Chapter 28 : Relationship
Chapter 28: Relationship
“Don’t stop.”
Hera’s hand still held her wrist.
Warm, soft.
Lilia’s body was stiff like a stone.
Her mind was in complete chaos.
Shame, fear, shock…
Through [Magic Perception], she clearly “saw” deep within Hera’s soul.
That massive, violent black vortex bound by countless golden chains.
Pain.
A sharp, empathetic pain.
Only one thought remained in her mind.
Let her… calm down.
Let this powerful yet lonely woman have a moment of peace.
Lilia took a deep breath and abandoned all resistance and struggle.
She turned her hand, using her cool fingertips to gently cover the back of Hera’s hand that was holding her.
As if silently responding.
Then, her other free hand fell once more—firmly this time—onto Hera’s smooth, jade-like back.
A thread of faint magic flowed like a warm stream, slowly and carefully entering Hera’s body through her fingertips.
This magic was weak.
Compared to the vast, star-sea-like magic within Hera, it was like a drop of water falling into an endless ocean.
But this single drop—
carried a pure, untainted intent of comfort.
It didn’t clash with the tense magic nodes.
Instead, like spring rain nourishing all things, it gently enveloped them.
【Ding!】
【Detected that the host is attempting to use her own magic for “mental soothing”…】
【Behavior Assessment: Proactive service exceeding mission requirements!】
【Hera Intimacy +5!】
【Hera Loyalty +2!】
The system notification sounded in Lilia’s mind.
But she had no attention to spare.
All her focus was immersed in this silent “treatment.”
Under the vision of [Magic Perception],
she could see her faint thread of magic carefully avoiding Hera’s massive magic currents, quietly forming a fragile yet warm barrier around the outer edge of that violent black vortex.
As if sensing this foreign warmth devoid of malice—
Hera’s body completely relaxed.
The strength in her grip on Lilia’s wrist gradually loosened.
But she didn’t let go.
It changed from gripping to gently holding.
As if, in her sleep, she had grasped a piece of driftwood that brought her peace.
Lilia’s massage continued.
From the back, to the waist, to those long, firm legs.
She no longer felt like she was completing a shameful task.
It felt like a sacred ritual.
She was soothing a wounded, lonely dragon, one that hid itself beneath a hard shell.
Time passed.
The chamber remained silent.
Fine beads of sweat covered Lilia’s forehead.
Even the faint output of magic over a long period made her body feel immense fatigue.
Her knees, pressed against the cold floor, were long numb.
Her arms ached.
But she did not stop.
Hera’s hand holding hers was her only reason to continue.
After an unknown amount of time—
“…betrayal…”
A faint, pain-filled word slipped softly from Hera’s lips.
So quiet it was almost inaudible.
But Lilia heard it clearly.
Her heart trembled.
Betrayal?
Who… had betrayed her?
Lilia’s movements became even gentler.
She infused more warm magic into Hera’s body, hoping to soothe the pain in her dreams.
【Ding!】
【Detected Hera has entered deep sleep. Mental tension reduced to a safe threshold.】
【Chain Mission: The Queen’s Reliance (1/3) — Soothe the Queen’s Fatigue, completion exceeded!】
【Final Evaluation: S+! You not only soothed the Queen’s body, but touched her sealed soul! This is the highest art of a maid!】
【Reward obtained: D-Rank Skill [Magic Perception] upgraded to C-Rank [Soul Perception (Beginner)]! Hera Intimacy +15! Feminization Index +10!】
【New Skill Unlocked: Passive Skill [Requiem] — Your magic will have additional calming and stabilizing effects on Hera.】
A cascade of system notifications burst like fireworks in Lilia’s mind.
[Soul Perception (Beginner)]!
Instinctively, she activated the new skill.
Buzz—
Her world transformed once again.
If [Magic Perception] allowed her to see Hera’s internal magic universe—
then [Soul Perception] allowed her to directly… “hear” it.
She heard it.
Deep within that tranquil galaxy of magic.
Inside the black vortex bound by golden chains—
there came suppressed, beast-like whimpers.
That was… loneliness.
The ultimate loneliness of being abandoned by the world.
And… a bone-deep fear of “falling.”
Hera’s coldness, her cleanliness obsession, her unquestionable power—
everything was merely a cover for a soul long riddled with wounds.
She was, in truth… just a child afraid of being abandoned.
Exhausted, Lilia slowly leaned against the edge of the chaise.
Her head rested on her arm.
She quietly watched Hera’s face—now free of all defenses in sleep, breathtakingly beautiful.
She did not pull her hand away from Hera’s grasp.
Instead, she gently intertwined her fingers with hers.
The night was still long.
Just as exhaustion overtook her and her consciousness began to fade—
Hera’s tightly closed eyelashes trembled slightly.
The hand holding hers unconsciously tightened.
Lilia didn’t know when she fell asleep.
She only remembered using the last of her strength to pass her faint warmth of magic into that whimpering soul.
Then exhaustion swallowed her like a tidal wave.
The last thing she felt was their intertwined fingers.
Warm.
……
“Mm…”
A soft, lazy murmur of waking pulled Lilia out of the darkness.
Her eyes snapped open.
What met her gaze was Hera’s flawless profile—so close.
