With Akagi and Taihou's antagonistic yet strangely synchronized presence completely vanishing, Belfast immediately offered Jun Hao a maid's curtsy.
Her movements were smooth and precise, every gesture controlled down to the smallest detail.
"Master, since Miss Akagi and Miss Taihou have departed to convey your orders, then I should also report your situation to Her Majesty the Queen."
After speaking, she prepared to turn and fulfill the order Jun Hao had just issued.
She was certain Her Majesty the Queen would be quite eager to see Jun Hao without delay.
"Wait, Belfa."
Jun Hao's voice wasn't loud, but it clearly made her stop.
Belfast paused and turned back gracefully, still wearing that perfect maid's smile.
"Master, do you need anything else?"
Jun Hao leaned back in his chair and waved his hand.
"It's not really an instruction," he replied, his gaze settling on Belfast. "I just remember Akagi saying you're still today's Secretary Ship, right?"
A glimmer flashed through Belfast's purple eyes.
"Yes, Master. In a sense, perhaps it should be considered your 'credit'."
Jun Hao acted like he didn't pick up on the deeper meaning in her words and just nodded.
"Since you're the Secretary Ship, you should take care of the Secretary Ship duties first."
Belfast tilted her head slightly, a trace of deliberate confusion flickering in her eyes as she waited for him to continue.
"To put it simply, we still have work to do," Jun Hao stated calmly.
"Work?"
A subtle spark flashed in her eyes, her voice carrying restrained surprise.
"But Master, you've only just dealt with such a troublesome situation involving Miss Akagi and Miss Taihou. Your mind and body must be considerably drained. What you require most at this moment is adequate rest. As for work matters, surely they can wait—"
"No, no, no," Jun Hao interrupted her gently. "Precisely because of that, I must start working immediately. I cannot let myself affect the Port's daily affairs. That is my bottom line."
He fell silent for a moment before speaking again.
"Back when my mobility was restricted, I still gave myself completely to the Port. Why should things be different now? If anything, I should take the responsibilities of a Commander even more seriously."
His words carried unwavering conviction. Belfast gazed at him, and something in her purple eyes shifted quietly.
The air of the "perfect maid" around her seemed to crack just a little. In its place was the subtle happiness of a young girl.
Today, she had been "defeated" twice by her master. According to maid etiquette, no, according to her own principles, if she had been "teased" twice, then she had to "return it" twice.
Only then would things be even.
"I understand, Master."
Belfast bowed again, but this time, a small but clear smile showed at the corner of her mouth.
"Then, please let me get the documents you need to look at."
She turned to the bookshelf, where several thick piles of documents were arranged neatly.
Jun Hao could distinctly sense that Belfast's entire demeanor had shifted. It was an aura blending anticipation, excitement, and a touch of cunning.
He had a pretty good guess that Belfast wanted to do something to get back at him for when she was "out of character" before.
Still, he chose not to call her out.
When it came to his own girl, what else could he do but go along with it?
Besides, he had already accepted the system's mission. If anything, he should enjoy this side of Belfast, especially now that her playfulness held a subtle, devilish charm.
Feigning ignorance, Jun Hao focused fully on his work. He extended his hand, palm open, toward her.
"Then let's start with the most urgent documents."
Belfast gave a slight nod and approached with graceful strides, seemingly carrying a stack of documents.
Seeing Jun Hao keep his hand outstretched, as though expecting the cold weight of documents to settle into his palm, a playful thought surfaced in her mind.
Belfast leaned down, and Jun Hao, who had been waiting to feel the rough texture of paper, instead experienced something entirely different—an indescribable, special sensation that caught him completely off guard.
'Elastic... Warm... Smooth and tender!'
Catching Jun Hao's startled expression, Belfast's smile carried unmistakable triumph.
"I apologize, Master, it appears I've made an error. Or perhaps... compared to those cold documents, you'd prefer something slightly warmer~?"
Her first act of "retaliation" had gone exactly as planned. Belfast had captured that brief spark of astonishment she had been waiting for.
Looking at her triumphant expression, Jun Hao didn't pull his hand back. Instead, he took the opportunity to savor the moment.
"Hmm..."
Jun Hao pondered and enjoyed the sensation for a moment before speaking.
"Belfa, you're right. Compared to documents, I do prefer this."
The smile on Belfast's face got more and more flustered. From how things were going, the situation seemed to have gone off her plan again.
She'd figured the Commander would be a little embarrassed, or at least pull his hand back just for show. She hadn't expected him to just go with it like that.
But this kind of surprise was, for her, the best thing that had happened since she became Head Maid.
"However, Belfa, a 'perfect' maid, wouldn't make such a 'mistake,'" Jun Hao pointed out calmly.
"Indeed. In that case, how does Master intend to punish me for such carelessness?" Belfast asked, her gaze bright with expectation.
For a moment, Jun Hao wondered if he had misunderstood her true feelings. With that thought, he quietly activated the System's Emotional Insight ability.
[Belfast: Desires someone to understand the fatigue and quiet constraints hidden deep within her heart.]
He looked at the message a few times to be sure it was accurate. In the end, he decided to go along with Belfast's plan.
Maybe the right opportunity would appear if he followed her lead.
"But Belfa, if the person who made the mistake is the one suggesting the punishment, doesn't that just make it a reward?"
A faint pink glow flickered in Belfast's narrowed eyes as she tried to maintain her composure.
"Master, you make a fair point. To me, any punishment you could give would feel no different from a reward. Still... Please, choose your punishment~"
"Alright. For where I'm staying tonight, I'll let you take care of it, Belfa."
After saying that, Jun Hao finally took the documents seriously and focused fully on his work.
-+ + +-
-> To have access to more than 15 extra chapters, go to:
[-p -a -t -r -e -o -n . com/DysFiction.]
-> To make a don@tion go to:
[ ko - fi .com /dysfiction ]
-+ + +-
Novels Available:
-> Zenless Zone Zero: The Almighty Incubus of Sixth Street. (Translation)
-> Azur Lane: Don't Fight! You're All My Wives! (Translation)
-> Zenless Zone Zero: Death in White. (Original)
-+ + +-