My head felt blank.
Reason blurred, and a strange sensation wrapped around me, as if my mind was floating.
I couldn’t recall what I had been thinking just moments ago, as if my memories were shrouded in a thick fog.
It was hard to think deeply about anything.
It felt like the very ability to ‘think’ had been sealed away.
In this state, all I could do was gaze into the crimson eyes of the one before me, glowing softly through the darkness.
‘But why was I looking into Yuria’s eyes in the first place?’
‘Ah, of course. It was because she had commanded me to.’
‘But why did she give me such an order?’
As the depth of my thoughts faded, so too did my memories of earlier events.
The sudden abnormality should have been enough to evoke fear and vigilance in me, but strangely, I felt none of those emotions.
Instead, the subtle sense of comfort in this state, combined with an addictive and inexplicable happiness, swiftly led me to adapt and accept the situation without any resistance.
It helped that the person in front of me was none other than Yuria—the one I trusted and loved more than anyone.
‘She would never do anything to harm me…’
“Good, good. You’ve done so well. As expected, Kaya, you’re such a good girl. So obedient, lovable, and adorable… my one and only maid.”
“Ah… haa♡… Yuria…♡”
“Well, it seems like you’re ready now. Shall we revisit the story from earlier?”
Her sweet praise tickled my ears.
It was the kind of praise I had only dreamed of and longed to hear from her, leaving me trembling with bliss.
If there was anyone in the world happier than me at that moment, I couldn’t imagine who it could be.
Amid my hazy consciousness, I truly believed that I was the happiest being alive.
But then, her next words shattered the calm surface of my mind, like a pebble creating ripples on a tranquil lake.
“The story from earlier…?”
Ah, right.
I was talking to Yuria about what happened outside today.
‘But… why can’t I remember it clearly?’
When we went outside the palace to visit the market, something happened.
I was definitely sharing that with her just now.
But no matter how hard I tried to recall, the details refused to surface.
My memories felt obscured by a dense fog, impenetrable even as I tried to clear it.
The more I struggled, the thicker the fog seemed to grow, mocking my efforts.
All I could recall was a faint impression of something unpleasant and disturbing—nothing concrete.
As I struggled to answer, Yuria, who had been calmly watching me with her crimson eyes, smiled gently and spoke in my stead.
“It seems you’re having trouble remembering. Shall I help you?
Earlier today, you went out to the market and told me you saw a ‘traveling troupe’s parade’ by chance.
You said it was so vibrant and fun that you wished I could have been there to see it with you. Isn’t that right?”
“A traveling troupe’s… parade?”
“Yes. You even started describing everything you saw in detail just a moment ago. Do you still not remember?”
A parade.
It felt like Yuria’s words about the parade were true.
But for some reason, I couldn’t associate it with joy.
Instead, the impression left behind was one of horror and pain—so strong that my heart rejected her words outright.
Additionally, a faint static noise flickered at the edge of my vision, accompanied by an irritating ringing in my ears.
It was as though my mind was screaming that her words were a lie, intensifying my sense of rejection.
Yuria must have sensed something unusual as I continued to remain silent.
Still fixing her crimson eyes on me, she slowly leaned closer, reducing the distance between us.
Her glowing red eyes shone even brighter as our faces drew nearer, the strange patterns in them becoming more vivid.
As they approached, the faint traces of rationality left in me crumbled entirely.
In that moment, when I was staring blankly at her eyes—
Her lips pressed against mine.
***
“!?
..♡”
Squelch… smooch… chu…
The deep kiss intertwined our breaths and saliva.
In the face of such an unimaginable reward, my rationality completely melted away.
The overwhelming wave of joy consumed the remnants of my thoughts, washing them away entirely.
Even the intrusive noise, the ringing in my ears, and my growing sense of rejection vanished in an instant.
Instead, an overwhelming, boundless happiness filled the void they left behind.
It was a happiness so profound that I genuinely thought, ‘I could die right now without any regrets.’
Shivering uncontrollably in ecstasy, I obediently followed her lead, fully immersed in this surreal state.
I had no idea how much time had passed.
When I finally regained a faint sense of awareness, Yuria’s lips were slowly parting from mine.
A thin string of saliva stretched between us, tangible proof that what had just occurred wasn’t a dream.
