The Succubus Empress—who had once stabbed herself with a single slash and, at death’s very brink, tormented herself with vicious cruelty—was now gently embracing her?

“It’s alright, Zila. From today, you’re my dear granddaughter. Grandma won’t lay a hand on you again. No more fear, my sweet… shhh~”

Feeling the tremors in Zila’s small frame ease, Zi Li loosened her hold and gazed down. Those heterochromatic eyes—amethyst and gold—glistened with teardrops the size of corn kernels. With slender, elegant fingers, Zi Li carefully traced Zila’s tear-streaked cheeks, wiping away the cold moisture. The tender warmth she reserved only for her closest kin now bloomed plainly before Zila.

What… what is happening?! Zila’s mind reeled, utterly bewildered. Fear had vanished—replaced by a storm of unanswerable questions. How could the ruthless Succubus Empress shift so completely? From cold-blooded tyrant to gentle grandmother… it defied belief. This scene mirrored a mother cradling her fragile child: pure care, zero malice.

But beyond the jarring shift, Zila noticed her own body. A total transformation—voice, limbs, every inch inside and out. Her frame felt soft, delicate, nothing like a man’s sturdy build. Her voice turned childlike, sweet with a tiny lisp. Every gesture had grown unintentionally feminine. *A knight would never cower in a corner!* Xue Yu, the disciplined Arcanist Warrior, knew fear was the true enemy—yet *she* had shrunk away.

“No! Get off me!” Zila jolted back to reality, shoving Zi Li away and hugging her arms tightly over her chest. “I’m not your granddaughter! You old hag—are you mocking me?! I saw right through you!” She glared, tense and defiant. *This monster slaughtered my comrades… tortured dying me… This must be her cruelest trick yet: trapping me in a form I despise. Forever.*

“No,” Zi Li said calmly, patting her chest. “I am your grandmother—Belanite Zi Li. And you are my granddaughter: Belanite Zila. You simply need time.” A faint, knowing smile curved her lips.

“I can’t accept it! I’m human! An Arcanist Warrior sworn to slay vile Succubus Curses!” Zila clenched her teeth, scrambling off the bed. But her new petite body wobbled unsteadily. Before two steps, strong hands seized her slender waist—lifting her clean off the ground. Her legs kicked helplessly midair.

“Accept it, my granddaughter~” Zi Li murmured warmly, nuzzling Zila’s cheek like a cherished treasure.

Disgust surged. “Let go, you witch! I’m not your granddaughter—I’m a knight! A knight!”

“No. You are *my* granddaughter. Chosen heir to the Succubus Curse throne. Princess of the Belanite Clan.” Ignoring Zila’s struggles, Zi Li carried her back into the warm blankets, cradling her close. “You are no longer human. You carry my noble blood—second only to the Empress herself.” Beneath the covers, Zi Li gently pinned Zila’s flailing limbs. “Why cling to that lowly past? You should feel honored. From this moment… you are Belanite. Forever.”

“No no no no no! You wicked hag! I’ll never be your granddaughter! Let me go!” Zila strained—but her limbs had no room to move.

*Gurgle… gurgle~*

A loud stomach rumble echoed from under the blankets.

Zila froze. Her body went limp as a cut-string puppet. All strength vanished.

“Zila… hungry?” Zi Li whispered worriedly near her ear.

“Waaah! So hungry… wanna eat… food… waaah~!”

Hormones ruled all. Transformed into a starving child, Zila instinctively buried her face into Zi Li’s plush chest, clinging to her most hated enemy while sobbing pitifully. *I know this is wrong!* her mind screamed. *A knight never shows weakness!* Yet her body betrayed her—craving the safety only *she* provided. *Why am I hugging her?! Let go!!!*

As hunger swallowed thought, only one word remained: *FOOD*.

“Oh dear! Grandma’s so careless—how could I forget to feed my sweet granddaughter?” Zi Li sat up, keeping Zila securely nestled. With her slender, heart-shaped purple tail, she wiped fresh tears from Zila’s eyes and called toward the door, “Bring the meal!”

A faint shuffle answered from outside. “There, there~ Food’s coming, Zila.”

At those words, Zila perked up, drool tracing her chin. “R-Really?!” She looked up, eyes sparkling with starry hunger.

*Wait… Succubus food? What do they eat?!*

Masaka…

The door opened. A female Succubus Curse in a black-and-white maid uniform entered, holding a tray. On it sat a bowl of viscous, off-white “food.”