The Demon King’s Castle had a dedicated dining area exclusively for the Demon King.

Served by over a dozen maids at all times, it was a space meant solely for the Demon King’s use.

Even when dining with the Demon King, no one was ever permitted to sit as an equal.

This was the rightful place for the most exalted being of the Demon Race—a symbol of absolute authority.

Yet today, an incomprehensible intruder disrupted the usual tranquility of the dining hall.

"Demon Lord~ Open up, aah—"

Noah beamed, spearing a piece of chilled meat from the platter and offering it to Ledyah’s lips. The maids trembled at this audacious act.

They recognized the captured Holy Maiden, secretly marveling at the Demon King’s prowess—it had taken less than a day to tame her. Now she fussed over Ledyah like a doting wife.

To any observer, it was a scene of pure sweetness.

Yet for some reason, the Demon King’s expression looked like she’d swallowed a cockroach.

Liches despised blood and fire. Among the fiercely individualistic demonic races, the Lich clan lived longest and embraced the most laid-back nature. Their aversion to gore and preference for cold dishes were innate.

Thus, Ledyah’s breakfast consisted of cured meats—devoid of any bloody scent or heat—and lukewarm coffee.

Beside her, Noah’s plate held grilled meat patties and vegetable salad, specially prepared by Astolfo per human recipes.

After a fierce struggle (or rather, love struggle) over dignity and status, Ledyah had finally convinced the perfectly smiling, utterly terrible Holy Maiden to release her from bed.

Though she now wore a regal gown and sat with royal poise, her legs still trembled uncontrollably. A lingering soreness remained within her.

Especially when the Holy Maiden leaned close with that innocent smile—Ledyah shuddered, memories of last night flooding back.

Flustered, she covered her mouth and turned her head slightly, a faint blush coloring her pale cheeks:

"N-No, thank you. I’ve... lost my appetite."

"Eh~ No appetite?"

Noah blinked, resting her elbows on the table with feigned innocence.

"But after last night’s exertions? How can the Demon King face her ministers without breakfast?"

"*Hmph!*"

Ledyah’s gaze darted away. The maids serving the Demon King were impeccably trained, yet their eyes flickered involuntarily at those words.

"Holy Maiden," Astolfo, Ledyah’s personal maid, smoothly intervened. "His Majesty is a Lich with millennia of accumulated power. Skipping one meal—or even a month’s worth—holds no consequence."

Before Ledyah could sigh in relief, Astolfo delivered the killing blow:

"Still, I agree with you. After last night’s... exertions, skipping breakfast might undermine His Majesty’s dignity before the ministers."

Ledyah shot a startled glance at Astolfo. The maid bowed slightly, her eyes clear of any pink-tinged enchantment.

That morning, when Astolfo had called the Demon King "embarrassing," it had been under Noah’s charm. After all, Astolfo had served Ledyah faithfully for over a century—her impeccable manners would never allow such blunt words otherwise.

But now? She’d assessed the power shift.

Accepting this truth wasn’t easy, yet she’d adapted swiftly.

*So please, Your Majesty... just surrender to the Holy Maiden.*

Astolfo’s apologetic eyes seemed to plead.

*I know... but your words just now—*

*—sound exactly like saying a millennia-old Lich was utterly exhausted by a mere twenty-year-old human!*

Panic and helplessness flickered in Ledyah’s eyes. She’d never imagined her most trusted maid—her sister in all but blood—would betray her so swiftly.

And without any enchantment this time!

*Forgive me, Your Majesty. This is for your healthy, wholesome life.*

Astolfo’s regret deepened, but her resolve to push her master into this pit never wavered.

*Besides... if you keep ignoring her, the one in danger won’t be me anymore.*

Astolfo’s warning glance made Ledyah stiffen. Slowly, she turned her head.

Noah’s fork still hovered, the chilled meat glistening invitingly.

That flawless smile hadn’t wavered—not even a fraction. If anything, the curve of her lips had deepened.

So deeply that even Ledyah sensed the danger radiating from it.

"...Fine. I’ll eat it."

Gritting her teeth, Ledyah swallowed her pride along with the meat. She braced for rumors of "Demon Lord henpecked" to spread like wildfire.

"*Mmm.*"

She could almost hear the maids’ silent cheers. Her heart bled tears.

Seeing the Demon King so obedient, the lethal glint in Noah’s eyes vanished. Her sunlit smile radiated pure satisfaction—even the watching maids found themselves spellbound.

*The Demon King must be so blessed to have such a perfect Holy Maiden as his bride,* they thought in unison.

"Now then, my Lord~ Open up for the next bite, aah—"

Noah immersed herself in the role of devoted wife, delighting in every moment.

Whether the Demon King shared that delight was another matter entirely.

"Mmm... aah..."

Ledyah’s eyes reddened as she swallowed another piece. Today’s monotonous meal carried a strange new flavor.

She remembered the Holy Maiden’s initial defiance upon capture... her childlike terror before the assault... and now this smiling, compliant woman before her.

Regret twisted in her gut.

*All self-inflicted.*

"Now, my Lord, meat alone isn’t enough. Allow me to feed you coffee—"

"*No!* Absolutely not!"

Ledyah snatched her cup and drained it in one gulp, narrowly avoiding the humiliation of mouth-to-mouth feeding before her maids.

"*Ahem!* Breakfast is concluded. I have royal duties to attend."

She cleared her throat loudly, announcing the obvious as if steeling herself.

Noah showed no disappointment. Cradling the cat Tuantuan against her chest, she tilted her head and watched Ledyah with that perfect, unchanging smile—eyes narrowed like a fox’s.

That gaze chilled the Demon King to the bone.