Still dazed, with my mouth slightly open and my unfocused eyes gazing straight ahead, I watched as Yuria curled her lips into a sensual smile.
She asked again, her voice dripping with sweetness:
“So… how do you feel now? Is there still something strange?”
Her enchanting voice echoed in my ears, drawing me fully back to reality.
I fixed my gaze on the glowing red patterns in her eyes as I began to recall the events of the day once more.
Suddenly, the parade of the [Traveling Troupe], which I couldn’t recall just moments ago, vividly came into focus.
On the way back after finishing my shopping, I happened upon a long procession of people.
As I moved through the thick crowd, the first sight that greeted me was the grand and colorful floats, with skilled performers showcasing their talents atop them.
The exceptional performances elicited cheers and admiration from the spectators surrounding the procession.
I found myself completely captivated by the magnificent and fantastical parade, overwhelmed by its grandeur.
Although I couldn’t clearly remember the faces of the performers or the expressions of the spectators, I was certain of the feelings I had back then: joy and amazement.
“Yes…♡ That’s right. What I saw on my way back was the parade of the… Traveling Troupe.”
“Exactly. And because you were so engrossed in that parade, you lost track of time and returned home late. Isn’t that correct?”
Yuria not only reminded me of what I had forgotten but also added further details.
In my blissful daze, I couldn’t help but accept the information she provided.
The final memory hit me like a decisive blow—realizing how much time had passed, I hurriedly left the procession and rushed away.
Nodding in agreement with her words, I found myself enveloped in Yuria’s warm embrace.
The sweet scent that teased my senses filled me with overwhelming happiness, leaving me trembling in her arms.
As if she could read my desperate wish for this moment to last forever, she brought her lips close to my ear and whispered softly:
“That’s right. That’s all I need. You’re my one and only precious, adorable maid. No matter what happens, I’ll never let you go.”
There was something faintly unsettling about her last words, but I was already at my limit.
Shortly after, I completely lost consciousness, nestled in her arms with the happiest expression on my face.
***
The small spark that had been kindled by chance once again disappeared into the depths of the abyss.
Yet, the crimson-eyed princess remained unaware.
There was one crucial detail missing from her maid’s story—something that had been erased alongside other memories.
A memory of a dark alley, now hidden.
No one could predict what kind of turmoil that forgotten memory might bring in the future.
In the pitch-black darkness of the deep night, a quiet figure moved through a small garden beside the Azure Palace.
Unlike usual, the garden was not empty.
The figure standing amidst the diverse and beautiful flowers was none other than Yuria, the eighth princess of the Demon Kingdom.
Unlike other demons, her human-like skin tone set her apart—a trait that earned her rejection and abandonment from those around her.
Even so, her resemblance to her mother, the Demon Queen, was striking.
Her crimson eyes and long, silky black hair only added to the jealousy and hatred she faced from her siblings.
Wearing a modest black dress and an unreadable expression, Yuria quietly surveyed the garden, deep in thought.
This garden, however, hadn’t always looked like this.
For a long time, it had been neglected, overgrown with weeds—a sight that still felt like just yesterday to her.
The current beauty of the garden was the result of her most cherished maid, Kaya, and her long years of dedication.
The adorable silver-haired automaton who always greeted her with a shy smile.
And as she had the night before, Kaya, utterly enraptured by her power, had flushed red with happiness, trembling uncontrollably.
As fleeting memories of the past ten years with Kaya brought a small smile to her lips, Yuria’s expression soon returned to its usual coldness.
She narrowed her eyes and spoke slowly.
“Why don’t you come out now? How long do you plan on hiding there?”
Her indifferent voice echoed as she fixed her gaze on a dark corner of the garden.
***
Moments later, a figure emerged from the shadows.
It was a woman with long, navy-blue hair, clad in a white coat reminiscent of a researcher.
A mischievous smile graced her lips as she stood in the open.
This was Dr. Selene, a mysterious genius and master of magi-engineering who held the title of one of the Four Generals of the Demon King’s army.
She was also the person who had connected Yuria and Kaya.
Though a long-standing acquaintance, Selene’s eerie and unsettling aura was something Yuria could never quite get used to.
Suppressing her unease, Yuria addressed her directly.
“It’s been a while, Dr. Selene. Have you been well?”