“It will take some time to make the preparations. Lead her out in one day, and I’ll make my move.”
“Understood. I’ll have her go to the bakery to buy a cake. There’s a stretch of road on the way where there are very few people; make your move there. At that time, your target will be the maid wearing this hairpin.”
As she spoke, Ilus held out her small hand. In her palm lay an exquisite butterfly hairpin.
Old Sila blew out a smoke ring and nodded.
‘This should finally do it,’ Ilus thought as she clenched her fist, a tiny flame of hope igniting in her heart once more.
‘Maybe the wound I inflicted last time was just too shallow, and Iliana recovered quickly without dying. Now that I’ve hired a mercenary, maybe I can eliminate the demon once and for all.’
The young girl secretly clenched her fists and walked out of the Dark House’s gates with a light step.
Iliana could be hurt, she could get sick, and she could bleed. Why wouldn’t she be able to die? ‘That’s right, I must have been too gentle last time.’
Ilus was incredibly confident this time. As for the consequences of failing to kill her, she had subconsciously ignored them.
She skipped all the way back to the Duke’s Mansion. Just as she returned to the garden by her original route, she heard a faint voice behind her.
“Where did you go, Young Lady? What happened that made you so happy?”
It was Iliana! Hearing her voice, Ilus trembled in fear. She turned around and forced a smile.
“I-Iliana…”
“Young Lady, didn’t I tell you to wait for me here? Where exactly did you run off to?”
“I… I was too bored, so I went to the Pedestrian Street. Look, this is a gift I bought specifically for you.”
As she spoke, Ilus pulled out the butterfly hairpin and handed it to Iliana.
“The Young Lady is truly thoughtful. I’m very happy.”
Upon seeing the gift, Iliana took the hairpin, and a smile curled at the corners of her lips.
‘Go ahead and be happy; that’s your death warrant!’
Ilus laughed inwardly. The task of killing Iliana, that bastard demon, was already in its first step. The second step was to figure out how to coax her into going to the bakery.
Taking advantage of the fact that Iliana was happy after receiving her gift, she decided to proceed with the next part of her plan immediately.
Thinking of this, Ilus revealed a smile. She took the initiative to step forward and grab Iliana’s hand, saying coquettishly, “Iliana, I reserved a cake at the bakery today. Can you help me pick it up tomorrow?”
This was the first time Ilus had ever acted so shamelessly spoiled. To kill the demon Iliana, she was willing to do anything!
A flicker of amusement flashed in Iliana’s eyes. The Young Lady was actually acting spoiled toward her? The sun must have risen in the west. How strange.
‘From the looks of it, there’s definitely a catch!’
“I’m afraid not, Young Lady. Tomorrow is Maid Assessment Day, and I need to participate. Perhaps you should find another maid who is free.”
“Eh? No, that won’t do!”
Ilus hurriedly waved her hands. That simply wouldn’t work; she had already made the appointment. It had to be Iliana tomorrow, otherwise her plan would fall through.
Iliana’s refusal made Ilus’s heart tighten. She quickly grabbed the maid’s sleeve, her voice softening even further with deliberate grievance.
“But… that cake was specially ordered for you, Iliana. Your name is written on it. It wouldn’t be appropriate for someone else to go.”
“But Young Lady, I really can’t get away —”
What should she do now? Was everything about to fall apart at the last minute? Ilus’s eyes reddened, and her anxiety was written all over her face.
Meanwhile, Iliana was laughing inwardly. This side of the Young Lady was quite cute; she always made her want to bully her. ‘Wait, this is also a good opportunity!’
As if she had thought of something fun, Iliana leaned over slightly and whispered into Ilus’s ear.
“As long as you’re obedient and listen to me today, I’ll skip the assessment tomorrow and help you get the cake. How about it?”
“Y-you said it. It’s a deal.”
“It’s a deal.”
Although agreeing to Iliana’s proposal carried a significant risk — she would likely have to endure another round of painful humiliation and torment — as long as she could endure it, she would win.
‘As long as she goes to that bakery, she’s as good as dead! I won’t have to worry about my life anymore.’
The proposal was still worth it.
After thinking it through, Ilus nodded.
Iliana’s smile deepened. She pressed close to Ilus’s ear, her warm breath brushing against the girl’s sensitive earlobe.
“Then, how about the Young Lady and I swap identities tonight?”
Swap identities? She couldn’t be planning to do something dangerous, could she?
Ilus’s expression tightened, becoming nervous.
This request was a bit too… She wanted to refuse, but thinking of her future, she grit her teeth and nodded.
“Okay.”
She wanted to agree loudly, but in the end, her voice was as soft as a mosquito’s buzz.
***
After night fell, the curtains in Ilus’s bedroom were drawn tight.
When the cold leather collar was fastened around her neck, her whole body shivered. The tiny golden bell jingled with her movements, sounding exceptionally shameful in the overly quiet room.
“Let’s begin, Young Lady.”
Iliana sat elegantly on a velvet armchair, playing with the velvet leash in her hand.
“Remember, you aren’t allowed to walk upright.”
Ilus bit her lower lip and slowly knelt on the ground, her hands supporting her on the soft carpet. The hem of her silk sleeping gown spread out, and her knees rubbed against the fluff. With even the slightest movement, the bell at her neck would emit a crisp sound.
‘Damn it, haven’t I really become a plaything just like those maids were gossiping about? I don’t want this!’
The urge to back out grew stronger in her heart, but it was suppressed by her rationality.
‘Just endure it, Ilus. It will be over soon.’
Iliana gently tugged the velvet leash, causing the bell to chime.
“Come here, Young Lady.”
Ilus had to crawl forward. The bell rang with every movement. Every chime was so absurd, so humiliating.
‘A Duke’s daughter is actually acting as a maid’s pet?! If word of this got out, the whole Royal Capital would be laughing their heads off.’
However, Ilus didn’t care. she only wanted to survive.
“Very good.”
Iliana’s voice carried a hint of lazy delight. She leaned over slightly and lifted Ilus’s chin with her finger.
“My kitten is so obedient. Let me pet you~”
The touch of those fingertips made Ilus tremble. She wanted to avoid it, wanted to straighten her back and denounce this humiliation, but the words wouldn’t come out when they reached her lips.
Facing Iliana, her momentum would always weaken by three degrees.
‘Curse it, why is it like this?’
Iliana seemed to notice that Ilus was about to hiss.
“Don’t be nervous.”
Iliana chuckled, her other hand stroking the back of Ilus’s neck, sliding slowly down her spine. Through the thin silk, she could feel the faint tremors of the skin beneath.
“There are other activities later. You can look forward to them.”