Chapter 45: What’s This Perverted Demon King Up to Now?!

The bedroom door suddenly opened.

Lilia was clutching her fists, running a counterattack plan in her mind.

The sound of the door hinge turning startled her.

She spun around abruptly.

Lucia stood at the doorway.

A black dress outlined her perfect figure.

Her long hair flowed loosely, and those blood-red eyes stared at her.

Her heart pounded wildly.

Lilia’s mind exploded with a loud boom.

It’s over.

Did she hear everything I said to Lilith just now?

Did she find out about learning magic?

Is this pervert here to settle accounts?

“It seems my little pet—”

Lucia walked in on high heels.

“You seem energetic today.”

Lilia’s fur stood on end.

She instinctively backed away, hitting the wall, her tail squeezed tight.

“M-Mistress…”

Her voice trembled violently, her tongue in knots.

“Y-You… why did you suddenly… meow…”

Lucia didn’t reply, stepping toward her one step at a time.

The high heels made no sound on the carpet, but each step made Lilia’s heart leap.

That cold fragrance grew stronger, pressing down on her until she could barely breathe.

“I came to check how my pet is recovering.”

Lucia stopped in front of her, looking down from above.

Recovering?

Lilia froze for a second before realizing she meant last night’s beating.

She’s not here to ask about magic?

A breath of relief left her, but her body was still as tense as a rock.

Who knows if this woman is trying to trick her!

“V-Very good! Meow!”

Lilia forced a smile, cat ears standing up in effort.

“T-Thanks to Mistress’s cream, it doesn’t hurt anymore, meow!”

She even stomped her foot to prove she was fine.

The motion pulled at her injury, making her eye twitch in pain, but she still had to keep smiling.

Damn, this is so hard.

Is that so?

Lucia’s gaze slid from her face down to her hips.

Being stared at by those eyes made Lilia’s skin burn.

She wanted to block with her tail, but didn’t dare move.

“Let me check.”

Lucia reached out.

Lilia froze completely, closing her eyes and waiting for the hand to fall where it shouldn’t.

But—

The hand stopped in midair.

Lucia only leaned in to sniff.

“The smell of cream.”

Her voice was calm.

“Did you apply it yourself?”

“Yes! Yes, meow!”

Lilia nodded frantically.

“Lilith gave it to me, meow! I put it on myself, meow!”

“Did you spread it evenly?”

“Even! Especially even, meow!”

Lucia looked at her, on the verge of tears.

She withdrew her hand, then pinched Lilia’s chin, forcing her to look up.

“Since you’ve recovered so well—”

The pad of her finger rubbed Lilia’s chin, warm breath brushing her face.

“Was last night’s punishment too light?”

Lilia’s mind buzzed.

What does this pervert want now?

One beating wasn’t enough—she wants round two?

“No! Not light at all, meow!”

She shook her head desperately, tears brimming in her eyes.

“My butt is still swollen, meow! Really swollen, meow!”

The words spilled out in panic.

She regretted it the moment she finished.

It’s over, now it’s even more embarrassing.

“Oh? Swollen?”

Lucia raised an eyebrow.

“Then I should check more thoroughly.”

She made as if to pick Lilia up.

“No! Meow!”

Lilia screamed, hugging the bedpost tightly, clinging to it.

“Mistress, I was wrong, meow! I won’t dare again, meow!”

“The punishment was heavy! I remember it! I’ll be good from now on, meow!”

All she wanted now was to send this disaster away as soon as possible.

Otherwise, forget about learning magic—she might not even keep her life.

Lucia looked at her clinging to the post and laughed.

“So timid.”

She let go, no longer pressing her.

“Rest well today.”

Lucia turned to the window.

“But don’t think this matter is over.”

Her voice carried across half the room.

“If you dare have any crooked thoughts again…”

She didn’t finish, but the threat was heavier than any words.

Lilia nodded wildly, clinging to the post.

“I won’t dare! Meow! Never again, meow!”

Lucia ignored her, just stood at the window, staring out at who-knows-what.

The room fell into dead silence.

Lilia hung onto the bedpost, too embarrassed to move or stay.

She sneaked a sidelong glance at Lucia’s back.

That woman just stood there, doing nothing, but her presence alone was suffocating.

Is there really any hope fighting against this monster?

The doubt rose in her heart, but she immediately crushed it.

No!

I can’t give up!

The more things are like this, the more I have to resist!

Once I learn magic, the first thing I’ll do is pin you down and spank you until you cry and beg, “Mistress, I was wrong!”

Lilia swore in her heart.

Lucia suddenly turned around.

Lilia flinched in shock, quickly lowering her head to count the patterns on the carpet.

“I’m hungry.”

Lucia spoke.

“Ah? Meow?”

Lilia didn’t react.

“Go to the study and brew me some black tea.”

Lucia’s tone was matter-of-fact.

“Now.”

Lilia froze.

Make tea?

That’s all?

She thought this pervert was about to come up with another new trick.

“Yes! Mistress, meow!”

Lilia slid off the bedpost and dashed toward the study on her short legs.

If it meant getting farther away from this pervert, she’d brew a hundred pots of tea!

Watching the little figure dash out like the wind, Lucia walked over to the bed, hand brushing the spot where Lilia had just lain.

There was still a lingering warmth and a faint scent of herbs.

She picked up the pillow and found a small piece of lace cloth hidden underneath by Lilia.

It was tied in a tight knot.

Used to wrap the bell.

Lucia picked up the cloth, rolling it between her fingers.

Last night’s “Millennium Kill”—

And this morning’s conversation with Lilith—

“Want to learn magic?”

She muttered softly, lips curving.

“Then let me see how far you can go.”

She tossed the lace cloth into the trash and turned toward the study.

In the tea room, Lilia was deftly boiling water, warming the cup, and selecting tea leaves.

She’d mastered the routine perfectly.

Soon, a pot of Elf Black Tea was ready.

She carried the tray carefully to the desk.

Lucia was already seated on an ebony chair, reading a thick tome.

“Mistress, please have some tea, meow.”

According to “the rules”, Lilia knelt on the carpet, raising the cup overhead with both hands.

She’d done this pose countless times.

Though still humiliating, it didn’t make her tremble as much as the first time.

Lucia didn’t take it immediately.

Her gaze shifted from the book to Lilia.

“Raise your hands higher.”

“Yes, meow.”

Lilia gritted her teeth, lifting her arms a few more inches.

“Straighten your back.”

“Yes, meow.”

Lilia tried to straighten her back, arms beginning to ache.

“Smile.”

Lilia’s face froze.

She still has to smile?

She took a deep breath and forced a smile uglier than crying.

“Mistress… Please have some tea… meow…”

Lucia looked at her aggrieved face and finally took the cup.

“This time the flavor is decent.”

She took a sip.

Lilia was about to relax, thinking the torment was over.

“Tonight, you’ll sleep in the study.”

Lucia said suddenly.

Lilia’s pupils widened.

Sleep in the study?

Why?

Kneeling on the ground, her mind raced.

What’s this pervert planning now?