IBDKWPC 03

Chapter 3

Eyes That See Through the Truth

Ariella could describe her first impression of him perfectly.

The ruler of Gehenna was incredibly frightening—

And incredibly beautiful.

It was disturbing that such a thought came to mind while facing a shameless and cruel being.

Yet it was impossible to deny after seeing his face.

When this man had united the once-divided Demon Realm and ascended to the throne of Demon King, there had even been fools in Heaven who called him an Archangel based solely on his appearance.

He’s overwhelming.

His pale, almost translucent face looked unreal.

His features were so perfectly balanced that they felt unnatural.

His messy black hair only made the contrast more striking.

Though he lazily leaned against the door, his crimson eyes shone fiercely, as if they were burning while looking her up and down.

His sharply defined jawline and high nose were flawlessly handsome.

As Ariella silently stared at his arrogant face, Adrian frowned slightly.

For a moment, Ariella felt an aura like a mountain pressing down on her.

Even so, her expression did not change as she met the Demon King’s red eyes.

Had it not been for the peace treaty, he would have been one of Heaven’s enemies she would have cut down on the battlefield.

I don’t have a choice right now.

This body was far too weak.

And whatever power she could currently use seemed almost nonexistent.

If she attacked him now, she would probably die again immediately.

So she intended to act naturally and make sure nobody discovered that the soul inside this body belonged to an angel.

She planned to endure this moment quietly, like water flowing downstream.

But then—

“I heard you were finally dead this time, so I came to see. Yet you look perfectly fine.”

A strange expression crossed Ariella’s face.

Her heart felt as though it were pounding wildly.

She didn’t understand why those words hurt so much.

Before she realized it, she had already asked:

“Were you hoping I would die?”

Adrian slowly straightened from the wall.

It was an unexpected question.

Normally, Lilith would be making a huge scene, asking whether he had rushed over because he was worried, or crying dramatically while insisting she was being framed.

But this…

This was completely different.

Not only was she speaking unusually casually, but the most unbelievable thing was the sharp light in her violet eyes.

“You drank poison, didn’t you? It seems your head has finally stopped working. Or did Foris and Aim give you another one of their ridiculous ideas?”

“I’m asking whether you wanted your woman to die.”

Damn it.

Those eyes were definitely looking at her with contempt.

Adrian shook his head as though annoyed and walked directly toward her.

She still had the same small, frail body as always.

But today there was something strangely combative about her.

“Lilith.”

She flinched when he called her name.

For a moment, that reaction seemed familiar.

Yet the stubborn and offended look that followed felt completely foreign.

For the first time, Adrian stared into her eyes for an extended moment instead of immediately looking away as he usually did.

“I don’t care whether you live or die.”

“What?”

“If you survive in this castle and remain useful, that’s good. If not, that’s unfortunate.”

“So you don’t love me.”

Ariella didn’t even want to understand why she had said something so ridiculous.

Why was she thinking about Dave and taking her anger out on someone else?

What exactly was she trying to confirm?

“That was already agreed upon when you entered this castle.”

His voice remained completely flat.

The faint sigh mixed into his words sounded so casual and indifferent that it almost felt like he was asking about the weather.

Have I really gone crazy?

Strangely enough, his dry response calmed the anger that had been burning inside her.

“I told you not to expect something like that from me.”

Actually, that was better.

If she had possessed the body of a woman who was loved and cherished, she might have chosen death all over again.

“Of course, you insisted you’d somehow win my heart. But Lilith, that will never happen, so stop wasting your time.”

…What nonsense was this?

So the real Lilith had apparently been making hopeless efforts all this time.

Looking at his expression, Ariella could understand.

She had once heard rumors that the Demon King sometimes forgot he was even married to his third consort.

So Lilith had been desperately chasing a man who barely acknowledged her existence.

A pointless thought suddenly crossed her mind.

At least the real Lilith wasn’t here to hear this.

