The night hung over Isayat’s castle like a heavy velvet shroud.
The farce in the reception hall had long ended,
But the scent of gunpowder in the air, mixed with a faint, cloying sweetness—the lingering Succubus Aura from Liliya—seemed yet to fade.
Isayat’s Private Bedchamber was both luxurious and tranquil.
Beyond the massive floor-to-ceiling windows sprawled the Evernight Demon Forest. Inside, the flames in the fireplace danced, casting the silhouettes of master and servant upon the wall.
Ling Xiya stood quietly beside Isayat’s sofa, clad in a simple black maid’s gown. Her posture was straight, resembling an exquisite, lifeless statue.
There was no expression on her face; only when Isayat’s gaze swept over her would she adjust her stance ever so slightly, presenting herself at the most Perfect Masterpiece angle.
“Xiya,”
Isayat’s voice carried a hint of languor, yet brooked no denial,
“In the reception hall today, Qiqi’s tail brushed against you, and Liliya blew an alluring breeze at you, didn’t she?”
Ling Xiya inclined her head slightly, her voice calm and unruffled:
“Yes, Master.”
“How did you feel?”
Isayat lifted the crystal glass beside her, swirling the blood-red liquid within.
“Qiqi’s strength level is B+. The physical impact was negligible to me. Liliya’s Succubus Aura is A Level, but my Core Program is implanted with the Master’s Absolute Command, nullifying all mental interference.”
Ling Xiya reported as if reciting data, “Their actions were judged as ‘Meaningless Provocation’ and ‘Potential Trouble’.”
Isayat chuckled softly, set down her glass, and stepped barefoot before Ling Xiya.
Her cold fingertips lifted Ling Xiya’s chin, forcing her to meet her gaze.
Within those deep eyes, the fireplace’s glow flickered, mirrored by the clear yet hollow depths of Ling Xiya’s own.
“‘Trouble’…Xiya, you still have much to learn.”
Isayat’s tone was tinged with amusement,
“They are my pets. A bit of temper is normal. Their hostility towards you stems from their rejection of your ‘difference’, and even more from jealousy that you occupy my attention.”
She paused, her fingertips sliding across Ling Xiya’s delicate skin, feeling the cool smoothness that set her apart from others.
“But that’s no reason for you to ‘ignore’ them.”
Ling Xiya was momentarily stunned, seemingly unable to understand:
“Your order is for me to handle ‘Trouble’, but I am not authorized to attack them proactively. Without violating your will or the castle’s rules, ‘enduring’ and ‘ignoring’ is the most efficient approach.”
“Efficiency?”
Isayat arched a brow, her fingers suddenly tightening around Ling Xiya’s chin, the force making her body tremble almost imperceptibly.
“I don’t want cold Efficiency, Xiya. I want absolute control—and…for them to understand who is the sole mistress here. You are my Perfect Masterpiece, an existence they can never reach.”
A flicker of data shimmered in Ling Xiya’s eyes, as if she was rapidly analyzing Isayat’s command and underlying intent.
“Master’s meaning is…?”
“My meaning is,”
Isayat leaned in, her warm breath tickling Ling Xiya’s ear, seductive,
“You must become stronger—not only in power, but in every way. Become a flawless work of Arts, and the sharpest sword.”
She released her, stepping back and pacing slowly in the room’s center:
“From tomorrow, your training will double. Swordsmanship, magic, Etiquette, Arts, Strategy…I want you to master everything.
You must learn to navigate Banquets with ease, dispelling all Open Hostility and Hidden Schemes with elegance;
On the Battlefield, command with calm and destroy enemies with perfect precision;
In the Study, support me with vast knowledge;
You must even learn how to subtly display your superiority before these ‘Family’ members,
So they understand how foolish and futile it is to provoke you.”
Ling Xiya listened in silence, the data stream in her eyes flashing wildly,
Recording, analyzing, and converting every word and command from Isayat into executable programs.
“Qiqi is powerful and straightforward, disdaining schemes. Liliya excels at allure and illusions, her mind intricate.
They are amusing pets—but only that.”
Isayat’s voice chilled.
“They will keep testing you, causing Trouble.
Good, Xiya, let this be your finest tempering.”
“I don’t want to hear you say ‘endure’ again.”
Isayat turned, her gaze sharp as a blade.
“You are my possession, the Face of Isayat. Your very existence should make them look up in envy.
You may choose to disregard their little tricks—that’s because you stand far above them. Their actions are unworthy of your distraction.
But if their behavior crosses the line, affects me, or causes you ‘discomfort’—remember,
It is ‘you’ who feels discomfort, not the program’s judgment—then you have the right to ‘deal with’ them.”
Ling Xiya’s pupils contracted slightly.
“‘I’ feel discomfort?”
This seemed beyond her understanding.
She was a program, a tool. How could she have ‘discomfort’ as an emotion?
“Yes, ‘you’.”
Isayat walked to the bookshelf, drawing out a heavy Book of Ancient Lore and flipping it open at random,
“I will personally write the program to gradually unlock your Emotion Module.
But those emotions must remain under my control.
You will ‘rejoice’ at my Praise,
Feel ‘Anxiety’ at my displeasure,
‘Contempt’ at the enemy’s foolishness,
And ‘Annoyance’ at Qiqi and Liliya’s trivial pranks.”
“‘Annoyance’…”
Ling Xiya echoed the word softly, trying to grasp its meaning.
“Yes, Annoyance.”
Isayat closed the book.
“Like the buzz of two noisy insects in your ear.
You could crush them with a slap, but that would be too dull.
I’d rather see you use your elegance, wisdom, and absolute power to make them feel helpless and defeated from the depths of their hearts.
Let them realize that no matter what tricks they try, they cannot shake your place in my heart, nor harm you in the slightest.”
“This is the ‘Symphony of Loyalty and Control’ I composed for you, Xiya.”
A charming, dangerous smile curled Isayat’s lips,
“You are the chief performer of Absolute Loyalty, and I am the sole conductor.
As for those two off-key extras…their presence only makes the piece more vivid and interesting.”
“I understand, Master.”
Ling Xiya’s voice was still steady, but if one listened closely, there was a new, faint trace of…conviction?
“I will execute your commands perfectly. I will elevate myself, face provocation, experience ‘emotions’ under your control, and render all potential ‘Trouble’ utterly ‘meaningless’.”
Isayat nodded in satisfaction.
“Good. Now, go prepare my Night Snack. I want Stardust Pudding made by your hands.
The ingredients are in the third freezer in the kitchen.
Remember, the sweetness must be just right—too much is cloying, too little is bland.
The temperature should be kept at 3.5 degrees Celsius for the smoothest texture.
Decorate it with fresh Ever-Blooming Flower petals, arranged in my favorite Midnight Rose pattern.”