As soon as I saw Dad, I gave him a big hug. He was awkward and hesitant at first, but then patted me on the head.
But after a moment, he gave me a quick hug while avoiding the stare of Ten, who looked like he was astonished at the scene.
Lion introduced the visitor, during which Dad and Leon looked at each other warily.
As for Ten, he just kept quiet, as if he felt awkward at the gathering.
I greeted Khamsin, who looked too happy to see me. He whispered into my ear that he had brought several gifts for me and would give them to me later.
Of course I thanked him though I still haven't forgotten my twenty violet jewels.
Now that the visitors had been introduced to each other, everyone started to settle down.
Lion murmured something which made several couches appear out of the blue.
All of them, except for Ten, made themselves comfortable on the couches, while Ten kept standing in the corner, as if he were a wallflower.
The others seemed to be discussing something in another language, so I tried to excuse myself. The pack protested, especially Lion. They told me that they didn't want me working alone and would help me once the meeting was over.
And when do they think the meeting is going to end? Hmmm?
A sudden inspiration came to me and I cheerfully told them that Ten is going to help me.
Ten flinched when he heard his name, as if his mind had not been paying attention earlier.
Dad gave him a stare and told him to assist me and make himself useful.
I grabbed Ten's wrist, much to his surprise and told him that we had plenty to do and would return here later.
Then we hurriedly went out the door, but not before hearing Leon scolding the pack to stop being restless.
Those dummies.
....
Lion and Orm managed to make me an even better set of kitchen appliances and equipment, complete with all the works.
To my delight, the kitchen appliances can also cook several dishes at once.
An upgrade!
Ten was fascinated by everything, so I taught him how it worked.
He proved to be more than capable of assisting me and it didn't take long for me to finish cooking the first batch of appetizers.
To save time, I had him bring all the equipment from the liquor room, much to his dismay, as he told me he couldn't carry it all by himself.
What? I didn't tell him to carry it!
I explained to him that he could use his magic skills instead and I wasn't expecting him to carry everything.
He had a look of realization on his face before nodding and one by one, all the things I needed to make liquor started to appear inside the kitchen.
After everything appeared inside the kitchen, Ten looked like a child seeing candy as he oohed and ahhed, examining each item with marvel.
Seeing him made me think that he's a child, not a lich.
Dad's not that cruel, turning a child into a lich, is he?
It turns out that he had just reached maturity when Dad turned him into a lich, much to his misfortune.
He was exploring the ancient burial ground without a thought of danger when he met Dad.
Um. Who in their right mind would explore an ancient burial ground?!
Also, he didn't listen to the warnings about approaching the place, especially in the morning.
Needless to say, his stupidity led to what he is now.
He doesn't mind, though. He isn't bored because he is always kept busy, as Dad makes him do a lot of jobs without a rest.
Seeing the look on my face, he hurriedly explained that he doesn't need rest at all since he's a lich and...
Dad has some explanation to do!
....
Ten went out to serve the first batch of appetizers while I continued making the liquor.
Much to my joy, Lion upgraded the equipment that would somehow hasten the fermentation process.
While the second batch of appetizers was still cooking, I made all sorts of liquors that aren't too potent but will make everyone...
Oh gosh, the liquid splashed on my clothes!
This won't do.
I need to change into much more comfortable clothing.
It didn't take me long to change into something more comfortable. I still have my old pair of pants and my trusty shirt from back on Earth. My hair is a bit longer than before, so it's not hard to tie it into a knot.
I don't look my best, but at least it's more comfortable when I'm doing something a bit messy.
And the kitchen is one of my happy places where I can be myself.
Changing into something more comfortable made me act like I'm some sort of crazed individual that is obsessed with cooking.
Not to mention that Ten is a good assistant too! Everything was finished so fast that I still had endless energy, so I kept cooking until I realized I was cooking for a small group, not an army.
Oh, well. They all have huge appetites after all.
The liquor as well. I know it's not good to drink too much, but I forgot about that during my manic phase.
Ten took a sip of one of the liquors and gave a grin, telling me that Dad would surely love it.
He assured me that he won't get drunk because he is a lich but..
Oh my gosh, he finished a huge bottle in one gulp!
With a satisfied sigh, he told me that drinking it gave him a slight buzz, reminding him of how he used to feel before he became a lich.
Ten became more talkative and less guarded the more he...
Is that his sixth bottle?!
I hastily told him to deliver the rest of the food while I made some more liquor.
He blurted out that I should make him some and not tell Dad about it.
Of course!
With a satisfied grin, he went out to deliver the rest of the food to the reception chamber.
Now, it is time for me to make even more liquor!
...
Next time, I should make liquor by the barrel, not by the bottle.
Ten had a look of panic on his face when he returned, saying they were all out of liquor and gently demanding more.
How fast are they drinking it?!
And I thought they were in the middle of the meeting?!!
