CHAPTER 28……………………………

It was almost the end of the workday, and she was dawdling while tidying her desk. The Demon King was watching her strangely, but Zennia continued to organize her things steadfastly.

The Demon King looked at her neatly cleared desk and asked:

“Is there anything left to clear there?”

“Is there anything I couldn’t do if I wanted to?”

“So you plan to do more?”

“…No.”

If she said yes here, she’d probably end up taking the papers from the Demon King’s desk as well.

With a small sigh, Zennia stood up, and the Demon King clicked his tongue.

“Tomorrow, neither I nor Eligos will be here.”

“Eligos too?”

“Yes.”

It was extremely rare for both demons to be away at the same time.

A castle without the Demon King and Eligos? The servants would go wild like untethered foals.

“It’ll be a noisy day, then.”

Zennia grimaced and gave a polite nod to the Demon King.

“Then I’ll see you the day after tomorrow.”

The Demon King gestured for her to leave. Zennia didn’t resist and turned away.

It was the weekly day off. Usually, she would leave work cheerfully, but today her steps felt unusually heavy.

No, it wasn’t just today. All week, Zennia had enjoyed coming to work but dreaded leaving.

“This… shouldn’t even be possible.”

It was all because Lumiere, whom she had openly told she liked a week ago, had continued unabatedly showering her with affection.

The teasing tone and gestures, the soft smile she carried no matter what she did, the way he looked at her…

Lumiere was doing his best to express his feelings fully, and his attitude hadn’t changed at all.

She wished he would acknowledge that there were limits to what a maid could know. She didn’t understand why he was trying so hard to find out everything.

“Could it be he’s asking for help… not just information, but action?”

…It wasn’t impossible.

In the demon realm, the only one Lumiere could ask for help—or the only person he could even consider human—was Zennia.

But physically? With this body?

Zennia looked down at her pale, soft, delicate body.

Even among humans, not just demons, she had average stamina and strength—completely ordinary.

“Then the only thing left is sexual energy.”

For Lumiere, she wouldn’t hesitate to use as much as needed—even to the point of exhaustion.

Maybe it was time to be honest. He wants something, and she knows it—so just lay everything out.

“No need for either of us to waste energy unnecessarily.”

Hadn’t they already built a certain level of trust?

As soon as Zennia opened the door, she looked up at the man with the striking presence she faced.

“Did you have a good day?”

Lumiere, seemingly waiting at the door for her return, greeted her without surprise.

“Yes, I did.”

“The food was coming quickly; I was a bit worried. But it’s ready now.”

As he said, the table was already set for dinner, and the room was filled with appetizing aromas.

A warm, inviting room. A delicious meal prepared on time. Someone there to welcome her gently.

The thought made her reluctance to leave work feel silly—and even a little touched.

She stared at Lumiere’s gentle smile, feeling awkward, and quickly passed him, hiding her face.

“Really? Then I’ll just wash my hands and eat right away.”

“Yes.”

Looking at her reflection in the mirror while washing her hands, her face was slightly flushed. She looked like a child surprised by an unexpected gift, and it felt strange.

“Why am I like this?”

Patting her cool cheeks with her hands, she composed herself and left the bathroom, quickly taking her seat at the place Lumiere had prepared.

“I’ll eat well.”

“Enjoy.”

Despite the ordinary nature of their greetings, there was a strange warmth exchanged as they picked up their utensils.

She wasn’t particularly hungry, but after the first bite, the food went down easily.

It was a new restaurant Lumiere had wanted to try, and it wasn’t bad at all.

“Zennia, tomorrow’s your day off, right?”

“Yes.”

“Then we’ll spend it together?”

“I suppose so.”

Hearing that made Lumiere smile brightly.

His dazzling appearance and excessive show of affection were slightly overwhelming, but his unwavering, cheerful smile put her at ease.

If this state continued, he would leave soon enough.

“It’s better to just say it.”

Lumiere no longer pushed her away or forced a fake smile like before.

