ITSM 17

Chapter 17

Before I knew it, Vasago had begun to look like a mere speck in the distance. The low-ranking demon, head bowed, muttered softly:

“For Winspire, for the king, we have to eliminate that human.”

I had asked for a gift, yet Roan bought so much that it was almost frustrating.

From clothes to accessories, glasses, and even small office supplies—there wasn’t a single item Roan’s hand hadn’t touched.

“Shall we just buy up to this point?”

I glanced sideways. Piles of items, mountains of them, had already been bought simply because Roan suggested it.

“There’s still more to buy.”

He said firmly, then returned to focusing on choosing scarves.

Winter wasn’t even near yet, but he was buying all kinds of cold-weather gear.

Watching Roan, I muttered under my breath:

“It’s not like we’re lovers meeting after a hundred years or something.”

He seemed almost desperate not to miss anything.

Seeing him carefully choose each item, I didn’t feel the urge to stop him. I’d already given up resisting, and trying to intervene seemed pointless.

“Which do you like better, sky blue or red?”
“…Red.”

I honestly had no idea what I, a human, was doing with the king of demons.

“Hmm, shall we stop here for today?”

Finally, Roan spoke the words I’d been waiting for.

I smiled briefly, but then I noticed something strange in what he’d said.

“Oh, always…?”
“There’s still a lot I haven’t bought.”
“What else are you planning to buy…?”

I said this sarcastically, but he seemed not to understand. Politely, he explained what he hadn’t bought yet:

“I haven’t gotten hair ties in all the colors yet, and I haven’t looked at spring or winter accessories either.”
“You buy those separately?”
“Of course. Wouldn’t it be better to have multiple so you won’t be criticized like last time?”

He clearly remembered the moment Bael had pointed out my mistake on the first day.

“I don’t really care about that…”
“I just feel bad for you. Let’s come out together again next time.”

I thought “again?” but if I didn’t say okay here, I’d be wandering until sunset, that was certain.

“Ahaha, yes. Well, if I have time…”
“Beret, wrap everything here and send it to Winspire.”
“Yes, understood.”

Beret, who had been following us around all day, obeyed Roan’s command without protest.

Luckily, he didn’t seem to mean any harm to me, so unlike when we first met, I was a little more at ease. Well… he did glare at me occasionally, though.

After exchanging a few words with Beret, Roan approached me.

“Do you want to go ahead? I have something to discuss.”

He gestured toward Beret standing not far away.

“Yes. I’ll wait by the carriage up ahead.”

After giving Beret a brief nod, I stepped outside. The small bell jingled as the door opened, and the street was quiet.

I could sense people’s gazes.

‘Ah, they’re not human.’

Of course—if they were, they wouldn’t be paying so much attention to someone simply leaving a clothing shop.

I noticed glimpses of demonic features here and there, and I sighed. They seemed to try not to show it, but to my human eyes, they were clearly…

‘Not human.’

Someone actually floated into the air for stepping wrong!

I squeezed my eyes shut and turned my head, only to see a demon forcing a stiff, awkward smile.

‘Please, hide those sharp teeth when you smile!’

Startled, I lowered my head, and a snake slithered by.

“Hik!”
“Oh! Sorry!”

The frightened demon scooped the snake crawling on the ground into his arms and disappeared in quick steps.

‘Snakes symbolize demons, right?’

…By now, I wasn’t even surprised.

It just felt like a reminder to face reality—to remember exactly where I was standing.

I placed my hands on my hips and let out a short sigh.

“Ugh. When will these three years be over?”

I raised my head, clenched my fists, and shouted:

“Focus. Time flies.”

There’s an old saying: even if a demon captures you, you survive as long as you stay clear-headed.

“I just have to stay focused.”

I was about to slap my cheek to psych myself up when I remembered Roan’s expression from earlier.

Quickly, I swept my hair back.

“Focus! Focus!”

As I muttered this to myself, my gaze landed on an old bookstore. It didn’t fit the otherwise neat street—almost as if it were beckoning me.

Since this is the demon world, maybe they have all kinds of books?

‘Liliana, didn’t you just tell yourself to focus ten seconds ago?’

Still, my eyes kept drifting toward the bookstore.

‘But I’m curious…’

Unintentionally, I felt the pull to take a step toward it, but I braced my feet.

Usually, in a situation like this, curiosity leads to trouble if you act recklessly. Especially here, in the demon world—it’s exactly the kind of place where danger is waiting.

“Hmph.”

I decided to wait patiently for Roan.

After restraining my curiosity and regaining my composure, I reasoned: he’s the king, so no one will treat him—or me—carelessly. Nothing dangerous should happen…

Suddenly, a thought struck me:

‘Do I look like a dog waiting for its master right now?’

But if someone attacked me without Roan’s protection, what would I do? Even if the people here are practically human, it’s still terrifying.

I’m waiting for Roan because my life matters—not because I’m some dog waiting for its owner!

“Why are you waiting outside?”
“Oh, it’s nothing in particular.”
“You want to go to that bookstore?”

Roan had approached, glancing at the bookstore I had been staring at.

“Did I say that out loud?”
“No.”
“Then how did you know?”
“Because I pay attention.”
“Excuse me?”
“I said I’m very interested in you, Ria.”

His matter-of-fact answer left me flustered.

I coughed a few times and quickly averted my gaze.

“I’ll pass on that interest.”
“Let’s go then.”

He let out a low laugh that didn’t seem offended. Surprised, I looked at him, and he gestured toward the bookstore.

His crescent-shaped eyes were beautiful. Each blink made his long lashes flutter. Sunlight glinted off his black hair, and the corners of his lips curved elegantly.

He looked so beautiful that I unconsciously followed him cautiously, as if in a trance.

“…Huh?”

I snapped out of it and frowned.

‘What was I thinking just now?’

Shivering at the thought, I brushed my arm.

Could he possibly have some ability to mesmerize people? I glared at the back of his head.

Roan seemed to notice and turned his head as I stopped walking. His hair fluttered softly with the movement.

“Not coming?”
“I-I’m coming!”

Let me be clear: I was not mesmerized by his appearance. I wanted to go to the bookstore I had been curious about, and I was just going with his help. Absolutely not because of his looks!

The small bell jingled as the old door opened.

Inside, it was just as expected from the outside. The space was small, so anyone entering would immediately be noticed—but no one came out.

“It seems the owner isn’t here.”

It was a pity, but I couldn’t just wander recklessly through someone else’s place.

‘What if I stir up resentment for no reason?’

Roan tilted his head toward me.

“Take a look.”
“No, even if you’re Roan…!”

The words “Even if he’s the king, he shouldn’t just do that!” stuck in my throat.

“Me?”
“No.”
“If you’re worried the owner isn’t here, don’t be.”

I guess being a demon means having no conscience. Does he think being the king makes everything in Winspire his property?

Roan pressed my furrowed brows with his finger.

“Since I’m the king, don’t worry—just look around.”

I wanted to ask what he meant but stopped myself.

Better not to dig too deeply.

Even though I had resolved to stay detached from everything happening here, my damn curiosity kept creeping back.