A delicate harpsichord sat in the corner of the bedroom, while rows upon rows of bookshelves filled with ancient tomes and magical artifacts lined the wall.

Lysandra’s gaze wandered around the room, avoiding the princess’s eyes.

The only thing the princess ever did that could be considered a trouble was asking her every day if any new Greater Demons had arrived in the royal capital.

The specifics of which Greater Demons would participate, their status, and other conditions were not things that the Fallen Q卿, Kaliyera, was allowed to reveal to the princess.

It was necessary to ensure the fairness of the contest a few days later.

Otherwise, if there were any shady dealings, Kaliyera's current image of fairness while in power would be questioned by the Greater Demons.

There was also something else that Lysandra didn’t know if she should tell the princess.

Besides the Greater Demons, a vampire would also be participating this time.

The Tenth Progenitor was known as the vampire race's most unique painter, and his powers were also related to painting. After hearing about the princess's request, he expressed his desire to show off a bit.

Originally, the Demon race wanted to negotiate peace with the vampire race and use this opportunity to decline the vampire's proposal for marriage. But unexpectedly, the Tenth Progenitor agreed to follow the Demon race's rules, so they couldn't refuse him.

"However, this time, the rules finalized by Lord Kaliyera and the Greater Demons may not be entirely to your Highness's liking."

Lysandra could only say that in the end.

She had to give the princess some kind of answer.

Although the princess had requested a "Demon race member with the highest artistic merit," Kaliyera's transmission of this request had caused dissatisfaction among many Greater Demons.

The Demon aristocrats still believed that the princess's requirements were too directional. Only Greater Demons could participate in the first place, so most Greater Demons had little to compete for. Some Greater Demons were guaranteed to lose, while others were guaranteed to win.

Moreover, in some Demon World noble duels, knights could be used as representatives. So why couldn't the most talented artisans in a family be used to represent them in painting?

After Kaliyera repeatedly negotiated, the Greater Demons and Kaliyera each took a step back, and the final rule was confirmed: Greater Demons could bring an assistant with them when painting.

As for whether the Greater Demon would personally paint and have the assistant help, or whether the "assistant" would be responsible for most of the work and the Greater Demon would be the actual assistant, was uncertain.

But all of this was within the Fallen Q卿, Kaliyera's acceptable range.

Finding and appreciating the most talented painter within a limited time was also a form of artistic skill and strength.

From the Fallen Q卿's perspective, she didn't want the Greater Demons to fight among themselves at this juncture. A battle of wits was naturally the best. As for the method of the battle of wits, the more Greater Demons that recognized its fairness, the more convincing it would be.

Another reason was that the Greater Demons seized on the Fallen Q卿's desire not to let the vampires win, and successfully persuaded her with this.

In the past few days, the great families of the Demon World had spent a lot of effort to invite ancient artisans of the Demon World to assist them.

"Your Highness, what style of painting do you like the most?"

Lysandra swallowed and tentatively asked.

Many great families in the Demon World were now approaching her, hoping to use her relationship to get some information from the princess in advance.

To ensure fairness, the princess would blindly select the paintings on the day, that is, without knowing the authors, she would choose the painting she liked the most, and the author of the painting would be the winner.

If it was possible to contact the princess in advance, it was even theoretically possible to agree on a secret code and achieve a backroom operation.

The premise was that the deception couldn't be too excessive. For example, if the princess abandoned a painting of the holy grade and insisted on choosing a painting of the precious grade, it wouldn't be convincing.

"I don't have any limitations on the style..."

Hyberia responded hesitantly.

She didn't seem to know how to answer the question Lysandra asked.

She didn't really know what kind of paintings she liked.

She had seen many great paintings. For example, every painting by Duke Micahia was praised to the heavens, but she had watched Duke Micahia paint since she was a child and felt that it was just so-so, and couldn't see much of a difference.

"I asked too suddenly!"

Lysandra quickly changed the subject.

Although the temptations from the Demon World nobles were great, she still needed to consider them carefully.

She didn't know if the Fallen Q卿, Kaliyera, knew about all of this.

The Fallen Q卿's thoughts were sometimes difficult to fathom. She might have discovered it, or she might turn a blind eye, but if it didn't fit her ideas, she would immediately and ruthlessly eliminate it.

Lysandra still hoped that the princess could live well.

Being able to cling to the princess's thigh in the future was one aspect, and another was that she didn't have many friends in the royal capital. The princess was indeed very friendly to her.

It was a pity.

Those idiotic high-ranking nobles.

They were trying to contact her and get information from her only for victory, and not really caring about what the princess liked.

In terms of actual strength, they couldn't even compare to the scraps of the Tenth Progenitor.

She had appreciated the vampire Tenth Progenitor's paintings when she was in school, and she personally believed that these Greater Demons were too confident.

No matter who won, Lysandra was certain that after the princess made the request of liking works of art, there would be no happy ending.

Poor princess, in this situation, wasn't she herself a work of art used by the demons for transactions?

None of the Greater Demons truly loved her.

"Then, can you tell me about the interesting things outside the castle?"

Hyberia's voice interrupted Lysandra's thoughts.

"...I haven't paid much attention, but you know, I live across the bay. Although the commute to and from the palace every day is a bit far, across the bay, my location allows me to see the palace on the opposite shore."

Lysandra thought for a while and murmured.

"And then?"

Hyberia nodded, looking at Lysandra.

"Recently, a wealthy neighbor moved in next door to me, but I don't really know what kind of demon he is."

Lysandra said in confusion.

Next door to her small house was actually a very magnificent building.

A week ago, a demon tycoon easily bought the palace restaurant on Lis Island, or perhaps he simply rented it to save face.

I don't know where the nouveau riche came from, but recently, many rumors about him have spread on Lis Island.

However, many rumors were quickly dispelled, because the restaurant owner renovated it, turning it into a brand-new work of art, making its value several times higher. How could he have just rented it?

No one knew where this tycoon came from, no one knew what he did, and no one knew why he bought this mansion facing the palace across the bay.

Some say he is a spy, and some say he is an assassin.

But these were just superficial guesses.

PS: Recommending a friend's book, "I Became the White Moonlight of the Tokyo Diva Who Died."

(End of this chapter)