ITSM 11

Chapter 11

I stopped stepping back when the name of the flower escaped from Roan’s lips.

“Pardon?”
“You know, the flower said to have been made directly by the demon who loved an angel.”
“How do you…?”
“That flower exists here in Winsphere.”

The Angel Flower was just a legend, a rumor. No one had ever actually seen it, or so they said.

I barely swallowed the words that wanted to blurt out, asking him to take me there immediately.

I forced a trembling smile.

“I can see it next time. Haha! We have plenty of time.”
“Really? What a shame.”

Roan spoke as if truly disappointed, lowering the corners of his eyes.

“Today might be the day it’s in full bloom, the most beautiful it’ll ever be.”

I was shaken for a moment by the tragically beautiful sight he described—but only that far.

Once deceived, twice shy.

Even knowing they were demons, if I got swayed again like this, I’d be a fool. A complete fool.

Woof. Woof woof!

‘Damn.’

Was I really this weak to desire?

This wasn’t like before, when Bael’s abilities manipulated me—this was purely my own choice, born from my own mind.

I looked down at the floor, eyes drooping in mild self-reproach.

I must have walked like that for a while before Roan called me.

“Miss Lia?”
“Yes?”

When I met his gaze, Roan smiled gently with his eyes closed. Even now, he was breathtakingly dangerous.

I stared blankly, and he tilted his head.

“We’re here.”

Only then did I snap out of it and looked where he was nodding. At the same time, I forgot who I was with, caught up in admiration.

“Wow—!”

Pure white flowers swayed beautifully in the wind.

“Oh my goodness.”

Unlike ordinary flowers, the center cradled in the white petals was a sky-like blue, as if the heavens themselves were contained within.

Hundreds of flowers waved endlessly in the breeze, a sight so mesmerizing I couldn’t look away.

“They’re… so beautiful.”

Hearing my admiration, Roan approached and asked,

“Do you like them?”
“Truly. They’re the most beautiful flowers I’ve ever seen.”
“You may get closer to see them.”

With his permission, I hurriedly crouched in front of the flowers.

I reached out and gently tapped a petal, almost pure white. A soft texture met my fingertips.

Feeling pleased, I asked Roan with a smile,

“This flower can only be seen in Winsphere, right?”
“Yes. It has no reason to bloom anywhere else.”

Hearing his answer, I spoke sincerely.

“Such a shame. It’d be wonderful if anyone could see such a beautiful flower.”

Roan merely shrugged at my words.

As I raised my head and met his gaze, the wind suddenly blew strongly.

The pen holding my hair in place wobbled. It seemed the small tap from Roan earlier had loosened it.

With a short sigh, I removed the pen, letting my long hair flutter in the wind. At the same time, a low, eerie voice escaped from Roan’s throat.

“In my experience, if it’s beautiful to my eyes, it’s beautiful to everyone else’s, too.”

It sent chills down my spine.

“So wouldn’t it be better if only I could see it?”

Roan tilted his head, as if seeking my agreement. My mouth felt dry. I finally realized who I was facing.

The very being in the novel who tormented the male lead mercilessly. The one who despised humans and delighted in slaughter. If the protagonists hadn’t stopped him, he would have destroyed everything.

And he was right in front of me.

I quickly dropped my gaze to hide my trembling pupils.

“Ah, haha… I see?”
“If there’s something you don’t want to lose, Miss Lia, don’t show it to anyone.”

S-scary!

“Yes, I-I will.”

I desperately stared at the floor as I answered.

Step, step. I heard him approaching.

Perhaps I should have refused Roan’s offer by any means necessary.

Before I knew it, Roan was right in front of me. His shoes came into my view.

Am I going to die here? Maybe being sold would have been better…

“It’s going to get cold soon. Let’s stop here for today.”

The words were unexpectedly gentle.

It wasn’t the cold voice from before, nor the playful tone from our first meeting.

I slowly raised my head and found Roan looking down at me.

He extended his hand.

“Take it.”

I couldn’t bring myself to say I could stand up on my own.

I rolled my hand a few times before placing it in his palm. Roan immediately pulled me toward him.

I was too stunned by the closeness to think of anything else but locking eyes with him.

But the moment didn’t last long. I quickly stepped back, and Roan let me go easily.

“I hope the day comes when I can show Miss Lia more corners of Winsphere.”
“I’ll look forward to it.”

I uttered words I didn’t truly feel.

It had been delightful to see the flowers, but that was the extent. I didn’t want to narrow the distance with the demon before me or be swayed by him again.

I clenched my fists, a silent vow to myself.

Then Roan extended his hand again.

“It might get dark, and you could lose your way. Take my hand.”

Having no reason to refuse, I had to take it.

At the same time, I realized something I hadn’t noticed earlier.

The demon’s hand, which I expected to feel cold, radiated an unusually warm heat.

All the way to the main building, Roan and I didn’t speak.

It was suffocating. I secretly wished another demon would appear.

Had God not abandoned me yet? Just as I was desperately wishing, Bael appeared.

Bael’s frown met my gaze, which seemed to see a savior.

“Bael!”

I released Roan’s hand and walked toward Bael. Seeing me approach, his face contorted.

“Miss Liliana…”

He ignored the fact that his gaze was on my back.

“I don’t think we properly discussed work earlier. I haven’t been shown the mansion yet.”
“You can… handle that with Roan.”

Bael avoided my gaze as he spoke.

Taking advantage of his attitude, I brought up the topic he would be most interested in.

“And I’d also like to talk about the interior.”

Instantly, Bael’s dull face brightened.

Just as he was about to suggest going with me, a sulky voice interrupted.

“I want to come along too.”

Bael and I both stiffened and turned to face the new speaker.

A tense silence fell.

While Roan and I stayed quiet, Bael rushed to speak in a rapid-fire manner.

“Ahaha. Miss Liliana, I have work to attend to. You should hear about work from Roan. He knows more than I do. And as for the interior, do whatever you like! Use black as much as you want! My only opinion is that something a little more extravagant would be better. That’s all.”

Before I could even process what he said, Bael was gone from my sight.

“…Ah.”

I creaked my neck and returned to where Roan was.

The serious expression was gone, replaced with a playful smile as he looked at me.

“So you were curious about work, Miss Lia?”
“…”
“Shall we talk about it and take a look inside the mansion while we’re at it?”
“…”
“After you.”

Because I had spoken carelessly, I ended up dragged around, listening to all of Roan’s stories.

When I suggested we stop, he smiled.

‘If I don’t show you, you’ll ask someone else.’

Meeting his cold gaze, the shiver that ran up from my toes left me no choice but to follow his lead.

If Bael hadn’t appeared just before we went up the next floor, this would have continued.

I refused his insistence to escort me to the room. Finally having a moment alone, I looked around.

“…I should’ve asked to be taken.”