Chapter 9: Merorin’s Room

Hearing Merorin say that, Lilith’s voice was filled with gratitude.

“Thank you… for understanding, Lady Merorin.

Hearing you say that really makes me… feel relieved.”

She carefully lifted Merorin from the floor and gently wiped away the remaining water droplets on her body.

Then she carried her toward the resting chamber.

Lilith set Merorin down on a wide chair and fetched a clean white robe to drape over her shoulders.

When Lilith’s fingertips brushed across her cheek unintentionally, she said softly.

“I’m truly sorry, Lady Merorin… for making you suffer.”

“It’s all right, Lilith.”

Merorin smiled, her voice tinged with fatigue but trying to sound light.

“You were just carrying out orders.

I won’t blame you.”

She paused, then suddenly looked up and blinked.

“By the way… am I supposed to go to the Demon King’s room tonight?

Or is it…”

“Ah?”

Lilith froze for a moment, then laughed softly.

“What’s this, Lady Merorin?

You are one of the Demon King’s wives.

How could you not have your own residence?

Your room was prepared several days ago.

The Demon King personally selected it.”

“I see…”

Merorin nodded.

She tilted her head as if curious and asked casually.

“By the way… what is the Demon King’s name?

I’ve always known her only as the Demon King.

I’ve never heard her real name.”

Looking at her innocent expression, Lilith couldn’t help but smile.

“The Demon King’s name is Morganna.”

“Morganna…”

Merorin repeated it softly several times, as if engraving it into her mind.

“Morganna… so that’s your name.”

Lilith took her hand and spoke gently.

“Come, Lady Merorin.

I’ll take you to your room.”

The two walked side by side down the corridor.

Suddenly, Merorin stopped and looked up at Lilith, concern and doubt in her eyes.

“Lilith… can you tell me?

How did Morganna… become like she is now?

You said she used to be kind, but now…

She only controls others through pleasure and pain…”

Lilith slowed her steps as well.

Her gaze grew distant, and she sighed softly.

“The Demon King… is the most powerful chosen ruler in a thousand years.

With absolute strength, she unified the fractured demon clans and ended a civil war that lasted over a century.”

Her voice lowered.

“Endless struggles for power, betrayal, and loneliness stripped away her original kindness.

She came to believe that only absolute domination could bring true order.

And that emotions… would only become a weakness.”

Merorin listened quietly.

An inexplicable ache welled up in her chest.

“What a pitiful Demon King…”

The words slipped out unconsciously.

The moment they left her lips, she snapped back to herself and shook her head violently inside.

No.

What am I thinking?!

She’s the one who turned me into this.

She took my strength, my identity, and even implanted memories that weren’t mine.

And now I’m feeling sorry for her?!

She clenched her teeth and forcibly suppressed that inappropriate emotion.

Her voice turned cold.

“…Forget it.

I won’t sympathize with someone like her.”

Lilith seemed to sense the fluctuation in her emotions and simply smiled gently.

“Lady Merorin, if you’d like to learn more about the Demon King’s past…

In a few days, I can take you to the castle’s library.”

“Really?”

Merorin’s eyes lit up instantly.

She then realized her reaction was too obvious and quickly restrained herself, smiling calmly.

“Then… thank you, Sister Lilith.”

“Sister?”

Lilith halted and turned to look at her, surprise flashing in her eyes before melting into a gentle smile.

The tips of her ears turned faintly red.

“My goodness… Lady Merorin, why are you suddenly calling me that?”

“Is that not allowed?”

Merorin blinked and deliberately clung to her arm in a coquettish manner.

“I think calling you sister suits you really well.

You’re gentle and reliable…

And didn’t you say you’re the Demon King’s close friend?

That’s basically family, right?”

Lilith looked at her youthful face and sighed softly, smiling helplessly.

“There’s really nothing I can do with you…

All right.

If you like calling me that…

Then I’ll accept it.”

Merorin hugged Lilith’s arm like a spoiled kitten and rubbed lightly against her shoulder.

