Seraphina returned to her Book Room, the air still faintly carrying that subtle, uniquely hers, gradually softening aura.
She collapsed wearily into the large chair, her fingertips unconsciously brushing over the scab of dried blood on her cheek.
The hateful glare of that human girl was undoubtedly a searing scar branded deep into her heart by Movira.
That pure and unmasked hatred was like the clearest mirror, reflecting her awkward and pitiful predicament—a human soul regarded as a mortal enemy by her own kind, trapped within such a Demon Race body.
Although she herself had barely suffered the cruelties the Demon Race inflicted upon humans in this world, and thus did not harbor much hatred toward demons,
that didn’t mean she wished to stay. At least her pure human soul felt that way, and she longed to preserve the most precious thing she still carried within.
“Heh…” She let out a faint, self-mocking chuckle. Movira’s move was truly cruel—not only shattering her plan to escape but driving yet another poisonous thorn into her mind.
That human girl’s actions were both a warning and a humiliation, a reminder that she had already been cast out by the humans, and that this place was her only refuge.
Yet even so, Seraphina still clung to a sliver of hope, imagining that her mistaken identity was because of the Demon Realm’s hostile environment—that once she left the Demon Realm, nothing would go wrong…
A faint sound and suppressed struggle came from outside the Book Room. Seraphina took a deep breath and swiftly suppressed all unnecessary emotions and movements.
“Come in.”
Her voice returned to its usual calmness, even growing hoarser from the discomfort in her throat.
The door opened, and two tall Maids entered, one on each side, practically carrying the girl who had changed into a dark purple dress.
Her hands were bound behind her back, seemingly restrained by invisible magical power, yet her eyes still burned with an unyielding flame, fixed firmly on Seraphina.
The noble attire looked completely out of place on her, but only highlighted the stubborn will etched between her brows.
“Let me go! You damned demons! And you!” she snarled at Seraphina, “Don’t think that changing my clothes will change anything. I will never submit!”
Seraphina watched the scene as if she were an indifferent spectator in the audience.
She waved her hand, and the two Maids bowed slightly before silently retreating.
Only the two of them remained in the Book Room, along with countless eyes possibly hidden in the shadows. Seraphina knew Erasia or other spies were surely watching.
She slowly stood from her seat and took deliberate steps toward the girl.
Though her gait still felt weak, the suppressed dignity at this moment bolstered her stance.
When she reached the girl, Seraphina noticed that the girl was somewhat taller—
Not especially tall, but at least taller than Seraphina herself…
“Tsk… Hmph, kneel down!”
Seraphina wanted to ask—who was the captive now? Did she really have to look up to this girl when making eye contact?
The girl remained stubborn, as if deliberately maintaining this advantage, even deliberately staring down into Seraphina’s eyes. “I am a citizen of Heaven, and I will not kneel before you, a Lower Nation Monarch!”
The girl’s hands were completely bound, and her strength weakened to nearly zero—there was no chance of a fight now.
Given this, Seraphina had no reason to be polite. After all, this was someone who wanted her dead; sparing her life already demonstrated the utmost mercy.
“Alright, you have two choices now. One: obediently kneel. Two… you refuse, and I will sign the Order of Execution against your nation!”
“Then the whole world will know that the reason for the Demon Race’s campaign against that just-obliterated country was merely because one of its citizens angered me!”
Seraphina swiftly turned away, the hem of her black robe brushing past the girl’s calves, a chilling wind blowing through the room.
She casually strode to the desk and, among the many official documents, pulled out a neat-looking sheet covered in complicated writing.
Of course, this was not the actual Order of Execution; Seraphina had not yet sunk to the point of mercilessly wiping out an entire nation.
All official documents were written in the Demon Race’s language, which the girl’s status made it impossible for her to learn—this was also Seraphina’s confidence.
“See? I only need to sign my name here…”
Seraphina deliberately raised the document for the girl to see, then quickly laid it flat on the desk and held a Feather Quill.
The girl bit her lip tightly, a flash of dread and panic flickering in her eyes—not escaping Seraphina’s scrutiny. No matter how resilient, she was still just a child, and this pressure was crushing.
“No, no!”
The girl suddenly stepped forward. She dared not gamble on whether the document Seraphina was about to sign was the real Order of Execution—the stakes were too high, and she simply could not afford to lose.
Even if it wasn’t the Order, Seraphina could say a single sentence to unleash warlike demons to ravage her country…
Humans were not a single nation but dozens of varying sizes, and the girl’s nation happened to be one of the weaker ones. To resist the entire Demon Realm was nothing but a fool’s dream.
Seraphina’s hand froze mid-air. She heard a soft “thud” from behind her. She slowly lowered the quill, turned with a slight smile, and walked back in front of the girl.
“Hmm~ isn’t this better?” Seraphina looked down at the girl’s face, filled with reluctant helplessness.
“Tell me your name.” She repeated the question she had asked in the prison cell, her tone an unwavering command. “This is your last chance. Otherwise, I won’t hesitate to use some… special methods to make you speak.”
This condescending posture, this overwhelming aura, made the girl tremble ever so slightly.
Finally, the girl squeezed out two words through clenched teeth, her voice hoarse but clear: “…Lina.”
“Lina.” Seraphina repeated the name—so ordinary, just like any girl from a human village.
“Good. Lina, from today onward, you will stay by my side! You will serve as… my Personal Maid!”
Lina suddenly raised her head, eyes filled with disbelief and immense humiliation. “What?! Never! I’d rather die than serve a demon like you—”
“Sorry, what does your defiance matter to my order?” Seraphina cut her off, her tone utterly indifferent. “This is an order, and it is your only value and capital to survive at present.”