Daughter

Luna’s cry startled Aria, her fluffy fox ears shooting upright, her bushy tail instinctively tensing.

She whipped her head toward the source of the wail.

Vivian, unfazed, didn’t even raise an eyebrow, merely letting out a resigned yet affectionate sigh.

She turned smoothly, deftly lifting the fussing infant onto a soft cloth nearby.

“There, there, Luna, you’ll feel better soon.”

Vivian’s voice was low and gentle as she untied the swaddle, her movements so swift they almost left an afterimage—a routine she’d mastered through countless repetitions.

The soiled diaper was whisked away, replaced with a fresh, clean one in a seamless motion.

She then cradled the re-swaddled Luna, rhythmically patting her tiny back, wrapped in soft fabric.

Gradually, Luna’s cries softened, her long lashes fluttering as she sank back into a sweet slumber, her little mouth murmuring faintly.

As for the discarded “trophy”?

Vivian barely spared it a glance.

With a flick of her finger, a precise thread of mana coiled around it, disintegrating the filth silently, leaving a seemingly clean cloth.

A simple levitation spell sent it to the washing basket in the corner.

The entire process was clean, efficient, and silent.

“Phew.”

Only after Luna was asleep again did Vivian exhale in relief.

Truth be told, magic made childcare cleanup easier, but it didn’t help with everything else.

Returning to her seat after the practiced routine, she noticed Aria staring at her with a puzzled expression.

“U-Um, Lord Demon Lord… perhaps I’m overstepping, but… this child…?”

Aria’s gaze drifted to the sleeping Luna, her meaning clear.

“Yes, she’s my own child, not a foundling.”

Vivian chose her words carefully, offering an answer that was truthful yet vague enough to avoid suspicion—her best attempt at a perfect response.

Aria’s face showed confusion but no objection, her eyes flicking between Luna and Vivian.

Vivian offered what she thought was a gentle smile.

“Aria, tidy up the room.”

Aria obediently nodded with a soft “mm” and moved to a pile of clutter, pulling out a worn broom.

Vivian watched her, her gaze filled with an indescribable complexity.

She knew Aria was a bit naive, but she hadn’t expected her to be *this* innocent.

What about Aria’s parents?

Vivian doubted a pureblood elf would end up as a mere maid—there had to be a story behind it.

‘This girl could be trouble.’

Vivian pressed her temples, feeling a headache coming on.

“Luna’s still too young. For now, find some simple children’s books for her.”

She looked at Aria, who nodded obediently with another “mm.”

“Alright.”

Aria nodded again and left.

Watching her retreating figure, Vivian sighed deeply.

‘I thought she’d say she couldn’t read.’

Vivian wasn’t even sure if the girl was literate.

Aria’s mana was faint, and Vivian had never seen her cast a spell.

An elf like that… Vivian had only read about them in ancient texts.

But those were old legends, vague and unclear.

‘An elf without mana is essentially useless.’

Vivian mused, sighing again.

‘But she’s the Demon Lord’s maid. I can’t just let her do menial labor, can I?’

Another sigh escaped her.

Luna was fast asleep in her arms, so Vivian let the matter drop.

After all, as the Demon Lord, her decisions were final.

She gently placed Luna in her cradle, then stepped outside.

At the entrance, she saw Aria sweeping the hall, her movements steady and deliberate.

Vivian’s eyes lit up.

‘So she’s not *that* clueless—she just can’t use magic.’

A faint smile crossed Vivian’s face as she approached.

“Aria.”

Hearing her voice, Aria turned, her eyes sparkling as if awaiting praise.

Vivian sighed inwardly at her expression.

‘Such a simple girl.’

“Aria, from now on, cleaning the hall is your responsibility.”

Aria’s eyes brightened even more at Vivian’s words.

“Alright!”

She chirped happily, lowering her head to continue sweeping.

Vivian sighed again.

‘So easily satisfied.’

Returning to her room, she picked up a thick book.

Flipping it open, she saw an illustration of an elf in a maid outfit sweeping the floor.

Her brows furrowed tightly.

‘Isn’t this just Aria?’

As she turned more pages, she found more images—elves in maid outfits sweeping, dusting, cooking, washing dishes, doing laundry, ironing, even… raising children.

Vivian’s face showed surprise.

She’d never imagined elves doing such tasks.

Continuing, she realized the book was a childcare encyclopedia.

A wry smile crossed her face as she took it to Aria.

“Aria, this book is for you.”

Aria looked up, her eyes lighting up at the sight of the book in Vivian’s hands.

“Thank you, Lord Vivian!”

She took it happily and began flipping through it.

Vivian sighed again.

‘So easily satisfied.’

Back in her room, her mind lingered on the elf maid issue.

Were all elves like this?

Did the Demon Lord intend for an elf maid to care for Luna?

Vivian’s expression grew conflicted—she found it unreasonable.

After much thought, a possibility struck her.

‘Perhaps the Demon Lord wants an elf maid to serve her.’

A faint smile appeared.

That seemed likely—after all, the Demon Lord wouldn’t let her maid be shortchanged.

Relieved, Vivian sighed.

But then, did Aria enjoy being a maid?

Her expression turned conflicted again.

It was hard to say.

After more thought, another possibility emerged.

‘Maybe Aria wants to be an ordinary maid to find her parents.’

A faint smile returned.

That seemed plausible, given Aria’s simplicity.

Another sigh of relief.

But what about Aria’s parents?

Her expression grew conflicted.

It was hard to say.

After more thought, another possibility.

‘Maybe Aria’s parents are dead.’

A faint smile.

That seemed likely, given her simplicity.

Another sigh.

What about Aria’s background?

Her expression turned conflicted.

