69. The Fickle Maid
Three days had passed since the Demon Moon meeting.
The Dragon King’s Palace was bustling with activity, like a festival.
Besides Shining Scale Liya, who was most grateful to Reina, her subordinates, the Twelve Great Dragons, and even some “reformed” former subordinates of Crimson Scale came to visit, flattering and pledging their loyalty to Reina—after all, she was the one who had masterfully brought down the powerful Demon Moon Crimson Scale. If they wanted to continue thriving in the Dragon Realm, this was necessary.
So, in just one day, Reina’s small treasury was almost full.
Shining Scale Liya, who was most grateful to Reina, practically treated her like her dearest older sister.
She visited Reina three to five times a day, each time bringing a large amount of treasure, always using the discreet method of food carts, always coming alone to express her gratitude.
“If it weren’t for Lady Reina’s support, I would have been expelled from the Dragon Realm. On behalf of my subordinates, I thank you again for your help.”
The breeze ruffled her beautiful hair. Shining Scale Liya’s smile and loyalty amused Reina, but she didn’t feel any joy, instead, she felt a sense of impending doom!
Because Reina never expected that Shining Scale Liya would actually treat her like an older sister!
Today was her third visit, each time bringing countless treasures.
“Lord Azure Scale, may I call you Miss Reina?”
“Uh…”
Reina nodded and chuckled awkwardly.
“No problem.”
“Great! Miss Reina, just call me Liya!”
Making friends with a Demon Moon only made Reina nervous.
She was currently trying her best to avoid raising her profile in the Dragon Realm.
She had originally wanted to be the mastermind behind the scenes, pushing everything onto the Dragon King, but who knew such a problem would arise?
“This is all the result of your own hard work. Crimson Scale’s downfall was practically inevitable. The unification of the dragon race is also thanks to your great assistance.”
Reina could only respond like this, her tail swaying restlessly due to nervousness and resentment. Seeing Reina’s adorable behavior, Liya tilted her head:
“I think I understand why the Dragon King likes you.”
“Hmm?”
“Because the way you try to hide your emotions is very cute.”
Reina held her forehead, her tail swaying even more vigorously after Calysia was mentioned.
“Liya, don’t talk nonsense.”
Hahaha~
Liya also wagged her tail happily.
“Thanks to Miss Reina, I can finally regain my power. If you encounter any difficulties in the future, feel free to come to me. If you’re in danger, although I won’t rush to the front lines, I’ll definitely do my best~”
Don’t just casually help me!
Don’t just casually save me!
Reina chuckled wryly, her heart filled with gloom, her face devoid of any energy.
If this were a normal workplace or social interaction, she wouldn’t mind having this timid and honest person by her side.
But these were dragons!
Dragons who would definitely chase after her and uncover the truth if she disappeared!
Including the Azure Scale Knights, Calysia, Liya… This was practically half of the Dragon Realm. If this group of people searched for her after she escaped to the human world, they could probably turn the entire world upside down.
Liya finally bid farewell to Reina and left the Dragon King’s Palace.
But Reina knew she would be back again in the afternoon.
Just then, amidst the chatter and gossip, Reina sighed and noticed the three most capable members of the Azure Scale Knights.
“Azure, Fire, Ann?”
“What is it, Big Sis?”
“Lady Reina?”
“Lady Reina~”
Reina felt a little guilty.
Although she had boasted about “not needing a single soldier,” in reality, without the help of Fire, Azure, and Ann, things wouldn’t have gone so smoothly.
Fire and Azure were responsible for monitoring Crimson Scale’s every move.
Ann, besides identifying the “traitors” within the Azure Scale Knights, even helped with communication.
They were three good kids that Reina couldn’t bear to leave behind.
Thinking about leaving them, Reina felt a pang of guilt.
So, Reina spent the entire day processing Crimson Scale’s spoils and distributing them among the three.
She first expressed her gratitude:
“Ann, Fire, Azure, this operation wouldn’t have been possible without any of you. You are my most capable subordinates.”
“Supporting Lady Reina is my lifelong goal. Thank you for your promotion, Lady Reina.”
Azure said, a little embarrassed. She was now completely loyal to Reina, treating her as both a friend and an older sister.
“Big Sis, I’m amazing, right?” Fire said with a happy smile. She was the one who contributed the most this time.
“Lady Reina is so beautiful and kind-hearted. I envy the Dragon King~”
Ann saw right through her.
Reina broke out in a cold sweat, suddenly realizing that Ann might be the biggest threat after she switched sides.
Establishing authority, a great success! The Crimson Scale subjugation plan, a great success!
The escape from the Dragon King plan, a major failure!
Reina took out three gift boxes and handed them to the three respectively.
—These were consumable spoils from a high-ranking demon, even more valuable than Donald’s, containing the energy of a higher-level demon.
“With this, I can reach mid-rank tier seven,” Azure said, opening the gift box and looking at the neatly arranged bottles of “bone ash powder” inside.
Fire picked up a bottle and examined it carefully, as if admiring her new treasure.
Ann took out the bottles and hid them in her most secret “hidden space.”
After her encouraging words, Reina bid farewell to her three subordinates.
She still had a lot of maid duties to attend to.
The major changes in the Dragon Realm’s power structure had multiplied her workload several times over, but her responsibilities in serving Calysia remained unchanged.
…
After crossing the Milky Way Bridge, the noise subsided, and the tranquility within the Dragon King’s Palace was undisturbed.
As afternoon approached, Reina didn’t even have a moment to rest. Instead, she immediately went to check the replies from various nobles and dragons in the Dragon Realm, also helping Calysia review some documents.
In short, it wasn’t easy.
So, Reina could only use Calysia’s desk, trying to finish this work before her afternoon maid duties began.
She was completely unaware that Calysia, still in her nightgown, had stealthily entered the room and was staring at Reina with the quiet intensity of a predator before a hunt.
At this time, Calysia should still be napping in bed.
Calysia had just been tucked into bed by Reina, but in the blink of an eye, her Little Vassal, who was supposed to be warming her bed, had slipped away!
Out of curiosity, the Dragon King got out of bed, not intending to continue her nap. She wanted to see what Reina was doing that was more important than sleeping with her.
She saw the visitors and nobles from all over the Dragon Realm, practically all the dragons and Shining Scale Liya’s subordinates, as well as all the members of the Azure Scale Knights, crowding in front of the Dragon King’s Palace like a bustling market for several days.
The Dragon King’s Palace had excellent soundproofing, but that didn’t mean Calysia couldn’t hear them.
If she wanted to, she could hear every single word.
“Azure Dragon, Fire Dragon, Ann…”
“Liya…”
Calysia usually didn’t stop dragons from gathering and discussing in front of the Dragon King’s Palace, especially for Reina.
But at this moment, she wanted to drive everyone away and take the most dazzling figure among them, hide her away in her treasury, and lavish her with affection.
As time went on, Calysia noticed that Reina was spending less and less time with her.
She noticed a fact she couldn’t accept:
—Her Little Vassal was actually sacrificing her bed-warming and sleeping time for other people!
She’s clearly mine.
Calysia stood in the corner, her gaze fixed on Reina’s profile as she diligently wrote letters.
Actually, she had felt unbalanced for a long time now.
Because she could hardly interfere with her Little Vassal’s plans.
If this continued, wouldn’t she become a mere spectator?
She muttered softly:
“What a fickle maid.”
