The Weight of the Crown and a Morning’s Awakening

In the early morning, Lisa Kael sat in her chair. Before her, One, Two, and Five knelt, calmly recounting the events of the previous night at the Count’s estate.

Soon after, the three finished detailing everything that had transpired at the manor. Lisa Kael nodded, then spoke, “Alright, take some people to clean up. I’ll handle the rest.”

“Yes!”

The three nodded in unison, then vanished with a swift flash.

After their departure, Lisa Kael remained silent for a moment before retrieving a sheet of paper and picking up a pen, beginning to write.

After a while, Lisa Kael paused her writing, turning to gaze out the window, her eyes holding an enigmatic depth.

‘So many more have died.’

‘Since I ascended the throne, my path has been paved with blood and bones.’

‘Though the road to kingship is destined to be fraught with thorns, I hadn’t expected the throne itself to be riddled with barbs.’

‘How much longer can I bear the weight of this crown?’

‘But that’s not important!’

A terrifying resolve flashed in Lisa Kael’s eyes.

‘From the moment I decided to ascend the throne, I knew this path would be arduous, destined to be paved with blood and bone.’

‘In the future, there will only be more blood and more corpses; more will die on the path I forge. And it won’t just be humans; the Winged Race, Beast Race, Elf Race, and Dragon Race will perish in droves.’

‘After all, for a ruler, one is enough!’

****

In the bedroom, Jiu Hui slowly opened her eyes, roused by the playful sunlight. Her gaze shifted as she recognized her familiar surroundings.

‘I’m back, then.’

She recalled the events of yesterday, the memory settling on her crying in Lisa Kael’s arms until she fell asleep from sheer exhaustion.

‘Did she carry me back?’

She sat up, the pristine white duvet sliding away. Her perfectly pale, naked body was exposed to the air. Jiu Hui froze slightly, then looked down at herself, her face flushing crimson.

‘That woman, she even took off my clothes!’

She glanced around, seeing no one else in the room, and let out a small sigh of relief.

Getting out of bed, she walked to the clothes rack where her garments hung. Jiu Hui caught a glimpse of herself in the nearby mirror, then paused, captivated.

She couldn’t help but stand before it, gazing at the flawless form reflected back, her face turning a deep scarlet.

‘I never paid much attention before, but looking now, I never realized my body was so beautiful.’

Her long, silky black hair cascaded down, accentuating the already pale skin, making it appear even whiter. Her smooth neck and shoulders, and delicate collarbones, all seemed to invite a kiss.

Her full breasts, a size larger than average, exuded a proud allure. Her flat stomach and slender, graspable waist were devoid of any excess flesh, forming an almost perfect curve across her entire upper body.

Below, her enticingly pert buttocks led to two round, firm thighs. Above the inner thighs lay a tender, alluring region that sparked endless imagination.

Beyond that were her slender, shapely calves and small, immaculate feet. The flawless proportions of her upper and lower body created a perfectly unblemished physique, radiating an aura of profound temptation.

Jiu Hui watched herself in the mirror, her hands involuntarily tracing her form. A ripple of emotion stirred in her eyes as her hands slowly glided from her abdomen, gradually ascending to those twin peaks.

With a soft knead, Jiu Hui’s body trembled slightly, her cherry lips parting to release a faint moan.

Clamping her legs tightly together, Jiu Hui instantly covered her mouth, a blush of shyness blooming in her eyes.

‘This body truly is too sensitive; even a touch from myself causes such a reaction.’

Feeling the dampness trickle down her inner thighs, Jiu Hui’s face was entirely flushed. She hastily grabbed the clothes hanging nearby and dressed herself.

Soon, Jiu Hui was fully clothed. Gazing at her body, now concealed by the fabric, the flush on her face gradually faded, yet a trace of unease lingered in her eyes.

‘After all, her maid uniform was worn without underwear, and with the recent release of fluids, a distinct coolness now settled below.’

‘Never mind that for now. I should go see Lisa Kael; there are still some things I need to ask her.’

At the thought of Lisa Kael, Jiu Hui’s eyelids drooped slightly.

Slap, slap!

She lightly slapped her cheeks twice, dispelling the emotions swirling within her, then pushed open the bedroom door and stepped out.

Though she had resolved to get to the bottom of things, Jiu Hui found herself caught between hesitation and turmoil once she actually reached the door.

She stared at the closed door before her, raising her hand but hesitating to knock. In truth, Jiu Hui wasn’t sure how to face Lisa Kael. A lingering fear gnawed at her—fear of the truth, and fear of Lisa Kael herself.

As her understanding of Lisa Kael deepened, Jiu Hui could no longer simply dismiss her as a ‘perverted woman’. Lisa Kael was the Queen of the Human Race, and as a monarch, she embodied the very essence of royalty.

‘Perhaps the “perverted woman” was merely the most insignificant facet of her complex nature.’

Yet, no matter what, she yearned for the truth. After all, being hurt by the truth was ultimately better than being deceived by lies, and to gain and then lose was more painful than never having gained at all.

Just as Jiu Hui was lost in her dilemma, the door suddenly opened. Lisa Kael appeared before her, catching Jiu Hui completely off guard and leaving her momentarily stunned.

Lisa Kael, seeing the adorable, dazed expression on Jiu Hui’s face at the doorway, felt her heart skip a beat. Unable to resist, she reached out and gently pinched Jiu Hui’s cheeks.

“Mmph!”

“What are you doing!”

Jiu Hui protested, then forcefully pulled Lisa Kael’s hands away, glaring at her with a displeased expression.

Lisa Kael watched the pouting Jiu Hui, then suddenly smiled, reaching out to rub her face.

“So cute, Jiu Hui.”

“Mmmph~”

Jiu Hui’s face was turning red from Lisa Kael’s rubbing. She hastily pulled Lisa Kael’s hand away, then shot her a fierce glare.

Seeing Jiu Hui like this, Lisa Kael burst into laughter.

As Jiu Hui watched the smiling Lisa Kael, her own lips couldn’t help but curve upwards slightly.

‘No matter what other facades Lisa Kael wore, the Lisa Kael before her was always this way.’