The next day.

Morning sunlight streamed through the window into Suran’s room. As if hearing the signal—“Time to work”—Suran instinctively opened her eyes and woke.

For an excellent maid, clearing her mind upon waking and slipping straight into duty was basic.

Yet right now, Suran’s thoughts swirled with last night’s image of Lyasis beneath her.

“Miss Lyasis is so adorable… hehe… like a helpless little kitten… hehe…”

A satisfied smile tugged at Suran’s lips as she murmured unconsciously, lost in sweet recollection.

Then—snap! She jolted back to reality. Wiped drool from her chin. Shook her head wildly like a rattle drum.

No, no, no, no, no, no—

Oh no. I fell for it! Fell right into her beauty trap!!

Clutching her head, Suran banged it gently against the wall, screaming inwardly.

She *knew* Lyasis had stolen her male body, robbed her of eight precious years, forced her to serve as a maid all this time—yet she’d still been so easily tempted by this “enemy.”

Unforgivable! Absolutely unforgivable!

…But last night *was* really… comfortable…

No, no, no— Suran! Calm down. What do you *truly* want right now?

“Huuu…”

She took a deep breath, sat cross-legged on the bed, emptied her mind, and chanted softly:

“Eyes that do not see stay pure; ears that do not hear stay peaceful; a heart that does not dwell stays clear…”

Once distractions faded, Suran’s expression turned serious. She focused hard on her deepest desire.

Then—the young mistress’s petite figure surfaced in her mind… those delicate, palm-sized feet…

…

…

NO! I REFUSE!!

Yes, the young mistress was undeniably cute and charming—but what Suran *truly* wanted was to regain her male body, leave this place, and return home to Earth!!

Strengthen your resolve!

Strengthen your resolve!!

Strengthen your resolve!!!

She patted her cheeks, steeling herself to confront Lyasis.

But first—get dressed.

Suran walked to the wardrobe, pulled out a maid uniform with practiced ease. Reluctant? A little. But turned into a girl with no other options, she had no choice.

After dressing, she habitually approached the mirror—then froze. One glance, and she slapped both hands over her eyes.

Before her male memories resurfaced, she’d barely noticed this body. Now? Everything had changed.

The curves barely contained by the uniform made her blush instantly. Look away? Curiosity dragged her gaze right back.

Peeking through slightly parted fingers, she studied her reflection.

Her face no longer held a trace of her former male self. Aside from a hint of Eastern features, it mirrored the Nightmare Queen from memory—down to the figure.

“This is… utterly indecent…”

After a few stolen glances, she buried her burning face in her hands. Her ears glowed crimson. The blush wasn’t fading anytime soon.

What now? She couldn’t confront Lyasis looking like *this*.

If Lyasis saw her flustered, she’d instantly guess what happened! Suran could already picture that smug, knowing smile… one teasing remark, and she’d tumble right back into Lyasis’s trap.

No. She needed a distraction.

But after racking her brain, only chores came to mind: clean the manor, water flowers, trim weeds in the Crimson Garden.

“This isn’t me accepting the maid role,” she muttered. “Just resetting my mood. Besides—those plants in the Crimson Garden? I nurtured every one. They’re innocent. I won’t abandon them just because I don’t want to serve Lyasis anymore!”

Resolved, Suran got to work.

While cleaning the manor, she found the kitchen spotless—last night’s dishes washed and neatly stacked.

“Miss Lyasis is so considerate…”

The words slipped out. She shook her head hard and clamped a hand over her mouth.

Illusion! All illusion!

Later, watering flowers in the Crimson Garden, her gaze drifted to the bench nearby—and memories of Lyasis flooded back.

“It’s drowning! It’s going to drown!”

She snapped back. The potted plant overflowed. Hurriedly tipping it, she fumbled—and flipped the whole pot over.

Mud and soil spilled across the path. Suran sighed, palm pressed to her forehead.

“How unprofessional… As a professional maid of House Virellete, how could I make such a careless mistake…”

…

NO!!

I’M NOT HER MAID!!

She wanted to leave—but just as male memories had swayed her before, eight years of maid discipline now clawed at her instincts. She couldn’t let go of the young mistress… or the etiquette, the rules.

Two clashing identities tangled inside her, swinging wildly. Suran felt dizzy. Would she lose her mind if this kept up?

“Lord Suran.”

A calm, respectful voice came from behind.

Suran turned. A striking woman with short purple hair and a crisp uniform stood there.

Unfamiliar face—but the voice rang a bell. After a pause, Suran asked, “Are you… Night Raven?”

“It is I, Lord Suran,” the woman nodded. The very raven messenger who’d delivered messages before.

“Why do you look like this now?”

“Miss Lyasis’s wish,” Night Raven replied. “She said: next time I meet Lord Suran, I should no longer appear with a human body and a raven’s head.”

*Hmph. Does she think I’d be scared of a raven-headed messenger after regaining my memories? Changing Night Raven’s form out of ‘consideration’? How little she thinks of me—I’ve been here—*

Wait.

Suran froze.

If she’d just admitted *in her heart* that she’d spent eight years in the Crimson Garden… that would be accepting it. A silent “identity confirmation.”

“Damn it… Lyasis, using tricks like this to manipulate me…”

Suran would never admit it.

She would *never* let Lyasis win.