Dannep took several steps back when she saw Ilyss's actions. She didn't know how to respond, and the memories of Yumi were still vivid in her mind.
"Your Majesty, I can change by myself. I don't see the need for you to help me," Dannep commented, avoiding her gaze.
But Ilyss moved closer to her, causing Dannep to back up until she was against the wall. There was no escape.
"Relax, I told you I love you. I won't do anything you don't want, okay?" Ilyss said, taking the corset of Dannep's dress and beginning to reveal her back.
"Shit, she won't stop until she gets what she wants. Just give it to her, just give her what she wants, Dannep."
Dannep felt how Ilyss's hands lightly took possession of her body until she was standing only in her underwear in front of her.
The demon queen's expression darkened when she saw Dannep. Every mark and scar on Dannep's skin bothered her. None of those marks had been made by her; if Dannep was meant to be broken, it was supposed to be by her.
Dannep blushed and looked to the side. She was dying of embarrassment. She had forgotten about the scars on her body and didn't want to explain anything.
"I don't want to tell her that Cythian used to whip me regularly. I don't want to give her ideas," she thought nervously.
Ilyss took Dannep's face with one hand and decided to kiss her. Unlike the two kisses before, this one felt good. Dannep was surprised— Ilyss was being gentle with her.
"Don't worry. I can more or less imagine where those marks come from. Don't worry, I still love you."
After saying that, Ilyss moved from Dannep's mouth down to her neck and began kissing it before moving down to her collarbone.
Dannep began blushing even more. She felt strange. She was starting to feel good.
Ilyss looked into her eyes while running her tongue over one of her scars, claiming a little of her body.
Ilyss was gentle. Ilyss was showing her that her marks meant nothing. Dannep was beginning to relax, beginning to feel good.
"NO!"
Dannep shouted, pushing the queen away from her. She quickly covered her body with her hands defensively while staring in shock.
"What the hell was I doing? Sister Layla would kill me if she saw this," she thought to herself, coming back to her senses.
"I mean… I'm sorry, Your Excellency, but… I'm not ready yet, really… I…" Dannep began to explain herself, though she was still nervous.
Ilyss looked at Dannep for a few seconds before smiling kindly.
"No, I'm the one who's sorry, Dannep. I just told you I would take things slowly with you, and I rushed. Do you want me to leave the room?" the blonde asked in a gentle tone.
Dannep held the dress Ilyss had lent her and extended it toward her while lowering her gaze.
"Put it on me. You can dress me if you want."
The demon queen showed a smile and walked toward Dannep happily.
After a few minutes of peaceful silence, Dannep was able to look at herself in the mirror.
The dress fit her perfectly, and she especially liked the color. It clung to her body perfectly, something Dannep didn't understand. If the dress belonged to Ilyss, shouldn't it be a little big on her?
The heels and necklace made a fantastic combination. Dannep didn't know much about fashion, but she felt incredibly good.
"Is this me? Is this really me?" She couldn't help but smile to herself, but she couldn't feel completely good.
"You only look like this because it's Ilyss's clothes. Even an old witch would look good wearing her clothes. Don't make yourself special, Dannep," she reminded herself as she turned around.
"I told you it would look good on you. How about we go now? The carriage is waiting," after saying that Ilyss offered her shoulder to Dannep so she could lean on it.
"Uh, Ilyss… are we going downstairs through the hall?" Dannep asked nervously. She didn't want Yumi or the others to see them.
"Don't worry. Martha is on her days off and went to see her family. Zafiro must be sleeping, and Silvia, as soon as it's nine, doesn't leave her room while she dedicates herself to reading."
After Ilyss's answer, Dannep felt calmer, but there was still something that bothered her.
"And what about Yumi?" she thought, but the universe answered her instantly with Yumi coming up the stairs.
"Good evening," the girl said when she saw the pair. Dannep couldn't help but look away to avoid meeting her gaze.
"Hello, good evening. How are you, Yumi?" Ilyss asked, pulling Dannep closer to her.
"I guess not as well as you two hehe. It seems I shouldn't wait for you tonight, right?" she said as she began to pass beside them.
"A lying truth. I shouldn't stay in Ilyss's room since you'll be doing the job today, right?" Yumi asked, focusing her gaze on Dannep's eyes. This time she couldn't avoid them.
Yumi's expression was the same as always, but Dannep felt some hostility in it.
"I… I'm sorry, Miss Yumi, but it's already clear that the relationship between Ilyss and me is only professional."
"Hahaha, come on Yumi, what were you thinking? I asked Dannep to go out with me as a welcome gift. It's obvious you should go to my room today, I'm really going to need it."
Ilyss said, giving Yumi a smile.
"Right, right. I'm a jealous fool, sorry. It's just that I saw you two so close that I felt bad. Will you forgive me, Dannep?"
"She's playing with Yumi while she plays with me… this woman is horrible." But Dannep couldn't say that.
"Of course I forgive you. The queen is only yours. I'll bring you something to eat," Dannep said with a fake smile.
"Good, I'll be waiting. Take care of Ilyss for me."
After saying that, Yumi skipped toward her room, while the other two focused on going to the carriage.
"I already told you I can cut off my relationship with Yumi if you want," were Ilyss's first words after entering the carriage.
"Relax, Ilyss. Your relationship with Yumi is none of my business. I know my place. I don't feel comfortable talking about her behind her back. Can we go?" Dannep said expressionlessly.
Ilyss moved closer to her and gave the driver the order to begin the trip.
"I hope you like the food at Paradises."
After saying that, the carriage began to move.
***
"Alright, this time we have a big order."
Outside Drakmorya, inside a carriage, a group of four people were gathered inside a supply wagon.
"God, fifty thousand gold coins just for one girl? What kind of pervert would have that much money?" a bearded man said while eating a piece of meat.
"It's obvious it's a perverted aristocrat, otherwise he wouldn't be so specific," a dark-haired woman with long hair replied.
"Alright, according to the request we must capture her alive and take her to the river. It should be easy then, so what are we waiting for?" said another man. He was muscular, showing a bald head and an eye patch that made him look more intimidating.
"Alright, I'll remind you of the distinctive features: brown hair, pink eyes. Her name is Dannep SilverLine."
Those were the words of the man holding the paper with Dannep's information.
"So then, Black Hyenas… it's time to hunt."