Daytime.
The dining room was filled with the exquisite aroma of fine food.
A meticulously laundered white tablecloth was spread along the long dining table.
Silverware gleamed coldly and brilliantly in the morning light, while a dazzling array of breakfast dishes were arranged like works of art—everything from steaming soups to tempting, colorful pastries, each showcasing the wealth and taste of the manor’s master.
Su Nian sat upright on the velvet-cushioned high-backed chair, her posture flawless.
She nibbled at the food on her plate in small bites; every mouthful was the masterpiece of a top chef, each taste meant to be the ultimate indulgence for the palate.
Yet at this moment, that delicious flavor did nothing to soothe the anxiety in the young girl’s heart.
Breakfast ended in a silence so heavy it seemed almost frozen.
The maids, heads lowered and eyes averted, quietly guided her toward her private dressing room.
This was a space more spacious than most people’s living rooms, its four walls lined with massive wardrobes and display shelves.
All the expensive clothes and glittering jewelry bought yesterday were now sorted and organized—neatly hung on racks or nestled in jewelry boxes lined with soft velvet padding.
Each piece radiated the luster of wealth, shining with a temptation that could move any woman’s heart.
They’re already bought—might as well try them on.
She reached out, slender fingertips gliding over a silk dress as smooth as running water, cool and slick to the touch.
Before the enormous dressing mirror, the reflection was that of an unparalleled beauty.
The girl in the mirror possessed the most favored features crafted by the Creator, her figure graceful and alluring, her curves breathtaking.
The ivory-white dress made her skin appear even fairer than snow, as if formed from solidified moonlight;
The wine-red gown hugged her body tightly, tracing out nearly perfect lines, exuding a fatal allure.
She changed outfit after outfit; the person in the mirror was so beautiful, it didn’t seem real.
Perhaps it was because she had become an idol.
Su Nian herself had started to enjoy watching her reflection, trying on all sorts of pretty little dresses.
However, even as she tried on various dresses that now belonged to her, though it eased her anxiety somewhat, that vague sense of confusion still quietly grew and spread deep within the girl’s heart.
‘Last night that bastard, the Horned Demon— He really was… much gentler. But, still—only five hundred thousand in one night…’
She had only gained a mere five hundred thousand Humiliation Value.
If not for the previous comparison, five hundred thousand Humiliation Value would have been a lot, and she would have been delighted.
But compared to the million Humiliation Value from the night before, it was exactly half.
Moreover, this meant her plan to collect one and a half million Humiliation Value in two days and then summon her Contract Beast to fight the Horned Demon might be delayed.
According to her original plan, she needed to earn seven hundred and fifty thousand Humiliation Value last night.
With the “gentle” pace of last night, she would need at least two more nights.
Two long, unpredictable nights!
The longer things dragged on, the more likely her resolve would be worn down, the more likely the flames of revenge would gradually die without her noticing.
Her heart felt as though it were roasting over an open flame, unable to find peace for even a moment.
And what terrified her even more was yesterday’s daytime events which surged back into her mind like an uncontrollable tide.
Before Baroque, the underground emperor of the Neutral City-States, the bastard Horned Demon hadn’t even bothered to say a single extra word.
Just a name, the name of Shadowmoon Manor, was enough to make the other man flee in terror, as lowly as dust.
That kind of overpowering dominance, that air of deciding others’ fate with a wave of the hand, controlling everything… it was indeed… a shock.
In contrast, the Horned Demon seemed to be becoming more accommodating toward her?
While shopping, she’d purposely acted spoiled, hanging bag after bag on his arms, yet he hadn’t shown the slightest impatience.
At night… she, with shame and a hint of testing, called him “smelly” and told him to bathe, and the Horned Demon had actually obeyed.
With a trembling voice, almost too soft to hear, she’d begged him to be “gentler,” and he really did as she asked.
If… just if—
If he could always stay like this with this kind of respect? Or perhaps “restraint” was more accurate?
If she became the mistress of Shadowmoon Manor, and lived with Mr. Horned Demon as if they were lovers.
Continuing like that—it seemed maybe not entirely unbearable?
Maybe…
‘Eek—!’
As if scalded by her own thoughts, her cheeks flushed scarlet, heat rushing straight to her head.
Su Nian raised her hand and slapped her cheeks hard, a crisp sound ringing out as she tried to scatter those dangerous, snake-like thoughts wrapping around her mind.
‘Get a grip, Su Nian! That bastard Horned Demon… is your enemy! Your nemesis!’
‘He’s the one who imprisoned you, humiliated you, trampled all your dignity, made you lose what was most precious to you—the very cause of your suffering…’
How could she allow herself such frightening, faith-betraying thoughts?
Absolutely not!
She had to hurry!
Hurry and collect enough Humiliation Value to summon the Void Contract Beast that could overturn everything.
To prevent her revenge plan from going astray because of these unworthy, sugar-coated-poison kinds of wavering.
To avoid being corrupted, conquered, and ultimately forgetting her searing hatred in the seemingly gentle days that passed.
She had to settle this quickly!
Preferably… tonight!
Tonight, she would earn the remaining million Humiliation Value!
Go straight to the target of one and a half million!
Then, tomorrow, summon the Contract Beast, find a place for the final battle, and end all of this once and for all!
But One million Humiliation Value… in one night.
Su Nian’s fingertips began to tremble slightly, a cold feeling spreading from her fingers through her whole body.
If she wanted to gain a million Humiliation Value in a single night like the one before last night that bastard Horned Demon have to return to his former… brutal, domineering ways—
Leaving no room for resistance, treating her like an object to conquer and possess.
Su Nian’s breath caught sharply.
This thought was like a red-hot iron needle, burning with heat as it stabbed deep into her heart.
Filling her with overwhelming shame.
Such contradiction…
Deep within her body, something seemed to stir uneasily, clamoring in secret, even yearning.
What was twisting her will?
Su Nian suddenly shut her eyes and took a deep breath, icy air stabbing into her lungs but unable to quell the storm raging in her heart.
She couldn’t think about it anymore.
If she kept thinking, she would go mad.
No matter what, she had to collect a million Humiliation Value tonight.
Settle this quickly!
Because she was afraid that if she delayed any further, she would truly lose the last of her resolve to fight the Horned Demon, then fall completely, forgetting hatred, forgetting her original purpose.
No, that was absolutely not the ending she wanted!
***
At night Su Nian sat before the dressing table, her breathtaking beauty reflected in the mirror.
She reached out, her fingertips trembling almost imperceptibly, and among the myriad cosmetics, picked up a lipstick.
The color was a deep, pure red, like congealed blood.
Facing the mirror, she held her breath and lifted that vivid lipstick, carefully painting the intense red onto her lips.
The face in the mirror was peerlessly beautiful.
A flawless, delicate makeup was already finished.
“Ding-dong, Host’s Charm Value +1. Current Charm Value: 101. Charm Value has surpassed the human peak.”
The System’s prompt sounded.
But Su Nian’s heart remained completely still.
A higher Charm Value.
Maybe it would help tonight’s “mission” go more smoothly.
What she would face next for her, was also a battlefield.
Unlike a real battle, which relied on magic and power.
At this moment, this carefully crafted, exquisite makeup, this breathtaking attire that could topple nations, was her weapon.
It was the stepping stone for her to defeat the bastard Horned Demon and complete her path of revenge.
A million Humiliation Value—she was determined to get it.
No matter the price.
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