Chapter Five
“Lisbeth, out of consideration for you being new, I’ll only explain this once: the Demon Lord has a terrible temper when woken up. Every time someone rouses her, she flies into a rage.
Therefore, no one dares to wake her unless she awakens naturally. So, if you don’t wish to be beaten black and blue on your very first day, I suggest you retract your statement immediately.”
As Hilda finished speaking, the other maids present exchanged knowing glances. After all, Hilda had given Lisbeth an easy out, and they hoped Lisbeth would simply find an excuse to smooth things over.
However, Lisbeth did not take the offered escape as everyone expected. Instead, a faint smile graced her lips.
Then, she suddenly spread her arms and addressed everyone present: “That’s simply because your methods of waking her are incorrect~ As your superior, I shall demonstrate the proper way to rouse the Demon Lord~”
“Hey! Lisbeth, you!”
Having uttered those words, Lisbeth ascended the staircase like a gust of wind, dashing towards the second floor of the great hall. A moment later, a loud creak of a door echoed, and Lisbeth vanished behind it.
“Forget it. Let her do as she pleases.
If she’s so eager to court death, I won’t stop her.”
Hearing Hilda’s pronouncement, the other maids sighed in unison. It was as if they had already foreseen Lisbeth’s tragic demise…
****
“Hoo… hoo…”
Upon entering the Demon Lord’s bedchamber, Lisbeth found the room so dark that she couldn’t see her own hand in front of her face. All she could hear was Kristia’s even breathing, and barely make out the curtains, through which only a faint glimmer of light seeped.
“Seriously, are you a Demon Lord or a vampire? Do you really need to make the room this dark just to sleep?”
“Never mind. I’ll just open the curtains first~ Heave-ho~”
After a soft grumble, Lisbeth yanked open the room’s curtains. The first thing to greet her eyes was a massive single bed, and soon after, an array of opulent decorations within the room came into view.
Yet, Lisbeth offered no exclamations of awe. Instead, she gazed at the surrounding decor with a nostalgic fondness, muttering softly: “To think the decorations here were so lavish even back then, and they haven’t changed at all, no matter how much time has passed.”
“Ugh…”
As Lisbeth continued to survey Kristia’s room, a childlike sound suddenly emanated from the enormous single bed. When Lisbeth stepped closer, her gaze became fixed.
Before Lisbeth’s eyes was a beautiful young girl with long, jet-black hair. Although she appeared to be only ten years old, she already possessed a stunning beauty that captivated all who beheld her.
Initially, the sudden influx of light caused Kristia to furrow her brow slightly. But the next moment, she adorably burrowed her small head deeper into the blankets, resuming her peaceful slumber.
“Honestly, with such an adorable display, how can I possibly bring myself to wake you~”
Though Lisbeth spoke those words, she nonetheless reached out a hand and gently lifted a corner of Kristia’s blanket. There, she saw Kristia’s face, adorned with a sweet smile, still curled up in the blankets, deeply asleep.
“If you won’t wake up yet, then I’m going to intrude~”
If Hilda had been present at that moment, she would surely have immediately grabbed Lisbeth’s fox ears in a fierce grip. For Lisbeth had brazenly slipped directly into Kristia’s bed, and then, astonishingly, gently embraced her.
The next moment, Lisbeth softly blew a breath into Kristia’s ear. Then, she gently murmured: “Neh, Til, it’s almost time to wake up~”
“Ugh… Mother, let Til sleep a little longer~”
Even though Kristia was currently being held by a complete stranger, she showed no resistance whatsoever. Instead, she burrowed her head into Lisbeth’s soft bosom.
Then, she gently rubbed against her and added: “Mother, I love you the most~”
“Mm-hmm, but Til, lying in bed isn’t a good habit for a child~ So it’s almost time to get up, alright?”
Gazing at Kristia in her arms, Lisbeth’s voice grew increasingly doting. At the same time, Kristia nodded softly and murmured: “Mm~ If Mother says so, then Til will… huh!?”
The moment Kristia fully opened her eyes, what greeted her was not her mother. But rather, a beast-eared maid who had inexplicably appeared in her bed.
Meanwhile, Lisbeth, utterly devoid of any sense of danger, nuzzled the Kristia in her embrace. Then continued: “Til is indeed a good child, to actually… Ughp!!!”
Before she could finish her sentence, Lisbeth suddenly felt a heavy blow to her stomach, sending her flying directly out of the blankets.
The next instant, Lisbeth saw that the sweet smile had vanished from Kristia’s face. Replaced by an icy expression, staring coldly at her.
“Th-that, Demon Lord?”
“Speak. How do you wish to die?”