That childish and provocative phrase, “I’ll eat you up too,” was like a pebble thrown into a deep pool, sending unprecedented ripples through Herta’s mental world, which was constructed of pure rationality.
She was neither angry nor offended.
On the contrary, an extreme sense of pleasure—similar to the excitement of solving an unparalleled puzzle—instantly seized her nerves.
Herta slowly leaned down, her gorgeous skirt spreading across the floor like a nebula.
The distance between her and the little kitten on the sofa, who was feigning ferocity, was shortened to the point where only their breathing could be heard.
A smile—full of interest and carrying a hint of danger—curved across that face, which was hailed as a treasure of the universe.
“Oh?” Her voice was soft, yet carried an unquestionable sense of oppression.
“How are you going to eat me?
With those baby teeth that haven’t even fully grown in yet?” She extended her index finger, the tip gently touching Lilith’s slightly parted lips, her movements filled with the focus and playfulness of someone examining a rare curio.
“Or perhaps…
you have discovered some new theory regarding energy conversion and material absorption, and you want to conduct an experiment on me?” ‘Holy crap!
What kind of brain circuitry does this woman have?!’ Lilith’s internal alarm bells went off instantly, and she froze completely.
Her thoughtless provocation had actually been automatically interpreted by Herta as some kind of invitation for profound academic discussion!
Her brainwaves were definitely not on the same channel as a genius’s!
Watching Lilith’s adorably dazed face, which had instantly switched from a “ferocious little beast” to a “crashed puppet,” Herta’s mood became even more pleasant.
She enjoyed this feeling—enjoyed using her absolute wisdom and aura to corner this prickly little creature, watching her bristle with anger yet remain helpless.
“It seems today’s cake wasn’t sweet enough; it failed to provide you with enough energy to ‘eat’ me.” Herta straightened up, her tone returning to its usual calmness, as if the person who had just been exuding such a dangerous aura wasn’t her at all.
“Rest early.
Tomorrow, there will be a new’surprise’.” After saying this, she turned and walked toward her research area, leaving Lilith alone on the sofa, her mind frantically scrolling with comments like “Help,” “This woman is so terrifying,” and “Mom, I want to go home.” That night, Lilith fell asleep in a contradictory state of being both nervous and inexplicably at ease.
And when the first ray of simulated sunlight the next morning shone through the dome and onto the bed that was so soft it could swallow a person whole, it wasn’t a mechanical notification sound that woke her.
It was a strange sensation—cool, moist, and carrying the faint scent of stardust.
Lilith opened her eyes groggily, and the first thing that came into view was Herta’s perfectly flawless face, magnified infinitely.
At this moment, this member of the Genius Society #83 was sitting by her bedside in an extremely standard, ergonomically researched posture.
One of her hands gently supported Lilith’s cheek, while the index finger of her other hand was dipped in a drop of liquid that radiated a soft halo like morning dew, gently wiping her cheek with a precision comparable to repairing a precision instrument.
“This is the’Stardust Living Cell Nutrient Solution’ newly developed by the Space Station.” Herta’s voice was calm and waveless, as if she were reading an academic report.
“It can be one hundred percent absorbed by the skin, directly supplying energy to surface cells without needing to pass through the digestive system, effectively improving cognitive clarity after waking up.” ‘What the hell kind of cognitive clarity!
Are you giving me a morning skincare routine or watering a potted plant?!’ Lilith’s sleepiness was instantly scared away by this suffocating operation, and her soul of snarky commentary burned fiercely.
But…
she had to admit…
this stuff felt quite comfortable when applied to her face.
“Get up now that you’re awake.” Herta withdrew her hand, as if she had done something perfectly ordinary.
“Today’s ‘ritual’ is about to begin.” “What ritual…” Lilith mumbled, sitting up and rubbing her eyes.
Then, she saw a scene that left her dumbfounded.
In the center of the room, ten silver floating trays were lined up, rotating slowly.
On each tray lay a small dress that was ridiculously gorgeous.
Some had skirts dotted with tiny crystals, as if wearing an entire galaxy; some used smooth geometric lines to outline complex patterns, full of futuristic technological aesthetic; others were stacked with layers upon layers of lace and tulle, as dreamy as a fairy tale.
The style of each one echoed the “magical girl” attire Herta herself wore, filled with elements of stars, geometry, and lace.
“The changing ceremony.” Herta stood before the row of small dresses, as if introducing her most prized collection.
“As my ‘daughter,’ your image also represents my aesthetic.
I do not allow anything that does not meet my standards to appear on you.” She reached out and made a gentle swipe in the air.
The three-dimensional projections of the ten dresses instantly enlarged before Lilith, with detailed design concepts and material descriptions marked on the side.
Lilith noticed with a sharp eye that on the least conspicuous hem or cuff of every dress, there was a miniature iris mark embroidered with a special, impossible-to-replicate dark blue material.
That was Herta’s personal emblem.
A naked, undisguised act of declaring ownership.
‘Good grief, she’s basically slapping a “Property of Herta” label on me, isn’t she!’ Lilith was speechless inside.
‘This possessiveness has already broken through the sky!’ Herta admired the colorful expressions on Lilith’s face, curling the corners of her mouth in satisfaction.
She walked up to Lilith, leaned down slightly, and asked with a playful smile: “So, my dear ‘daughter,’ which planet’s princess would you like to play today?” This question was like a needle, precisely pricking Lilith’s tsundere, stubbornly defiant heart.
It might not seem tempting right now but who knows what the future holds?
“And If you’re enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!”