Her voice turned soft and sweet.

“Sister Lilith…

From now on, just call me by my name—Merorin, okay?

Being called ‘my lady’ all the time feels so distant…”

Lilith turned to look at her.

She lowered her head, fingers unconsciously rubbing at her sleeve, speaking a little shyly.

“That… might not be appropriate…

You are a wife personally appointed by the Demon King…”

“But in my eyes, you’re just my sister now.”

Merorin lifted her face, her expression stubborn yet sincere.

“And… you also said this is our home.

Between family, there’s no need for so many rules, right?”

Looking at the determination written all over her face, Lilith felt something gently bump against her heart.

After a long moment, she finally sighed softly and smiled.

“All right.”

She tried saying it aloud, her voice slightly tight.

“All right, Merorin… Mero—Merorin.”

Before long, they arrived before a wooden door.

“We’re here.”

Lilith said softly.

“This is your bedchamber, Merorin.”

“If… you feel lonely.”

Lilith stood at the doorway, her tone suddenly becoming subtle.

Her gaze flicked vaguely toward a cabinet in the corner of the room.

“There are some little toys inside…

They can help ease any physical discomfort.

The Demon King prepared them specially for you.

There’s a full variety, and they’re easy to use.”

“Hah?!”

Merorin’s eyes flew wide open.

Her entire face went up in flames, even the tips of her ears burning red.

“T-toys?!

I-I would never use something like that!

Don’t joke around!”

Seeing her flustered state, Lilith couldn’t help laughing.

“All right, all right… Merorin.”

She said with a smile.

“Then I’ll take my leave now.

Please rest well.”

With that, she turned and left.

Merorin stood there, her heartbeat still racing.

Only after the footsteps had completely faded down the corridor did she slowly close the door.

“Phew… finally some peace and quiet.”

She looked around the room.

It was extremely spacious.

A massive bed stood at the center.

The floor was covered with plush carpets.

The walls were lined with gold-inlaid decorations.

Every item was extravagantly luxurious, all proclaiming the owner’s wealth.

Yet the emptiness of the room filled her with a sense of loneliness.

She walked over to the bed and lay down.

The mattress was so soft it felt as if it could swallow her whole.

Every nerve relaxed in this comfort.

“It’s been so long… since I’ve slept on a bed this comfortable.”

She murmured softly, closing her eyes as her fatigue was slowly washed away.

“This room… is really big.”

She gazed up at the towering ceiling and couldn’t help sighing.

“So big that… being alone here feels like being forgotten by the whole world.”

She rolled over, burying her face into the pillow, muttering softly.

“Whatever… I should sleep early.

Who knows what tomorrow will bring…”

Just then—

“Click.”

The door was gently pushed open.

Footsteps were light, yet moved firmly toward the bed.

Merorin’s eyes snapped open, her heart stopping for a beat.

“Who is it?!

Morganna?

Or… Lilith?”

Before she could sit up, the next moment a warm body tightly embraced her from behind.

Arms wrapped around her so tightly, as if trying to meld her into bone and blood.

“Lady Merorin, I missed you so much…”

A familiar voice sounded by her ear, trembling with barely restrained excitement.

“I missed you… so, so much…”

It was Sylvia.

Merorin’s body stiffened.

Yet the vigilance and tension in her heart quietly melted under the warmth of that embrace.

She reached back and held the arm wrapped around her.

A smile curved at Merorin’s lips, her voice gentle.

“Sylvia… I missed you too.”

“The Demon King is really so generous!”

Sylvia pressed her face against Merorin’s back and rubbed excitedly.

“I was just testing the waters when I said I wanted to sleep together with you.

I thought she would definitely refuse.

But she agreed right away!

She even said… that tonight I should take good care of you!”

Hearing the suggestive “take care,” Merorin’s heart trembled slightly.

She didn’t show it.

She only gently patted Sylvia’s hand.

“…That’s really wonderful.”