NOVPUBLisandra knew that with her own abilities, she might never have contact in this lifetime with the families of the high-class demons atop the Demon World, and the only chance probably lay in her current duties.
The royal grand ceremony of selecting paintings for the princess was an event many prominent figures in the Demon World would likely be invited to attend, and Lisandra was also fortunate enough to accompany the princess.
Just as she was invited to this palace restaurant, it was one of the few coincidences in her life.
"Speaking of which, will I meet Mr. McCarthy?"
Lisandra moved uncomfortably among the many notable members of the Demon Race, careful not to bump into other demons or attract their attention.
"Sometimes we may not find Mr. McCarthy quickly here either, but I believe he certainly wants to see you as an invited guest,"
the attendant explained helpfully to Lisandra.
Lisandra nodded.
She noticed that demons in the hall often talked about McCarthy, but they seemed just as unfamiliar with this Mr. McCarthy, inquiring about his whereabouts with curiosity before roaming freely as if in an amusement park.
If even these true demon aristocrats hadn’t seen McCarthy’s true face, would she really have a chance to meet this neighbor?
"However, Mr. McCarthy is covering the expenses tonight, and except for the limited offerings, you may enjoy everything else freely in the restaurant without any concerns,"
After a brief introduction of the matters inside the restaurant, the soldier-like attendant left, immersing himself in his work.
Next, Lisandra approached some rich young ladies nearby who seemed more approachable, attempting to ask about McCarthy’s whereabouts.
She still wanted to find her neighbor, as she held a note signed "Rocky McCarthy," not a membership certificate.
The rich young ladies all responded with surprised looks, claiming ignorance, but they seemed somewhat interested in her.
"Are you perhaps personally invited by Mr. McCarthy?"
They scrutinized Lisandra from head to toe, slightly suspicious.
"Of course not, of course not,"
Lisandra waved her hands repeatedly, awkwardly laughing as she managed a couple of polite words before walking away.
Now she felt even more, the notion of "Rocky McCarthy inviting her" seemed like a mistake, hard to believe when spoken to other members of the Demon Race.
If she didn’t see Mr. McCarthy tonight, it would likely be quite embarrassing.
Therefore, Lisandra stealthily made her way to the dessert table—only there could she avoid seeming dull and lonely.
"I don’t know if I can take some with me to give to the princess,"
she murmured inaudibly, eyeing a caramel pudding shaped like a kitten’s head, adorned with black rose petals and raspberry sauce.
The top layer was crispy pastry, the bottom a smooth crème brûlée, garnished with fragrant rose petals and tangy raspberry sauce, exquisitely crafted while being particularly cute.
This restaurant’s caliber, should be fitting of the princess’s status.
It was almost as if it were tailor-made for the princess.
Just as Lisandra was preparing to indulge in a lavish feast out of boredom.
Suddenly someone called her name.
"Lisandra Pukeli?"
"..."
Lisandra stopped, surprised, her hand paused in its reach for the pudding, and she looked in the direction of the voice.
A blonde female demon stood on the wide marble steps leading to the second floor, seemingly looking down with a mixture of contempt and curiosity at the grand lobby below.
"Uh, hello there,"
Lisandra called out, walking toward her.
She felt that no matter who the other party was, as long as it was a demon she rarely knew, it was necessary for her to engage in conversation right now, which was better than being approached by passing strangers.
Although, but still.
This was a Demon Race classmate she didn’t particularly want to see, Tia Nokta.
During their school days, if she was underperforming, then the other person was an honor student.
While she herself was a noble descendant in name only, the other was an impeccable noble of the Demon King’s Castle from every aspect, who was also Lord Raeming’s cousin.
"I really didn’t expect to see you here," said the golden-haired Demon Race noble absentmindedly upon spotting Lisandra.
She shook Lisandra’s hand with an indifferent and haughty demeanor.
"Ha ha."
Lisandra naively rubbed the back of her head.
She had always been very obedient in school, doing her best to comply with the other Demon Race students.
Even though she knew that the other person looked down on her, she accepted it.
"However, I did hear that you’ve been working for the Fallen Queen lately, seems like you’re playing house with that princess?"
The golden-haired noble lady inquired.
"Not really," Lisandra felt it wasn’t that she had an inflated sense of self, the princess truly considered her a friend.
"What kind of Demon Race is she?"
As golden-haired noble lady Tia escorted Lisandra towards the second floor, she asked this question.
Her pace was slightly faster and Lisandra, following beside her, seemed more like an attendant.
"A very good Demon Race." 𝚗𝚘v𝚙𝚞b.𝚌𝚘m
Lisandra didn’t know how to describe Princess Hyperion, a Demon Race who didn’t seem quite like a Demon Race.
"Ha, to receive such an assessment from you, it seems there’s really not much to look forward to."
Tia, the golden-haired noble lady chuckled lightly, crossed her arms, and led Lisandra like a little follower into a small circle.
"It’s rather hard on my brother, he might have to marry such a useless former Demon Clan Princess."
She said, shaking her head.
Just the thought of her cousin, Lord Raeming, a general of the Demon World, having to compete with other Great Demon Clans for a Half-Demon Princess, who could get along with lower nobility, was ludicrous to her.
If it weren’t for the princess having a trace of the old Royal Blood, and since the Demon World couldn’t produce a new Nine Seals Great Demon Clan to activate the New King’s bloodline in a short period, no Great Demon Clan would truly wish to marry her.
For these prestigious nobles, the Descendant Princess was nothing more than a breeding machine filled with interests.
"..."
Lisandra wanted to argue, but as she began to murmur in her throat, considering the occasion, that she was invited by Mr. McCarthy, and the palace’s owner had yet to appear, it wouldn’t be appropriate for her to initiate discourtesy and annoy the other guests.
But it was undeniable.
The princess’s destiny was truly out of the princess’s control.
Lisandra herself was even less able to influence the outcome.
If there truly was a Demon Race who could save the princess and dearly loved the princess, Lisandra felt she would be happy for the princess too. Unfortunately, the Demon Race who could protect the princess like the knights in fairy tales did not exist.
In this era, the materially obsessed and decaying Demon World valued only benefits and supremacy.
Those situated at "high positions" who still managed to preserve their true nature, not being devoured by desires, were considered rare.
Let alone those truly powerful Great Demon Clans capable of marrying into the Royal Bloodline.
