ITSM 14

Chapter 14

At some point, Roan’s hand, which had drawn close, touched my head and then fell away.

It was so light that I could hardly feel any weight, but I could tell what had been placed on top.

“Why this?”
“It suits you.”

It didn’t match the dull black dress at all.

“I think it would suit you better than me, Roan.”
“That’s not true. You look really pretty right now.”
“Uh, um… yes.”
“It goes well with your white hair and blue eyes. It’s like I placed a flower on your head meant just for you, Ria.”

The words were embarrassingly flattering.

I quickly shook myself and stood up. For some reason, my throat tightened whenever I looked into his red eyes.

‘…Is it because I’m afraid he might kill me at any moment?’

A reasonable thought. The demon in front of me could slit my throat in an instant if he wanted to.

Trying not to upset him out of fear, I found myself overthinking every reaction, which must have made my throat feel tight.

‘As expected of my survival instincts. Well done.’

Praising myself, I gave Roan a businesslike smile.

“Hmm, um.”
“You’re thinking something really unpleasant, aren’t you?”
“Me?”
“…Shall we go have lunch?”
“If that’s what you want, Roan!”

He looked reluctant, but I didn’t bother digging into it. There was no point in getting tangled up in it.

I offered Roan a harmless smile. For a brief moment, it seemed like his brows had furrowed, but I decided not to dwell on it.

The meal at Winsphere was extremely, extremely satisfying.

Did they do some sort of magic to the food, like only demons could?

How could the beef be so tender, and the potatoes so fluffy?

‘Maybe it’s because outside of Winsphere, I’ve only eaten dry bread.’

I hadn’t lived a life with proper meals, so it made sense that the food here felt so good.

I savored the softness in my mouth for a moment. Then, I met Roan’s gaze, as he watched me from across the table.

“Is something on my face?”
“No. You just look good eating.”
“Ugh.”

I could never understand why Roan said such things without pause.

“Cough.”

I coughed repeatedly, and he handed me a glass of water.

“Why are you so startled?”

Sweet but slightly bitter.

His tone was undeniably gentle, but knowing his true identity, it felt like horror to me.

“It’d be weird not to be startled.”
“Really?”
“So maybe you should… restrain yourself from saying things like that in the future…”
“We’ll have to say it more often so Ria can get used to it.”

I twitched at the elegant curve of his smiling eyes. Outwardly, it was a refined smile, but in reality, it was malicious.

If you were to draw it on paper, yeah. Exactly like ^_^.

“Eat more.”

I glanced at Roan, who was offering.

‘I feel like I’ll choke, but what’s the harm?’

I couldn’t say that aloud, so I forced a stiff smile and replied:

“I will.”

Since I couldn’t confront Roan, I thought I might as well fill my stomach. I heaped more food onto my plate and put it in my mouth.

Each time I chewed, I noticed the corners of Roan’s mouth twitching slightly.

‘…He’s not trying to fatten me up to eat me, right?’

A reasonable suspicion. Otherwise, how could he be so meticulous in feeding me three full meals a day?

“Ria.”
“Yes?”

Damn.

I answered so hastily that my pronunciation came out rounded.

“Uh, yes?”
“Today, I thought we might go outside Winsphere.”
“Outside?”
“Your clothes need to be fitted, and you haven’t seen much of the Winsphere territory yet.”
“…Is this the same reason we went to see the Winsphere mansion?”
“If I don’t go with you, who knows who you’ll tell? Better to get ahead of it.”

If I had known that my attempt to dodge that moment would come back like this, I would never have asked Bael to show me the mansion.

“So, don’t ask anyone else to do it in my place.”
“No, how can you say that?”

My voice, trembling as I objected, gradually quieted.

“Hmm?”

Seeing Roan tilt his head, waiting for my answer, my chest boiled with frustration.

Here I was, watching my every move carefully because of him. I hated having to be so cautious.

“I don’t know. I don’t know.”

Unable to hold it in, I blurted out the words rising in me.

“I’ll do things my own way. So stop staring at me like that.”

The moment I said it, the atmosphere shifted.

I realized for the first time just how sharp Roan’s gaze had become.

But since I had started, I had to finish. I couldn’t let him control me forever.

“No, I mean… Roan, this is really… overwhelming right now!”

Crack—something split. Then the quiet breaths of demons could also be heard.

I finally realized the demons around us.

Cold sweat ran down my back. Here I was, scolding the king in front of his own demons.

“Ah… so, um, I mean…”

My irritation vanished in an instant.

“…Please restrain yourself.”

‘Five years old? On the outside he looks young, but he must be hundreds of years old inside.’

Over a single remark about feeling overwhelmed, Roan pouted and avoided eye contact with me for the rest of the time.

Of course, it was easier for me if he didn’t talk, but even in the carriage, he kept silent. It was hard not to notice.

“Uh, Roan.”

The one who had spoken so smoothly earlier now wouldn’t even answer.

He fixed his gaze outside the window, never looking at me. I hadn’t even said anything particularly harsh… Could it be that his royal dignity was offended?

Even though he was deceiving me, he was still the king of demons. Being treated this way by a mere human must have hurt his pride.

“Roan.”
“Yes. Speak.”

Ah, fine.

I didn’t feel wronged, but for the sake of smooth social interaction, shouldn’t I try to reconcile first?

“If my words earlier hurt you, I’m sorry.”
“Hurt me? Not at all. It was my fault for being too harsh, Ria.”

Seriously? The king of demons acting so petty.

Roan answered indifferently and turned back to stare solemnly out the carriage. Clearly, it seemed as though I was at fault.

He wasn’t willing to converse, so should I make more effort?

‘Ugh. Forget it.’

Better to stay quiet than make another problem.

“I must be overwhelming for you.”

Stay calm, Liliana.

“You felt that way about me, Ria?”

Ignore it.

“I’ll have to keep my mouth shut from now on.”

Control yourself.

“Maybe just breathing will make me look harmless.”

I had held back enough.

“Are you really going to be petty?”
“Pe… what did you say…?”
“Look, we haven’t known each other long, and when you suddenly barge in like this, of course it’s overwhelming for me. Isn’t it?”

Roan turned his head and met my eyes. He still had that pouty expression.

With his cold features and perfect form, that expression…

‘Wow. He’s… handsome?’

I couldn’t help staring. His symmetrical face, and even the slightly protruding lips, were perfectly designed.

Am I weak against looks?

‘No, that’s not important right now!’

Snapping out of it, I spoke sharply.

“You’re obviously pouting.”
“I’m not.”
“If you’re going to lie, at least do it convincingly.”

Roan froze at my words.

So it was a lie…

‘Roan, if you’re going to lie, do it properly.’

I also stopped speaking and stared at him.

A young girl’s voice tickled my ears. It was familiar somehow.

So this is…