With renewed enthusiasm, I made a lot of liquor, as if they were drinking an entire week's worth in one sitting.
There, that should finally do it!
I was wrong.
By the time Ten returned looking nervous, I decided to make it strong enough to knock them down.
I'm exhausted! They also need to stop drinking or their livers will melt!
Due to my irritation, I made this batch of liquor so potent that the liquor I gave to Lion seemed like juice.
Argh! The smell!
But Ten doesn't seem to mind as he took the liquors I made for him, including the extremely potent ones and made a ridiculous vow that he's my slave for eternity.
Then he delivered everything with a malicious grin.
Thank goodness that when he returned, he gave me a thumbs up.
Also, he warned me not to enter the room.
Why?
He pointed to my nose.
EW!
I CAN JUST IMAGINE THE SMELL INSIDE THE ROOM!
No way I'm going inside there!
Ten mumbled that even though Dad was a lich and wouldn't feel drunk, he acted like one.
And he has to do all the cleaning too!
But he smiled at me and told me not to worry, as it wouldn't take him long to clean everything up using his magic.
He shooed me away from the kitchen and told me to do something else.
Uh, thanks for cleaning up?!
...
I took a quick bath and changed into something that looks a bit better on me.
While brushing my hair, I seemed to feel that I'm forgetting something...
Oh shoot!
I forgot Asmodeus!
He's not going to be happy.
I hurriedly went out of the room and was about to go to the garden when I decided to take a quick peek in the reception chamber, but changed my mind at the last minute.
Ah, I should not, as I might get distracted again.
....
I hugged Pinky's trunk, greeting him while he showered me with his petals. After talking to him for a while, I took my time examining the garden.
Lion did a great job on the garden.
Not only did he plant the seeds that I found, but more varieties of fruits are growing all around, much more than in his garden a long time ago.
Besides the fruits, he also planted herbs and several varieties of flowers, so many flowers!
It looks great compared to how his garden looked before.
He has a green thumb, much to my delightful surprise.
And he also placed a tiny magical fountain.
I think he expanded the garden as well.
So I took a stroll in the garden, examining everything and decided to remove my sandals and walk on the grass barefoot.
Ohh! The grass is so soft!
I noticed that the moons looked especially lovely tonight, so I was suddenly inspired and danced.
A voice suddenly interrupted my thoughts, asking me if I'm a fairy.
ASMODEUS! STOP SURPRISING ME!
He laughed and answered that he can't help it, as he can only talk to me inside my mind because he is quite far away and can't appear in front of me.
Where the heck is he anyway?
Netherworld.
Ah, I see.
What the heck is he doing there anyway?
Asmodeus gave a huge sigh and muttered that they were currently dealing with some troublemakers.
Hmmm..
I asked him if they are in the middle of a war.
Bingo.
They are.
It is not just one war, but several, as many demons are rebelling against the Demon King to establish their own kingdoms in the Netherworld.
Then why is he calling me if he's busy?
He told me that someone will be keeping me company soon.
It means that someone else will be keeping an eye on me instead of Asmodeus and Subus.
To my horror, Asmodeus warned me that a lot of high-level demons have learned about me and that I'm in danger, especially since they know that I'm valuable to the Demon King.
The heck?!
THAT NO-GOOD PIECE OF...
Asmodeus guffawed when I cursed the Demon King, exclaiming that it was all music to his ears, as the Dark Lord deserved it.
What else should I know besides that a lot of demons are after me?
Nothing significant, except that a demon corrupted the transformation stone on purpose with his blood.
Who? Um, nevermind...
Asmodeus also informed me that we have another mission soon and Maelsa will tell us about it.
The Demon King desperately needs more arch demons like them.
Also, he's going to take the transformation stone but will find a way to remove it without harming me.
Ah yes, because I'm a sort of guardian of the transformation stone and removing it directly will kill me in an instant.
And the Demon King doesn't want that. Besides my soul, my human body, especially my blood, is extremely valuable as well.
The fresher, the better.
Ew.
Just like Rahab told me, my blood is much more potent-tasting while I'm alive compared to when I'm dead.
Asmodeus was about to leave when I suddenly remembered something that I wanted to ask him.
I asked him why he was afraid of Maelsa and allowed him to be tortured back then.
To my shock, he stuttered that Maelsa is definitely not someone to mess with if we know what's good for us.
Oh okay. He didn't answer my question, but his reply confirmed for me that Maelsa is dangerous.
Asmodeus took a deep breath and told me that me being in my other form is dangerous too, as I am untrained and not yet in full control of myself.
It is terrifying, wonderful and lovely to him that he doesn't mind if I'm not in control of myself when I'm with him...
Is he kidding me?
GET THE HECK OUT MY MIND!
Asmodeus laughed and thankfully, I can feel him exiting, but not before he told me that he's going to contact me again soon.
Just go away!
....
When I opened my eyes, I saw Sly looking at me with a worried look on his face.
