Episode 8
The next day, a small newspaper published an article about Baron Walker.
Last night, Baron Walker was killed.
Investigations have begun, but with his house burned to ashes, no traces are expected to be found.
Regrettably, as he has no family, he will be laid to rest in a public cemetery.
Someone stood before the charred remains of the Walker Barony, staring at the site.
In one hand, they held a newspaper. The edge of their sleeve bore a faint scorch mark.
Snapping their fingers a few times, they clicked their tongue and left.
Where they passed, a white trace resembling holy power lingered briefly before vanishing.
* * *
Despite such events, my day went on normally.
No lying in bed from the conflict with Baron Walker, no fever from a few raindrops.
“Being too healthy is its own problem.”
Shrugging a couple of times, I got out of bed.
The room Winspear provided was better than I’d imagined.
And the bed—never in my life had I slept on something so soft and luxurious.
It didn’t match my worn pajamas, but who cares? No one would come to this room…
“Lady Liliana, are you awake?”
A strange title came from an unfamiliar woman’s voice.
I flinched, my body trembling.
It hadn’t even been a minute since I woke up, and already a response.
Forgetting my earlier ease, I realized where I was.
‘I’m in a den of demons.’
Yesterday’s casual banter with Roan felt like a distant memory.
Tense, I walked to the door and answered.
“Yes. What’s the matter?”
“Well, starting today, I’m to attend to you, Lady Liliana!”
What? What’s that supposed to mean?
“Attend… to me? Why?”
“Because the King—eek! I mean, Mr. Roan… specifically brought you here!”
She definitely said “King.”
I clutched my forehead in this relentless situation.
Did these demons even intend to hide their identities from me?
“Lady Liliana?”
When no proper response came, she urged me from outside.
“May I open the door?”
“Yes, well…”
Unfazed by my reluctant reply, the demon opened the door.
Beyond it stood a woman with long red hair. She was a head taller than me, forcing me to look up.
The moment our eyes met, I forgot to be wary and stared, captivated by her appearance.
Her silver-gray eyes curved gently at my reaction.
“First time meeting, right? Call me Gremory!”
Her lively voice snapped me back to reality.
The demon Gremory.
A character from the novel, ranked around 50th among demons.
Despite her low rank, she appeared consistently because…
Because…
There was definitely a reason, but I couldn’t recall it.
‘Was it not important enough to remember?’
Lost in thought, I didn’t respond to Gremory.
She didn’t seem to care much about my reply. Standing tall, she declared.
“I’ll be by your side from now on, Lady Liliana!”
“…”
“Eek! I’m so thrilled since I’m the only woman in this castle.”
I frowned at Gremory’s insistence on attending me.
What kind of aide has someone attending them?
Even in a den of demons ranked by strength, there was no reason for them to serve a weakling like me.
“So, Winspear assigns people to aides too.”
Was she here to deal with me if I learned something? I tested her, but her response deflated me.
“Huh? Doesn’t everyone do that?”
It didn’t seem like surveillance. Then why…
‘Oh, right. This place is full of demons.’
I couldn’t expect human common sense from demons.
Where to even begin correcting them? Would human logic even get through?
‘Fine, I’ll change. It’s easier to change myself.’
It’d be better to empty my mind of expectations.
Sorting my thoughts, I gave Gremory a faint smile and firmly declined.
“Well, I’m not sure. But I don’t need your help, Gremory.”
“You don’t think I’m incompetent, do you…!”
“No, it’s not that.”
“How about just a week? Try having me around!”
“I can manage on my own…”
“I’ll work my bones to dust for you, Lady Liliana!”
Where did this even go wrong…
I give up.
“…Do as you like. But let’s do something about that title.”
“Eek! Thank you! But the title…”
“Call me Liliana, or Miss Ria.”
“Uh, but… that’s, um…”
Gremory looked flustered for the first time.
Well, that didn’t mean I’d obediently do as they wanted.
In a place with no other humans, a little mischief couldn’t hurt, right?
“Mr. Roan calls me that, so it’s fine, isn’t it?”
Playing the ‘I know nothing’ card, I mentioned the demon king Roan’s name.
Flinch.
“Th-that… Mr. Roaan…”
“If I only call you that, others might feel left out, right? Especially Mr. Roan.”
Emphasizing Roan’s name again, she trembled, then smiled and called me.
“Lil… Miss Liliana…”
I pretended not to notice the tears in her eyes.
After a brief distance, Gremory hummed as if nothing happened, rummaging through my clothes. She seemed genuinely excited to be by my side.
But I wasn’t a noble lady needing heaps of assistance.
So, I had little to prepare, and Gremory seemed to know it but pretended otherwise.
The tall woman studied a white dress and a pale yellow one with a serious expression.
“Which one suits you better?”
Those dresses weren’t fancy by outside standards, but they were the brightest I owned.
The white one was the last I bought, maybe last fall?
I felt a bit bad for Gremory’s serious pondering, but I’d already chosen my outfit.
“Gremory, I’m wearing that black dress.”
Her face turned ashen.
Her eyes widened, and after mulling over my words, she looked crestfallen.
“What? But these are brighter and cuter!”
“…”
“Why would you wear something so drab?”
“Calm down. First, why am I here?”
She tried to answer without hesitation.
“Because the King—!”
Realizing her mistake, she clamped her mouth shut.
“Wah?”
Narrowing my eyes at her rolling gaze, she avoided my look and answered.
“Well, as an aide.”
“Exactly. I’m here to work. What good is looking bright?”
“But everyone at Winspear dresses brightly!”
I partly agreed.
Gremory wore casual pants, but they were made of fine fabric, adorned with visibly expensive accessories.
“Then I’ll be a bit unique here.”
Her eyes drooped instantly.
Her eyelids fluttered pitifully. It almost felt a little sad…
“Hah?”
Good heavens, Liliana. Get a grip!
I quickly shook my head and answered firmly.
“For work, comfortable clothes are best. Unassuming ones are ideal.”
Pouting, she muttered.
“No, even so, how could you…”
Ignoring her, I rummaged through my bag, pulling out glasses and a pen.
Looking even stiffer than before, Gremory asked me.
