip.

The gel was cool to the touch, with a texture like jade.

The chill seeped through her skin, soothing every screaming nerve.

But soon, Lilia sensed something off.

As the pain faded, a wave of heat rose from the skin where the ointment was applied.

It tingled, prickled, and made her squirm.

This medicine… something’s wrong!

But she’d already smeared a huge patch.

If she stopped now, the burning pain would come roaring back.

After a moment’s struggle, Lilia gave in.

She shut her eyes and spread the ointment all over, accepting her fate.

Once she dressed, her legs finally felt normal again.

The table was laden with all her favorites.

Honey-glazed grilled fish, pudding drizzled with strawberry sauce, creamy seafood soup…

A slap, then a sweet date.

Hmph.

Lilia channeled her grief and anger into eating, stuffing her mouth.

When Lilith came in to clear the dishes, Lilia still had half a piece of pudding stuffed in her cheeks.

“Miss, His Majesty instructed that today’s etiquette class is canceled.”

“Canceled? Meow?”

Lilia looked up in delight.

Did that pervert finally grow a conscience?

“Yes.”

Lilith stacked the plates.

“His Majesty asks that you spend today in your room… reflecting on your actions.”

Reflect?

Reflect on why my sneak attack failed?

“So, you may do as you wish today.”

“But you’re limited to this bedroom and the attached study.”

Lilia pouted, but it was better than being tied to the bed.

Just as Lilith was about to leave, Lilia mustered her courage.

“Lilith, wait! Meow!”

“Does Miss have another request?”

“Um…”

Lilia lowered her voice.

“The Succubus Handbook… is there any more? Meow?”

Lilith’s hands paused mid-cleanup.

She turned, gazing at Lilia in silence.

The silence made Lilia guilty.

“Mm! Meow!”

To cover it, Lilia puffed out her chest and nodded hard.

“Know yourself and your enemy, and you’ll never lose!”

“I want to understand that pervert Demon King’s mind and weaknesses! Meow!”

She gave herself a grand excuse for her curiosity.

Lilith continued to look at her for several seconds before finally speaking.

“Miss, last night… did you use the techniques from the handbook?”

“Yes! …No! I didn’t! Meow!”

Lilia almost admitted it, then denied it on reflex.

Lilith’s mouth twitched.

“The later chapters are too early for you.”

“Those techniques require strong mental strength as a foundation.”

“In your current state, forcing yourself will only harm you.”

“Then what do I do? Meow?”

Lilia panicked.

“I can’t just keep getting bullied! Meow!”

“If Miss truly wishes to learn the later techniques—”

Lilith paused. Something flashed in her violet eyes.

“First, you must rebuild your magic energy circuit to at least first-rank Apprentice level.”

“Rank?”

Lilia froze.

She was still a zero-rank Ordinary Person with not a trace of magic power inside.

“That’s correct.”

Lilith nodded.

“Your body was modified by His Majesty. All Holy Energy has been sealed.”

“But the magic energy pathways aren’t completely closed.”

The Head Maid stepped closer, extending a hand to lightly tap Lilia’s forehead.

“Here, a faint magic power node remains.”

“If you wish, I can teach you the most basic Meditation Method.”

Lilia’s breath caught.

Meditation Method?

Wasn’t that the first step for all magicians?

“But—”

Lilith withdrew her hand.

“If His Majesty didn’t teach you herself, it means she doesn’t want you to have magic power now.”

“If you want to learn, you must do so in secret.”

“If His Majesty finds out…”

The Head Maid didn’t finish.

But the pause said everything.

Lilia bit her lip.

If she was discovered, the punishment would be even worse than last night.

But—

She clenched her fist.

If she didn’t learn, she’d remain a caged pet forever, at someone else’s mercy!

“I’ll do it! Meow!”

Lilia raised her head.

“Lilith, teach me! Meow!”

Lilith looked at her, emotion flickering in her violet eyes.

“I understand.”

The Head Maid turned toward the study.

“Then, starting tonight, I’ll come at midnight.”

“I’ll teach you the basics of the Meditation Method.”

“But Miss—”

She looked back, her face more serious than ever.

“Once you begin, you can’t give up midway.”

“If meditation is interrupted, at best your mind will suffer. At worst…”

“I know! Meow!”

Lilia nodded vigorously.

“I won’t give up! Meow!”

Lilith said no more, pushing the cart out of the room.

The door closed.

Lilia stood frozen, heart pounding.

She finally—

Finally found a path to reclaim her power!

Danger?

Getting caught?

Who cares!

She would grow stronger.

Strong enough to resist that perverted Demon King.

Strong enough to turn the tables!

Lilia clenched her fist, cat ears twitching.

At that moment—

The bedroom door opened again.

Lilia spun around.

Standing in the doorway was Lucia.

The Demon King, dressed in black formal wear, blood-red eyes fixed on her.

“It seems my little pet—”

Lucia spoke slowly.

“Is in good spirits today.”

She said.

(These two chapters were reported and some parts deleted)