Lia’s room was currently piled high with all sorts of things.
“Young Lady, according to your instructions, we have done our best to find out the popular preferences of human society within the Saint Race territory.”
“We have also collected gifts commonly used among humans for mutual giving.”
Lia stood before the pile of clutter and pulled out a book with a garish, colorful cover.
“What is this?”
Lia used two fingers to pinch the cover of the book, lifting it in front of her face.
“The Overbearing Bishop Loves Me, The Wealthy Holy Lord’s Ruthless Pampering,” the butler answered with a serious expression.
This was clearly beyond the understanding of a noble young lady, and she let out a confused, “Huh?”
“This is a popular piece of literature among humans at the moment. It tells the story of humans pursuing love.”
Catching the keywords “pursuing” and “love,” Lia’s eyes lit up.
But since the butler was still standing there, she had to pretend to be indifferent, casually tossing the book back.
Lia scanned the pile of clutter and saw various gold and silver ornaments, handmade goods, and items from the Holy Church.
She said disdainfully, “So humans also like these shiny gold things. They are quite similar to the dragons of the Beast Race.”
“When humans enter a marriage contract, they give each other gold and silver ornaments to symbolize eternity and value.”
After the butler finished speaking, he clearly saw Lia’s eyes light up again upon hearing “contract” and “value.”
“Cough. Aside from these, it’s all vulgar and strange things,” Lia said, crossing her arms over her chest. “Butler, you may leave. I’ll look through them myself.”
“Young Lady.” The other party hesitated for a moment but eventually continued, “If I may be so bold, you are collecting these for the sake of that human familiar who left, aren’t you?”
“When she followed you, it certainly wasn’t for these material things. If you wish for her to return to the Teppes family…”
“Enough, enough! Stop talking, it’s annoying just listening to you!” Lia impatiently interrupted the butler. “I have my own plans. Just get out.”
She pushed the butler out of the room and closed the door.
Lia turned and walked to the table, thoughtfully pulling out a necklace encrusted with gemstones.
When she had seen Lin Shu again in the underground jungle, there was a thin cord around her neck with something small hanging from it.
Could that be a necklace Seraphina gave her?
Lia let out a cold laugh.
Hmph, how pathetic.
Lia gripped the gemstone necklace in her hand. She would go to the Demon Capital to buy the finest necklace and give it to Lin Shu to make her understand that she could provide the very best.
As for that book…
Lia’s gaze fell on the colorful cover. She hesitated for a moment before picking it up and flipping through a few pages.
Upon seeing the descriptions in the book, steam began to rise from the top of Lia’s head.
“This… this is absolutely scandalous!”
—
Since then, Lia had once again locked herself in her room day and night. The maids and servants of the family were all privately discussing the Young Lady’s recent strange behavior.
“Who made the Young Lady unhappy again?”
“I don’t know. She clearly seemed to have regained her spirits when she led the team out last time. Why did she suddenly become like this again?”
“Is it because the mission wasn’t completed? The Young Lady has never failed before.”
“I… when I went to deliver a meal to her room last time, I heard her saying something inside the room as I was closing the door… ‘Good, you have successfully provoked me.’ But I don’t know what I did wrong?”
“So it was you, kid.”
“Waaah, but I didn’t do anything!”
“Stop talking. It’s not like you don’t know the Young Lady’s temper.”
Suddenly, a low voice interrupted the maids’ discussion. “Are you gossiping about the Young Lady because you want to be expelled from the family?”
The servants were startled and turned to find the butler standing at the door with a grim expression. They hurriedly scattered.
The butler sighed, went upstairs to Lia’s room, and knocked on the door. “Young Lady.”
There was no response from inside.
“Young Lady, regarding your instructions to keep a close eye on Drago and Lin Shu, I have new information.”
“Come in.” Lia’s voice finally came from inside the room.
The butler entered the room and bowed formally. “I heard a rumor that Miss Seraphina of the Drago family is preparing to attend the annual Demon Merchant Guild’s ball.”
Lia’s back trembled slightly.
If Seraphina was going, given her personality, she would definitely bring Lin Shu along.
Lia had already bought the necklace; she just lacked the opportunity to give it. If she could see Lin Shu at the ball, it would be the perfect chance!
“Where is the ball being held?”
“In the Evernight Palace on the east side of the capital.”
“Evernight Palace…” Lia murmured the name, then suddenly burst out laughing. “Hahaha, I knew it. It’s time.”
The Evernight Palace was the place where Lia had first summoned her familiar. It was the exact spot where Lia and Lin Shu had first met.
The advantage was hers!
She hurriedly tidied her dress and rushed to her father’s study, pushing the door open and saying directly, “Father, I want to participate in the ball at the Evernight Palace!”
Lia’s father was handling official business. Seeing his daughter suddenly burst in, he looked up in confusion. “A ball? Don’t you dislike those kinds of social occasions?”
“Besides, those are gatherings for independent factions. We, the Teppes, have never been on good terms with them.”
“I must go!” Lia’s attitude was firm.
Lia’s father was silent for a moment.
His daughter had been in low spirits ever since the last mission failure. Perhaps letting her go out to clear her head wouldn’t be a bad thing.
“Go if you want. I’ll find someone to get an invitation for you. Remember, do not do anything detrimental to the family’s interests.”
—
Meanwhile, inside the Drago family mansion.
Lin Shu shrunk back against the wall. “Master, do… do we really have to do this?”
Seraphina held a measuring tape in her hand, nodding with a beaming smile. “Of course. My little cutie is going to attend a ball with me, so we definitely need to have a beautiful outfit custom-made.”
“Besides that, I need to trim your hair, pick out some accessories, and dress you up beautifully.”
“Now I need to take your body measurements, so hurry up and take it off.”
She really was going to follow Seraphina to a grand event in formal attire, but she had absolutely no experience dealing with social occasions from her past life.
Thinking about facing the gazes of all sorts of strange demons at the ball, and even having to dance, Lin Shu was already starting to feel uneasy.
What was she supposed to say then? Should she just stay by Seraphina’s side?
“But shouldn’t the measurements be done by a tailor?” Lin Shu tried to find an excuse to decline.
“Because I want to do it personally, I told the tailor to leave this part to me~” Seraphina approached Lin Shu with the soft measuring tape, smiling. “Come on. Didn’t I see everything when you took a bath last time? Why are you still so shy?”
Lin Shu was cornered against the wall with nowhere to retreat, her eyes spinning in swirling patterns.
“I get it, I’ll… I’ll take it off myself.”
“Master, your hand… don’t… don’t touch me randomly, uwaah…!”