ITSM 19

Chapter 19

Really, I had decided not to be curious about Roan, yet he kept making me ask questions.

Was my question awkward or surprising? He looked down at me without answering. Because of the dim surroundings, I couldn’t read his expression clearly.

“Uh, we just take that carriage, right?”

Expecting he wouldn’t answer, I urged him.

“Let’s go quickly. We need to get back.”

After a few steps, Roan, who was still standing, asked me. His voice was low, calm, and completely devoid of playfulness.

“If I said I had it, would you come with me next time?”

Frozen in embarrassment, I was momentarily stiff. Then Roan, as if nothing had happened, teasingly urged me to hurry along. His face, once heavily shadowed, had now disappeared from my sight.

I muttered softly behind Roan, who was a couple of steps ahead. Quietly enough that he wouldn’t hear unless he focused.

“If it helps, I think I could come along at least once.”

Then Roan turned to meet my gaze.

“Miss Ria… you’re really… kind.”

Still.

‘Huh…?’

I thought he had said something more just now… or was I imagining it?

The bitter curl of his lips left me with a strange feeling. I couldn’t tell what he meant by those words.

After that, we got into the carriage and didn’t speak again until we arrived at Winspire.

“What about dinner?”

Right after we arrived, Roan asked brightly, as if the silence between us had completely vanished.

“I’m a bit tired today, so I don’t want to eat.”

Normally, he would have insisted, coaxing me to eat at least a little, but somehow he let it go easily.

“Alright. You’ve had a long day. Go rest quickly.”

“I’ll go ahead first.”

Holding a box tightly to my chest, I greeted him.

Roan, staring intently at my actions, asked,

“Shall I carry it to your room?”

“No, I can manage this much. Just help with the rest.”

“Very well, then.”

His compliant behavior the entire way left an inexplicable discomfort prickling my chest.

‘Feels like I tricked an innocent person for no reason.’

How many heavy steps did I take? Suddenly, Roan’s gentle voice reached my ears.

“Miss Ria.”

It was a voice that didn’t suit a demon at all.

“Don’t stay up too late reading. You’ll be tired, so go to bed early.”

It sounded like the voice of someone calling their beloved. A warmth I hadn’t heard from my parents in who knows how long choked me up.

I forced a smile and turned my head to meet his gaze. Even in the dark night, his red eyes shone clearly. I said kindly, as he had.

“Roan, you sleep well too.”

It was the first time I had truly meant it since arriving in Winspire.

Right after I got to my room, I changed clothes quickly and lay down on the bed.

“I’m tired.”

After holding tension in my body all day, my whole body had stiffened. By tomorrow, I might be suffering from muscle soreness.

Even though I was tired, I thought it would be better to stretch a little before sleeping. My eyes landed on two boxes of books.

“Oh, you brought them up.”

It seemed Roan had brought them upstairs in the meantime.

Since Roan hadn’t come into the room himself, perhaps Gremory had left them?

“That’s not important.”

Though tired, I decided to organize the space, since I never knew when demons might come in.

‘Honestly, anyone could enter if they wanted to.’

Opening the boxes, the familiar scent of paper books rose. Always a pleasant smell.

I pulled out a few books and spotted one about war that I wanted to read most.

I felt like reading it right away, but if I started now, I would certainly stay up all night.

If I showed tiredness and Roan asked what I was doing, it would be awkward. Better to wait for another time.

“Where should I put this?”

There was a bookshelf in the room, but it was too visible. Hiding them elsewhere would be suspicious if discovered.

“Hmm.”

Then I had a good idea.

The books were of various sizes. If I hid them behind the larger ones, they wouldn’t be visible. The bookshelf was deep enough inside to make this possible.

With that thought, I began placing the books in the space. Seeing them fill up warmed my heart.

“Even though today was tiring, I’m glad I came.”

It had been the most enjoyable day since seeing the Angel’s Flower in Winspire.

“Even if scary, everyone’s still kind, so I think I can get along.”

A soft hum slipped through my nose.

“Though a little odd, they’re strangely cute… just need to survive three years.”

After tidying up, I buried my face in the cozy pillow, relaxing my body and closing my eyes peacefully. I hoped tomorrow would be as peaceful as today.

“Thirsty…”

My parched throat made me open my eyes.

“Gremory said he left water somewhere here…”

Looking outside, it was still dark dawn. I couldn’t check the time, but it was definitely still time to sleep.

I got up and picked up the kettle on the desk.

“Not here.”

Still sleepy, I thought I’d have to go downstairs to the kitchen for water.

Then I realized where I was and opened my half-closed eyes.

“Everyone must be asleep at this hour, right?”

But that certainty vanished quickly.

“…Aren’t demons nocturnal?”

Seeing them sleep during the day suggested they were awake at night.

I worried, but my throat was unbearably dry.

I considered holding out, but it felt as if my throat was cracking. I even thought about going to the bathroom to wet my mouth.

“That’s not it.”

Even so, using bathroom water felt a bit much.

“If I wait a bit, the sun will rise… then I can move…”

Clenching my fists, I squeezed my eyes shut and opened them again.

I had meant to lie back down, but my body, acting on instinct, moved toward the door as if possessed.

“…Let’s just check if no one’s outside.”

Even speaking was hard; my throat was painfully dry.

As I crept toward the door, I heard faint moaning right in front of it.

Instantly, I froze.

“Kuh…”

It was natural to be startled, unable to see outside. Just seconds ago, I had been thinking only of my thirst. Now I strained to listen to the sounds beyond the door.

“I… just… for… kuh!”

Hearing the breathy moans of an unfamiliar demon, I swallowed nervously.

I had no idea what was happening, but why here, in front of my room, at this hour?

‘Are they having some kind of dispute?’

Curiosity urged me to watch.

Then a familiar voice spoke.

“Shh. Keep it quiet.”

I blinked in the darkness. It was a low, chilling voice, completely unlike the playful tone Roan had used just hours ago.

“What if Miss Ria wakes up?”

Was he actually considering me, even though I was human?

‘…Then why not fight somewhere else instead of here?’

Along with a faint sigh, I wondered—does Roan know I got up?

My question was answered immediately.

“Wouldn’t the King know better than anyone that that’s impossible?”

It was Bael’s voice, familiar as Roan’s. Then I heard Zion’s voice.

“The sounds happening here don’t travel inward at all.”

Zion pouted as if doubting his own ability.

“I made this spell myself, as Winspire’s greatest magician!”

This incompetent demon… I can hear everything, you crazy fool!