Chapter 8: Punishment

Merorin was carried into the bathing room by Lilith, warm steam rushing toward her face.

She was gently lowered into the water, her body soaking in the warm pool, yet she felt an indescribable torment.

The pleasure lingering from the rune had not faded.

Instead, in the silence, it became even clearer as it wandered through her body.

Deep in her lower abdomen, a faint heat pulsed.

Each heartbeat made that throbbing sensation more pronounced.

She lowered her head, not daring to look at Lilith beside her.

Her fingers quietly slid beneath the water, then abruptly withdrew just before touching that place.

She didn’t dare.

“For some reason… I feel a little disappointed.”

She whispered to herself in her heart.

“I thought she was gentle just now, but now… she’s playing with me too, just like the Demon King.”

Her cheeks burned hot.

Not only because of the water temperature, but because of the desire surging within her.

She needed release.

But the head maid was right beside her, like an insurmountable wall.

She didn’t even have the courage to help herself.

“Damn Lilith…”

She ground her teeth inwardly.

“I really thought you were a good person.

I didn’t expect you to be this bad too…

You’re a big bad villain as well.

When my revenge plan succeeds, I’ll definitely lock you up too and make you taste what it’s like to be tortured until you cry and beg for mercy!”

As her thoughts spiraled, Lilith suddenly came closer.

She crouched by the pool, her gaze falling on Merorin’s flushed cheeks, and asked with a soft laugh.

“Lady Merorin, what’s wrong?

You seem a bit uncomfortable.

Your breathing isn’t very steady.”

“N-no, not at all!”

Merorin shook her head vigorously, forcing a smile.

Her voice trembled slightly.

“Maybe it’s just from soaking… my body feels a little hot…

Demonic bodies are such a hassle, heating up at the slightest thing…”

“Is that so?”

Lilith tilted her head, a hint of understanding flashing through her eyes, yet she didn’t expose the lie.

“But your ears are completely red, you know.

Even your fingertips are trembling.”

She stood up and moved behind Merorin.

She reached out to brush aside the hair clinging to the back of her neck.

Her fingertips accidentally grazed the rune.

Her voice suddenly lowered, carrying a tempting smile.

“Lady Merorin… do you need me to help you relieve it a little?”

“Ah!”

Merorin’s whole body stiffened.

Her heart nearly stopped.

She spun around abruptly, water splashing everywhere.

Her red eyes were filled with shock and anger.

“Damn you, Lilith!

You clearly know how I’m feeling right now, and you still bully me like this?!

How awful!

You’re not some gentle head maid at all.

You’re a wolf in sheep’s clothing!

You pretend to be so kind, but in the end you’re just like the Demon King, enjoying the sight of me suffering!”

The smile on Lilith’s face froze.

She looked down at the girl trembling in the water from shame and anger.

A hurt expression flickered through her eyes.

Her voice was so soft it was almost inaudible.

“Lady Merorin… how can you say that about me…

I just… wanted you to feel a little better…

I didn’t want to see you suffer like this…”

“Just wanted me to feel better?”

Merorin sneered.

Yet tears welled up uncontrollably in her eyes.

“Then why didn’t you say so earlier?

Why did you touch me first and only ask after making me like this?

You’re clearly enjoying my struggle!

All you demons are the same!”

“Enough!”

Lilith suddenly shouted, her tone unusually stern.

She grabbed Merorin’s wrist tightly.

The strength was such that she couldn’t break free.

Lilith pulled her closer and looked straight into her reddened eyes.

Her voice was low and heavy.

“Lady Merorin, I originally didn’t want to treat you this way either…

But if I don’t discipline you properly, then it violates the rules.”

“R-rules?”

Merorin’s eyes widened, her voice trembling.

“What kind of rule requires you to do this to me?!”

Lilith slowly shook her head, her gaze complicated.

“As long as something happens within the Demon King’s castle…

The Demon King can sense it.”

She paused, then spoke each word clearly.