Even his actions, designed to gain her help, seemed to carry genuine goodwill toward her.

“Lumiere.”

“Yes?”

Looking at his soft smile, Zennia made her suggestion.

“Shall we go for a walk tomorrow?”

“A walk?”

“Eligos won’t be in the castle tomorrow.”

Fresh air would help lighten the mood and make conversation easier.

“If you don’t mind, let’s go together.”

Zennia knew plenty of places the servants rarely went. Places to escape the noisy staff for some peace.

The mischievous servants would slack off as much as possible knowing Eligos was away, so it wouldn’t be a problem.

“Anything you suggest is fine by me,” Lumiere said.

Looking at his handsome face, Zennia began planning places to take him tomorrow.

“Then let’s go somewhere I like. I’ll pack some food too.”

Watching Lumiere shake his head as if anything was fine, she smiled softly.

As she prepared to continue eating, Lumiere suddenly spoke:

“Zennia.”

“Yes?”

“I like you.”

Blink.

Zennia forced a smooth smile. Hearing this daily was not exactly good for her mental health.

She pretended not to hear it and slid her plate toward him.

Meanwhile…

Beef (the character) was pretending to listen intently to the servant chattering next to him, though he was really just half-listening. The servant was talking about Zennia, after all.

“They say Leraije recognizes him as a strong demon!”

Even Beef knew that.

On the day of the underground incident, the news of Zennia’s partner being praised multiple times by Leraije had spread throughout the castle.

Leraije had even roamed the castle, eyes blazing, asking if anyone had seen Zennia’s partner in person.

“It seems no one actually has.”

Several people had seen Leraije leaving the castle, visibly drained.

“Actually, I saw it myself that day. Though his face was covered…”

Beef glanced at the servant. He had never met a servant who claimed to have seen Zennia’s partner in person.

Excited, the servant began rattling off more details.

“He was so fast, and the atmosphere was intense. Unauthorized demons going underground couldn’t be stopped by anyone!”

Beef raised an eyebrow.

“Good job. What if he was an intruder?”

“Who dares invade the Demon King’s castle? Our lord is here.”

“Exactly.”

“And if anyone tried to touch him, it would have been a disaster!”

“Really that bad?”

Though Leraije made a fuss, the viscount usually didn’t take certain things seriously.

He claimed to be strong, but seemed to care more about appearances—though maybe he really was strong.

Beef, suspicious, asked again.

“Yes! It’s true! How sensitive we are in that regard! Also, servants said Leraije muttered that he’s still young.”

Stronger is better than weak, but… Beef snorted.

“Too young isn’t great.”

“Well, the age difference isn’t much, so it’s fine.”

Not entirely wrong.

“Really?”

Beef frowned thoughtfully, and the servant, eyes sparkling, leaned forward.

“You’re curious too, aren’t you, Head Chef?”

Beef shoved the inquisitive face away with his palm.

“Shut up.”

The servant strained to keep his balance, still trying to tease Beef.

“Why not ask Zennia directly? She’d answer if you asked.”

Beef didn’t fall for it. He had already promised to wait.

Even if he were curious, this wasn’t the time to talk openly—there were still too many servants interested in Zennia’s partner.

Beef snorted.

“For whose sake?”

“Too mean!”

Beef lightly kicked the flustered servant, who collapsed in defeat.

“If you’ve got nothing to do, go work. You’re not even a kitchen staff—why are you talking here?”

The servant made a mischievous face.

“When would we have fun if not today?”

“Have you ever actually worked?”

The servant just laughed at Beef’s sarcasm.

“Come on, give us a break. The butler isn’t here either.”

Brazen, but he wasn’t the only one.

Beef shook his head as he felt the chaos spreading through the castle once Eligos left.

“The Demon Castle’s going to be a mess.”

“It already is.”

And indeed it was.

With both the Demon King and Eligos away for the first time in ages, the castle was as chaotic as a battlefield.

Beef grimaced at the continual crashes and commotion.