Chapter 16: A Maid’s Temptation and a Knight’s Vigil

“Hmph… My Lord Demon King, have you perhaps harbored countless depraved and perverse thoughts about a maid as delicate, pure, and utterly obedient as me?”

A playful smile danced across Noah’s lovely face, while faint hearts flickered within her pink eyes.

In truth, Letitia was already struggling to restrain herself, swallowing hard as her dark red eyes darted about restlessly.

“Oh no, before we get to the main event, you must properly replenish your energy.”

Noah smiled gently, pressing on Letitia’s shoulders to guide her onto the bed, then bent down to retrieve a plate of food from the dining cabinet.

Her taut maid uniform accentuated her graceful curves, and as she moved, the extremely short skirt lifted, affording Letitia a clear view of the delightful scenery.

“Ta-da! Cold truffle chicken, My Lord Demon King… oh, no, Master, please enjoy your meal~.”

Noah respectfully sat beside Letitia, spearing a piece of truffle and bringing it to the young Demon King’s lips, her rounded bosom so close it nearly brushed against Letitia.

The subtly cool aroma stimulated Letitia’s appetite; after a round trip to the border and a good sweat in the hot bath, her human body indeed felt utterly empty, craving something with a rich flavor.

“Wait a moment, Noah.”

However, she halted Noah’s movement once more, deciding to exercise a little patience.

“Since I’ve rarely taken on a human form, I’d like to eat something warm, if that’s alright?”

Gazingo at the exquisite, angelic maiden before her, she parted her pink lips, her tone now carrying a casual familiarity, unlike before.

Noah’s hand, holding the fork, paused for a brief instant before she unveiled a natural, radiant smile.

“Of course, you may~, My Lord Demon King. Whatever your request, I shall gladly fulfill it.”

“After all, tonight, I am your most loyal maid~.”

She returned the truffle to the plate, silently recited an incantation, and then, from her fingertips, a golden, warm holy flame ignited, burning gently beneath the ceramic dish.

This holy flame was even fainter than a candle’s flicker, and even with Noah’s other delicate hand steadily holding the plate, she felt no heat.

Before long, the cooked chicken and truffle began to emit a delightful aroma.

Noah extinguished the holy flame and was about to pick up the fork to feed the Demon King when Letitia preemptively snatched the fork, speared a piece of chicken, and brought it to Noah’s lips.

The aroma of fried food mingled with the Demon King’s subtly rich scent, and under Noah’s slightly surprised gaze, Letitia averted her face, her long, downcast lashes shielding her dark red eyes, which now gleamed with a hint of shyness.

“Don’t, don’t misunderstand.”

Though she yearned to say she simply wished to reward the maid who had served her so diligently, her pride as the Demon King forbade such directness.

She could only stammer, like a shy, budding young girl experiencing her first crush, turning her face away as she voiced her thoughts.

“I just… seeing you’ve done so much for me, I thought… I should do something for you too… something like that…”

Nevertheless, the overall sentiment remained much the same.

‘How truly adorable, My Lord Demon King~.’

The smile on Noah’s face grew increasingly delighted; she, in turn, did not hesitate, taking a swift bite of the truffle from the fork.

Feeling her hand lighten, Letitia turned her face back, only to see Noah chewing contentedly, a look of pure happiness gracing her features.

“Delicious! Master personally fed Noah… it tastes better than anything~.”

Noah revelled in the blissful and wonderful taste, while Letitia was suddenly overcome by a faint sense of guilt.

The magic that had been gathering in her palm instantly dissipated into nothingness.

‘Just a little longer,’ Letitia thought, a hint of resistance in her mind, ‘there’s no rush.’

Swallowing all the food in her mouth, Noah reached out, took the fork from Letitia’s hand, speared a piece of chicken from the plate, and brought it to Letitia’s lips.

“Since I’ve received such a reward from my Master, then, as your maid, Noah naturally must strive even harder~.”

She smiled softly, seemingly unaware that the atmosphere in the room, and indeed throughout the entire Demon King’s Castle, was subtly but surely undergoing a transformation.

***

Beneath the brilliant moonlight, at the highest point of the Demon King’s Castle, the Tower Knight stood like a statue, her shield and weapon strapped to her back, arms crossed over her chest, seemingly gazing at distant foes.

Her armor, heavy and unyielding like a fortress, exuded a profound sense of steadfastness.

As the Demon King’s Royal Guard patrolled past, they looked up at her imposing and reliable figure, their eyes involuntarily filling with reverence.

“Even tonight, Lord Tower Knight still watches over the Demon King’s domain.”

“Indeed, with Lord Tower Knight present, the Demon King’s rule remains secure.”

As they spoke in admiration, they straightened their backs even further, diligently continuing their patrols within the Demon King’s Castle, lanterns held high.

“Zzzzzzz….”

Yet, the Tower Knight, who served as an exemplary figure for the entire Demon King’s Castle garrison, had her head bowed, and anyone who approached her would hear faint snores.

“Hmm?”

Suddenly, as if roused from a nap, the Tower Knight lifted her head, peering out through the visor of her helmet, her gaze ultimately locking onto a section of the city wall at the ten o’clock direction.

Just moments ago, a subtle ripple had disturbed the Demon King’s Castle’s barrier at that very spot.

No one had seen it, not even the patrolling Royal Guard had noticed, and even she had nearly missed the hidden white figure.

‘Has a rat snuck in…?’

Realization dawned on her; her lips moved, and she murmured to herself.

“I suppose I should report it to that ‘Hunter’ fellow. After all, anything capable of hiding to this extent won’t be an ordinary rat…”

***

“Speaking of which, My Lord Demon King… oh, no, Master, I’ve discovered your secret~.”

As she fed Letitia the contents of the plate, bite by bite, Noah gazed at Letitia, whose eyes now sparkled with growing vitality, and couldn’t help but offer a doting smile.

Feeling their close proximity, yet without their bodies touching, Noah recalled something and casually shared this intriguing matter with Letitia.

“? What secret? Tell me.”

Letitia also smiled faintly, quite intrigued.

No one had ever dared to delve into the Demon King’s secrets before, and Letitia was eager to hear what this woman could possibly reveal.

“It’s all those things the Demon King hid away, the ones you wanted to use on me~.”

Speaking softly, Noah stood up and opened a hidden compartment in the wall, revealing a secret room that displayed numerous objects, much like an exhibition cabinet.

“Th-this is!”

Letitia’s face instantly flushed crimson; gazing at the dazzling array of items, she stammered, unable to form words.

Inside the shallow secret room lay a comprehensive collection of various special implements.