"This... This is prepared for us? Lord Lister..."
In Lister's room, two cat girls, one black and one white, looked at the stews placed in front of each of them.
The older sister, Airu, tried her best not to appear too undignified, but her gaze couldn't help but glance at the steaming hot food; while the younger sister, Ai, was much more honest, staring straight at the plate with her tail swaying behind her.
"That's right, give it a taste."
Lister sat on a chair to the side, leaning back against the backrest, smiling as he watched the two cat girls' contrasting behaviors.
Judging from the swaying frequency of Airu's tail and the flashing state of her eyes, she seemed to be surprised and a bit nervous at the same time; Ai looked, well, much more pure in her thoughts.
"But, but Lord Lister, we haven't done anything deserving of such a reward... And letting us servants eat such precious food..."
"Just consider it my thanks for your song last night. Don't think too much, eat up."
Anyway, cooking for one person or a tableful of people was the same. If Anko hadn't politely expressed her refusal, Lister wouldn't have minded serving her a portion too.
But after all, all the ingredients in that kitchen were Priscilla's own food reserves, so Lister also felt a bit embarrassed to overdo it. Giving the two cat girls a little special treatment like this was already enough.
"I, I understand... Then, Lord Lister, thank you for your generosity... Ah, Ai..."
Just as Airu was still clasping her hands together to thank Lister, she realized that Ai had already picked up a spoon and started eating quickly.
At this moment, Airu no longer acted as intensely as last night. After bowing slightly to Lister again as if apologizing for Ai, she also started enjoying her own portion.
Watching them eat, Lister was still savoring the scene from his earlier conversation with Priscilla.
He could basically be certain that he and Priscilla had definitely met before, and moreover... Priscilla most likely had other names and appearances.
Although this was just a feeling without any evidence to prove it.
But to be honest, although few people knew Lister, the number of people Lister had seen was countless, whether they were ordinary or extraordinary, male or female... He really found it a bit difficult to find a matching character at the moment.
No, wait... The dress Priscilla was wearing just now...
Lister suddenly recalled that the red and white gown he had seen Priscilla wearing just now seemed to be specially designed for tailed races, with an opening in the back.
He still remembered that the cuffs of that gown were not closed like ordinary clothes, but had a design with rows of buttons that could be opened.
But that design... wasn't necessary for Priscilla, right? After all, her human form only had two characteristics: dragon horns and a dragon tail. She wasn't like another species: half-dragons, who also had claws and scales attached to the ends of their limbs.
Why was he so clear about this?
Because the first garment of this type designed for dragonkin was sent out by him as a gift. Of course... it was understandably not popularized in the Demon Realm. Because the half-dragon tribe had a custom of wearing long robes that covered their tails and feet, regardless of rank or status.
And the garment he sent out at that time was also a special item prepared for a special dragonkin.
The one he sent out looked vastly different from the one Priscilla was wearing, with only the design being nearly identical.
However, since she was the Demon Lord, having the ability to obtain such a thing wasn't really anything strange.
But, was there a possibility that...
"Thank you for giving us delicious food, Lord Lister."
Suddenly, a voice that sounded both happy and a bit apprehensive came from beside his ear.
Lister turned his head to look and found that Airu had finished the stew and washed the plate at some point, and was now sitting obediently beside him with her cat ears perked up.
"Was it tasty?"
"Mm! Lord Lister, it's no exaggeration to say that this is the most delicious thing I've eaten since coming to the Demon Lord's Castle!"
"I'm glad you like it. I'll find another opportunity to make it for you next time."
"Thank you... Eh, L-Lord Lister, that was... personally cooked by you?"
"Yeah, you haven't tasted this flavor before, right?"
"!!"
Upon hearing this news, the surprised Airu nearly jumped up. Heavens, as a servant, to actually eat food personally cooked by the master, this, this...
"Hey, hey, no, why are you crying..."
"Lord Lister, th-thank you..."
"...Alright, it's okay."
After hesitating for a moment, Lister placed his hand on Airu's head, and her ears also obediently drooped down, making it convenient for Lister to stroke her head.
According to his previous investigation, Lister was well aware that there was actually a quite complex hierarchy in the Demon Realm.
And in this chaotic land, the basis for dividing ranks naturally had only one: power.
So, in fact, the entire beastman race was at a relatively low rank in the Demon Realm.
Because most of them didn't have outstanding magical talent or obvious racial advantages. Except for lion-headed or wolf-headed people who were naturally a bit stronger and better at fighting, races like Airu, whose physique and intelligence were close to ordinary humans, basically only had the fate of being exploited in the Demon Realm.
Therefore, it wasn't difficult for Lister to imagine how cautious and timid a life these sisters had lived before meeting him.
Even just a little bit of respect and care could make her feel apprehensive and uneasy... even moved to tears.
Very quickly, Airu controlled her emotions, opened her slightly reddened eyes, and looked at Lister with some shame:
"I-I'm really sorry... for being so undignified in front of you..."
"It's alright. Now you know what kind of person I am, right? So, don't be so nervous when you're with me in the future."
"Yes, that, I-I will work hard for you."
"Good girl."
Lister smiled and moved his hand away, looking to the other side, only to find that Ai didn't seem to care about her sister who had just cried, but was staring straight at the quill pen that Lister had been twirling around in his hand while thinking earlier.
"..."
Lister tried moving the pen to the left, and Ai's gaze followed to the left.
Moving it to the right, Ai's eyes turned along with it, and the hands originally placed in front of her body also seemed a bit restless.
"..."
Lister looked at the pen, thought for a moment, then pulled it towards himself...
"Meow!"
Ai pounced onto Lister's chest.
"..."
Seeing this scene, Airu didn't call out Ai's name like before, but stood to the side, silently wagging her tail... looking like she was also quite interested.
Lister looked at Ai lying on his chest looking at him, and smiled as he helped her up.
"Ai is really an honest child."
"Mm."
Ai sat on Lister's lap and tugged at his sleeve.
"Mr. Lister, your red dish this time was a bit saltier than last time. Ai prefers a lighter taste."
Hearing Ai's words, Lister was stunned for a moment, then immediately reacted.
"It seems this isn't our first meeting, Ai."
"Mm!"
...