“…Mm, very good.”
The atmosphere was a little awkward for a while. Seraphina racked her brain and came up with another idea.
“I’m a little thirsty.” She tried to make her tone sound as natural as possible.
“Go make me a cup of tea. The water must be exactly fifty degrees—not more, not less—use three tea leaves, and after brewing, wait until it cools to thirty degrees before bringing it over.”
The demand was ridiculous—precise down to a degree and a leaf.
This time, she’s bound to mess it up, Seraphina thought to herself, nodding in satisfaction. Then I’ll seize the chance to scold her, let her know who’s in charge!
At that sentence, Lina was nearly one hundred percent certain—Seraphina was deliberately making things difficult for her.
Fine then, she thought, I’ll make sure to do it perfectly, and we’ll see what kind of face she makes after that.
Lina stopped her current work, answered calmly, “Yes,” and turned to prepare.
Seraphina secretly watched her back, a little anticipation rising in her heart.
However, Lina didn’t show the flustered panic Seraphina had been hoping for. Instead, she remained perfectly composed, took out a thermometer, and began to carefully measure the water temperature.
She even accounted for the heat loss that would occur while walking!
In the end, Lina paused at the study door and only removed the thermometer when she saw the water temperature drop from thirty degrees to twenty-nine.
“The tea is ready,” Lina said evenly.
Seraphina looked at the cup of tea—there wasn’t a single flaw she could pick out. Then she looked at Lina’s face, expressionless as ever, but somehow still radiating a quiet defiance. An overwhelming sense of powerlessness welled up inside her.
She picked up the cup and took a small sip. The temperature—she honestly couldn’t tell, but it felt fine. The fragrance—nothing to criticize either.
“…It’s acceptable,” she said stiffly, trying to preserve a bit of dignity. “Next time… make it slightly cooler.”
Lina tilted her head slightly, as if thinking, then nodded. “Understood. I’ll remember that.”
Seraphina was struck speechless again. Why didn’t she mess up even once?! She’s actually taking it seriously!
Where’s that hatred you showed when we first met?! The fury, the desperation to flay me alive, to drink my blood—where did that go?!
And now you’re suddenly so obedient?!
Seraphina couldn’t think of any way left to assert authority over Lina. She’s probably already seen through me anyway…
Defeated, Seraphina slumped over the desk, burying her face in her arms. She felt less like she was commanding a maid and more like she was being taken care of by an overly tolerant nanny—
—or worse, like a younger sister whose tricks had been seen through by her older sibling. And I’m supposed to be the one holding her life in my hands!
Lina watched Seraphina’s wilted posture, the corner of her mouth twitching upward almost imperceptibly before she flattened it again.
She silently resumed her work, sorting the pile of disorganized documents into neat stacks.
Just then, there was a knock on the study door. A demon maid entered, carrying a silver tray with an ornate envelope on top. The wax seal bore a sigil—
—a bleeding rose.
“Your Highness, this is a letter from Duke Dekrian of the Bloodborn.”
Seraphina immediately shot up from the desk, hastily fixing her expression and posture.
“Leave it there.”
The maid placed it down, bowed, and retreated.
“Duke of the Bloodborn? What’s he looking for me for?”
After her time at the border outpost, Seraphina had completely forgotten about his daughter’s coming-of-age ceremony.
She picked up the letter and broke the seal.
“To the Honorable Princess Regent,” it began.
“I hope this letter finds you in good health. I have heard word of your recent expedition to the borderlands—surely it was a most glorious triumph…”
…
“My daughter’s coming-of-age ceremony will be held three days hence, at my humble estate. I would be honored if Your Highness would attend.”
“—Your loyal servant, Dekrian.”
“Ah… so that was still a thing.” Seraphina frowned slightly. The Bloodborn’s coming-of-age ceremony… I almost forgot about it.
Just thinking about such an occasion made her feel both troubled and uneasy.
Still… it’ll probably be lively. Many races will be there. Surely they won’t only serve blood for food… right?
With that faintly hopeful thought, Seraphina decided to send a reply.
She folded the letter and turned to Lina. “Alright, I’ll leave the next task to you. Bind it properly and send it out.”
A mischievous smile tugged at her lips. She knew Lina had never handled such a task before.
“Yes.” The girl still showed no hesitation, calmly accepting it.
Watching Lina’s retreating back, Seraphina rubbed her chin. Hmm… bold of you to take that on. I’ll enjoy watching you make a fool of yourself. Hmph!
But reality disappointed her once again. Lina indeed didn’t know how—but she had a mouth, and used it. She simply asked the other maids for help.
In the end, a perfectly formatted envelope was presented before Seraphina.
“Uh… you didn’t make this yourself, did you?”
“No, I didn’t,” Lina replied honestly.
“Hah! Caught you this time!” Seraphina thought triumphantly.
“What was my order?! I told you to bind it yourself, not ask for help! And another thing—”
Lina stood quietly to the side, saying nothing. At least Seraphina got to vent her frustration a bit.
“Yes. I’ll be careful next time.”
That simple response made Seraphina all the more certain she was being humored.
“Hmph… fine, just send it out already!”
Her punches felt like they were landing in soft cotton—completely unsatisfying.
Once Lina left, Seraphina irritably crumpled the leftover paper into a ball and threw it into the trash basket.
“Ahhhh! So frustrating!”
Even after yelling at Lina, the calm response had only worsened her mood.
By evening, another report arrived—this one from Blackstone Outpost.
Seraphina unfolded the parchment, written personally by Bask.
It detailed recent defense conditions, confirming that Abyssal Lesser Demon activity had returned to normal with no abnormalities.
But the focus of the report lay on the mysterious black land.
“…In accordance with Your Highness’s orders, and with the aid of colleagues skilled in Plant Magic, the first trial crops of wheat and root vegetables have grown astonishingly well—far beyond expectations. Though I am no farmer, even I can tell this soil’s potential is immense. Should the trials succeed, they may greatly ease the food shortages at the border…”
“…Additionally, I have instructed all nearby outposts to survey whether this same soil exists elsewhere…”
—
End of Chapter 31