“If I don’t discipline you appropriately and let her know, then the punishment you face won’t just be a little pleasure.

It won’t be that simple.”

Merorin’s whole body jolted.

Her pupils shrank sharply.

She finally understood—

Lilith’s punishment was not meant to humiliate her.

It was meant to protect her.

In this castle, there were no secrets.

Every complaint she made.

Every defiant glance.

Could be seen by the Demon King as betrayal.

“S-so… that’s why you…”

Merorin’s voice trembled.

“So please cooperate.”

Lilith released her wrist.

Her tone returned to calm, yet carried an unyielding firmness.

“Otherwise… next time, it won’t be this simple.”

Merorin screamed in terror inside her heart.

Every “bad Demon King.”

Every act of pretending to be angry.

Every probing question.

None of it was a secret.

She thought she was cleverly extracting information.

In reality, she was laying bare her rebellion in front of the Demon King.

“Damn it… how could I be so stupid…”

She nearly bit through her lip.

“Isn’t this digging my own grave?

If the Demon King becomes displeased even once…”

Fear washed over her like an icy tide.

Her limbs grew cold.

She bit her lip, cheeks burning hot, her voice as faint as a mosquito’s hum.

“If… that’s the case… then please, Lilith… be gentle…”

“I will.”

Lilith replied at once, her voice soft and reassuring.

“I’ll be gentle, Lady Merorin.

Please don’t be afraid.

It will be over soon.”

Her fingers slowly slid downward and pressed precisely onto the rune.

“Mmm…”

Merorin instinctively held her breath.

The next second—

A surge of demonic power, several times stronger than before, poured in violently.

“Uwaa—!!!”

She wanted to scream.

She wanted to grab onto something.

But her fingers could only fall limp.

Her legs gave way, and her body tilted backward.

“Splash—”

Her small, unsupported body sank into the water.

Warm spring water rushed into her mouth and nose.

The suffocating sensation intertwined with pleasure.

It formed a maddening torment.

She struggled instinctively.

Her hands and feet thrashed against the water’s surface.

Yet her body remained weak and soft.

She couldn’t even float up.

“Lady Merorin!”

Lilith cried out.

She quickly pulled the limp body back out of the water and laid her on the dry edge of the pool.

Merorin’s eyes were tightly shut.

Her lips were tinged purple.

Her chest rose and fell faintly.

“Don’t be afraid.

I’m here.”

Lilith bent down, pinched Merorin’s nose, took a deep breath, and covered her lips.

Artificial respiration.

Once.

Twice.

Finally, Merorin coughed violently.

Mouthfuls of water mixed with foam spilled from her lips.

Her chest heaved as she gasped for air.

“Cough… cough…”

Her entire body was soaked.

Her hair clung messily to her face.

Her eyes were unfocused.

Like a doll that had just been infused with a soul again.

Lilith immediately gathered her gently into her arms.

One hand softly patted her back.

The other wiped the water from her face.

“I’m sorry.

I was too careless…

I’ve never done this before.

I truly didn’t know it would turn out like this…

Please forgive me, Lady Merorin…”

Her voice carried sincere apology and lingering fear.

Merorin leaned against her, listening to her steady heartbeat and feeling that rare warmth.

She lifted her eyes and looked at Lilith with a resentful gaze.

It was part accusation.

Part seeking an answer.

Of course she hated this uncontrollable body.

She hated this inescapable sensation.

But she understood even more clearly—

If she showed even the slightest resistance or anger now.

If she refused to accept this punishment.

Then what awaited her would be the Demon King’s personal punishment.

And that might no longer be pleasure.

It would be the complete destruction of her consciousness.

Turning her into an empty shell that only giggled foolishly and wagged its tail in supplication.

She closed her eyes.

When she opened them again, she wore a docile, compliant expression.

The corners of her lips even lifted into a forced smile.

“It’s okay… Lilith.”

She spoke softly.

Her voice was still hoarse, yet deliberately gentle.

“You were doing it for my sake too…

I understand.”