On the way back, Mo Zhi’s mood was noticeably low.
From time to time, she would gaze worriedly out the window, and at other moments, frown and clutch at her chest, as if feeling her heartbeat.
“What’s wrong, Clan Leader?”
Windsor finally couldn’t hold back her curiosity and asked.
But Mo Zhi put on a nonchalant face and said, “It’s nothing. I just ate a bit too much bean cake earlier. My stomach feels a little bloated, that’s all.”
“Is… that so.”
Windsor could tell she was lying, but since Mo Zhi didn’t want to talk about it, she wouldn’t press further.
At last, they arrived at Demon King Castle.
The carriage passed through the guarded gate, and as soon as it drove inside, just a slight raise of the head was enough to spot the towering castle at the very rear of Demon King Castle.
The two sides of Demon King Castle were protected by Barrier Magic, and at the very back lay a bottomless Abyssal Cliff, right beside which the Demon King’s castle was built.
It was said that within the cliff dwelled the pets kept by the Former Demon King, but since the Former Demon King’s death, they seemed never to have appeared again.
After getting off the carriage, Mo Zhi led Windsor inside the castle.
Familiar with the place, she quickly navigated through the Maze Corridor and arrived at the Demon King’s audience hall.
“Wait here outside for a bit. Come in after the morning audience is over.”
After giving this instruction, Mo Zhi entered the hall.
Windsor found a chair outside the hall and sat down.
As she curiously looked around at her surroundings, she suddenly caught the sound of a conversation drifting to her ears.
She was never interested in gossip, but her keen hearing picked up on two key words—cat demon.
At once, both pairs of her ears atop her head perked up, trying to listen more clearly.
“Really? Isn’t that a bit much?”
“Oh, why would I lie to you—it’s totally true! Last night, I could even hear those people’s screams all the way from the servants’ quarters! Hey, listen, all those noble masters disappeared that very night, and their families didn’t even dare make a peep. They must know it was the Demon King who killed them!”
“But… why would the Demon King kill them?”
“You forgot? His Majesty’s queen is a cat demon! You know how those barbarian tribes are, all the bad things they’ve done. I bet it was the queen who bewitched His Majesty, had all those nobles killed just for fun!”
“Whoa, just how wicked are cat demons!”
***
“Have you said enough——”
A sudden chill swept behind the two, making them shiver.
They didn’t know when Windsor had appeared behind them, her gaze cold as ice, stabbing right into their bones.
They noticed the cat ears atop Windsor’s head and instantly looked embarrassed.
“Talking bad about the queen behind her back—are you tired of living?”
Her tone was calm, but to the two, it was as chilling as if it carried killing intent.
The two servants lowered their heads, not daring to utter a word.
“It’s true that my tribe has done many evil deeds. I won’t deny the words despicable and shameful. But our clan leader is different. She is more pure and noble than anyone. I hope you remember that.”
Her tribe was full of selfish and despicable people—she herself was one.
But her clan leader was not.
She had given herself selflessly to their people, was more worthy of respect and love than anyone, and Windsor would not allow anyone to speak of her clan leader like that.
“R-remembered.”
With a timid reply, the two hurriedly ran off.
Windsor watched them coldly, not looking away until their figures completely disappeared around the corner.
Clang—
The doors to the audience hall opened, and a group of people in robes walked out.
They noticed Windsor, and all cast measuring glances at her.
“Another one…”
“So unlucky…”
“Barbarian livestock…”
***
The muttered insults reached Windsor’s ears.
She clenched her fists, turned around, just about to flare up, when suddenly a soft, cold hand gripped her palm.
“So here you are. I was wondering why I couldn’t find you.”
“Clan Leader…”
Seeing the unpleasant look on Windsor’s face, Mo Zhi bent her head and asked curiously, “Did something just happen? You seem a bit upset.”
“…It’s nothing.”
Though still curious, this wasn’t the time to dwell on it.
Mo Zhi resumed her gentle smile and said to Windsor, “Come along, the Demon King is waiting inside.”
“Mm…”
Windsor turned back, her eyes flashing with murderous intent as she glanced at the departing courtiers, then followed Mo Zhi into the audience hall.
The grand hall was cold and quiet, with no extravagant decorations, but a sense of solemn dignity hung in the air.
The only thing out of place was the striking purple figure atop the throne.
A breathtakingly beautiful woman reclined sideways on the throne, her features steeped in languor.
Her deep purple hair cascaded down alluring curves like a waterfall, black robes trailing onto the floor, one slender, jade-like leg dangling lazily from the throne’s armrest, swaying idly.
Seeing the black halo atop her head, it was clear this undignified person could only be the current Demon King, Landis.
From the moment they entered, her gaze had been fixed on Windsor, as if sizing her up.
Windsor did not bow to Landis, only stood behind Mo Zhi, locking eyes with Landis.
“I’ve brought her. Ask whatever you want!”
Mo Zhi planted her hands on her hips, deliberately blocking Landis’s view, not letting her look at Windsor.
Landis frowned and said, “My beloved consort cherishes her little sister so much, she won’t even let me have a look?”
Mo Zhi heard the dissatisfaction in her tone.
Not wanting to anger her, she shifted to the side, leaving a gap.
“That’s better.”
Landis chuckled softly, then stood up, her bare, jade feet stepping step by step toward Windsor.
Arriving in front of Windsor, she pinched Windsor’s cheeks, looking her up and down.
“You don’t look a thing like your sister.”
Windsor remained silent.
“Your face is pretty, but you look utterly lifeless, as if you don’t have long to live.”
With that, Landis let go, looking over at the wary Mo Zhi.
“Sure enough, my beloved consort is still the most beautiful.”
She moved behind Mo Zhi, wrapping her arms around Mo Zhi’s slender waist.
Crack—
A crisp sound suddenly echoed in the hall.
If she hadn’t misheard, that sound had come from the seemingly lifeless girl before her.
Landis looked at Windsor’s left hand.
The long joints were white from the force of her grip, as if she were holding something back.
She looked into Windsor’s eyes and saw jealousy there.
Landis seemed to understand, and let out a long, meaningful sound.
“Oh—so that’s how it is.”
Looks like the beloved consort’s little sister has some wild thoughts.
That won’t do.
The beloved consort is hers alone.
Even if it’s her sister, as long as she has the slightest thought about the beloved consort, the outcome will only be…
But first, it would be a waste not to have a little fun with such a rare toy.
A smile appeared in Landis’s eyes.
She turned and sat back on the throne, patted her thigh, and looked at Mo Zhi with a seductive gaze as she said, “Come, sit on my lap.”