Chapter 8

…

My head felt completely numb.

My senses blurred, and a strange sensation of my consciousness floating away enveloped my entire body.

I couldn’t even recall what I was thinking just moments ago—it was as if my thoughts were shrouded in thick fog. And yet, trying to think deeply felt strangely exhausting.

It was like my very ability to “think” had been sealed away. All I could do was gaze at Her crimson eyes glowing softly through the dim darkness.

Now that I think about it… why was I staring into Lady Yuria’s eyes?

That’s right… obviously because She commanded me to do so…

But why did She give such an order…?

As my thoughts grew shallower, the memories before that became harder and harder to grasp.

This sudden change would have been terrifying or alarming for anyone—but strangely, I couldn’t feel any fear or alarm within myself. Instead, there was this subtle sense of calmness, accompanied by an addictive, irrational happiness that quickly erased any resistance I might have had.

After all, the person standing before me was none other than Lady Yuria—someone I trusted and loved above all others.

Why would She ever harm me?

“Good, good. You’ve done wonderfully. Kaya really is such a good girl… obedient, loving, cute… my one and only maid.”

“Ah… haa♡… Lady Yuria♡”

“Well then, since it seems you’re ready, let’s revisit the conversation we were having earlier?”

The ticklish compliments falling on my ears like honey made me tremble uncontrollably. These were the exact words I’d always dreamed of hearing from Her—words so euphoric they sent shivers down my spine.

Right now, I thought to myself, I must surely be the happiest being in existence.

Just as I indulged in that thought, Her next words rippled through my mind like a stone thrown into a tranquil lake.

Earlier… conversation?

Ah, yes! That’s right.

I had been talking with Lady Yuria about today’s events outside the palace while shopping.

Yet… something felt off. Why couldn’t I remember clearly?

What happened when we went out to buy supplies earlier today? I distinctly remembered discussing this topic with Lady Yuria, but no matter how hard I tried, the details wouldn’t surface. It was like my memories were hidden behind an impenetrable wall of dense fog. The harder I struggled to clear it, the thicker it seemed to grow, mocking my efforts.

There was some unpleasant experience buried deep within those shadows, though its specifics remained elusive.

Unable to produce an answer despite Her steady gaze fixed upon me, Lady Yuria finally broke the silence with her own response.

“You don’t seem to recall much, do you? Shall I remind you instead?”

“We saw the parade of a traveling theater troupe passing by chance today, didn’t we? You found it so exciting and dazzling that you wanted to share it with me…”

“A traveling theater troupe’s… parade?”

“Yes. And until now, I’ve been describing everything about that parade to you in detail, haven’t I? Don’t you remember?”

Parade… somehow, it felt familiar. But contrary to what Lady Yuria described, I didn’t feel joy at the memory; instead, a vague impression of horror and pain lingered strongly beneath the surface.

At the same time, intermittent noise and ringing in my ears whispered louder than ever, insisting that Her words weren’t true. My heart rebelled against them instinctively.

Was She sensing my hesitation? Slowly approaching me where I sat beside Her, Lady Yuria leaned closer until our faces were mere inches apart. Her crimson irises glowed brighter, their intricate patterns mesmerizing me completely.

And just as the last remnants of my rationality dissolved under Her spellbinding gaze…

Her lips pressed against mine.

“!!!”

Chuuuup… zzzzoooom… chuuuuuuuuuuck… haa♡…

A passionate kiss exchanged saliva and breaths between us. In front of such an overwhelming reward, my reason melted entirely.

This indescribable wave of bliss obliterated every trace of coherent thought left within me. So much so that I genuinely believed dying right here and now would leave me without regrets.

Submerged in unparalleled happiness far beyond normal standards, my body trembled violently as I submitted to Her lead. Meanwhile, clarity returned unexpectedly—not clarity of thought, but clarity of emotion. Irritating noises and ringing vanished instantly, replaced by waves of pure ecstasy flooding my mind.

Every trace of anguish and suffering evaporated cleanly, leaving behind only absolute contentment. How long had I basked in this state before regaining partial awareness?

As Lady Yuria’s lips slowly pulled away, leaving behind a thin silken thread connecting ours, I stared blankly into Her glowing red eyes, still dazed by the intensity of the moment. Sensing my lingering daze, She smiled seductively and posed another question:

“So… how are you feeling now? Is there anything strange or uncomfortable?”

Her sweet voice reverberated in my ears, pulling me back to reality. Anchored once more by Her hypnotic gaze, I attempted to reconstruct today’s events.

Instantly, the image of the [Traveling Theater Troupe] parade crystallized vividly in my mind.

A grand procession discovered accidentally during our return trip home. Colorful floats carrying skilled dancers who performed breathtaking routines surrounded by cheering crowds captivated everyone around them—including me. Though individual faces blurred in my memory, the overwhelming sense of awe and excitement lingered strongly.

“Yes! That’s correct! I saw the traveling theater troupe’s parade on my way back!”

“Exactly. You got so distracted watching it that you lost track of time and came home late, didn’t you? Am I right?”

Lady Yuria not only jogged my forgotten memories but also provided additional context seamlessly. Lost in the afterglow of bliss, I accepted Her explanations uncritically. When the realization hit me that I had rushed away from the parade due to lateness, I nodded blindly in agreement.

Proudly embracing me afterward, Lady Yuria exuded intoxicating fragrances that heightened my happiness further. As if reading my deepest desires, She whispered softly into my ear:

“That’s settled then. You’re my precious, adorable maid—mine alone. No matter what happens, I’ll never let you go.”

Though faint traces of unease lingered briefly, my consciousness soon faded completely, consumed entirely by bliss. Resting peacefully in Her arms, I wore the happiest smile I’d ever known.

Thus, the small spark ignited by chance once again retreated into the depths of oblivion.

But Lady Yuria, the crimson-eyed princess, remained unaware of one critical detail missing from her loyal maid’s account—a memory erased alongside others, hidden in a shadowy alleyway.

No one could predict the massive ripple effects this forgotten moment might bring in the future.

—–

In the dead of night, cloaked in pitch-black darkness, someone moved silently through the modest garden adjacent to the Blue Palace.

The figure was none other than Yuria, the 8th Princess of the Demon Emperor’s Nation, owner of this very palace. Unlike most demons, she possessed human-like skin rather than blue tones. Rejected and abandoned by all due to her resemblance to the Demon Empress, her fiery red eyes and silk-black hair only fueled resentment among her kin.

Clothed simply in a plain black dress, she surveyed the restored garden with cool detachment. This wasn’t always its condition; not long ago, it lay neglected, overrun with weeds. Its transformation was thanks solely to the diligent work of her cherished automaton maid, Kaya.

The silver-haired mechanical doll who always greeted her shyly with a tender smile. Or how she succumbed completely to Yuria’s powers last night, blushing deeply as waves of happiness overtook her trembling frame.

Lost momentarily in fond reminiscences of ten years spent together, Yuria allowed herself a small smile before resuming her usual stoic demeanor. Narrowing her crimson eyes, she addressed the shadows directly:

“How much longer do you plan to hide there? Might as well come out already.”

From the encroaching darkness emerged a tall woman draped in a white lab coat, her long navy-blue hair flowing freely. A mischievous grin played across her lips—Doctor Selene, creator of Kaya and one of the Four Heavenly Kings serving under the Demon King. Renowned as the empire’s foremost master of magical engineering, she was equally infamous for her ruthless dedication to science.

Despite years of acquaintance, Yuria still found the doctor unsettling. Suppressing a shudder, she greeted her visitor politely:

“Long time no see, Doctor Selene. Have you been well?”