Normally, Ledyah ate lunch alone without issue. Today, however, an unusual loneliness clung to her.

After a night and morning of intense passion, Ledyah felt a strange withdrawal. Her usual mealtime ritual now left her restless.

She beckoned a waiting maid.

"Where are that woman and Astolfo? Why haven’t they come to eat?"

"The Holy Maiden spent the morning in the library," the maid replied respectfully to the Demon King. "Astolfo personally brought her tea and pastries. The other maids await her orders outside the library doors."

*The library, huh.*

Ledyah said nothing. She often visited the library herself to read and broaden her mind. Their actions seemed perfectly ordinary.

Yet as time passed, the unease she’d hoped would fade only intensified. A searing itch spread through her chest—a desperate need to see them both. Something felt... off.

By afternoon, Ledyah found herself drifting toward the library instead of her usual tea spot on the balcony. As Demon King, she had few duties. Her capable subordinates handled crises, and centuries of accumulated power meant she lived with the leisure of a spoiled noble.

Lost in thought, she didn’t realize her black-gloved hand had already grasped the library door handle.

*Wait.* Ledyah froze mid-motion. *Walking in now would look like I missed them.*

Her fingers tightened on the handle. *But I’m the Demon King. I take what I want.*

Body betraying her pride, she pushed the door open and stepped into the hushed sanctuary of books.

Weaving through shelves, she soon spotted Noah.

Sunlight spilled over the Holy Maiden seated by a window. A tiered stand held warm tea, apple tarts, and delicate sandwiches. Her long legs were crossed elegantly as she read, eyes wide with innocent curiosity. The ribbon at her chest trembled slightly with each breath, soft hands holding the pages of an ancient tome—*The Book of the Undying*.

*That’s from the Restricted Section.*

Ledyah’s eyebrow lifted, unsurprised. With Astolfo around, she trusted Noah wouldn’t misuse such power.

Bathed in golden light, Noah looked like a luminous spirit. Even her full figure seemed sacred under the sun’s glow. Hidden behind a bookshelf, Ledyah couldn’t look away. The sight of this girl, utterly absorbed in knowledge, was mesmerizing. Even the Demon King hesitated to disturb her.

*Snap.*

The book closed sharply. Ledyah’s heart skipped as Noah’s gaze met hers.

Caught like a lovestruck boy spying on his crush—Ledyah’s dazed expression was one Noah wished she could preserve forever. She’d noticed the Demon King long ago, waiting patiently for the perfect moment to pounce.

"Oh my," Noah’s eyes crinkled, her smile flawless. "Has the Demon King come seeking me before nightfall? Could it be... loneliness?"

"N-no. It’s not—"

*As the Demon King, I’d never—*

Noah leaned close, silencing Ledyah with a teasing finger against her lips.

"It’s alright~," she whispered. "You’re *my* favorite Demon King, after all. Come to me whenever you crave me." Her smile turned mischievous. "Or... is the Demon King simply *unsatisfied*?"

Noah pressed Ledyah gently against the bookshelf. The taller girl flushed as soft hands cradled her chin, drawing her down. Every shaky breath, every heated exhale, thickened the air with promise.

Ledyah’s knees weakened under Noah’s tender assault. Just that touch made resistance feel pointless.

*Foolish. I walked right into the lion’s den.*

*No—I’m the Demon King! I can’t always be... underneath...*

Her mind rebelled, but her body arched in welcome. Noah’s touch was intoxicating. Ledyah felt herself unraveling, utterly captured. Her will to fight dissolved like mist. Resistance faded to nothing. Her crimson eyes grew hazy, drifting shut as she sank into sweet oblivion—

The kiss never came.

Noah stiffened, sensing something. Ledyah’s eyes snapped open, sharp and clear.

"Oopsie~! Don’t mind me, Xiao Ya!" A familiar voice chirped. "Carry on~ Pretend I’m not here~"

Ledyah’s blood ran cold.

Silver hair framed a doll-like face. A black-and-white Lolita dress draped over porcelain skin. This girl’s beauty was exquisite, almost unreal—like a mastercrafted puppet. Yet where Ledyah’s crimson eyes held ancient depth, this girl’s matching gaze burned with wild, untamed desire.

Noah’s perfect smile hardened into cold armor.

The newcomer, however, beamed with radiant delight—mirroring Noah’s earlier expression. But where Noah’s warmth felt genuine, this girl’s smile carried the chill of bloodstained midnight.

With a graceful curtsy, she lifted her skirts. Her voice dripped with regal elegance:

"Allow me to introduce myself. Crenina Violet. One of the Four Knights sworn to the Demon King. Princess of the Vampire Clan. Guardian of the Mandorn Court. Heir to the oldest, noblest bloodline of the Demon Race."

She bowed deeply. "At your service, Your Majesty... and Holy Maiden."