Chapter 40 : Now Is Fantasy Time
Chapter 40: Now Is Fantasy Time
Dragging her heavy steps, Lilia returned to her workstation.
Looking at the still mountain-like pile of documents on the desk, she suddenly felt a bit of sympathy for Camilla.
“Ding!”
【System Notification: Conflict with Duke Camilla has escalated, but due to the host successfully intimidating the other party, Camilla Favorability +5.】
Lilia: “……”
What the hell!?
She shook her head, deciding not to think about it anymore.
What she needed now was focus.
She had even already begun drafting in her mind the first clause of that “operational charter”: The two Chief Inspectors must prioritize cooperation and place the interests of the Palace of Eternal Night above all else. Private conflict is strictly prohibited!
Otherwise, she truly feared she would die at Camilla’s hands.
The study in the dead of night was so quiet that only the faint scratching of the quill against parchment remained.
Lilia felt like her very soul was about to be drained.
The mountain of documents before her had finally dwindled to just a small remaining stack.
The mental focus brought by the 【Executor of Order】 title was nearing its limit, and the high-efficiency processing ability granted by the 【Administrative Maid】 talent had begun to dull.
She really was about to die from overwork.
Finally, as the last period was written, Lilia dropped the quill. Her entire body went limp, as if her bones had been removed, collapsing into the chair.
It’s over…
Finally over.
She let out a long breath, her eyelids so heavy they felt like they could crush her.
Subconsciously, she raised her head to check the time—
—and froze instantly.
Hera was still there!?
Was she monitoring whether she had been slacking off?
Lilia immediately rejected that thought. Given Hera’s personality, if she had been dissatisfied, Lilia would have already been dragged out and fed to worms. There was no way she would still be alive.
Then… why?
Lilia didn’t dare to think further.
Yet once her gaze stuck to Hera, she couldn’t tear it away.
Her thoughts… began to change unconsciously.
The study was vast, so empty it made one uneasy.
The light illuminated not only the documents but extended along the desk, reaching all the way to Hera’s skirt hem.
It was as if this wasn’t a high and mighty Queen and a serving maid.
But rather… someone staying late into the night, going nowhere, just to accompany someone working overtime…?
“Finished writing?”
Her mind even automatically filled in Hera saying this in that cold voice, like an ordinary domestic remark.
What was with this déjà vu of “You’ve worked hard, the porridge is in the pot”?!
Lilia’s heart suddenly skipped a beat. A current shot from her tailbone straight to the top of her head—not from fear, but from something far more terrifying—
A flutter of the heart.
In that single second, she had actually wanted to throw herself into Hera’s arms for a hug?
She even imagined rubbing against those long legs clad in black stockings, acting spoiled and saying, “I’m so tired from work, please comfort me”?
Lilia was so shocked by her own thoughts that she jolted, instantly becoming much more alert.
Danger! Extremely dangerous!
This was definitely the Feminization Index at work!
She shook her head vigorously, throwing away all those messy thoughts.
No matter why Hera was here, the most important issue right now was—
If Hera didn’t leave, she didn’t dare to leave either!
Lilia was so tired she felt like she could drop dead on the spot.
She really wanted to rush back to her little bed and dive in for a long, unconscious sleep.
But if Hera could sit there, could she leave?
She couldn’t!
What should she do?
Directly say, “Your Majesty, I’m tired, I’m going to sleep now”?
Lilia shuddered, already imagining her miserable fate of having her Loyalty completely deducted by the System for “disrespect before the throne.”
She had to think of a way.
A way that would allow her to reasonably rest without displeasing Hera.
Her survival instinct overpowered her exhaustion. Lilia’s brain began to spin rapidly.
Got it!
Her eyes lit up as a brilliant idea surfaced.
She forced herself to stay alert, stood up from the chair, and adjusted her maid outfit, which had wrinkled slightly from sitting too long.
Then, with the most standard and elegant maid steps, wearing an expression that screamed “For the Queen, I can fight for another five hundred years,” she silently approached Hera.
“Master.”
Lilia’s voice was deliberately soft and respectful, carrying just the right amount of concern.
Hera didn’t respond, still watching the flickering candlelight.
Lilia could only grit her teeth and continue her act.
“It’s late, Master.” She bowed slightly.
As she spoke, she carefully observed Hera’s reaction.
“Would you like… Lilia to massage your shoulders and help you relax?”
The words were attentive to the extreme, brimming with loyalty.
Lilia was almost moved by herself.
But the little voice in her heart was screaming wildly: Please! Just say you’re tired! Let me go sleep! I really can’t take it anymore!
After speaking, she added another line, trying to make her motives seem even purer.
“Or perhaps… prepare a cup of soothing hot tea for you?”
She waited sincerely for Hera’s response, her heart in her throat.
Finally, Hera moved.
She slowly set down the teacup in her hand. The cup lightly collided with the table, producing a soft sound.