Upon hearing those words, Iliana’s hand, which was currently pouring tea, suddenly paused. It seemed she found it utterly inconceivable to hear such a thing from Ilus’s mouth.
Ilus also grew tense in an instant. That sentence she had just uttered clearly did not fit the nature of their relationship. How would Iliana react?
After a moment, as the teacup was nearly full, Iliana finally made her next move.
“A gift?”
The Maid repeated softly. Her voice trailed upward at the end, carrying a hint of confusion, as if she truly did not understand why such a question had been asked so suddenly.
“Yes… a gift.”
Ilus’s fingers unconsciously twisted the edge of her napkin, her fingertips pressing so hard they turned white. She avoided Iliana’s gaze, staring instead at the silver floral patterns on the exquisite plate before her.
“You have been… taking care of me. It has been hard work. I thought, perhaps…”
She paused, her throat feeling a bit dry.
“Perhaps I should show some… gratitude.”
“Also, there might be some misunderstandings between us, so… I thought…”
‘Oh?’ A flicker of amusement flashed deep within Iliana’s eyes. ‘Is this the complex emotion of a human? She clearly wanted to kill me before, so why is she taking the initiative to seek peace now?’
However, this was a golden opportunity for her. After all, what a Demon loved most was seeing the expressions on humans’ faces when they were in despair.
‘I’ll let the Young Lady hold onto her hope for now. That way, when the final day comes, she will fall into an even deeper despair.’
The deeper the despair, the more pleasure she would feel.
‘Hehe… I’m really looking forward to the expression that will appear on the Young Lady’s beautiful face. It will surely be a delicious treat. The Young Lady… is simply wonderful!’
“My, my—a gift. Since the Young Lady brought it up so suddenly, I don’t even know what I like or what kind of gift I would want.”
“Alright, then… then when you remember, you must make sure to tell me…”
Ilus summoned her courage and looked up, trying to make her gaze seem sincere. At the same time, she forced a smile, though it was weak and stiff.
“Tell me, what do you want? As long as it is within my power, I will surely—”
Her words came to an abrupt halt.
Because Iliana smiled.
It was not the smile of humility or gratitude that a maid should show her master.
The smile was faint, with only the corners of her lips curling into a slight arc. But those golden eyes no longer held any respect or gentleness. Instead, they stared straight at her—devoid of mirth, containing only a bottomless, icy scrutiny.
That gaze was like a fine needle, piercing through the disguise Ilus was struggling to maintain.
“Iliana, you—”
“Rest assured, Young Lady. If there is something I want, I will certainly tell you.”
The rest of Ilus’s words choked in her throat.
She felt a cold shiver run up her spine. She looked up and met Iliana’s eyes just in time; the other woman looked perfectly calm, her eyes even reflecting Ilus’s own panicked and stiff face.
The air seemed to freeze once again.
“…Fine.”
It was a long time before Ilus heard her own dry voice, carrying a weakness that came from being seen through.
“Just remember that.”
She lowered her head, completely giving up on meeting those eyes. The napkin was twisted even tighter between her fingertips, nearly to the point of tearing.
All the courage she had gathered just moments ago collapsed under Iliana’s words and actions.
Iliana, however, acted as if nothing had happened. She elegantly placed the teapot back onto the Silver Tray.
Then, she picked up the freshly poured, steaming cup of black tea and held it out to Ilus with steady hands.
“Young Lady, please have some tea. The temperature is just right.”
Ilus took it numbly, her fingertips inevitably brushing against Iliana’s cool fingers.
That touch made her flinch. Her grip on the teacup faltered, and a few spilled drops landed right on the back of Iliana’s hand.
“I-I’m sorry, Iliana.”
Ilus apologized timidly. In this moment, it felt as if their roles had been reversed once again.
Iliana didn’t say much in response. She simply curled her lips into a smile. ‘It seems the Young Lady has completely submitted to me. Of course, there is still a small distance to go before she is fully domesticated into edible livestock.’
“Careful of the heat, Young Lady. Getting burned is very painful—”
“Are… are you alright? I’m sorry, Iliana…”
Ilus’s expression was clearly one of panic. The young girl was obviously afraid that Iliana would hold a grudge.
‘Since that’s the case…’ An evil smile played on her lips as Iliana suddenly thought of a good idea.
“Young Lady, your apology seems to lack sincerity—”
“What… what do you want to do?”
Ilus asked timidly.
“It’s actually quite simple. All you have to do is…”
Iliana leaned in and whispered something into the girl’s ear. After hearing her words, Ilus’s lovely face turned so red it looked as if blood might start to drip from it.
Clearly, Iliana had said something embarrassing and difficult to accept. However, in Iliana’s view, Ilus would absolutely not refuse her. After all, in Ilus’s mind, her life was held firmly in Iliana’s hands.
She didn’t dare to disobey.
“Young Lady, please take your time enjoying the tea. I shall take my leave now.”
Iliana paused for a moment and added in a whisper.
“I look forward to your performance tonight—”
Hearing this, the crimson flush that had just begun to fade returned to the girl’s cheeks.
She gripped the teacup with both hands, her face etched with bitterness. ‘If… if I’m obedient, Iliana will let me go, won’t she? She’ll surely spare my life…’
—
Nighttime, inside Ilus’s room.
Iliana sat with her legs crossed, her elbow resting on her leg and her chin propped up by her hand. She watched the restless Ilus before her with a smile.
The young girl looked awkward, clutching the hem of her skirt. She kept her head down, not daring to look at the maid who was supposed to be respectful to her.
“So, Young Lady, how do you plan to apologize to me—?”
Hearing this, Ilus hesitantly lifted the hem of her skirt. In a voice so quiet only the two of them could hear, she said, “I’m sorry, Iliana…”
However, Iliana did not seem to accept it. She crossed her arms and said with a mocking smile, “Young Lady, that is not what I described during the day.”
“I…”
Her voice was as faint as the buzz of a mosquito.
“I… remember.”
“Then,” the Maid’s voice was gentle, but her tone carried an unquestionable weight, “begin, Young Lady.”
The air was so thick with tension it felt as if it could be wrung out like water. Ilus took a deep breath, and then, extremely slowly, she lifted the hem of her skirt another inch. The edge of her lace petticoat was revealed, and further up, her fair, enticing skin shimmered under the moonlight.
Her movements were so slow that the rustle of the fabric was clearly audible.
The curve of Iliana’s lips deepened. She loved this slowness. She loved watching her prey struggle on the thin line between shame and fear.
“Continue, Young Lady—”
Those three words were light as air, yet they made Ilus tremble all over.
The skirt moved upward a bit more. The girl’s knees began to press together involuntarily—a subconscious defensive posture.
“Is… is this enough…?”
“Mm—it’s wonderful, but it’s not enough. Young Lady, that isn’t what I told you to do—”