The Demon Emperor was Saint Emperor

Chapter 114: The Battle of Stockings

"Since then, stockings have truly become as infamous as the Succubus Collar, ’seductive and shameless.’ However, even though those noble ladies keep saying that stockings are things only bad women wear, every time a new style comes out, they are still snapped up immediately."

"I’ve never seen the style you sent Catherine, Lynn. It must be the newest version, right? Combining stockings and garters—a genius idea, I must admit. Once Catherine puts them on, you might find it hard to resist."

With that, Xiya stopped her explanation and looked at her own gift with interest.

If all goes as expected, it should be a pair of pure white stockings, symbolizing purity. If he added a touch of playfulness, there might even be a white leg ring.

Lynn didn’t know that the gift he sent to Xiya had already been guessed by her. Only after listening to Xiya’s explanation did he realize that stockings have become popular on the Divine Protection Continent.

But why had he never seen anyone wearing them?

Oh, right, this is Celestial Destiny City. Who dares to wear stockings here? Aren’t they afraid of being dragged into the palace by the Celestial Mandate Emperor’s men...

When he stormed into the palace before, maybe some of the imperial consorts wore them. But since the weather had turned cold, even if someone wore stockings, they would be hidden underneath. He hadn’t laid hands on anyone, so naturally, he wouldn’t have noticed.

"Really? Are stockings not well-regarded? But I think it’s a great invention..."

Seeing how Catherine treated the black stockings he sent as if they were a plague, Lynn’s mood soured, and he murmured helplessly.

"This thing is just too... I don’t need to appease any man. I don’t want it..."

Seeing Lynn’s down mood, Catherine felt a slight pang of guilt, but when she glanced at the discarded black garter stockings, her resolve strengthened.

Who wants to wear that! Though it might indeed enchant Lynn, she can achieve that without it just by—oh, not that. Anyway, she doesn’t need to please any man, so stockings are useless to her!

"I don’t think there’s anything wrong with stockings. Women dressing up beautifully or sensually isn’t always to please men; it can also be to please themselves. Don’t you want to be more elegant and captivating?"

As Xiya spoke, she opened the gift box Lynn gave her. Sure enough, it contained a pair of white stockings and a leg ring, just as she had anticipated.

Though they might lack the sultry allure compared to Catherine’s black garter stockings, their knee-high length accentuating the snow-white thighs with a leg ring offers almost the same visual impact.

"That’s not quite it; a bit of light makeup is enough to please myself. After all, I’m naturally beautiful and don’t need such mischievous items for some negligible charm boost."

Catherine acknowledged there was some truth to Xiya’s words, but she wouldn’t be easily swayed. Besides, since she got involved with Lynn, this elf is becoming increasingly unreliable, always siding with Lynn, acting like his perfect little assistant. She can’t fall for it!

"Um... I agree with Sister Xiya. After all, it’s just a pair of socks. There’s no real good or bad about them. As long as they look nice and Lynn likes it, it’s fine."

Blushing, Vivian raised her hand and spoke up, siding with Xiya. Not only did she want Lynn to be happy, but also because her mother had worn such things and even secretly bought her quite a few pairs. She was just too shy to wear them, so they were left to gather dust in her Spatial Ring.

Now, seeing Lynn quite likes them like an ordinary man, Vivian feels she might need to use these "lethal" gifts her mother gave. But she’s really shy, so she’ll just wear them privately for Lynn.

"It’s not just socks; they’re infamous like the Succubus Collar! If a man gives you a Succubus Collar, would you be happy?"

Seeing even soft-spoken and timid Vivian side against her, Catherine was miffed. You say it’s just socks, but the Succubus Collar is just a ring, yet none of you dare wear it!

Vivian froze when Catherine casually retorted.

How did she know a man actually gave her a Succubus Collar? Coincidentally, the man who gave her the Succubus Collar and the one who gave you black stockings is the same...

"If Lynn has such a penchant, it’s not entirely out of the question."

Xiya’s words were the last straw for Catherine. She deeply realized that good sisters caught in a man’s trap are beyond saving. Despite her being from the proud, pure, and devoted Elf Race, if her kin saw her current demeanor and heard her words, they’d be ashamed to associate with her.

If Xiya knew Catherine’s thoughts, she’d surely scoff. If her kin knew Lynn’s identity, they wouldn’t be ashamed to associate with her but might hold a meeting to discuss adding more elves...

"You’ve changed! Think whatever you like! I’m done with this thing; you take it!"

Annoyed, Catherine grabbed the black stockings and tossed them to Xiya, turning away angrily to sulk alone.

Seeing her "angry" demeanor, Lynn was momentarily clueless. Fortunately, his little ones are not left idle. Seeing their mother upset, the two little ones quickly approached.

Little Youli sensibly tapped Catherine’s leg to soothe her, while Little Yuna handed over a cat to the adults, suggesting they calm down by petting it.

"Well, I didn’t know you disliked stockings so much. I got them from the Demon Realm and didn’t know they’re considered wicked here. It’s my fault. Next time, I’ll make it up to you with regular gifts, okay?"

Just having the daughters’ efforts wouldn’t suffice. Lynn promptly apologized, hoping for forgiveness from Catherine.

"I... I wasn’t blaming you; it’s just your love of beauty. But I really don’t like these. Just don’t send them again, and we’ll still be good friends."

Upon hearing Lynn’s sincere apology, Catherine’s anger subsided significantly. After all, she wasn’t actually mad with Lynn. She wasn’t in a position to have any grievances against him; she just had a simple aversion to stockings. As long as they don’t talk about it, she’s more than willing to get along well with Lynn.