At least she didn’t have to hear words that felt like being stabbed dozens of times with a needle.

Maybe it was the last trace of Ariella’s sense of justice.

Or perhaps just misplaced sympathy.

“…That’s a relief.”

“What do you mean?”

“At least you’re honest.”

That was her genuine opinion.

“You clearly say it will never happen. That’s much better than someone who says one thing and does another.”

Better than someone who whispered endless promises of love and then betrayed you from behind.

A hundred times better.

A thousand times better.

“That’s justice too. Your version of justice is unpleasant and infuriating, but it’s easier to respect.”

“Your latest act is more unpredictable than usual.”

Suddenly, Adrian’s face was right in front of hers.

Ariella sucked in a breath.

“Do you even understand what you’re saying? Have you considered that talking about justice to me might be a mistake?”

Without warning, he grabbed her chin.

Ariella instantly stepped back as if she had been burned.

A shock ran through her entire body.

Damn it! I dodged without thinking!

Her strange questions and rude tone were already suspicious enough.

Now she had reacted badly too.

Ariella desperately hoped he would simply think she was acting strangely because of the poison.

“Foris! Aim!”

His voice echoed throughout the room.

The two Dream Demons, who had gone to fetch clothes, immediately appeared.

Only then did Ariella remember how exposed she was.

But trying to cover herself now would only look ridiculous.

“Greetings to the great ruler of Gehenna, Demon King.”

Foris and Aim bowed so deeply their heads nearly touched the floor.

“Call the castle physician and have your mistress examined. It seems she’s lost her mind.”

His voice sounded completely uninterested.

Ariella’s eyebrow twitched at his remark.

But she stayed silent.

This wasn’t Heaven.

And this wasn’t someone who cared about reason.

The most important thing right now was getting him out of the room.

The Dream Demons, apparently forgetting their wounded pride, desperately tried to make him stay longer.

Master and servants truly had no coordination whatsoever.

“Your Majesty, perhaps at least have a cup of cold tea—”

“I have a meeting to attend.”

Adrian turned to leave.

Ariella quietly sighed in relief.

Then suddenly—

He stopped.

Turned around.

And walked back toward her.

Her body immediately stiffened again.

“An emergency report arrived. It seems Ariella, the guardian of Heaven’s barrier, has been destroyed.”

For the first time, Ariella completely failed to control her expression.

“Make sure you remember that before speaking carelessly in front of demons and devils.”

“How?”

“What?”

“How was she destroyed?!”

Before she realized it, Ariella had grabbed his wrist tightly.

Adrian initially assumed it was another foolish trick.

He was about to push her away.

Then he paused.

…Desperation?

The woman’s face looked as though she was desperately searching for something.

The eyes that usually looked at him with disgust were now blazing fiercely.

As if they wanted to devour him.

As if she were threatening him.

“Are you asking me for Heavenly gossip?”

“That’s gossip?”

Adrian didn’t answer.

The Lilith standing before him was fascinating.

It almost seemed as though a soul made entirely of anger was clinging to her like a shadow.

That was why he bothered.

Why he spent time and effort on this unexpected situation.

Adrian was one of the few beings in the Demon Realm who possessed a Demon Eye.

The ability of his Demon Eye was simple:

It could see through the truth.

Using it was troublesome.

It required intense concentration.

And exhausting himself before an important meeting was hardly ideal.

But it always gives perfect results.

So Adrian expected the same outcome this time.

He would discover why this woman was acting so strangely.

Whether the poison had truly damaged her mind.

Whether this was another pathetic attempt at seduction.

Or what exactly those violet eyes—so out of place in the Demon Realm—were hiding.

The moment he stared deeply into her eyes—

Trying to see through her completely—

Something happened.

And soon, it became clear that every assumption he had made was wrong.

…How is this possible?

For the first time since he had obtained it—

Adrian’s Demon Eye failed completely.