"Mmm... this is really troublesome to put on..."

"Is it? I think it's fine..."

"Tch... and it needs tying. So annoying... Hey! This skirt is way too short!"

"Short? This counts as short?"

"Of course! Hawthorn, look! My panties are almost showing!"

When I neared Lily and Hawthorn’s room, I perked up my ears. They weren’t hiding their voices, so I heard everything clearly from outside.

"Alright! Almost done... Heave!"

Hearing them, I figured they’d finished changing. I grinned and shoved the locked door open anyway.

Crash!

"My dear maids~ Show your Dark Lord your new outfits~"

"Whoa! How dare you barge in without warning!" Lily’s ears shot up as she yelled at me, clearly furious.

I finally got a good look at them.

Hawthorn had been facing away, talking to Lily before I burst in. Startled, she glanced back calmly—but her right hand was pulling up the back of her maid skirt. From my angle, I saw her panties clearly under the black pantyhose.

Lily was tugging desperately at her own skirt, face flushed with shyness. She wore only thigh-high black stockings, leaving most of her thighs bare. The risk of exposure made her squeeze her legs together tightly.

...Perfect.

I’d already burned that fleeting, thrilling sight into my memory. Seeing near-identical twins like this was intoxicating.

...Though Hawthorn radiates Champion-level positive energy now. Touching her too long would hurt me badly. Better avoid her for now.

But Lily? I can touch her all I want.

"Mmm... this outfit is way too short!" Lily pouted, yanking her skirt down while complaining.

"Hehe, it suits you perfectly." I clapped, smiling. "Look at you—so cute. I just want to tease you properly."

...

Lily’s lips twitched at my words.

"You’ll get used to it," Wuluwu said from behind me. "I wasn’t used to it either at first."

"Mmm... how can anyone get used to this!"

"I think it’s fine~" Ona, standing beside Wuluwu, smiled gently at Lily. "Come on, Lily. The Dark Lord must have even more revealing outfits, right? This maid outfit is actually quite modest."

"...W-well, maybe... but it still feels so embarrassing..." Lily bent slightly, pulling her skirt again and stroking her bare thighs as she muttered.

Hawthorn, right in front of me, was spinning in place while examining her body. Her expression stayed calm, but her curiosity was obvious.

*She’s still just a little girl.*

Watching her starkly different reaction from Lily’s, my thoughts raced.

*Hmph... plenty of opportunities later. But for now, I’ll wait.*

*Even if I can’t have the whole meal yet... a few bites won’t hurt. Such a waste otherwise... Mmm...*

I made my decision silently.

*...After all, I need to get my investment back first.*