<CHAPTER 23>
The Demon King’s Fiancée
After finishing dinner preparations, Ehilie suddenly remembered something.
I feel like I forgot something…
A sense of unease settled in her heart, as if she had forgotten something important.
Gabriel had fixed the door, and the cleaning was done too.
Was there anything left to do?
After thinking carefully, Ehilie soon realized it.
Right! I didn’t feed Herond!
Ehilie hurried to the storage room and piled up dragon meat like a mountain.
Herond, where are you? Come out and eat.
She looked around the house, but not a single feather of Herond was in sight.
Where did he go?
As her worry grew, Redemberg, who had gone out with Herond, returned.
Rek, do you know where Herond is?
I sent Herond back to the estate.
What? By himself?
Redemberg nodded calmly.
I told him there was a lot of work to handle and to go ahead.
Oh, I see. You meant the butler.
She had almost misunderstood Rek as a cold man who made a poor raven fly back alone at night.
Um… then what about your raven, Herond?
I sent that one back too.
…What?
* * *
Ehilie’s face twisted.
Redemberg quickly noticed the change in her expression.
Did I say something wrong just now?
He never thought he would worry about someone’s reaction like this.
He was always the one others watched, not the one who watched others.
Yet her expression bothered him deeply.
As he searched his memory, he soon realized it.
If Ehilie wants him, I will give him to you.
He had once said he would hand Herond over to her.
Damn it.
Redemberg clicked his tongue and pressed his cheek from the inside.
He had only said it as an excuse to visit her.
Now that he had another reason to stay by her side, he had completely forgotten.
Blinded by jealousy, he had contradicted himself.
But he was not foolish enough to keep making mistakes.
Redemberg spoke calmly.
I ordered the butler to bring Herond’s belongings from the estate. I thought it would be best to bring the things he prefers.
Oh, I see.
Ehilie’s darkened face soon returned to normal.
I’ll go back to the Demon Realm tomorrow and bring Herond back.
Um… Rek. There’s something I want to ask.
Please, ask anything.
Having questions was a good sign.
Redemberg was confident he could answer anything.
Even if it was his weakness or a secret that could shake the Demon Realm.
I want to know what your position is.
His position?
The Demon King.
But he could not tell her the truth.
He did not yet know how she felt about demons.
One crisis after another was piling up.
* * *
Meanwhile, at the Demon King’s Castle…
It’s nice weather today.
Lucy, the lone maid, was enjoying rare free time.
Looking at the sparkling corridor, she smiled brightly.
Today, there was no Demon King breaking things, and no Herond scattering feathers everywhere.
Shall I have some tea?
As she brewed tea in the clean kitchen, Lucy recalled the hellish workload she usually endured.
Sir Herond, what is that?
Can’t you tell? It’s an omelet.
Isn’t it overcooked? It looks burnt inside…
You know nothing. Eggs are supposed to be cooked thoroughly.
She swallowed her response.
Are you throwing this sausage away?
What nonsense! Why would I throw away good food?
Good… food? It’s completely burnt.
Sausages taste best when the outside is crispy.
…It looks hard, not crispy.
His Highness has strong teeth, so it’s fine.
Lucy eventually gave up talking.
Herond only listened to Redemberg anyway.
Cooking was his responsibility, so she usually ignored it.
But there was another problem.
…When will I ever clean this?
The kitchen was a disaster zone.
After Herond cooked, it looked like a battlefield.
Utensils and leftovers were scattered everywhere.
Sometimes, strange food stains even stuck to the ceiling.
Cleaning was always Lucy’s job.
But now…
It’s peaceful.
With no troublemakers around, she enjoyed her tea.
She did not know when this peace would come again, so she savored it.
I hope it stays peaceful like this forever—
Before she could finish.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Loud knocking echoed through the castle.
Of course it was too peaceful.
Lucy sighed and went to the control room.
Inside were a magic crystal orb, a metal lever, and colorful buttons.
She sat down and placed her hand on the orb.
Dark magic flickered, showing someone outside.
Who is it?
-What are you?
I am Lucy, a maid.
-A maid? Bring the Demon King!
What is your business?
-I’m here to challenge him to a duel!
This happened sometimes.
Crazy demons who tried to take the throne by force.
Lucy calmly pressed the red button.
Boom!
An explosion rang out.
The image shook, then something flew away in the distance.
She wrote in the log.
[Visitor Record
Visitor No. 1362
Target: Rude demon who does not understand “absence”
Purpose: Duel request
Result: Eliminated with red button]
Phew.
She tried to return to her tea time.
Then—
Jingle. Jingle.
A bell rang outside.
Lucy was startled.
It had been a long time since anyone used it.
She checked the orb.
A female demon appeared.
She had blazing red hair, large horns, and a sharp tail.
She looked like a succubus.
Who are you?
-Hello. I’m Bella Adeline. I’m here to see Redemberg.
Lucy admired her polite tone.
The Demon King is absent.
-When will he return?
He did not give a schedule.
-Then tell me where he went.
I’m sorry. He did not tell me.
-Ah… I see.
I will inform him of your visit later.
Just as Lucy was about to end the conversation, Bella’s eyes sharpened.
-By the way, what is your relationship with him?
Lucy was startled but stayed calm.
I am a maid at the Demon King’s Castle.
-A maid? So you’re the “woman” who stays with my Redy every day?
Her voice turned venomous.
…Pardon?
-Are you lying and saying he’s not inside?
<b-No, why would I do that?
She was too flustered to speak properly.
-Because you want to keep my handsome Redy to yourself. Open the door now.
I’m sorry, but visitors are not allowed inside when he is absent.
-Huh? Are you treating me like a visitor?
Lucy swallowed her words.
The woman brushed back her hair and raised her chin.
-I am his fiancée.
