pdf-ebookys Chapter 71 : Who Are You Trying to Steal?
Chapter 71 : Who Are You Trying to Steal?
Chapter 71: Who Are You Trying to Steal?
“Venessa is one of the most capable succubi under me. While I don’t expect her to match brute strength with those brainless orcs, she shouldn’t have her claws snapped off like breaking a twig, just like that.”
Lilia braced herself, maintaining her expressionless face.
“She was the one who reached out first.”
“I know.”
Camilla nodded, showing not the slightest intention of standing up for her subordinate.
“Rules are rules. Since she stepped into your territory, she’s your person. Even if she gets crippled, she deserves it.”
Venessa, standing nearby, was on the verge of tears, yet didn’t dare utter a single word.
Camilla walked around the desk, came to Lilia’s side, and casually sat on the edge of the table.
Her long, crossed legs swayed right before Lilia’s eyes.
“A brain, methods, and now it seems, even combat ability.”
Camilla lowered her gaze, looking down at Lilia seated in the chair.
“Lilia, you’ve been hiding yourself quite well.”
Lilia’s heart skipped a beat.
This is bad.
“It’s just for survival.” Lilia lowered her eyes, avoiding that overly sharp gaze. “In a place like the Palace of Eternal Night, without some ability, one would’ve been devoured, skin and bones included, long ago.”
“Survival?”
Camilla repeated the word, then suddenly let out a laugh.
This time, however, the smile didn’t reach her eyes.
“Yes, survival.”
She leaned down, closing in on Lilia, her breath brushing against Lilia’s ear.
“No wonder Her Majesty has taken an interest in you.”
Every hair on Lilia’s body stood on end.
“In the past, I couldn’t understand how someone with Her Majesty’s personality could tolerate a useless person who had nothing but a pretty face by her side.”
Camilla’s fingers slid down from Lilia’s shoulder, stopping at the ring on Lilia’s hand.
“Now I understand.”
“You flatter me, Duchess.” Lilia responded stiffly. “I’m just a maid.”
“Enough, drop the act.”
Camilla withdrew her hand and jumped down from the table.
She adjusted her slightly disheveled sheer gown, her posture returning to its usual elegance, but the casual contempt from before had completely vanished.
In its place was a seriousness reserved for facing an equal.
“Lilia.”
Camilla called her name, her tone so formal that it made Lilia slightly uncomfortable.
“In the past, I looked down on you.”
“I thought you were just a vixen who climbed onto the Queen’s bed relying on a bit of beauty.”
The corner of Lilia’s mouth twitched.
Although the words sounded harsh, in a certain sense… they weren’t entirely wrong?
“But today, you’ve changed my opinion.”
Camilla glanced around the simple yet orderly office, looking at the succubi who were working diligently, not even daring to breathe loudly.
“You now have the qualification for me to look at you properly.”
Camilla turned around to face Lilia and extended her hand, painted with crimson nail polish.
“Let’s get acquainted again.”
“Succubus Duke, the actual controller of the Palace of Eternal Night’s intelligence network, Camilla.”
Lilia froze.
What is this?
A villain redemption arc? Or turning enemies into allies?
After hesitating for a moment, she still stood up, reached out, and lightly held Camilla’s fingertips.
“Lilia. Her Majesty’s… personal maid.”
Their hands parted the moment they touched.
There were no sparks, no currents—only an unspoken understanding between two women.
“However, don’t be happy too soon.”
Camilla suddenly changed her tone, her expression becoming somewhat subtle.
A half-smile, half-taunt, carrying three parts provocation and seven parts battle intent.
“Acknowledging you as a colleague doesn’t mean we’re not enemies.”
Lilia looked completely confused.
Didn’t we just make peace? Why are we fighting again?
“What do you mean?”
Camilla stepped forward, forcing Lilia to lean back against her chair.
“This department is your opportunity to rise, and also my stepping stone.”
Camilla stared into Lilia’s eyes, speaking word by word.
“Her Majesty entrusted such important authority to you, and had me assist you.”
The curve of Camilla’s lips grew wider, her eyes burning with a fervor that made Lilia’s heart tremble.
“If you can straighten out this mess, if you can truly double the operational efficiency of the entire Palace of Eternal Night like you claimed…”
“Then I’ll acknowledge that you’re qualified to be my opponent.”
Lilia weakly raised her hand. “Um… I don’t want to be your opponent. If you want this minister position, I can give it to you…”
“Shut up.”
Camilla rudely interrupted her attempt to concede.
“Who’s fighting you over this lousy minister position?”
“Then what are you trying to take?” Lilia became even more confused.
If not power, then money?
Camilla looked at the person in front of her—someone as emotionally dull as a block of wood—and was so annoyed she nearly rolled her eyes.
She took a deep breath, lowered her voice, and spoke through gritted teeth in a tone only the two of them could hear:
“Of course I’m trying to take…!”
“…Her Majesty.”
At that moment, it was as if thunder roared in Lilia’s ears.
A bolt of lightning split open her skull, frying her already muddled brain from the inside out.
Take… who?
Hera?
“Wait…” Lilia swallowed with difficulty, trying to sort out this chaotic logic. “You…”
“In the entire Demon Realm, who doesn’t long for the Queen’s favor?”
Camilla looked at her as if she had just said something ridiculous.
“She is the will of the Abyss, the pinnacle of power, the—”
“Stop, stop, stop!”
Lilia hurriedly cut her off, afraid she’d develop an allergy if she kept listening.
“So what you mean is, as long as I do my job well, you’ll treat me as… a love rival?”
“Exactly.”
Camilla lifted her chin proudly, like a peacock declaring its domain.
“In the past, I disdained competing with you because I thought you weren’t worthy.”
“But now it seems, you’re somewhat of a threat.”
“Since you have the ability to make the Queen see you in a new light, then I’ll defeat you in the field you’re best at.”
Camilla pointed at the pile of documents on the desk.
“I’ll fully cooperate with your work, find you the best people, and provide you with the most accurate intelligence.”
“Then I’ll prove through results that I’m more useful than you, more suited to stand by her side.”
Lilia understood.
As long as she worked hard, this crazy woman would desperately help her boost performance for the sake of this so-called “competition”?
Does something this good really exist in the world?
Lilia almost burst out laughing, quickly pinching her thigh to hold it in.
“Ahem…”
She cleared her throat and nodded seriously.
“I understand.”
“Since your battle intent is set, then I’ll… reluctantly accept the challenge.”
Lilia even felt like applauding her.
If you want to compete, then compete to your heart’s content!
Anyway, the final performance will be mine, the rewards will be mine, and even the blessing of not wanting overtime will be mine.
Even…
“Very good.”
Camilla turned and strode toward the door, her skirt fluttering behind her in sharp arcs.