The Shadow Queen Is Too Alluring—I Can't Handle This Anymore! Chapter 8: The Queen’s New Royal Assistant (Now in Uniform!)

I had never experienced humiliation on this level before.

The frilly pink maid outfit clung to like it was tailored by the Devil himself. The skirt? Too short. The stockings? Too tight. And the ridiculous cat ears? They jingled every ti I moved.

But none of it—none of it—was as soul-destroying as the giant silver bell strapped around my neck like so kind of cursed ani accessory.

Ding!

The Shadow Queen clapped her hands in delight from the couch.

"Marvelous! Absolutely splendid! Liam, you truly have the spirit of a loyal servant!"

"Kill now..." I muttered under my breath, trying desperately to tug the skirt lower. Spoiler: it wasn't working.

She sipped her bubble tea with the smug satisfaction of a warlord who'd just conquered an empire without lifting a finger.

"Now, my dear Royal Assistant, it's ti to fulfill your duties."

I froze. "What... duties?"

She leaned forward, resting her chin in her palm, her crimson eyes sparkling with pure mischief.

"I have scheduled an important royal tea ceremony... and you, my devoted maid, will host it."

"Tea ceremony?" I blinked. "Here? In this dump?"

She stood gracefully, waving her hand. Shadows twisted and reford across the room, transforming my sad, tiny apartnt into what looked like a grand Victorian tea hall—complete with velvet curtains, golden teapots, and a table set for...

"Wait... why are there six extra chairs? Who's coming?!"

Before she could answer, the doorbell rang.

DING DONG.

Oh no. No, no, no.

"Don't tell you actually invited people—"

She gave that devastating smile again.

"Of course. What's a tea ceremony without honored guests?"

My knees went weak. "Who... exactly... are these guests?"

"Just a few local dignitaries from the Shadow Realm." She casually examined her nails. "Nothing to worry about. They're only mildly dangerous."

"MILDLY?!"

DING DONG.

Another ring. Then a second. And a third.

"Caretaker!" she called sweetly. "Your guests await. Do greet them properly, won't you?"

I stared at the door like it was the entrance to my impending doom.

Still in the pink maid outfit.

Still jingling with every reluctant step.

And sowhere deep down, I knew...

This was only the beginning of my suffering.

To be continued...