Praise Me

The air grew still.

Qin Luo fell silent as he watched Su Muwan spouting some cringy, chuunibyou lines.

He stretched slightly and gave her a weird look. "Miss, did you do something?"

Uh...

Su Muwan blinked.

Her status panel clearly showed [Lord’s Descent] was active.

So why did it look so off?

Oh, right—it had to be done like that. She had to give a command, didn’t she?

Su Muwan understood now. Smugly, she tilted her chin up and smirked at Qin Luo. "Hmph, Qin Luo, you won’t be laughing for long."

"Now... right this instant."

Her swan-like neck arched gracefully as her haughty voice rang out. "Come over here to your master."

One second, two seconds, three seconds...

Nothing happened.

Su Muwan: ?

Qin Luo glanced at his own status panel.

[Rulebreaker Title Effect: Ignores all rules while equipped.]

Ah, so that was it.

Su Muwan had a skill that allowed her to force him to obey one command per day.

But thanks to his title’s effect, the compulsion was nullified.

Well then.

Qin Luo took a step forward, feigning shock. "Wh-what’s happening?"

"Miss, what did you do to me?"

"Why can’t I control my body?"

Su Muwan had been about to wonder if the forced command had malfunctioned.

But seeing Qin Luo obediently walking toward her, she realized—

Delay. It must’ve been a delay.

No problem then.

"Hmph!"

Su Muwan looked down at the flustered Qin Luo, her smirk widening. "My, my, who knew Qin Luo could make such a cute face?"

"Tsk tsk tsk, but alas."

"Too late!"

She grabbed his tie, pulling him down until their faces were level. "Now, this young miss—no, your master—will issue her first command."

"Start by making a pitiful, vulnerable expression."

Qin Luo found this endlessly amusing. This silly young miss was just too adorable!

So he obliged, softening his gaze and adding a hint of nervousness to his voice. "Miss, please don’t toy with me like..."

"Silence!"

Before he could finish, Su Muwan cut him off with a haughty sniff. "Call me master."

"M-master..."

Qin Luo spoke as if under a spell.

Ahhh!! So degenerate!!

Su Muwan was internally thrilled, but she kept her composure. "Say, 'Master, master, this lowly servant apologizes for his insolence.'"

"Master, master, this lowly servant apologizes for his insolence."

Hssk!!

Aahhh!!

I’m gonna die!!

Why is this so fun?!

Su Muwan turned away, taking deep breaths as her cheeks burned. Her whole body trembled slightly.

Hehehe... Su Muwan, you’re such a freak...

How could you abuse Qin Luo like this just because of the command?

Oh no.

I might fall for this meek version of him. Who knew he’d be so submissive when he’s usually so domineering? Hehehe...

Clearing her throat, she turned back and released his tie, only to hook a finger under his chin. "Now, sit on the couch."

Qin Luo obeyed.

Watching this, Su Muwan took a deep breath, as if steeling herself for something monumental.

Slowly, she raised her porcelain-white right foot.

Under Qin Luo’s slightly surprised gaze, it hovered midair.

Su Muwan crossed her arms, looking down at him with feigned arrogance. "Your favorite thing—praise it."

The room fell silent.

Praise it...

Qin Luo’s gaze drifted downward, landing on her shell-pink toes.

Hah...

His lips curled uncontrollably.

Well then, no more acting.

Under Su Muwan’s poorly concealed anticipation, Qin Luo suddenly leaned forward, his nose barely grazing the arch of her tensed foot.

"!!!"

Su Muwan’s face flushed crimson, her toes curling into pearl-like shapes, glistening peach-pink under the light.

Wait, no! Why did you actually touch it?!

She opened her mouth to protest, but Qin Luo’s voice cut her off.

"Master’s ankle bone..."

His warm breath brushed her quivering skin. "...is like moonlit suet jade, steeped in lunar brine."

"Th-that’s..."

Right from the start, Su Muwan was already losing it.

But...

The faint scrape of Qin Luo’s canine against her ankle sent an inexplicable thrill through her.

[Bond Energy +10]

"Ngh... ah..."

A sheen of sweat bloomed across Su Muwan’s foot, scattering light like stardust on her pale skin.

Then Qin Luo suddenly cupped her heel and inhaled.

Huh?!

"Wh-why are you smelling it?!"

Su Muwan’s eyes widened, her voice dry and strained.

This had to be because Qin Luo was under control...

Because...

Qin Luo’s gaze was reverent as he looked up at her flushed face. "Master’s body wash—white moss blended with freesia?"

"No wonder I’ve been catching whiffs of melting first snow all day."

[Bond Energy +10]

Aahhh!!

No more!

Stop praising it!

"W-wait..."

"Qin Luo..."

"L-let’s just... call it quits..."

"I’ll think of another punishment..."

Her voice trembled, her foot arching delicately as she tried to pull back—only for Qin Luo to suddenly tighten his grip on her ankle.

"Eek!"

The moment his warm palm met her cool skin, Su Muwan shuddered as if electrified.

With a soft thud, she sank into the couch cushions, now face-to-face with Qin Luo’s amused gaze.

"Y-you weren’t controlled?!"

Su Muwan was stunned.

What kind of garbage system was this?!

"Of course not."

Qin Luo shrugged, matter-of-factly. "Only genuine admiration can produce such heartfelt praise, young miss!"

Hey! What kind of perverted logic is that?!

Su Muwan’s fingers turned white-knuckled around a pillow, her ears burning scarlet. The ghost of his lips still lingered on her ankle.

Aahhh!!

So embarrassing! He was just playing along?! And I actually thought he was under control!

"Need help?"

Qin Luo extended a hand, his tone leisurely under Su Muwan’s mortified glare. "Or..."

He suddenly leaned close to her rose-tinted earlobe. "...does master require additional services from her servant?"

!!

"N-no need!"

Swish!

Su Muwan hurled a pillow at him.

Ugh! I knew this system was trash!