Chapter 35: I’m Done With You!

“…Huh?”

Chloe gaped, staring at the two bold red characters on her application.

‘No way…’

Slap, slap!

She smacked her cheeks, shook her head, and refocused on the paper.

[Rejected] still sat there, unchanged.

‘For real?’

‘Am I dreaming?’

‘It’s gotta be a mistake…’

‘Yeah, definitely a mistake!’

“Larvia, did you stamp the wrong thing?”

She grabbed the document and thrust it in front of Larvia.

“Nope~ I just don’t want to approve your request~”

“You… ugh! If you think my demands are too much, we can negotiate!”

“Hm~ To be honest, I never planned to approve any of your requests~”

Chloe’s face flushed red with frustration.

“Come on, I’m the queen of a clan. If a little maid could push me around, how would that look?”

“But you told me to write the application! And… and I massaged your shoulders and legs! What do you even want?!”

“For a cheeky maid who dares threaten her master, a little punishment is in order~”

Larvia leaned back in her chair, smiling at Chloe.

“Hm~ Your hands were a bit weak, but the massage was pretty nice~”

“Larvia, I’m done with you!”

Chloe shouted, lunging at her.

But just as her hands neared Larvia’s shoulders, a blur flashed by.

Her wrist was grabbed, pulled forward, and her body stumbled.

At the same time, Larvia’s toe nudged her calf, making her legs buckle.

“Eek!”

Chloe instinctively closed her eyes, feeling herself fall into something warm and soft.

Thud!

“Your Majesty!”

The study door burst open, and Sheffield appeared at the far end.

Worried about Chloe and with her usual role of attending to Larvia during work taken, Sheffield had been idle, quietly waiting outside.

Hearing a commotion, she’d pushed the door open without thinking.

She saw Chloe sprawled in Larvia’s arms.

“Your Maj—”

She started to speak, but Larvia waved her off, silencing her.

“It’s fine, nothing’s wrong.”

Larvia gently patted Chloe’s back.

“You don’t need to wait here. Go rest.”

“But I heard something about ‘being done with you.’”

“Exactly.”

Larvia smiled faintly.

“Isn’t this a hug?”

“Uh…”

Sheffield hesitated, eyeing Chloe suspiciously.

Seeing her look, Larvia kept patting Chloe’s back while secretly poking her waist with her other hand.

“Hey, play along,” she whispered in Chloe’s ear.

“Huh?”

Chloe snapped out of it.

When she’d fallen into Larvia’s arms, her mind had gone blank.

Hearing the door and Sheffield’s voice had frozen her in place.

‘Play along?’

‘Uh…’

“Ehehe~ Your Majesty’s cuddles are so cozy~”

“…”

‘No reaction?’

‘Am I not convincing enough?’

Afraid Sheffield would see through her, Chloe lifted her head, rubbing her soft hair against Larvia’s chin.

“I want Your Majesty’s cuddles every day~”

“Uh… I-I won’t disturb Your Majesty then…”

Behind Chloe, Sheffield, for once, looked flustered.

“Feels like I saw something I shouldn’t have…”

She muttered quickly, then hurried out of the study.

“She gone?”

“Yup.”

“Phew—”

Chloe sighed, jumping off Larvia.

“Ahem, let’s settle our score!”

She crossed her arms, trying to look fierce but keeping her voice low to avoid drawing Sheffield back.

After the ordeal, her anger had cooled, replaced by defiance.

“You promised me 30 gold coins a month! Now that I’m asking for it, why won’t you agree?”

“Opportunities don’t come whenever you want. Miss them, and you’re left with regrets.”

Chloe didn’t know that even if she’d accepted Larvia’s offer back then, her payment would’ve been cut soon after with some excuse.

Even if she was Larvia’s daughter, for now, she was still a maid.

As a newcomer with no seniority or achievements, giving her payment far above others would cause unrest.

“Little Chloe, let me tell you, next time you get a chance like that, think carefully before deciding.”

“Guh… fine, shut up already! Why are you lecturing me now…” Chloe grumbled.

Larvia shrugged, saying nothing more.

“Larvia, I’m telling you one last time. If you don’t improve my payment, I’m going to the human empire.”

“Go ahead.”

Larvia replied casually, opening the bottle of rare blood and pouring herself a glass.

“Wait!”

Chloe stopped her.

“If you think my demands are too high, we can negotiate…”

“No way. Not even a copper coin more.”

Larvia sipped the blood, shaking her head.

“Why…?”

Chloe drooped, dejected.

“It’s a matter of principle. As the queen of a clan, I can’t let a little maid threaten me into giving in.”

“Then… I’m really leaving!”

“Go.”

“I’m serious!”

“Go.”

“I’m not kidding!”

“Go. I’m not bluffing either.”

“You… ugh, why aren’t you even trying to stop me?!”

Chloe’s face changed, her brows furrowing as she stomped in frustration.

“I gave you a chance, and you didn’t take it—don’t blame me! You said it yourself! You’ll never see me again!”

Fuming, Chloe stormed out.

Pushing open the door, she saw Sheffield standing guard and instantly dropped her angry expression.

“Hm? Why’re you out?”

“Uh, nothing, Lady Sheffield. Her Majesty said I don’t need to stay this afternoon…”