A man dressed in white could be seen from the doorway…
A man…
The man…
His master…
His owner…
"…"
Chiyo, who had opened the door, entered first, followed by Lior.
Lior stepped into the room where his master was, behind Chiyo.
The two maids entered a large room filled with furniture and seating. It had three large windows overlooking the garden. And above all else, there was a central desk with several folders stacked one on top of another.
But…
At that desk, there was a person. A person Lior had seen before, and whom he remembered perfectly. Only this time, he was dressed differently.
[Man: ###### #####]
[Chiyo: ##### ## ##### #### ##### ## #####]
"…"
[Man: #####]
The man was seated in the chair behind the desk. His hands were interlaced and resting on the surface of the desk, supporting his head, while a rigid golden gaze was directed at Lior.
[Man: #### #### ####### ## ####]
With a simple movement, he stood up from his seat, walking around the desk to approach the pair of maids.
"…"
Chiyo stepped aside, giving a slight bow as her master passed in front of her, her hands placed in front of her body and her eyes closed.
At that moment, the man was wearing clothing not very different from the last time. He wore a white shirt that highlighted his muscular build, the same trousers as before, and well-polished black shoes. What he was not wearing were his elegant accessories and expensive coat, giving him a cleaner and softer appearance.
"…"
The man stopped in front of Lior, emanating an imposing aura that made the latter tremble.
"…"
Seen from below, Lior looked up at the man with wide eyes and a nervous smile, his ears drooping and his tail stiff. The man standing before the cat boy was much taller than him, which only intensified that timidity—especially since, in his previous life, Lior had been the tall one.
"…"
The man stared down at Lior's face with a sinister, evaluative gaze.
And in a swift motion…
He grabbed Lior by both cheeks with his left hand, squeezing his soft skin, and positioned his other hand in front of the boy's face, leaving a small space between his hand and Lior's face.
[Lior: Ow]
Lior was startled by the strange movements, becoming even more nervous than before. What were they going to do to him? That was the question now swirling through his mind.
"…"
But then…
A light… a flash…
Something like an artificial light began to form between Lior's face and the man's hand.
Something… magical… one could say.
"…"
Lior stared in surprise and awe at the glow forming right before his eyes.
That was…
[Lior: Magic…]
That was magic…
"…"
How impressive.
Something like magic was far too new for Lior, and only for a brief moment had he been able to witness something like it back in the room with Chiyo.
But this…
This was different… it was more imposing… more incredible… so unreal… so beautiful… it was far, far, far more impressive than anything he could have ever imagined.
And then…
The light went out.
The light vanished.
The light was gone, leaving only a pale hand in front of him.
[Man: Done]
"…"
[Man: Now you can speak this language]
"…"
[Lior: Huh?]
Lior didn't understand. What did he mean, speak this langua—
[Lior: Wait…]
Wait.
[Lior: W-wait… what?]
How?
[Lior: Wha… what?]
How…
[Lior: How?]
Now…
[Lior: Now…]
"…"
[Lior: I… I understand you?]
"…"
Lior didn't understand the why.
But… he did understand the when.
[Lior: It was… when you used magic on me, right, nya?]
[Man: Magic… that wasn't simply magic. Isn't it obvious that magic has limits? This is something different, and I'm surprised you don't know that.]
[Lior: What?]
[Man: Magic doesn't work this way. It's not possible to enter someone else's mind using magic alone, is it?]
[Lior: Ahh… h-how did you say?]
[Man: Don't you know what blessings are? You're quite stupid, and that's saying something considering I saw potential in you. Weren't you suitable? Or are you simply ignorant?]
Lior was lost. What did he mean it wasn't simply magic? What were these "blessings"? What had he done to him? What did he mean by entering his mind? Did he really enter his mind? Why did this man have the right to meddle in his mind? Wasn't his mind his own and nobody else's? Was that even allowed? What was wrong with him?
[Man: You're getting far too familiar with me, aren't you?]
[Lior: Huh?]
[Man: You've forgotten who I am, haven't you?]
[Lior: What?]
[Man: …]
The man fixed a chilling stare on Lior, slightly crouching to be at the same height as the catboy.
