Chapter 24

The moment Lisbeth stepped into the conference room, only five people met her eyes. Apart from Christia, the Demon King, the other four all wore identical Maid Outfits to hers. That detail didn’t matter much—until her gaze landed on the two maids standing farthest to the right. Lisbeth couldn’t suppress her shock.

There stood Elinest, whom she’d bumped into in the Secret Passage last night, and Angelina, her sworn enemy from two centuries later whom she’d spotted in the small garden. Without thinking, Lisbeth blurted out the nicknames she’d given them.

*Thud!*

"Ow!!"

Hilda, the Head Maid, immediately smacked Lisbeth’s head and snapped, "What nonsense are you spouting? Apologize now!"

"A-ahaha, s-sorry…" Lisbeth stammered. The scene had startled her, but Hilda’s knock snapped her back to her senses. She took a deep breath. "I spoke rudely just now without thinking. My apologies."

"Hmph. Fine. Since you’ve apologized, I’ll let it slide. But hurry up and introduce yourself." Christia waved a hand, eager to move on—though Elinest clearly had other plans.

"No, no, Lord Demon King," Elinest purred. "I’m quite curious about that nickname. Could ‘pervert’ have been about me?"

"Eh? N-no, not at all…" Lisbeth lowered her head, outwardly meek but inwardly seething. *Damn it! I didn’t even name you—why jump to conclusions? Or do you know you’re a pervert?* She forced a smile. "Ah, that was just sleep-deprived nonsense. Please ignore it. I’m Lisbeth, and from now on—"

"No need for introductions," Elinest cut in, leaning close to sniff Lisbeth’s hair. "Mmm, you smell lovely~ Fresh out of the bath?"

"Please behave," Lisbeth said stiffly. She’d planned to stay silent, but Elinest’s antics grated. She pointed at her. "And since you know my true identity, you’re aware I’m male, right?"

"Male? I wouldn’t know~" *Pfft~* "Eh!?" Elinest suddenly groped Lisbeth’s chest, whispering in her ear, "To me, it doesn’t matter what’s inside. As long as your body’s a cute girl’s, I’ve got no complaints~"

*Pervert! A total pervert!* Lisbeth’s opinion of the elegant, silver-haired Elinest plummeted.

"Elinest, that’s enough!" Hilda’s shout echoed through the room. "Lisbeth is the Hero of humanity, but she’s also Lord Demon King’s servant now. Don’t overstep!"

Elinest covered her ears. "Alright, alright, my bad. Just teasing the newbie. So serious?"

"I don’t consider that a joke. Avoid misunderstandings next time." *No, no—I don’t think that was joking at all.* Lisbeth’s eye twitched as she watched Elinest’s hand still roaming. "Could you please let go?"

"Hm? Oh, sorry. The texture’s so nice I lost track. But it feels familiar… like the child I met in secret last night."

*Eh!? Does she know it was me in the Secret Passage!?* Lisbeth’s heart skipped a beat. She smiled tightly. "Hehe, Miss Elinest, you joke too much. A Personal Maid like you wouldn’t sneak around, right?"

"Hm? Not at all~ I’ve lost count of secret meetings~ But you were in the dungeon yesterday, so it couldn’t be you~"

"Ah, yeah. I was locked up all day." *Damn, does she suspect me or not?* Elinest’s knowing smile made Lisbeth uneasy—until she turned to Christia. "Lord Demon King, Lisbeth is fascinating. I think we’ll get along~"

"Hmm. If you say so. Lisbeth, reintroduce yourself. Then everyone here will do the same."

"Ah, yes."

Lisbeth survived the crisis—but Elinest’s lingering smile haunted her.