It was hard to say.

After more thought, another possibility.

‘Maybe Aria’s an orphan.’

A faint smile.

That seemed likely, given her simplicity.

Another sigh.

What about Aria’s name?

Her expression turned conflicted.

It was hard to say.

After more thought, another possibility.

‘Maybe the Demon Lord gave her the name Aria.’

A faint smile.

That seemed likely, given her simplicity.

Another sigh.

Vivian’s thoughts spiraled, each question about Aria—her race, age, height, weight, measurements, hair color, eye color, skin tone, personality, hobbies, strengths, weaknesses, family, past, future, death,

birth, soul, fate, faith, divinity, mana, lineage, profession, status, value, meaning, existence—met with the same conflicted expression, the same reasoning: ‘Maybe the Demon Lord decided it.’

Each time, a faint smile, a belief in its likelihood due to Aria’s simplicity, and a sigh of relief.

Finally, Vivian nodded, confirming to herself that Luna was indeed her own daughter.

Aria was sharp and fiercely loyal, never overlooking anything that could threaten the Demon Lord or Evernight City’s stability.

Luna’s existence, especially as an infant personally tended by the Demon Lord day and night, raised countless red flags.

As expected.

Aria’s initial shock gave way to quick understanding.

“Lord Demon Lord, forgive my impertinence—does anyone else know of this?”

“Only Luna, but you know she was the first demon I met after escaping the humans, and she’s sworn absolute loyalty to me.”

Vivian replied calmly.

“No one else knows.”

“It’s not that I don’t trust you, Aria—the situation was too complicated before, and the fewer who know, the better.”

“I understand your concerns, Lord Demon Lord. I’m honored you’ve shared this with me!”

Aria nodded, responding respectfully.

Vivian’s decision to confide in Aria showed absolute trust in her head maid.

Luna’s identity couldn’t stay hidden forever.

Though Vivian claimed she was a foundling, it was an easy conclusion to unravel.

She’d used her Demon Lord’s [Charm] and authority to compel belief, so many demons instinctively accepted her word without question.

A clever use of her powers—her words carried absolute weight among her demon subordinates, far more effective than with other races.

But even so, the truth couldn’t be concealed indefinitely.

Aria, however, was Vivian’s most trusted ally.

Her leadership of the maid corps, holding Evernight City until Vivian’s return, proved her reliability.

“But, Lord Demon Lord…”

Realizing Luna was Vivian’s daughter, Aria seemed to grasp something and ventured a question, only for Vivian to cut her off softly.

“Don’t ask about her father. Ever.”

“Yes, I understand, Lord Demon Lord.”

Aria paused, then Vivian spoke again, her tone softening but carrying an undeniable command.

“From today, everything about Luna—her true identity, her existence, and everything you’ve seen and heard tonight—is the highest secret of Evernight Territory, above all military matters.”

“No one beyond you and Luna must know the truth.”

Aria dropped to one knee, hand over her chest, performing the most solemn demon oath.

Her voice was resolute.

“I swear on my blood and soul, Lord Demon Lord, Aria will guard this secret, even unto death! Lady Luna’s safety and secrecy are my lifeline!”

“Good.”

Vivian nodded.

“Rise. For now, maintain the story that Luna is an orphan taken in by the Demon Lord’s mercy.”

“Your task is to ensure her absolute safety in Evernight City without drawing undue attention.”

“I can’t always be by her side, so her daily care, when I’m unavailable, falls to you and Luna.”

“Her food, clothes, toys—everyone and everything that comes near her—must be handled with utmost care. Understood?”

“I understand!”

Aria stood, her demeanor fully restored to the sharp, composed head maid.

“I’ll reorganize the guards and staff lists to ensure only the most reliable handle the core areas. Lady Luna’s needs will be managed by me or Luna personally—no one else.”

“Mm.”

Vivian rubbed her brow.

“Also, monitor the chatter in and around Evernight City. Anyone overly curious about Luna’s identity or appearance, regardless of status, report to me immediately.”

“Yes!”

Aria replied, then hesitated.

“Lord Demon Lord, about Lady Luna’s bloodline…?”

Vivian lowered her gaze slightly.

“Her bloodline… is likely unique and currently very faint, unstable.”

“I need time to observe.”

“Until she develops enough strength and maturity to protect herself, her identity is both her greatest shield and her greatest vulnerability.”

“Secrecy is her best protection.”

“I understand.”

Aria nodded, grasping the gravity.

A Demon Lord’s half-blood heir—their powers, potential, and future allegiance—could make them a target for countless factions.

Now was not the time to reveal her.

“Go.”

Vivian waved a hand.

“I need some quiet. You’ve worked hard, Aria. Rest well.”

“Yes, Lord Demon Lord… serving you is my honor.”

Aria bowed gracefully and withdrew.

Before leaving, she glanced back.

The Demon Lord sat alone behind her wide stone desk, her figure seeming fragile amidst the towering stacks of documents, while the tiny life in the cradle slept soundly, oblivious.

The tent’s flap closed silently.

Outside, Aria exhaled a long, silent breath.

The weight of the revelations was overwhelming, even for a seasoned head maid like her.

The Demon Lord’s own daughter! A child with the Demon Lord’s blood!

And from her reaction, the father’s identity… was likely an even thornier issue than imagined.

Aria rubbed her chin, recognizing the little princess’s critical importance.

After a moment, she strode away from the tent.

Countless tasks awaited her as head maid.

Evernight Territory sorely lacked capable administrators, and many orders required her direct oversight.

Now, she also had to reorganize personnel and schedules…

‘I’ll rest after this busy period. There’s just no time.’

Sighing inwardly, Aria dove back into her work.