Desmona had no idea about Oceanland’s current state. She never dreamed someone would kick her door down in the dead of night, claiming they’d take her away.
“Get out! All of you!”
Desmona snapped sharply.
“Heh, this little lady’s got fire. Lord Pierce will adore her,” a soldier chuckled, stepping toward Desmona.
“Desmona,” Wenwu murmured, “help me with one thing, and I’ll give you the Essence Energy you need.”
“What thing?”
“Can you link our minds? If yes, let them take you first. I’ll explain on the way.”
Decisive as ever, Desmona pressed her lips to Wenwu’s.
*“I hope you’re not lying to me,”* her voice echoed in his mind.
*“Don’t worry.”*
“Don’t touch me. I’ll walk myself,” Desmona barked at the soldiers.
The two guards were stunned. Captured women usually wailed and begged. This one surrendered too easily.
“She’s the prettiest one yet, huh?”
“Yeah. Even kissed him goodbye—quite the romantic. Such good goods… wonder how long Lord Pierce’ll play with her before getting tired. When’ll it be our turn?”
Those were the last words Wenwu caught before the soldiers left. Only then did he realize Desmona’s Puppetry on him remained active. “Hey! Undo this Puppetry!”
“Too far. Wait for it to fade. About two hours,” Desmona replied calmly.
*Liar.* Wenwu would bet ten thousand gold coins she was doing this on purpose.
“Tell me your plan,” Desmona asked.
Wenwu explained Oceanland’s crisis.
“My goal is to topple this Bansfaser Empire noble. How you do it is your choice—but remember: *topple*, not kill.”
“Understood.”
With the deal sealed, Wenwu settled into a long wait. Though paralyzed, exhaustion pulled him into sleep.
---
The soldiers brought Desmona to a castle.
“Lord Pierce, fresh goods have arrived,” one announced.
“Bring her in.” Pierce’s voice sounded weak, breathless.
As the door opened, Desmona saw a tearful girl being violated by Pierce. The moment she entered, his gaze locked onto her. He even paused his “work.” After a beat, a repulsive smirk spread across his face. He shoved the girl off the bed. “She’s yours now.”
The guards whooped with gratitude, dragging the half-naked girl away.
“You. Come here.” Pierce beckoned.
Desmona studied his pale, wasted face—clearly ruined by debauchery—and couldn’t place him among the nobility. Ignoring his call, she strode to the sofa, crossed her legs, and picked up nail scissors from the coffee table. With deliberate calm, she began trimming her nails.
“Which noble house are you from?” she asked.
“Viscount Pierce! Stop filing those nails and get over here!” He scrambled off the bed, naked and impatient.
“Just a *viscount*? No wonder I don’t recognize you.”
“What’s that supposed to mean? I may be only a viscount in the Empire, but here—I’m emperor.”
“Is *this* why the Empire sent you here?”
Annoyed, Pierce stomped toward her. “I didn’t summon you to lecture me. You’re here to please *me*. Understand?”
Desmona didn’t glance up.
“Fine. If you won’t bed me, we’ll use the sofa.”
“You?” She finally looked at him, lip curling. “You’ve less vital Essence Energy than Mirantha’s little finger. Wasting my time with you is beneath me.”
“Essence Energy? I’ve plenty of—”
“Get away! Don’t let your filthy body near me!” Her shout froze him mid-step.
“Do you even know your situation, girl?”
“Oh? Do *you* know yours?”
“Mine? Of course. I’ll be your man soon. And you’ll be my toy. A beauty like you… I won’t tire of you for a month.” He leered, advancing.
Suddenly, Desmona threw something at him.
Instinctively catching it, Pierce’s eyes widened. His whole body trembled. *Thud.* He collapsed to his knees.
“Recognize it?”
“Y-yes…”
“What is it?”
“The… Imperial… Royal crest.”
“Know who I am now?”
“P-Princess Royal…”
“Louder.”
“PRINCESS ROYAL!”
“Cover that disgusting thing. It makes me sick.”
Pierce fumbled for trousers, yanking them on haphazardly.
“Kneel there until I finish my nails. Fall asleep once—I break one finger. Twice—another.”
“Y-yes…” He nodded frantically.
But Pierce had already exhausted himself with another woman before Desmona arrived. Weak by nature, staying awake all night was impossible. He dozed off mid-kneel.
*CRACK.*
Pain jolted him awake. Desmona had snapped his finger with Dark Magic.
“Still sleepy?”
“No! No more sleep!” The agony burned away all drowsiness.
For Desmona—a Dark Magic devotee—sleepless nights were routine. After finishing her nails, she plucked a book from Pierce’s shelf. Dawn’s light seeped through the windows before she noticed.
“Lord Pierce? Your morning tea—” A maid entered, tray in hand. She froze at the sight: Pierce bare-chested, kneeling before a woman. Unsure how to react, she hesitated.
“Place it here,” Desmona said.
The maid glanced at Pierce, confused.
“The Princess Royal told you to serve her! Do it!” Pierce hissed, furious at her ignorance.
Still puzzled, the maid set the tea down and fled.
“Princess Royal, your tea…” Pierce poured it himself, desperate to please.
“Hmm.” Desmona accepted the cup without looking up, sipping lightly. Absorbed in her book, she didn’t notice the panic twisting his face.
