“Yes, yes indeed…”
Ophelia wasn’t eager to dwell on this matter any further.
She knew she had miscalculated.
That day, when she heard that Lilian owed the Earl’s estate 300 gold coins, she felt a slight thrill of triumph.
As long as she paid off Lilian’s 300 gold coins, Lilian would belong to her.
Moreover, judging by Lilian’s reaction, it seemed that she only realized the weight of owing 300 gold coins at that moment.
Three hundred gold coins were nothing more than a mere trifle to Ophelia.
So she proposed to pay off the 300 gold coins for Lilian—but in exchange, Lilian would become her maid.
To Ophelia’s surprise, Lilian refused her offer.
Even though she understood what owing 300 gold coins meant, her heart was anxious, even terrified.
Lilian seemed particularly unwilling to accept Ophelia’s help.
Ophelia couldn’t understand why.
If Lilian accepted her help, she would be free again—and Ophelia would never mistreat her.
After all, Lilian was a gift from the heavens; how could Ophelia ever harm her?
As long as she obediently stayed by her side…
Ophelia had always valued what she considered to be hers very dearly.
Still, she could definitely use this 300 gold coins as a foothold.
So Ophelia smiled sweetly and said, “Interestingly enough, I heard something from Lilian…”
Lilian’s body trembled slightly, her eyes flashing with surprise as she looked at Ophelia.
“Come on, tell me already!”
“She seems to… owe the Earl’s estate 300 gold coins. And it was that day—she only then realized what those 300 gold coins meant.”
Eleanora’s eyes widened.
But this was not what Ophelia had expected.
Eleanora was only surprised; no other emotions surfaced.
In truth, Eleanora was very anxious.
But since in her previous life she had heard rumors about Ophelia’s abilities, she was able to make Ophelia feel exactly what emotions she wanted her to feel.
Being a Demon Lord, this was nothing difficult.
Eleanora suddenly recalled Lilian’s strange mood that day.
Aside from Lilian saying she was afraid she couldn’t protect herself.
That was probably an important reason as well…
Eleanora deeply regretted setting such a huge sum to trap Lilian.
She realized afterward that 300 gold coins was far too large an amount.
For an ordinary person, such a debt was devastating.
At the thought of it, Eleanora’s heart ached.
She couldn’t imagine how Lilian struggled to pull herself out of the despair that came with understanding the meaning of those 300 gold coins.
Lilian even acted as if nothing had happened, saying she was worried about not learning magic well enough to protect herself.
Eleanora believed that if Lilian said she wanted to protect herself, she would do just that.
She would always trust Lilian.
“So, as Lilian’s friend, I want to pay off her 300 gold coins and set her free,” Ophelia continued.
No, absolutely not!
Eleanora finally understood why Ophelia had come to visit.
She had come for Lilian.
Eleanora would never allow Ophelia to take Lilian away.
In her previous life, she had heard that Lilian had nearly sacrificed her life for the princess.
Even though she hadn’t died, Eleanora would never permit Lilian to fall into danger again.
She would protect Lilian, and Lilian had to stay far away from Ophelia.
But…
What if Lilian agreed?
Eleanora felt a wave of panic.
All her efforts would be in vain.
Because of the time Lilian spent with her, Lilian might regard her as a friend—and once she became Demon Lord, everything would repeat itself.
At that thought, Eleanora was about to reject Ophelia’s offer.
“Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness, but it’s unnecessary,” Lilian spoke up. “The debt is a private matter between my master and me. I will find a way to solve it myself.”
Did she really refuse Ophelia?
Eleanora stared at Lilian in astonishment.
For a moment, she even wanted to cancel Lilian’s contract.
But no, if Lilian left the Earl’s estate, Ophelia would surely take her away.
Lilian gave Eleanora a smile.
She wasn’t stupid.
Staying comfortably at the Earl’s estate, learning magic every day, training and grinding Experience was far better.
Why would she have time to hang around with Ophelia every day?
Besides, Ophelia surely harbored ill intentions.
“See? Lilian said so herself, Your Highness,” Eleanora enunciated each word clearly, a victorious smile spreading across her face.
Ophelia clenched her fists tighter.
Not because of Eleanora, but because of Lilian’s words, “a private matter between my master and me.”
Master, private matter…
A flicker of jealousy rose deep within her.
“Well, we’ve talked for quite a while. Your Highness must be hungry by now…”
Eleanora clapped her hands.
The head maid soon brought in some desserts with the maids.
Eleanora picked up a plate of pudding and handed it to Lilian, lips slightly parted as she pointed at it with her finger.
She softly let out an “Ah—” sound, eyes sparkling as she looked at Lilian.
So cute, a side of Eleanora no one had ever seen!
But feeding play in front of the princess—wasn’t that embarrassing?
Lilian couldn’t help but glance at Ophelia, only to be tugged by a small hand on her clothes.
The maid’s instincts told her it was time.
Lilian reluctantly picked up the spoon and carefully fed Eleanora the pudding.
【Feeding the master, Experience +1】
【Completing the master’s order, Experience +2】
Oh, two rewards at once?
Lilian didn’t mind.
Although the system’s abilities weren’t very proper, she didn’t care; all that mattered was building a good relationship with Eleanora.
Eleanora looked delighted, making Lilian wonder if the pudding was truly that sweet.
Heh heh—
Eleanora shot a triumphant glance at Ophelia.
Then she continued to tap her lips.
“Ah—”
Of course, Lilian wouldn’t miss such a great chance to earn Experience.
And, for some reason, watching Eleanora’s blissful expression after being fed gave Lilian a strange sense of satisfaction.
“Ah—”
【+3】
“Ah—”
【+3】
“Ah—mm…” Eleanora wore a contented smile.
【+3】
Watching her Experience steadily increase, Lilian was overjoyed.
“Hehe, delicious,” Eleanora said as if she had discovered something, feigning surprise.
“Eh? Your Highness, why aren’t you eating? Don’t you want any?”
Ophelia felt like her molars were about to shatter.
She had seen everything!
Her Lilian—without complaint, willingly, even somewhat enjoying feeding Eleanora.
And Eleanora—
What did she mean “want or not”?
And she emphasized it so much.
Ophelia felt a fire burning in her chest.
Lilian was clearly hers.
But now she could do nothing but watch Eleanora endlessly demand Lilian to feed her.
It was simply outrageous!
Ophelia took a deep breath.
“Thank you, Miss Eleanora. I had dessert before coming, so I’m not really hungry.”
“Oh—I see,” Eleanora said, suddenly enlightened.
Ophelia ignored Eleanora’s attitude; she only wanted to finish what she came to say and leave quickly.
“Lilian, there’s one more thing I came here for,” Ophelia said to Lilian.
“Hm?” Lilian’s instincts screamed danger.
“Come on, what are you going to do now?”
“Lilian, you’re a healer, right? Lately, I’ve been feeling a bit stressed and haven’t been sleeping well. Could you come to my chamber once a week to treat me?”
“As for payment—Lilian, now that you’ve perceived the Body Sigil, has your training hit a bottleneck? I have a way to help you overcome it. Also, I can guide you in swordsmanship. How about it?”
“Your Highness—”
“Miss Eleanora, this is a private matter between Lilian and me,” Ophelia cut off Eleanora’s words, placing emphasis on “private matter.”
She was leaving the decision to Lilian.
Eleanora looked at Lilian expectantly.
Come on, refuse her!