Who’s there? Allen thought, feeling a slight shake. Someone was shaking him.

"Wake… up…" A faint voice reached him—bright and girlish. It was barely audible, muffled and dreamlike, yet whispered right against his ear. The delicate sound startled Allen awake.

Allen opened his eyes. A face loomed close, pinning him to the bed—no, *bed*-pinning him. A slight flush colored porcelain-smooth skin, cherry-red lips parted slightly. Fiery red-brown eyes locked onto his, framed by waist-length crimson hair tied into a single thick braid that swayed behind her. Two twitching beast ears crowned her head.

Luna’s face was almost pressed to Allen’s, her warm breath tickling his skin. Only then did Allen realize their position: Luna’s hands braced on either side of his shoulders, one foot planted on the floor while the other knee pressed between his thighs. That blush on her cheeks made the scene impossible to misinterpret.

"Wah…! Get away from me!" Allen shoved Luna back, voice cracking with tears. He scrambled to the headboard, knees drawn to his chest, face buried. It was the only way to feel safe.

He knew exactly how terrifying this girl could be. On his first waking day, Luna’s "escort" nearly killed him. Every time he stirred, her eerie *hehehe* laughter would drag him back into unconsciousness—wake, collapse, repeat. He feared Luna more than the Dark Lord himself. So much that tears spilled unbidden.

Luna froze. *He’s crying just from seeing me? What kind of monster does he think I am?*

Allen was just as shocked. He hadn’t cried since he was eight. He’d learned to endure anything. Maybe this body’s tear ducts were just… overactive. The memory of past helplessness flooded back.

"Ah… don’t cry! Please!" Luna panicked. *If Master punishes me again…* She forced a soothing tone. "I’m sorry! Last time was my fault—I hurt you. I’ll grant you any wish! Just stop crying, okay?"

Allen wasn’t weak. This was just his new body reacting. He’d give Luna an out.

"I… it’s fine. Just… don’t hit me," he whispered, too afraid to ask for more.

"Of course! Hehehe—" Relief made Luna’s chuckle slip out. Allen flinched violently at the sound.

"Ah! Almost forgot!" Luna slapped her forehead, remembering Lilith’s orders. She yanked a leather case from under the bed. "Lilith-sama said you must wear *everything* inside once you wake up." She stressed "*everything*" pointedly. She tossed the case onto the bed and plopped onto a nearby chair. "Yep," Allen replied automatically.

"For changing, use the wardrobe behind me. It has a mirror." Luna twirled her braid, nodding toward a small door.

Allen had never heard of changing *inside* a wardrobe—but when he opened it, he gasped. A full-length mirror dominated the space, its redwood frame carved with seamless, masterful patterns. Mirrors were rare luxuries here; most used expensive crystal substitutes. This one gleamed like mercury fused to glass. Allen recognized the material—it matched the core of a giant demon beast he’d slain before attacking Demon Castle. *Lilith held back during our duel…* The thought chilled him.

He shook his head. *First, survive. Then escape.*

He’d been drifting in and out of consciousness since waking, never seeing his reflection. Now, in the mercury-backed glass, he saw a sixteen-year-old girl—unexpectedly beautiful. Just a nightgown and undergarments covered him. His face rivaled the Dark Lord’s, though Lilith’s was mature and regal while his own leaned toward delicate cuteness.

Allen frowned. The reflection frowned back. *So this is me now.* He sighed.

A black collar circled his slender neck like a brand. *Am I truly the Dark Lord’s property?* Panic tightened his throat. He shook his head fiercely. *No. I won’t submit.* He nodded at his reflection, whispering, "Hang in there."

"Hurry up already!" Luna’s impatient grumble cut through the silence. "What’s taking so long?"

"Coming!" Allen yelped, cheeks flushing at the memory of their earlier closeness.

Inside the case lay a complete maid outfit—identical to Luna’s. Every detail was included: dress, undergarments, shoes, even hair ribbons.

*Gulp.* Allen swallowed hard. Changing naked felt impossible. *I won’t pervert my own body!* He blindfolded himself with a ribbon (face still burning).

Fumbling with the dress, he tripped over another ribbon. *Whoosh!* He crashed to the floor.

"Ow…" Rubbing his head, he wondered how many times he’d fallen since waking.

"Let me help…" Luna sighed, her braid swinging like a pendulum. "I’m coming in—" Her tone turned teasing.

"Wait—"

*CRASH!* The door flew open.

Allen ripped off the blindfold, bare and exposed. Seeing Luna, he crouched, arms shielding his chest, face crimson.

"Hehehe… Why shy?" Luna grinned, stepping closer. "We’re both girls~ Hehehe… I’ll dress you."

"I don’t need—"

Before Allen could finish, Luna yanked his arms aside. He was completely exposed.

"...I’ve been seen," Allen muttered, hollow.

"It’s fine! We’re girls!" Luna chirped, ears flicking. "No need to be so prudish."

*She’s actually kind of cute…* The thought horrified Allen. *What’s wrong with me?!*

"Enough! Change!"

Minutes later, the wardrobe echoed with muffled screams.

"No! Don’t lift me like luggage! You put dresses on *standing*!"

"Stop! That hurts!"

"Don’t—ah!"

In minutes, Luna’s "assistance" left Allen dressed but utterly drained. Luna beamed, chin propped on her palm, ears drooping contentedly.

"Luna… next time, let me do it myself," Allen pleaded, eyes glistening.

"Pfft. Your problem now," Luna shrugged innocently. "If you mess up the outfit? Don’t blame me when Master starves you as punishment." Her smile looked anything but innocent to Allen.

"You still remember that…?" Allen grumbled.

"You look cute like this," Luna added offhandedly, teasing.

"*Cute?*" Allen scowled at the mirror. A black-and-white gothic maid dress covered him, layered with dizzying ruffles. Long sleeves lent solemnity; a neckerchief pinned with a crimson oval gem hid the collar. A pure-white apron—decorated with more ruffles and a useless pocket—topped the skirt. Luna had trimmed his hair to just above his waist, tying side strands with pale blue ribbons into bows. Black thigh-high cotton socks completed the look. But his skirt was *shorter* than Luna’s.

"Luna! Why’s my skirt so short?!" Allen protested.

"Lilith-sama said it’s for ‘posture training’," Luna replied brightly.

"...Fine." Allen deflated instantly at Lilith’s name.

"Time to see Lilith-sama," Luna announced.

"No!" Allen tensed at the name.

"No choice~ Hehehe~" Luna scooped him up like a sack of rice, slung over her shoulder. Allen squirmed—uselessly short.

"Put me down! I’ll walk!" he yelled.

"See? Easy." Luna strode out, carrying him toward Lilith’s study.

No Content