[Lior: Ah… a-ah! Um… p-please forgive me! My lord… m-my master…]
[Man: …]
[Lior: P-please f-forgive my l-lack of… c-courtesy, nya…]
[Man: …]
[Lior: I d-didn't mean to… I-I didn't mean to offend you, nya! P-please forgive me, nya!]
"…"
Lior bent forward in a gesture of apology.
[Lior: That wasn't my intention…]
[Man: …]
Lior remained in that posture, waiting for the words of the man standing before him.
[Lior: Ahh…]
With his mind in chaos, his eyes trembling uncontrollably, and his breathing unsteady, Lior stayed frozen in his apologetic bow.
[Man: …]
[Lior: …]
"…"
An unsettling silence filled the room…
[Man: I see you know your place. Besides, it's your first day. Don't disrespect me like that again. Do you hear me?]
[Lior: Y-yes, sir!]
"…"
[Man: …]
The man's dreadful gaze was still there, but his body moved away.
He returned to his formal, elegant posture, standing tall and composed, and cast a quick glance at Chiyo to gauge her reaction.
Chiyo remained serious, her eyes dull and lifeless, merely obeying her lord's orders.
Then, the man turned back toward his desk, taking a step and pivoting smoothly. He returned to the other side of the desk and sat down in the chair from which he had stood moments before. His eyes still carried that terrifying presence that filled Lior with horror. Lior stood trembling in the middle of the room, his tail and ears drooping.
[Man: I assume you understand who I am, at least. If not, then I suppose I'll introduce myself.]
"…"
[Man: My name is Akuma Eidoriku, the sole owner of the noble House Eidoriku. Since I never had siblings or grandparents, and my parents died in an accident, I inherited everything.]
"…"
[Akuma: I chose you from among all the others because I saw something different in you, so be grateful. Your life could have been far more cruel.]
"…"
[Akuma: From now on, your job is to be a domestic maid. You'll learn the peculiarities of serving me in time, so don't forget who your beloved master is, hm?]
The aura this man exuded was one of complete distrust. It was frightening just to look him in the eyes. Lior was extremely nervous.
[Akuma: So then… what's your name?]
[Lior: Ah… um… Lior—]
[Akuma: —Lior…]
[Lior: …]
[Akuma: Yes… very good…]
[Lior: ?]
[Akuma: It's a very beautiful name, actually. Aesthetically pleasing, and it suits your appearance quite well. Yes… yes… it's quite good.]
[Lior: …]
His master was rather… strange, to be honest. His behavior was highly egocentric, and he spoke in an exaggerated manner. Would he be like this every day? If so, serving him was going to be horrible.
[Akuma: Lior… now… Lior Eidoriku, isn't it?]
[Lior: What?]
[Akuma: Lior Eidoriku is a good name, isn't it? It has everything. Besides, your appearance is quite cute, to be honest—too bad you're a man.]
[Lior: Huh? Uh… um… agh—what do you mean, Lior Eidoriku?]
"…"
[Lior: Th-this… ahem… young m-master… I already have a surname—]
[Akuma: —Do you?]
[Lior: …]
Akuma directed an extremely somber gaze at Lior. It was, quite literally, a paralyzing look.
[Lior: Ah…]
[Akuma: You don't listen, do you? Your surname is Eidoriku… of course it is.]
"…"
[Akuma: Lior Eidoriku… it's quite beautiful…]
"…"
[Akuma: My family name is your mark of recognition. It's beautiful to bear that surname… because I gave it to you.]
[Lior: …]
[Akuma: I am your master, you know? I like having beautiful girls close to me, and that's why I give them my surname. My maids are mine—mine and no one else's—so my surname is upon you.]
Akuma stood up from his seat.
[Akuma: My surname is the most sacred thing I can give you. It is your recognition for being a beautiful maid…]
[Lior: …]
[Akuma: You are beautiful, and with such beauty, my surname belongs with you.]
[Lior: …]
[Akuma: In the end, you are mine, aren't you? There's nothing wrong with marking what is one's own, right? Your reward for being so beautiful, different, and special is my surname.]
