Marianne swished away the last bit of dust from the floor of the throne room.
She sighed, looked up at the ceiling and smiled.
The broken ceiling was renewed now, the crimson chandelier which once laid on the ground like a corpse was now beautifully fixed onto the ceiling.
Yesterday's incident was very terrible, but she wasn't no crybaby. Though, it was still a mystery how Gustav was able to wield a broadsword with his slim build, but she ignored it.
After that, she took a glance at Magnus, who was still sleeping on the throne.
At that moment, he looked harmless. But the feat he had shown yesterday was still terrific, and also...kinda cool.
Well, that's what Marianne thought, not me.
"How come he's so strong? I guess being the demon king, it's a given." She thought, leaving the throne room and strolling in the hallway while carrying her broom.
Her elegant walk captivated the other female demon servants to immediately greet her, with every step she greeted back. But she stopped her words for sometime.
That's because she was in her own universe of thoughts.
"What's up with me lately, i have been feeling a tingly sensation in my chest everytime I am with Magnus.".
Suddenly, Lily called her out. "Miss Marianne! Can I borrow the broom?"
She halted her steps and turned towards Lily. She was a young demon servant, her crimson red hair tied in a bun and eyes sparkling like a child. She held both her hands close to her face in impatience as she waited to be given the broom from Marianne.
Marianne sighed and with a smile on her face, handed out the broom. "Of course, but make sure to put it in the service room after use".
"I will!" Lily said, grabbing the broom with both her hands and jogging away.
After that, she went back into her mindspace.
"Do i like him..no! no! What am I thinking" she shook her head, but the thought didn't disappear.
"He's a king, while I am a servant, also I am a human while he's a demon. It's forbidden in more than one way.".
"Maybe i should talk with someone about this.."
"But who?..."
---
Later, in the evening she sat on her bed inside her own room. She wore a rather casual dress instead of the maid's one.
It was a long, cream-colored dress that reached down to her ankles, with sleeves that covered her arms to the wrists. The fabric wasn't fancy, but rather clean, stitched with simple patterns at the hem and cuffs. A ribbon tied at the waist gave the dress some shape, though it still flowed loosely around her slightly round figure.
Her golden hair was left untied, falling in a soft wave down her back, shining faintly under the lantern light.
As for her room, it was clean and neat, probably because of her clean-freak persona. From the door, to the left was a normal sized bed with white cushion and dark wooden frame. Just above the bed was a cylindrical lantern with a hexagonal base, a soft golden light flowing out from the candle inside it.
Just beside the left side of the bed, was a wooden desk, made out of the same plank used for the bed, it was about as high as Marianne's waist, while the chair was perfectly comfortable for her to sit on. There was a number of books neatly placed on it, and a pink teddy sitting on them.
To the right, there was a huge almirah which she put most of her things inside, just beside a oval mirror hung on the wall. She was a woman, alright.
Suddenly, someone knocked on the door, I didn't know who it was, but Marianne sure did.
She jumped up from the bed and quickly opened the door. It was Lillith. The demon queen of lust, or rather gossip.
"Huh?" Lillith frowned in annoyance as she started at the screen. My bad.
Marianne welcomed her in, but was surprised by her dress.
Lillith, the Queen of Lust. When someone hears that name, they would think of an immodest temptress, draped in silks that left little to the imagination. But tonight, the queen chose to wear something entirely different—something that stole Marianne's breath away.
She wore a deep maroon saree, its fabric flowing like liquid wine in the lantern light. The golden embroidery shimmered faintly at the borders, delicate patterns of vines and blossoms running across the folds. The saree was draped with effortless grace across her shoulder, the pallu trailing behind her like a royal banner.
Instead of being overly revealing, it was dignified—majestic even. The blouse was fitted but modest, its sleeves stopping just above her elbows. A slender waistband of gold clasped the saree firmly in place, highlighting her figure without flaunting it.
Lillith's raven hair was tied in a low bun, adorned with a single jasmine flower, while bangles of red and gold chimed softly as she moved. She looked less like a temptress and more like a goddess out of an ancient tale.
"At this point, you are just messing with me. What is this dress now?" Marianne said, trying to analyze the clothing infront of her.
"It's called a Saree. It's a dress from another world." She said, adjusting the pallu a little. "Beautiful, isn't it?"
"Well... I guess so. Where did you find it though. What do you mean another world.". Marianne said, already admiring the shiny fabric.
"Well, you know how the humans always summon hero's from another world right? So, they got new technology and stuff and I sent a servant of mine to get some things for me, she brought me this too." Lillith explained while turning round and round, showcasing her saree.
She then stopped and gracefully sat down next to Marianne on the bed "So, why did you call me?"
Marianne squeaked, the sudden question bought the forgotten thought of the day back.
"Well... It's about Magnus..." She said, hiding her pinkish face in the pillow.
"She's definitely in love. It's so easy to read her. Everyone calls him Demon king and all, and she straight up uses his name? How bold" . Lillith thought.
She then brought herself closer and asked.
"Well, What about that Sloth?"
"It's.. uh.. i think... You know, i think I like him.. a little." Marianne muttered.
"Of course you do".
Lilith sighed. "Sorry, but i can't really help you in this".
Marianne was shocked by the sudden reply. She hesitatedly asked "H-huh? Why?"
Although Lilith was acting cool, she too was in the middle of a romcom. "I am in the same situation."
"What? How?". Marianne asked.
"You know that both your race don't match?"
"Um-hm" Marianne nodded.
"Mine's similar. He's a human while i am a demon. To make it even worse..." She stopped and sighed.
"Yes, And?" Marianne asked, her eyes lit with drama.
"He's a hero"
Marianne blinked, tilting her head. "Wait…even if he's a hero. You're the Queen of Lust. Can't you just… you know… seduce him?"
Lillith chuckled, covering her lips with the back of her hand. "Ah, if only it were that simple. That's what the sixty-ninth Demon Queen could do."
"The… sixty-ninth?" Marianne repeated, confused.
"Yes," Lillith leaned back, her saree folds rustling as she settled comfortably. "Back then, Lust meant indulgence. She could charm armies, bring down kings with a glance. But…" She sighed, tapping her chin. "The seventieth Demon Queen wasn't like that. She was shy. Hated the way people looked at her. So, she sealed away the power of seduction. Declared it forbidden. From then on, Lust became… different."
"Different how?" Marianne asked, eyes widening.
"Hypnosis. Emotional sway. The ability to draw out desire, not force it. To reflect what already exists in the heart, not implant something false. That's what we've inherited. I can't make someone love me, Marianne. I can only reveal what they already bury inside."
Marianne's mouth formed a small 'o'. "So… if he doesn't feel anything for you…"
Lillith smiled, but it was a sad kind. "Then even I, the Queen of Lust, am powerless."
"Oh..."
"I can't believe I thought about using seduction ability on Magnus.. ahh!! How impure of me!!!". Marianne shook her head while thought's of guilt and love invaded her mind.