I entered my chambers, kicking off my boots before settling onto my comfy bed. The plush fabric embraced , the exhaustion of the day whispering for to succumb to sleep.
I resisted.
Barely.
The weight of today’s events pressed against my mind, lingering like an echo in an empty hall. I had taken a step forward in restructuring this land, shaping it into sothing new. The power I wielded was finally taking root, and yet...
There was still so much more to do.
A few minutes passed before a knock echoed through the room.
"Co in," I said, voice steady despite my fatigue.
The door creaked open, and in stepped the group of five maids.
But this ti—
Tauriel was with them.
And she was wearing a maid outfit.
I blinked.
The sight was so out of place that for a mont, I thought I was hallucinating.
Tauriel, the ragged girl, the supposed heroine of so unknown fate, now stood before in perfectly fitted attire, the black-and-white uniform hugging her form in a way that only emphasized the sharp contrast between her past and present.
I didn’t ignore her out-of-place presence. My gaze locked onto the well-endowed maid, the sa one who had previously cursed my existence under her breath.
"Why is she here?" I asked, tone edged with quiet authority. "I called for the maids. Only."
Before the maid could respond, Laura stepped forward.
"If she isn’t a maid, then why is she here in the castle?"
I shot her a look.
"Whatever reason she’s here for," I said coolly, "should not concern you."
Laura’s lips parted, likely to argue, but I raised a hand—a wordless command to stop.
Her expression twisted in frustration, her arms flailing slightly in an exaggerated motion of protest.
I ignored it.
Instead, I turned my focus to Tauriel.
Her ears twitched slightly under my scrutiny, a deep red hue creeping along their edges.
"Why are you wearing a maid outfit?"
Her fingers curled at her sides, her voice unusually ek as she answered.
"Miss Laura gave it to ," she murmured, avoiding my gaze. "Should I change?"
I exhaled through my nose, rubbing my temples.
"No. If you like it, wear it. It’s better than your usual rags."
A sharp snicker echoed through the room.
Laura.
"Soone has a favorite," she mused, a sly smile tugging at her lips.
I ignored her.
There were more pressing matters to discuss.
...
I let the silence settle for a mont before finally addressing the reason for their gathering.
"There’s a reason I called you all here."
The room stilled, their attention sharpening like a blade being drawn from its sheath.
"Today, I rewarded the townsfolk—the ones who worked the hardest."
The maids exchanged brief glances but nodded, signaling they understood.
Even Tauriel.
"I awarded them noble titles."
A sharp gasp passed through the group.
The weight of my words settled like an iron chain around their throats.
I gave them a mont to process before continuing.
"Aside from that, I granted them the right to govern a region."
Silence.
Not even the sound of breathing.
"And... each of them will have a personal maid. Which ans..."
I didn’t even get to finish before the demonic maid snapped.
A loud slam echoed through the room as her fist collided with a table, sending it toppling over with a sharp crash.
Her voice was poisoned with rage.
"Do you think we are your property that you can just hand off like prizes?!"
I exhaled slowly.
Got up—
Blurred.
The next instant, I was standing in front of her.
She stumbled back, her fiery attitude snuffed out in an instant.
The other maids moved instinctively—stepping forward as if to defend their fallen friend.
My gaze flicked toward them.
A single, cold glare.
Their confidence shattered.
They stopped.
Bit their lips.
I crouched.
A smile tugged on my lips as I looked down at the trembling maid.
"Yeah... I do fucking own you, all of you."
Her eyes widened before she snapped back.
"We are not slaves! We are maids!"
I tilted my head, letting the words settle before responding.
"You’re right."
I let my voice dip into sothing mockingly thoughtful.
"Maybe I should invest in actual slaves—once you lot are gone."
Her expression crumbled, her rage fizzling into sothing weaker.
She mumbled sothing inaudible, probably inaudible curses.
I didn’t care to ask.
Instead, I straightened and addressed the group.
"I haven’t decided who will assist who. That will be your choice. So—choose wisely."
I motioned toward Laura.
"She has the details of who was awarded. Ask her if you have any questions."
...
The ponytail maid stepped forward, her expression hesitant but composed.
"Young master, you ntioned ’assist’ them. What does that an?"
Smart girl.
"You will be assisting them in town improvent," I explained. "Two projects are currently being prioritized: the arena and the childcare center."
I took the mont to address Tauriel directly.
"Taury."
She flinched at the nickna.
"You’ll be in charge of the childcare center. Your job is to take care of the children. For funds, talk to Laura."
She nodded.
No questions.
No doubts.
Nothing.
Weird.
My gaze flickered toward Laura.
"When will the debt collectors arrive?"
Her response was imdiate.
"Tomorrow."
I frowned.
’That’s fast... but it works in my favor.’
I placed my hand on my chin.
"Prepare a detailed report on the debts—and the market price of the carcasses we acquired. I want it by morning."
Laura nodded sharply.
With a silent signal, she gestured for the maids to leave.
The demonic maid, still trembling, was pulled up by her companions before they all hurried out.
Except...
Tauriel stayed.
...
She was stiff.
Still silent.
I narrowed my eyes.
"Do you need sothing?"
She didn’t react at first.
Then—she turned to face .
And froze.
Horrified.
She looked like she had just seen a monster.
I sighed.
"If you have nothing to say, you can leave."
She nodded furiously—then bolted out of the room.
Yeah.
She was definitely another specin.
...
With them all gone, I was left with my most trusted companion.
Silence.
I let out a long breath before falling onto my bed.
The mont my head hit the pillow—
Sleep took .
I didn’t even rember when.
But before I knew it—
Morning had arrived.
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