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Chapter 12
Adriel’s rough hand, hardened from years of holding a sword, was covered in calluses and scars. The veins on the back of his hand bulged.
‘Why? Did you suddenly feel like giving up your spot?’
Adriel didn’t understand what Rosemary meant.
But only for a moment.
Once he realized, his face quickly flushed red.
Rosemary was suggesting they sleep together.
She was asking him to give her space beside him.
The villainess, who had been strangely quiet since they started living together, was finally revealing her true nature.
“E-Excuse me, Sir Knight? I don’t quite understand. Why am I being called… indecent or whatever that was?”
Rosemary asked with a baffled expression. Adriel’s eyes darkened.
To say something so vulgar and then act innocent—he found it ridiculous.
Adriel bit down on his red lips.
This is humiliating. I want to run away right now.
But he couldn’t. Not while the demon stayed by her side.
He lowered his long eyelashes that shimmered faintly.
This is a cruel trial.
It felt as if God Himself was testing him.
Thinking that God was watching to see how he would endure this ordeal, Adriel slowly took a deep breath.
He must not act rashly.
The best he could do was to please the villainess and wait for an opportunity.
“……”
“……”
“…Sir Knight?”
His thoughts had gone on too long.
Watching him, Rosemary felt like she was going crazy, wondering what misunderstanding he was building up in his head this time.
Tick, tock.
With the sound of the clock, Adriel finally spoke.
“…I will.”
“…What?”
“I said, I will do as you asked.”
He looked at Rosemary, his sharp aura now withdrawn.
Humiliating… but unavoidable.
If it was to please that villainess, he had no choice but to endure.
“…Really?”
Rosemary asked, stunned.
Adriel nodded heavily.
Even if my body is defiled, my heart will not break.
He made that vow to himself.
“Master, what’s there to think about? Adriel said he’s fine. Hehe.”
“Well… I’m just worried that after agreeing so easily, our knight might refuse later.”
“Don’t worry! I’ll tie him up tight if he does!”
“…I see.”
Rosemary stroked her chin, the corners of her lips slowly rising.
Deep night.
Inside the room, Adriel focused all his senses on the tightly shut door.
Thump, thump—his heart pounded wildly.
It must be fear. And anxiety.
Even during wars against demonic beasts, he had never been this tense.
Rosemary was far more unpredictable and impossible to deal with than any enemy he had faced.
Creeeak—
The door opened.
Adriel’s broad shoulders stiffened with tension. His muscles tightened visibly.
Step. Step.
At the sound of her footsteps, his Adam’s apple bobbed.
Endure it. This is a trial from God…
“…What are you doing?”
Confusion filled his eyes, which had been resigned moments before.
“Aren’t you moving?”
“…?”
He couldn’t understand her intentions.
But a wicked woman having strange tastes wasn’t surprising.
Adriel slowly stood up, as if he had given up everything.
Just as he was about to kneel—
“Haah…”
Flop—
The wide bed shook as Rosemary suddenly threw herself onto it.
“As expected, a bed is the best.”
Adriel stared blankly as she stretched comfortably.
Noticing his gaze, Rosemary opened her eyes and asked curiously,
“What are you doing just standing there? Aren’t you leaving?”
“Why…?”
Adriel muttered stupidly.
Their confused gazes met in midair.
After a long silence, it was Wit’s laughter that broke it.
“Pfft! Hahaha! Idiot Adriel! So stupid!”
“Wit, be quiet.”
Rosemary scolded him, still looking at Adriel as if he were strange.
Realizing the situation, heat slowly rose to Adriel’s face.
She did this on purpose.
His thoughts spiraled from embarrassment and humiliation.
She must be playing with his emotions to break him.
His shoulders trembled with anger.
Truly a vicious woman.
He made another firm vow.
He would never fall for her tricks.
And when he escaped this place, he would completely ignore Rosemary’s feelings.
“Pfft… ta…”
“Y-you’re laughing…?”
“…Mm…”
I woke up to voices tickling my ears.
A dark room.
I rubbed my eyes in irritation, then froze as I realized someone unfamiliar was here.
One voice was clearly Wit’s.
Then… who was the other?
Holding my breath, I turned my head.
In the dark corner of the room, I could vaguely see Wit’s figure.
There were definitely two voices—so why could I only see Wit?
As I narrowed my eyes to look closer—
“Master is…”
“How can a mere human be a fairy’s master…!”
“But Master even saw my true form…”
Master? That must mean me…
At that moment, something sharp glinted in the darkness.
A warning alarm went off in my head.
W-wait… did the potion wear off?!
Are they trying to kill me while I’m asleep?!
“Y-you fool, Wit! The King told us never to reveal our true forms!”
“Be quiet! You’ll wake Master!”
I quickly shut my eyes.
I could feel two pairs of eyes staring at me, but thankfully they soon withdrew.
“D-didn’t the King strictly forbid it? W-Wit, you idiot!”
“Master is my woman, so it’s fine! You idiot, Taro!”
…What?
“Taro?!”
Such an honored guest in this shabby place!
I instantly sat up.
The voices stopped.
A moment later—
“Aaaagh!”
“…Huh?”
“Aaaagh!”
Taro’s scream echoed loudly through the room.
Startled, I hurried out of bed and approached the corner where Wit and Taro were.
A pocket watch emerged from the darkness.
“M-Master?! No, don’t look! Taro, go back!”
Wit frantically flew in front of me, blocking my view.
I waved my hand and crouched down, speaking to the pocket watch.
“Lord Taro?”
The watch jumped.
“S-stay back, human!”
It looked like it might explode at any moment.
Though confused, I tried to calm him.
But then—
BANG! BANG! BANG!
Someone pounded on the door as if trying to break it down.
I turned my head sharply.
Who…? The only one outside should be Adriel.
Swallowing nervously, I opened the door.
Adriel was kneeling there.
Blood was running down his forehead.
As I stood there in shock, relief flashed across his red eyes.
“Huh? Adriel, you moved? How? I tied you so you couldn’t move.”
Wit circled him in confusion.
Adriel’s sharp gaze passed Wit and went inside my room—probably looking at Taro.
“Wit, can you release him first?”
“Hm? Okay, Master.”
With a snap of his fingers, Adriel immediately stood up.
“Step back, my lady. I saw a demon enter this room.”
“Wait—are you okay? Your forehead is bleeding…”
I stared blankly at his wound.
He did this… for me?
Honestly, I felt a little touched.
Even if it wasn’t me, he would’ve done the same for anyone. Still…
“How did weak Adriel break my magic? How?”
“W-Wit! I-it’s divine power! K-kill him!”
“Huh? Divine power? Since when were we affected by that?”
“B-but I feel like I’m going to throw up!”
Taro, who had been jumping around, suddenly spoke in a dark voice.
“If you won’t do it, I will. Humans… I will curse you! A terrifying curse—anything you touch will turn to gold!”
What?!
“Please do it!”
“…I will curse—wait, what?”
I threw away all my feelings of being touched and crawled toward Taro, reaching out my hand.
“Please! Curse me! My hand! Please!”
The room fell silent.
Was I embarrassed?
Not at all.
If I could get that curse, I’d even sell my soul.
“Ugh… Taro, go home!”
After a moment, Wit stomped his feet in frustration, while Taro, speechless, asked:
“…Aren’t you afraid of me?”
