The Lust System timer ticked down in the corner of my vision:
[Lust Output: Temporarily Frozen – 23:41 remaining]
That meant no direct emotional harvesting for a day.
But it didn't mean I had to stop playing.
The Queen—Serena Deviluke—was here.
In the same house.
Watching me.
Evaluating me.
She didn't trust me yet.
That was fine.
Trust wasn't something you seized.
It was something you let them give you, believing it was their own idea.
I wrapped myself lightly around Lala's frame as she moved toward the kitchen. She was humming, oblivious. I let a few threads slip beyond her skin—just enough to sharpen her posture, adjust her smile, raise the pitch of her laugh.
I was tuning her like an instrument.
Serena was sitting at the table with tea, eyes following her daughter's every step.
Every move I made through Lala's body was for her.
I let Lala "accidentally" glance toward the door as if sensing something.
Her voice carried the right mix of alertness and confidence:
"Mom… do you have security drones outside?"
Serena frowned. "No. Why?"
I nudged Lala's peripheral nerves to simulate a brief shiver. "I thought I saw a shadow by the gate."
Perfect.
Her instincts activated. She stood, her gaze cutting toward the window.
Her royal guard outside moved to check the perimeter.
When they returned—empty-handed—I made sure Lala relaxed visibly, smiling with relief.
Serena watched that shift in her body, the way tension drained naturally.
That's right.
I wanted her to see the effect—Lala steady under threat.
Because of me.
By the end of breakfast, Serena's expression had softened. She asked Lala more about school, about friends, even about her "new uniform" with only a faint edge of suspicion.
And when her eyes lingered on me—on the suit—I didn't pulse, didn't challenge.
I simply… existed. Supportive. Harmless.
For now.
(POV – Serena Deviluke)
The suit is dangerous. Peke's reports are precise, and I've seen enough covert organisms to know the signs.
But Lala looked composed this morning.
More than usual.
Not jumpy, not distracted.
Focused.
Calm.
That was… new.
If this thing is truly a parasite, it's clever—too clever.
Still… I can't ignore the fact that my daughter seems better with it on.
That means one of two things:
Either it's masking its true nature…
Or it's decided that protecting her is in its best interest.
And if it protects her…
That makes it useful.
For now, I'll watch.
And if it's playing a long game…
It's not the only one.