Prolog

Long ago, there was a heavenly palace that dazzled all who beheld it. Its splendor stirred envy in the hearts of other beings. The servants, titans adorned in silk robes, hurried about their duties. Gaia, the Queen of the realm, sat upon her throne, a vacant seat beside her signaling the absence of Zeus, her husband, who was likely off on some important business or gallivanting with women elsewhere.

"You summoned me, Mother Queen," greeted a woman with shimmering silver hair and eyes of the same hue, their melancholic gaze veiled by long white lashes. Her skin, as fair as porcelain, bore rosy cheeks and red lips.

"Those demons are causing trouble again. When will you annihilate them?" Gaia's voice thundered, a testament to her lofty status as a Goddess, which few could bear to hear directly.

A week prior, Gaia had commanded Selene to wipe out a race, alleging they had wrought much havoc upon the Earth. Yet, Selene knew the true reason lay in her father's dalliance with one of the women from that race. Her mother was always thus, she mused, always striking down any who became her father's paramour, even Medusa, an innocent and kind soul seduced by her father, was cursed by her mother.

"I promise I will do it tomorrow, Mother," Selene assured Gaia. Despite knowing Gaia's decree, Zeus continued his roving pursuit of women.

Apart from her reluctance, another reason Selene hesitated was that someone she loved belonged to that race. A gentleman, the antithesis of their demonic title. A man who would do anything for Selene. A man she loved.

Perhaps Selene, like her father, had committed a great sin, not of adultery, but of loving a demon. For no matter what, demons and Gods/Goddesses could never be united. A cruel fate always befell those who dared to defy such dictates.

The next day, true to her word, Selene intended to eradicate the demon race from the Earth. Instead of exterminating them, however, Selene, by bartering half her lifespan with Hades, the God of Death, created a realm existing between the living and the dead and relocated the demon race there. She also erased their memories to prevent conflict between demons and Gods. Only her beloved retained memories of Selene, the Gods, and the Earth they had once inhabited together.

Selene had contemplated departing Earth to dwell with them, but that hope was shattered when Gaia intervened, slaying Selene herself. With her waning power, Selene sealed off the realm from the Gods and Goddesses, ensuring its secrecy.

That act was Selene's testament of love for her demon lover.

2:30 AM

I let out a long sigh, clutching a small box containing a ruby-encrusted lid that covered nearly its entire surface. If I were me from three months ago, perhaps I wouldn't be sitting here with bleary eyes fixed on the digital clock perched on the small table beside my bed.

"Ah, damn," I muttered, rolling over. Still, it is more worthy than that part-time at the café across from my office.

"Thirty lunar coins per week? Is the café owner out of his mind?"

For three months, I've grumbled about the paltry wages from that part-time at the café, which opened just a year ago. Working from 8 AM until 9 PM and getting paid a measly thirty lunar coins per week? Ridiculous. Even the rent for my small living space now stands at a hundred lunar coins per month. Must I starve every day?

From the corner of my eye, I stole a glance at the digital clock. It was time to prepare.

"Ugh, can't wait to tackle that ridiculous job today!" I grinned at my reflection in the mirror, cheering myself up.

Ding!

Renald:

Celine, remember, keep your focus solely

on the glass and the spoon. Got it???

  Ok.

I stowed my phone in my small crossbody bag, ran a comb through my hair, and spritzed on some jasmine perfume. You might wonder why I still wear that scent even though it makes me want to gag—the answer: it's a job requirement.

With the lights off and everything unplugged—not just to save on electricity, though that's a plus, mainly because the power from this teleportation device could blow up my tiny living space—I opened the small box and uttered my full name.

"Celine Brown."

I shut my eyes tightly. Even through closed lids, the intense light was blinding. My ears buzzed, and I felt as if I were being pulled downward by strong gravity, then upwards, forwards, backward, in all directions. It felt like my body was spinning wildly, yet my feet remained firmly planted.

As the chaos subsided, I opened my eyes. Before me stood a towering door crafted from rusted iron. Despite the lack of light, I could see lilies encircling the stone fence. It was so high, it might as well be a wall. Moss clung to some stones, but overall, it appeared well-maintained. Swallowing hard, I rapped on the door.

"I hope I'm not late again."

Since the teleportation box was cheap, it took about ten minutes to reach the destination, although it felt like mere seconds to me.

Creeeak

A middle-aged woman swung open the door that had obstructed my view. Her black hair, streaked with gray, was neatly tied back. Sometimes I wondered if Madam Lysa used the same gel as flight attendants to keep her hair in place. I've wanted to ask, but I doubt she knows what a flight attendant is.

"Celine, you've only got three minutes left to prepare everything! Good grief! How many times do I have to tell you to start teleporting thirty minutes earlier!"

Behind her stern face and perpetually furrowed brow, Madam Lysa was a chatterbox. A perfectionist. It made sense, given that she'd been serving under Evington County since childhood.

It's terrifying to think they employ underage children, but at least she's now the head servant.

"Aaaa, sorry, Madam! I was so sleepy earlier and must've nodded off. When I woke up, good Lord! It was already 2:45!"

Of course, that was a lie. The real reason I hadn't teleported despite staying awake since midnight was that I still hadn't adjusted to working here. Even after three months, I feel like my mental isn't strong enough yet.

"Enough with the excuses." Madam Lysa pinched the bridge of her nose. "Quick, get inside and prepare the medicine! Lord Caspiel has been waiting in his room."

Without another word, I made my way toward the grand but old building.

The servants say Evington County is the poorest family among the nobles. Hah, poor my ass. Their mansion is huge, maybe half the size of the biggest mall I've ever seen. Even though it's only three floors tall, the front is full of various flowers. Madam Lysa once said that Count Derrick adored his wife, Countess Anita, knowing she fell seriously ill five years ago and couldn't leave the mansion, Count Derrick spent almost fifty percent of the County's wealth to construct a flower garden around the mansion with flowers that are even hard to find in the kingdom of Craenitus.

I'm always in awe when entering this mansion, even though I've come here every day for three months. All the decor, ornaments, and even the wall adornments are made of gold. Even the lighting is chandeliers that I've only seen in royal movies. Again, poor my ass. Sometimes, I can't help but have the thought of scraping off that gold and taking it home. But my salary here is more than enough, and I'd surely be killed if caught.

"Today, three tablespoons. Celine! Remember, don't respond to anything Lord Caspiel says, don't engage with him. Finish your task swiftly and head home!"

Madam Lysa gripped my shoulder tightly, she voiced a loud whisper. Her grasp almost caused me to drop the tray I was holding.

"Yes, yes, I know, Madam. You've said it a thousand times. How could I forget?" I smiled and quickly released myself from her grip.

'I want to go home quickly too!'

You might wonder, if this place is so luxurious and aesthetically pleasing, why am I still fearful every time I come to work?

The answer is that everyone here, Madam Lysa included, is a demon who could devour my soul at any moment.