NOVPUBDusk fell, and the lights in the palace gradually lit up.
Within the princess’ quarters, Lisandra, dressed in the attire of a court attendant, gave an elegant curtsy to bid the princess farewell and departed with steady steps, marking the end of her day’s work.
As a descendant of an impoverished noble family, in the Royal Capital Necaris, aside from some relatives she was not too familiar with, the etiquette she had learned from childhood was the last proof of her so-called noble lineage.
"How shall I please the princess tomorrow?"
Leaving the royal palace, she walked along the path with a sigh, where meticulously pruned bushes and tall statues on either side of the cobblestone path almost overshadowed her figure.
The only job taught to her by Fallen Lord Calila was to keep the princess happy until she was successfully married off.
If she carried out this task well, she would certainly gain the favor of Fallen Lord Calila, not only keeping her handsomely paid job as a Court Ceremony Officer but also securing a long-term tenure.
Conversely, if anything went wrong, she might as well give up any hopes of sticking around in Demon King Castle Necaris.
The princess was very smart.
She could probably guess the arrangements made by Fallen Lord Calila, so sometimes, even when the princess felt very anxious inside, she behaved with an even temper to consider Lisandra’s safety.
This made Lisandra feel all the more guilty.
At night, the scent of flowers on the streets of Demon King’s Castle became even richer, and she boarded a Magic Energy Vehicle for a lengthy commute.
She crossed an ancient and majestic bridge, below which lay a boundless bay that sparkled with the light of the waves.
On the other end of the bridge was the main road leading to Lisi Island, with lush trees swaying in the wind on both sides.
Lisandra did not know how long it had been, only that she had yawned a dozen times as she traveled along Lisi Island’s seaside, finally arriving from a small path to a courtyard of a cottage hidden within the woods.
The cottage, made of wood and stone, was surrounded by dense trees and vines, giving it a sense of isolation from the world.
But this isolation was precisely the reason for the cheap rent.
The area where Lisandra rented was part of the strangest community in the Demon World’s Royal Capital Necaris.
It was situated on the colorful and slender "Lisi Island," located directly to the east of "Naka Island," where the royal palace stood.
Lisi Island not only had many natural wonders, but the shape of the land was also unusual. The place was twenty kilometers from the urban district, like a giant triangular cake slice stretching into the most hospitable part of the sea—the waters of Lisi Island Bay.
And right at the tip of this extended island, Lisandra’s cottage was tucked between several large mansions with annual rents so high she couldn’t even fathom.
Even though she could glimpse the silhouette of the opposite royal palace just across the bay, she had to get up early and come back late, taking a long detour and riding a vehicle over the bridge to reach the royal palace on Naka Island.
The building nearest to her, which she could always see when she looked up as she entered her home, had a main building that surpassed the architectural magnificence of the Necaris Municipal Mansion. Adjacent were overhanging cloisters that connected to newly built towers covered with lush vines, complete with lawns and gardens fit for the royal palace.
That was the palatial restaurant bought by the mysterious Demon Race neighbor, who seemingly lived on the top floor of the mansion itself.
Lately, rumors about this neighbor were growing, and Lisandra had vaguely heard his name.
He was probably a male of the Demon Race.
Aside from the name, everything about him was a mystery, with even his gender being a matter of speculation among the Demon Race.
Lisandra opened the gate to her small courtyard; her house, though also a sea view property like her neighbor’s, was inconspicuous, and even shabby, to the extent that its existence was entirely overshadowed by the property next door, making it difficult for one to notice that an ordinary resident lived here, and so the rent was low enough for her to afford.
However, when she first moved here, her neighbor wasn’t as flashy and lively as it is now.
A few nights ago, when she returned home, she almost thought her house was on fire.
It was already ten o’clock at night when Lisandra saw the bay on one side, about where her house was located—the lights were brilliant, turning the corner before she realized that it was the next-door palace restaurant that had been renovated out of the blue.
At first, members of the Demon Race were merely curious about this magical palace and its purpose.
In just a day or two, its menu and activities had exploded in popularity among the demons of Necaris City, becoming one of the hottest topics in the surrounding area these past few days.
If she were to sublet her residence now, she might make several times the profit, and move to rent a better place close to the royal palace on Naka Island.
"There’s no rush, after all, work’s been pretty hectic lately," she sighed to herself.
Moving house is, after all, an incredibly taxing matter.
For the time being, she found her current abode quite comfortable.
Although the new neighbor was high-profile in certain aspects, he made sure to close by midnight and kept the surrounding environment exceedingly clean, so Lisandra didn’t feel he had caused her any trouble.
On the contrary, it gave her something to boast about—like being neighbors with such wealthy and prominent figures, which brought back the glory days of her ancestors Duke Pukeli’s time, making her feel more like a distinguished noble herself.
Just as Lisandra stepped into her own courtyard,
"Miss," a deep voice suddenly called out from the darkness not far behind, startling her into turning around abruptly.
Lisandra was not adept in combat.
Although public order in the area was still decent, there have been a mixed lot with ill intentions lately.
Members of the Great Demon Clan also took care to avoid contact with her or harming her out of respect for the Fallen Queen.
Lisandra only saw a butler-like demon, under the shadow of moonlight and lamplight, revealing only his chiseled jawline and cold lips.
"Who are you?" she asked, slightly assured that the other party had no ill intent, yet still subconsciously gripping her handbag tighter and shrinking her neck.
Despite the fact that he was dressed in a deep blue, vintage-striped butler’s outfit, his demeanor was more akin to that of a retired Demon World officer and not just any common non-commissioned officer.
"I am the steward of the restaurant next door, named Luka. Our master wishes to invite you to his small gathering. It’s been some time since he moved here, and he has not had the opportunity to greet you, his neighbor, and feels deeply ashamed," the butler said.
Colonel Luka walked across the lawn, maintaining a respectful distance, and politely extended an envelope towards Lisandra.
"...Thank you," Lisandra responded, somewhat relieved by his gentlemanly and serious demeanor, stepping forward to take the letter and opening it.
The script on the thin page was very elegant, concise, and clear.
Just as the butler said, that generous neighbor wished to invite her to enjoy dinner at the palace restaurant, especially now when the restaurant was hosting an event akin to an unprecedented party.
Signed—"Rocky McCarthy."
"McCarthy?"
Finally, Lisandra confirmed the correct name of the neighbor next door from among several versions of rumors.