[Lior: …]
Akuma began to approach Lior once more.
Step…
[Akuma: You are mine… mine… mine… aren't you? Despite being a man, you're dressed as a woman—so you're a maid. And if you're a maid, then you are mine.]
Step after step…
[Akuma: And if you are mine, then you must serve me, accompany me, care for me, obey me, love me, respect me, fall for me, charm me, help me.]
Step after step…
[Akuma: Be loyal, be cunning, be intelligent, be good, be interesting, be mature, be immature, be responsible, be available, be willing, be beautiful, be devoted, be someone—be, be, and be, and be, and be, and be.]
Step after step…
[Akuma: To the point of loving me from the bottom of your heart. Isn't that right?]
Step after step…
[Akuma: Then… as a reward for wanting me and loving me to such an intimate degree… shouldn't I reward you?]
Step after step…
[Akuma: If you sacrifice body and soul to me, and you're willing to stay here… shouldn't I give you my love? Shouldn't I give you something precious and valuable in return?]
Step after step…
[Akuma: Then, if I give you my surname, we'd be even, wouldn't we?]
Step… after step…
[Akuma: My surname is perfect, incredible, beautiful, and elegant. That's why I give it to you.]
Step… after step…
[Akuma: But…]
[Lior: …]
After… the final step…
[Akuma: You don't look… very convinced…]
"…"
[Akuma: And that offends me… you know?]
[Lior: Ah…]
Akuma is standing right in front of Lior.
"…"
[Akuma: And if you don't like my surname…]
[Lior: …]
[Akuma: Then I'll have to—]
[Lior: Mhm…]
"…"
[Akuma: Teach you to love it… won't I?]
[Lior: …]
"…"
…
Akuma leaned forward until he was at Lior's height and placed both hands on the cat's cheeks.
Lior was terrified, completely consumed by fear. His desperation was so great that his body didn't react at all; it only trembled, along with his tail and ears, which were pinned down. His diamond-colored eyes shook, his senses overly sensitive. But… he didn't move. His body wanted to run, to escape, but he was paralyzed by his emotions.
Akuma and Lior stared into each other's eyes.
[Akuma: And for that…]
[Lior: …]
[Akuma: First, I'll have to train you.]
[Lior: …]
[Akuma: Because animals need to be trained, don't they?]
[Lior: …]
"…"
[Lior: Ahg…]
Akuma carelessly released Lior's cheeks and made a gesture with his hand.
[Akuma: Chiyo… you know what to do, don't you?]
[Chiyo: …]
[Akuma: Start with your duties.]
[Chiyo: Yes, young master.]
Chiyo immediately understood what she had been ordered to do; the command had surely been given in advance by the master before Lior's arrival.
But…
That only gave Lior more doubts than answers, leaving him with one question.
"How long was I asleep?"
No one answered it, and no one ever would.
[Akuma: You, Lior, will understand what I mean later. For now, follow Chiyo's instructions. Your duty at this moment is to learn how to serve me, isn't it?]
[Lior: Ah… uh… y-yes, si—]
[Akuma: Call me young master.]
[Lior: Ahh… o-okay… y-yes, young master, nya.]
[Akuma: …]
[Chiyo: …]
Chiyo quickly moved in front of Akuma and bowed. Lior, understanding Chiyo's action, also bowed to his master.
After that, Chiyo turned halfway around and touched Lior on the shoulder, signaling him to follow her.
Lior was still quite overwhelmed by Akuma's presence, but not as much as before. Because of that, he managed to follow Chiyo's pace and turn around as well after being touched.
The two maids were facing the doorway through which they had entered moments before. It had been a short visit, as it was only Lior's introduction and nothing more. Now, the next orders that had previously been given to Chiyo had to be carried out.
Chiyo walked first, approaching the door. In the same way, Lior did the same. Once both were standing in front of the exit, she opened the door with a gentle, elegant motion and gave Lior the signal to go out first.
Lior stepped out of his master's room, and Chiyo followed right behind him, closing the door immediately.
[Chiyo: Follow me.]
Then Chiyo positioned herself in front of Lior, beginning to walk down the long corridor they had crossed earlier.
"..."