A Royal Awakening and the Gathering of Lords

In the early morning, Jiu Hui stirred, her consciousness hazy, as she vaguely sensed a presence beside her.

Slowly, she opened her eyes, only for her gaze to land upon a girl whose face, though undeniably beautiful, was marred by a lecherous grin. The sight of that utterly perverted expression sent a shiver of revulsion down Jiu Hui’s spine, and instinctively, her fist shot out.

Just as her fist was poised to connect with Lisa’s face, Lisa abruptly leaned back, executing a nimble backflip that landed her gracefully on the floor.

“Oh, my, let’s not be so fiery first thing in the morning,” Lisa remarked with a light laugh, observing Jiu Hui’s face, which had flushed crimson with indignation.

Yet, as Jiu Hui glared at the smirking Lisa, the veins on her forehead pulsed even more furiously.

“And what, pray tell, do you *think* this is for?!” As she spoke, she snatched a pillow and hurled it directly at Lisa.

Lisa merely tilted her head slightly, effortlessly evading the projectile.

“Alright, alright, no need to be angry. It’s not good for your health, you know. Come, come, help me get dressed.”

Jiu Hui gazed at Lisa, who remained standing, and managed to quell the rising tide of her fury.

“Huh? Why would *I* dress you?”

“Oh, have you forgotten? You are my personal maid, after all. This is part of your duties, you know.” Lisa covered her mouth, her laughter soft, yet Jiu Hui distinctly felt the underlying current of playful mockery.

“Hmph! Fine, I’ll dress you!”

Jiu Hui let out a soft huff, then flung back the covers and rose to her feet. But an instant later, as if struck by a sudden realization, she froze, a wave of icy dread washing over her entire body.

‘Eh?’

Below, Lisa’s gaze fell upon Jiu Hui, standing completely naked on the bed. For a brief moment, Lisa herself was taken aback, before a mischievous glint appeared in her eyes, followed by a playful smirk.

“Oh my, oh my, is Jiu Hui already so impatient, or is this simply a complimentary show?”

Jiu Hui, meanwhile, stood rooted to the spot, her face burning with a mixture of shame and fury.

‘Ah, what on earth am I, this fool, doing?’

Gazing down at Lisa’s mockingly amused face, Jiu Hui’s mortification and indignation only deepened. She snatched up the quilt and flung it straight at Lisa.

“You absolute scoundrel, just go die already!”

****

Outside the chambers, Xiao Lü and Xiao Lan stood by the door, listening intently to the sounds emanating from within.

“Her Majesty and Lady Jiu Hui certainly share a wonderful bond,” Xiao Lü commented, a faint smile gracing her lips.

“Eh? Is that so? I rather feel Lady Jiu Hui sounds quite angry.” Xiao Lan mused, a hint of confusion in her tone.

“Oh, my, my, you’re still young. You wouldn’t understand.” Xiao Lü offered a cryptic smile.

Beside her, Xiao Lan, though still somewhat perplexed, nodded in acknowledgment.

“Is that how it is?”

****

Subsequently, Jiu Hui assisted Lisa in donning a pale purple ceremonial gown, while Xiao Lü and Xiao Lan, in turn, helped Jiu Hui into her maid’s uniform.

At the dining table,

Jiu Hui vigorously bit into the bread clutched in her hand, her expression so fierce it seemed as though she harbored a deep, personal vendetta against the innocent pastry.

Beside her, Lisa ate with unhurried grace, her elegant demeanor and nearly flawless visage causing both Xiao Lü and Xiao Lan to gaze upon her with flushed cheeks and admiring eyes.

Lisa, meanwhile, observed the resentful expression on Jiu Hui’s face, a glint of amusement in her eyes. She found great delight in Jiu Hui’s anger; that puffed-up, ‘steamed bun’ face was undeniably adorable.

And besides…

“Jiu Hui, I was wrong. Please, forgive me.”

