Chapter 19: It Seems I Lost the Bet?

Today marked the second day of guiding her little sister through maid duties.

Elsa’s learning ability far exceeded Gabriella’s expectations.

Every task Liya assigned, Elsa completed quickly and efficiently.

She followed Gabriella diligently, asking questions with genuine humility. 

Even when she made mistakes, they were never the kind that annoyed others.

Perhaps it was because both sisters had once come from a small village; they still retained some natural knack and experience.

Gabriella understood her little sister’s personality well. 

She knew Elsa had always admired her.

This highly open-world game had begun in a tiny village, and Gabriella’s choices had shaped the protagonist’s path.

Because she had always treated her little sister gently, Elsa had grown obedient and gradually began to idolize her.

In the morning, Gabriella took Elsa to familiarize herself with the underground storeroom beneath the inner palace.

During that time, Elsa accidentally spilled an entire bucket of water, soaking a chest full of treasures.

Fortunately, Gabriella swiftly used wind magic to lift the water away. 

Afterward, she didn’t scold Elsa at all; after all, she was her own little sister. Occasional mistakes were perfectly acceptable.

Liya happened to pass by as well. She seemed just as lenient toward the clumsy little sister as Gabriella was, simply smiling and letting it go.

In the afternoon, while preparing dinner for the Demon King, Gabriella noticed that some of the dishes still weren’t quite perfect. 

Since the ingredients were special and only the two sisters were allowed to handle them, the vast kitchen contained just the busy figures of the two girls.

“Dumb little Elsa, you didn’t wash the oysters thoroughly.”

“Sis~ I understand, but… why do they need to be washed so perfectly?”

Elsa would never question her sister’s meticulous standards, especially now that they were alone.

Gabriella answered seriously. 

“Because I need to pretend to please the Demon King.”

“Pretend… to please?”

“That’s right.”

Gabriella offered no further explanation.

Elsa clearly didn’t understand.

She glanced at the dozen or so platters behind them, filled with vegetables, meat, seafood, and rare mushrooms, all ingredients for a lavish banquet.

“Sis Gabriella, are all these dishes you’re making for the Demon King today also just to please her?”

“Of course.”

Gabriella ignited the stove with magic and picked up the ladle, ready to start stir-frying.

“Lady Isabella loves the stir-fries and soups I make. Last time, she finished every last bit of the cheese-baked rice I prepared. She didn’t leave a single grain.”

As she spoke, an involuntary smile bloomed across her face.

Just thinking of Isabella made the corners of her mouth curve upward.

“I see…”

Elsa clutched her chest. 

She couldn’t shake the feeling that something was strange about her big sister.

She remembered what Liya had said yesterday, about the bet they made: whether Gabriella truly loved the Demon King or not.

So she probed carefully. “By the way, Sis… do you like the Demon King?”

“I don’t like Lady Isabella at all!” Gabriella answered instantly.

Of course she knew her little sister still doubted her, so there was no room for any other response.

Elsa must still be wondering whether her big sister retained any human rationality.

But Gabriella had no desire to explain. 

She was someone who spoke through actions. 

Rushing to prove anything now would only feel awkward.

She began stir-frying, teaching Elsa how to use magic to disperse cooking smoke and how to season dishes exactly to the Demon King’s taste.

Throughout the lesson, Elsa’s expression remained strange.

She looked like a little sister who had done something wrong and was desperately searching for the right moment to confess, yet never found the chance.

Gabriella suddenly thought of a perfect way to prove her words.

“Elsa, change into a fresh dress later. You’re coming with me to serve the Demon King.”

“Eh?”

“I want you to see for yourself: Lady Isabella’s palate is completely under my control~”

…

Even at night, the Demon King’s office in the inner palace remained busy.

Isabella sat at her desk, writing furiously.

Occasionally she would twirl her pen or rest her chin on her hand and stare into space, but most of the time she was deep in thought about matters concerning the humans.

She wore a gorgeous black dress. 

Her deep crimson eyes inspired awe. 

Her long hair shimmered like golden silk in the light. 

From afar, she looked like a refined young lady seated upon a throne; up close, she radiated the majesty of a queen. 

Yet the horns curving from either side of her head constantly reminded everyone that she was the very Demon King who had once terrified humanity.

Two guard maids stood watch outside the room.

After Gabriella and Elsa entered to serve the meal, the guards stepped out and gently closed the door, ensuring the Demon King would not be disturbed while speaking with her wife… and with this particular maid.

“Lord Demon King~”

“Lord Demon King.”

The two girls lifted the hems of their maid dresses, performed a half-curtsey, and bowed their heads slightly, gentle smiles gracing their lips as they closed their eyes.

Gabriella had taught Elsa all sorts of little tricks to please the Demon King, and now every one of them was on full display. 

Especially for Isabella, cuteness was an extremely effective weapon.

“Mmm~”

Only then did a smile appear on Isabella’s face; her stern expression melted into tenderness.

Though Elsa had become her sister’s assistant, she had only seen the Demon King a handful of times. 

Suddenly, she realized that Isabella’s aura was far more terrifying than she had imagined… yet in front of Gabriella, she turned as soft as a lovesick maiden.

“Your little sister Elsa is adorable too~”

“Thank you for the compliment, Lord Demon King. Elsa really is a gentle and kind child.”

Gabriella gave a honey-sweet smile.

She lifted the teapot and refilled Isabella’s cup.

“Lord Demon King, will you be continuing work? It’s already nine o’clock at night.”

“Mm.” 

Isabella’s face revealed clear exhaustion; she only ever showed this side to her wife. 

“It’s important. I still need a few more hours.”

“Understood, Lord Demon King.”

Gabriella stepped forward and gently massaged Isabella’s shoulders. 

The Demon King relaxed slightly, closing her eyes as if savoring the moment.

Their movements were perfectly natural, as though this scene had played out countless times before.

A few minutes later, Gabriella smiled and asked, “Lord Demon King, would you like dinner now?”

Isabella shook her head. “I’m not hungry today. Maybe another time.”

“Very well. I’ll come find you again later.”

That concluded Gabriella’s interaction with the Demon King.

She led Elsa out of the office.

Once they reached a dark corridor, Elsa immediately hurried to her side.

“Sis, what about all the food we prepared?”

“We’ll just share it with the other maids.”

“But… you spent five whole hours on it. Counting the ingredients…”

Elsa was frantic.

Her big sister had poured so much time and care into that dinner…

And now it was dismissed with a simple “I’m not hungry today.”

The Demon King didn’t even know Gabriella had cooked for her, let alone that every dish was filled with her heartfelt effort!

If her sister had truly only been trying to please the Demon King, then today had clearly been a failure.

Yet, unexpectedly, Gabriella simply smiled calmly and answered:

“Lady Isabella doesn’t like eating leftovers.”

Elsa realized she had lost the bet.