Morning light streamed through the massive floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a soft golden glow that outlined Hera’s long lashes, straight nose, and beautifully shaped lips.
She hadn’t fully awakened.
Lilia’s heart shot into her throat.
She stiffly tried to pull her body away, inch by inch.
But the moment she moved—
the hand interlocked with hers tightened suddenly.
The force was so great it felt like her bones might be crushed.
Lilia froze instantly.
Cold sweat slid down her temple.
It was over.
She had woken up.
The next second, those long lashes trembled.
Golden eyes, like molten gold, slowly opened.
There was no usual coldness or authority within them.
Instead—confusion.
As if she had just returned from a distant, endless dream, unable to distinguish reality from illusion.
Hera’s gaze lacked focus.
She instinctively looked toward the source of warmth beside her.
Then her eyes landed on Lilia’s face—filled with panic and helplessness.
Then, her gaze slowly lowered.
To their hands—
still tightly intertwined.
The air froze.
Time seemed to stop.
Lilia could hear her own heart pounding.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
Faster. Louder.
I’m dead I’m dead I’m dead!
She saw it!
She definitely saw it!
A maid, not only failing to leave while her master slept—but holding hands and sleeping together all night!
How many times was that enough to kill her?
A hundred? A thousand?
Lilia’s survival instinct exploded.
She used all her strength to yank her hand back—
But…
It didn’t move at all.
Hera’s hand was like a burning iron clamp, locking her in place.
Hera simply watched her.
Watched her panic.
Watched her trembling in fear.
The confusion in her golden eyes gradually faded.
But the expected killing intent and coldness did not appear.
Instead—something Lilia couldn’t understand.
Extremely complex emotions.
Scrutiny, curiosity… and a trace of attachment even Hera herself hadn’t realized.
“Master…”
“I… I was just…”
Her mind went blank, desperately searching for an explanation.
But what could she say?
That she was afraid Hera would catch a chill?
Or afraid she would have nightmares?
Such nonsense might fool a Little Demon—but her?
Impossible!
Just as Lilia braced for fury—
Hera spoke.
Her voice was hoarse from waking, yet unexpectedly devoid of coldness.
“…All night?”
Lilia’s lips trembled.
“Yes…”
Hera said nothing more.
She simply looked deeply—very deeply—at Lilia.
Lilia could feel the magic within Hera slowly moving.
She was investigating what had happened last night in her own way.
She could sense the faint warmth of magic Lilia had left behind.
And also Lilia’s nearly exhausted state.
Lilia’s heart sank to the bottom.
She could only kneel like a prisoner awaiting judgment.
【Ding!】
At that moment, the system notification sounded like heavenly music.
【Detected Hera Intimacy has reached threshold: 30!】
【Congratulations, host! Your relationship with Hera has upgraded from “Interesting Toy” to “Beloved Possession”!】
【Exclusive Passive Skill Unlocked: [The Queen’s Solace] — Your presence alone can slowly reduce Hera’s mental tension (range: within line of sight). Physical contact increases the effect by 500%.】
Lilia: “……”
Beloved… possession?
What kind of upgrade was that?!
And what was this [The Queen’s Solace]?
Did that make her a human tranquilizer?!
Lilia screamed internally.
But she didn’t dare move.
Because Hera’s other hand had lifted.
Cool fingertips gently touched Lilia’s cheek.
They slid slowly down—
across her tense jaw—
and finally stopped at her slender, vulnerable neck.
Lilia’s breathing stopped.
But—
no pain came.
Hera simply used her thumb to gently stroke the skin at her neck.
It was a touch filled with scrutiny and curiosity.
“You…”
Hera spoke again, her voice still hoarse.
“…aren’t afraid of me?”
Lilia froze.
Was she afraid?
She was terrified!
Her legs were still shaking!
But as she looked into Hera’s no-longer-cold golden eyes—
and saw her own disheveled reflection within them—
something possessed her.
“…By your side, I fear nothing.”
The moment the words left her mouth—
Lilia wanted to slap herself.
What kind of nonsense was that?!
How did she even say something so cheesy?!
【Ding!】
【Detected host has made a “loyalty declaration beyond survival needs”!】
【Hera Intimacy +5!】
【Hera Loyalty +5!】
【Feminization Index +5!】
Lilia: “……”
That worked?!
Hera seemed to stiffen slightly.
Her hand on Lilia’s neck stopped.
Silence filled the chamber again.
After a long while—
Hera finally loosened her grip.
Lilia felt pardoned, immediately trying to pull her hand back.
But just as it was about to slip free—
Hera hooked Lilia’s little finger with her own.
Then she sat up.
The silk robe slid along her flawless shoulders, revealing wide stretches of pale skin and her delicate collarbones.
Barefoot, she stepped down from the chaise and walked toward the massive window.
Morning light stretched her shadow long.
She stood with her back to Lilia.
“Last night…”
Hera’s voice drifted over.
“…I slept very peacefully.”
Lilia knelt, head lowered, silent.
But her heart pounded uncontrollably.
“Lilia.”
Hera suddenly called her name.
“Yes, Master.”
Lilia responded respectfully.
Hera turned.
Bathed in morning light, she stood surrounded by a golden halo.
She looked at Lilia kneeling on the ground.
Her golden eyes were filled with unreadable emotions.