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Chapter 15
“No. No, it’s not that.”
It seemed that coming into the demon’s den had somehow drained my energy. What nonsense I was hearing.
Shaking my head, I spoke to Roan, who had a dazed look on his face.
“I didn’t finish what I was saying earlier. When I said it felt burdensome, it was because we didn’t have time to get close to each other.”
“Time to get close…”
“Hearing words about breaking down walls from someone I’m not close to felt overwhelming. It was my fault for cutting things short.”
I raised both hands to the side and admitted my guilt.
Regardless of whether he was a king or whatever, Roan’s current status was that of the duke’s assistant and my colleague. I had spoken harshly to him, so apologizing was only right.
Seeing me lower myself like this, Roan looked noticeably flustered. His pupils trembled violently, showing he clearly didn’t expect me to act this way.
Normally, he might have just ignored it, but for some reason, I couldn’t let it slide with him.
Probably because he was a demon, and demons were scary?
“So what I mean is… I need a bit more time.”
Roan tilted his head, curious, and asked,
“Wouldn’t it feel less burdensome if we got closer?”
“Well… I think it would, compared to now.”
“Alright. If that’s what you want, Miss Ria, then that’s what we’ll do. If you have any wishes, speak freely. I’ll do anything.”
Wow… I was completely swayed. That appearance, combined with words like that, was lethal.
Feeling my face flush, I quickly looked away and warned him,
“Please refrain from saying things that sound like flirting.”
“If you keep saying that, I’ll be… No, go ahead. Say more.”
He was definitely skilled. Otherwise, he couldn’t pair that sly tone with lines like that.
If I let this flow, I might get completely charmed. Pulling myself together, I said firmly,
“Don’t obsess over strange things.”
“For example?”
“Like today—technically I could have gone with Gremory, but I came with you, Roan. That kind of thing.”
“You mean I shouldn’t involve myself in something that could be done with someone else?”
“I don’t think I said it that strongly… but the meaning is roughly the same.”
Roan rested his chin on his hand as he replied. When his smooth fingers brushed past his jaw, my eyes followed unconsciously.
“That might be a little difficult. Miss Ria, you need to move around with me.”
“What I mean is…! You want to stay with me all day! Honestly, couldn’t we spend meal times separately?”
“Well… yes. I understand that point too.”
His voice was reluctant, with a faint crease between his brows.
He seemed lost in thought for a while and stayed silent.
Finally, Roan answered clearly,
“Alright. If it’s to get closer to Miss Ria, I’ll restrain myself from now on.”
Finally!
I finally had a reason to keep some distance from Roan. I was so relieved I almost teared up.
Thinking about the hardships of the past few days, I let out a sigh of relief—but then he continued,
“However.”
“Hm?”
“Miss Ria, do not ignore the gifts I give to become closer to you.”
A slightly unexpected condition.
‘Gifts… all of a sudden?’
Over the past few days, Roan had given me handmade wreaths and flower rings. Not overly burdensome, but things I had to keep carefully in a corner of my room.
He was essentially saying that in exchange for my agreement, I should accept more gifts… Considering the pros and cons, it seemed better to just accept them.
I didn’t ponder long and nodded.
“Alright, let’s do that.”
Hearing my reply, Roan’s mouth curved slightly in a sinister way, I thought.
And soon, I would come to regret saying that…
Anyway, now that he seemed appeased, Roan began explaining the scenery outside.
“Winsphear’s population isn’t very large, so there aren’t many people around.”
As he said, there weren’t many demons pretending to be humans on the road to the village. I thought I knew why.
At a nearby spot, as soon as they saw the carriage, the demons quickly vanished.
“Hmm.”
Demons living inside the Winsphear duchy were ranked.
Basago was third, Amon seventh, Shion eleventh.
Like this, their ranks were determined by strength, and only those within the ranking could live in the Winsphear mansion.
Those living outside were not much different from humans, except slightly stronger.
‘Even among demons, they’re not called demons.’
The title “demon” was only given to those living in the Winsphear mansion.
‘The male protagonist in the novel wiped out all the demons outside too…’
Thinking that far, I suddenly wondered, ‘Was that really necessary?’
‘Honestly, he’s unappealing.’
I wasn’t sure why I had read that novel back then, but it was clear the male protagonist wasn’t my type. He had all kinds of powers and lived happily with the female lead—I didn’t like it.
My taste leaned more toward Roan…
“….”
“Miss Ria? Why are you staring like that?”
After living among demons for a few days, my mind seemed to have gone on vacation.
“Welcome, Roan.”
A deep blonde demon greeted him as he got off the carriage.
Like other Winsphear demons, he addressed Roan as “Roan” as if he had been deceived by him.
“This is—”
“She is Lilliana, recently appointed as the duke’s assistant.”
“Ah, I see. Nice to meet you. I’m Berett, the top tailor of Winsphear.”
His red eyes flashed lighter than Roan’s.
I froze for a moment, then quickly turned my head to recall who he was.
Despite a low demon rank, he lived outside. Exceptionally skilled with his hands, responsible for making the demons’ clothes even in the original story.
And he particularly despised humans. The faint smile on his lips was almost venomous.
My mouth went dry. I somehow felt I needed Roan by my side.
I hesitated and stayed close to him, though I couldn’t bring myself to hold his arm.
“Won’t you greet him?”
A faint disdain crossed Berett’s eyes.
My only trust here was Roan. Abandoning all pride, I carefully grabbed the edge of his coat.
“Berett, don’t be rude to Miss Ria.”
Roan’s words made Berett’s expression even sterner, though it seemed there was a hint of curiosity too.
Did he realize that made him scarier?
I held onto Roan’s arm. I felt his gaze above my head, but I ignored it.
“You scare me unnecessarily when I’m already nervous and sensitive. What if I ran away?”
“My apologies. I’ll be careful.”
“Are the clothes ready?”
“They’ve all been prepared according to the measurements you sent. I heard there’s a human assisting you.”
Berett ground his teeth as he spoke, as if chewing the words.
‘He must find the word “human” repulsive.’
Roan… let’s go back.
I looked at Roan with a pitiful expression. He noticed, but just shrugged and gave Berett instructions.
“Bring them out quickly.”
“Yes. Please wait a moment.”
The moment he left, I let go of his arm and spoke rapidly,
“Roan, I don’t think I need the clothes after all.”
Roan smiled in a way that made no sense at all.
“Miss Ria, you said earlier—”
“Yes?”
“You agreed to allow me to give gifts.”
“I only said not to ignore them…!”
“It’s the same idea. The meaning only needs to get across, right?”
By now, Berett was bringing out the clothes.
Giving him a faint glare, Roan nudged me forward to try them on.
In front of me, a demon who hated humans; behind me, the king of demons.
It was utterly maddening.