Lisa abruptly set down her bread, clasped her hands together, and offered an apology to Jiu Hui. Her expression was so genuinely contrite that it startled Xiao Lü and Xiao Lan, who exchanged surprised glances—had Her Majesty truly just apologized to Lady Jiu Hui?

Jiu Hui, too, was momentarily taken aback; she hadn’t anticipated an apology from Lisa. Her anger, which hadn’t been particularly intense to begin with, almost entirely dissolved upon witnessing Lisa’s earnest demeanor.

“I wasn’t angry at all, but seeing you like this, I suppose I can forgive you.”

Jiu Hui cast a quick glance at Lisa, then subtly averted her gaze, waving a dismissive hand as if feigning indifference.

Lisa, watching Jiu Hui, a gentle smile blossomed on her face.

‘Indeed, even a tsundere Jiu Hui is utterly adorable!’

****

Soon, breakfast concluded. After a brief respite, Lisa addressed Jiu Hui.

“Today, the lords from various regions will be arriving at the Royal Palace to deliver their reports. It’s an opportune moment for you to accompany me and observe, and I shall also introduce you to them.”

“Me?” Jiu Hui blinked in surprise. “What is there to introduce about me? I’m merely a personal maid.”

Lisa cast a knowing glance at Jiu Hui, a soft chuckle escaping her lips. “You still don’t quite grasp the significance of your position. You’ll understand in time. For now, simply follow my lead.”

Though Jiu Hui wished to voice further questions, she found herself silenced by the sight of Lisa, who seemed subtly different from her usual self. Ultimately, she held her tongue.

Her arrival in this world had been recent, and her appointment as Lisa’s personal maid had only occurred yesterday. She remained largely unfamiliar with both this kingdom and the wider world, leaving many matters beyond her comprehension. For now, she could only place her hope in this Queen, whom she barely knew, to not harbor any ill intentions towards her.

****

The Kael Kingdom stood as one of the world’s five dominant powers. Naturally, its Royal Palace was constructed with breathtaking magnificence, radiating the imposing majesty and grandeur befitting a realm of such formidable influence.

Jiu Hui stood beside the royal throne, her gaze sweeping over the intricate decorations, elaborate carvings, and various artifacts adorning the palace. A wave of admiration washed over her; it was truly a palace befitting a great nation!

Upon the throne, Lisa reclined with an air of casual authority, one hand supporting her cheek, her right leg idly crossed over her left. A subtle, almost imperceptible smile played on her lips, and her entire being exuded an inviolable majesty, tempered by a hint of languid grace.

This particular iteration of Lisa left Jiu Hui utterly dumbfounded. Was this truly the same lecherous woman she knew? Or perhaps, was this the true bearing of the Human Queen?

Below, the various lords, each bearing their noble titles, had already assembled. As each of them spotted Jiu Hui, standing beside Lisa in her maid’s uniform, they paused, a flicker of surprise crossing their faces, followed by a myriad of differing expressions.

Some scrutinized her with keen interest, others registered a mild shock, a few narrowed their eyes in a sharp gaze, some offered a friendly smile, while others simply dismissed her presence altogether.

“Later, regardless of what the people below say, or what I say, you are not to utter a single word. Simply stand there silently, and leave everything to me.” Lisa cast a discerning glance over the expressions of the assembled lords below, then spoke softly to Jiu Hui.

Upon hearing this, Jiu Hui looked at Lisa, her expression momentarily flashing with a blend of confusion, nervousness, and a touch of complexity.

“It will be fine. Trust me, you are my first, my only, and my last personal maid. I would never harm you.” Lisa met Jiu Hui’s gaze, a soft smile returning to her lips as she spoke once more.

Jiu Hui, listening to Lisa’s words, offered a faint smile and a gentle nod.

‘First, only, last, she says.’

Jiu Hui stood beside Lisa’s throne, observing the assembled figures below, while Lisa’s words resonated within her heart.

‘I hope that is truly the case.’