He nuzzled me as he told me he was freaking out because I wouldn't wake up when he tried wake me.
Oops.
I was so engrossed with my conversation with Asmodeus that I didn't notice.
Sly was looking for me when he noticed I wasn't with Ten earlier. Ten didn't know where I had gone as he was busy examining the equipment I used to make liquor.
He saw me lying down in the grass and thought I was asleep. He was trying to wake me up when he noticed I wouldn't wake up at all, despite his gentle nudges.
Of course, he was in a panic instantly and was about to bring me to the reception chamber when I finally woke up.
Oh Sly, I'm all right!
I gave him gentle kisses on his neck, making him laugh when I commented that he smells good.
He informed me that he took a bath before searching for me because he doesn't like how he smelled.
Ay. He must have reeked of alcohol!
Seeing me giving him nuzzles and kisses on his neck, he commended himself on making the right decision and playfully warned me not to enter the reception chamber or else I might faint as soon as I entered.
I'm not planning to, because I already have an idea of how it smells!
Yes, the latest liquor that I made was extremely potent. It was by far the most potent they had ever tried in their entire lives. Even Leon admitted it, too.
Despite being a lich, Dad himself admitted that it gave him a buzz as well.
As for the rest...
They are all knocked out cold after drinking several sips of the extremely potent liquor.
No, they didn't finish it.
Um... So who are awake then?
Dad and Leon.
Ah.
Hopefully, they will get along with each other.
...
We are currently inside Sly's room on his bed.
His new bed.
It's so comfortable and surprisingly a bit bigger than his old bed.
I wonder why.
I complimented him on how he decorated his room, in which he had made a...
Uh.. what is that?
Is that a freaking shrine?!!
Much to my... actually, I don't know how to feel... seeing multiple portraits of me with a treasure chest below them, a carpet under the chest so it doesn't get dirty and a table beside it, as if he is placing offerings to my portraits.
IT'S WEIRD!!
And I'm just an ordinary individual! Not a goddess!
But upon seeing his excited look and how proud he was of what he did, I swallowed my words and gave him a tiny smile.
Whatever makes him happy.
He enthusiastically opened the treasure chest, which was filled with everything I gave him and I noticed it was getting full.
Ah. I should give him more gifts.
One by one, he showed me how he kept it from getting dirty and cleaned the ones that he used meticulously.
Despite the weird setup, I understood that it was his own way of expressing his love to me.
Weird but cute. It's his quirk and all of us have our own quirks, including me.
....
We were cuddling on the bed as Sly told me that they hadn't gone far with the meeting as they were all distracted by the food that I made. Especially the liquor.
He gave me little kisses as he thanked me for everything, saying he is quite bloated and won't eat for a while...
Unless I cook again.
I made a face, making him laugh as he murmured that he loves all my cooking, that even though he is a meat-eater, he is starting to enjoy eating the non-meat dishes I make, too.
But my liquor is the best he has ever tasted in his entire life.
He gave me a little nod and spoke with reverence, calling me the goddess of liquor.
It was a bit of an exaggeration, but coming from a dragon, a species known for being hard drinkers and liquor connoisseurs, it was the highest compliment I'd ever received for my liquor-making skills.
It gave me an idea to try selling limited editions of my liquor.
Hmm.. better yet, I'll send a free sample to Aagon, especially the extremely potent ones.
I told Sly about my idea and he instantly lit up and began to make all sorts of plans to sell it.
Of course, I should give him some every now and then.
I have a feeling that a bottle won't be enough for him though.
After talking about our soon-to-be latest business for a long time, I asked Sly curiously about the tattoo on his arm.
He looked a bit embarrassed while explaining that the other dragons had placed it there when he was younger to mark him as a bastard.
WHY THOSE NO-GOOD LIZARDS!
With an amused look on his face, he assured me that it didn't bother him but that he was curious to know what I meant by lizards.
Of course I explained it to him in an outraged voice, not to mention that I kept mumbling so many colorful expletives that Sly laughed uncontrollably upon hearing them.
He nuzzled my ear, asking me if it didn't bother me that he's a bastard and has nothing in his name.
I held his face in my hands and blurted out that I love everything about him, that he's worth far more than all the hoards that those lizards have in their lairs and...
He chuckled as he stroked my hair while looking at me with so much passion, whispering that I'm his ultimate treasure, his beloved treasure. He said he's doing what he can to keep me safe and that he's training harder than ever, especially given the danger I'm in.
While he is telling me all about the training he was doing, I gently kissed him, moving my kisses toward his neck, then his chest and finally to the tattoo on his arm.
I licked the tattoo as I murmured that it didn't take away from how magnificent and marvelous he looked. In fact, I find him extremely alluring...
He interrupted me again, this time with an intense kiss as he placed me on top of him, whispering that he wants me badly but will control himself.
We had a passionate... intimacy..
Within limits, of course.
And both of us were satisfied with it.