CHAPTER 88……………………………………
“My niece! Are you all right? How long has it been… You’ve grown so much. You used to be so small and precious…”
“It’s been five years…, ugh.”
He pulled Esther into a tighter hug.
“I’ve missed you so much. My niece potion…”
“What are you even talking about? Uncle, are you sick?”
Esther spoke curtly, looking rather fed up.
Her voice was half-muffled, buried against his chest.
She pushed at the head of Kardem Egbert, who was holding her tightly.
“Hey, you! Move aside! When did you sneak into the mansion again… tch.”
The voice that scolded Kardem Egbert was Nigel Egbert’s.
“I’m sorry, brother.”
Kardem Egbert backed away obediently, tail between his legs.
‘…Ah, right. He was here too.’
Come to think of it, he’d tried to take her talisman before and failed — so he must have run into quite a bit of trouble since then.
‘I’d better lift it soon.’
Just as Esther was about to undo the curse—
“You’re safe.”
Nigel Egbert met her eyes and then bowed his head deeply.
“I thought something terrible had happened to you.”
“What, Uncle Nigel — you were worried about me?”
“Worried? Don’t be ridiculous! Why would I ever worry about you? I just wondered if that annoying brat had starved to death somewhere!”
He’d just been acting like he was reunited with someone he thought was dead moments ago.
‘…Wait. There’s no curse on him?’
Esther looked at him, startled.
The curse she’d left on him was weak but permanent — it shouldn’t have been lifted unless she undid it herself or someone stronger than her did.
‘Who was it?’
Someone had interfered with Esther’s curse.
She narrowed her eyes.
When she focused her magic, she could see a deep green aura swirling around him.
Esther’s pupils suddenly slit vertically, becoming feral.
‘…This is—’
Her expression hardened.
‘Someone’s touched my prey.’
The deep green power—
No, not magic. It felt almost like divine power. But it wasn’t that either.
It was utterly unfamiliar.
Esther frowned.
She had heard of this before — from Laxa.
The strange corruption that had once turned a banshee’s father into a monster.
Nigel Egbert was under the same kind of curse.
‘How dare they…’
Someone had dared to meddle with what she had marked as hers.
Esther’s eyes flashed, predatory. She was just about to reach toward Nigel when—
“Esther.”
A young, soft voice called from behind her.
It was so heartfelt that Esther turned her head instinctively.
“Sidereus?”
At her call, the previously expressionless boy’s face lit up, his eyes curving in a warm smile.
The mood shifted in an instant.
The boy, now with a far gentler air than she remembered, strode forward, knelt on one knee before her, and met her gaze.
“Thank goodness. I thought you’d forgotten about me.”
“I didn’t forget.”
Even if five years had passed, for Esther it was like waking from a long nap — as if those five years had been just yesterday.
“Yeah. I became the Crown Prince.”
“…What?”
“So now, it’s your turn to keep your promise.”
The boy, now much taller than she remembered, looked at her with soft, kind eyes.
“Right?”
His expression was gentle — and yet, for some reason, there was something faintly unnerving about it.
‘…That’s right, but… did he always feel this creepy?’
Why did he feel so ominous?
Esther scratched her cheek awkwardly.
‘Wait, he’s already Crown Prince?’
Was the Imperial Palace really that easy to climb?
“Right?”
Sidereus asked again, in the same tone. Esther hesitated, then nodded stiffly.
“…Yeah.”
“Let’s do it now.”
“Now? There are too many people around.”
It was a rather important ritual — not something to be done just anywhere.
“Then when?”
“When I’m back in my room?”
“…All right. I’ll wait.”
He smiled sweetly and stepped back. Esther sighed deeply, exhaustion flooding her.
“Then, is it my turn now?”
“Grandfather?”
“Yes. You’ve grown so much since I last saw you. And… we have much to talk about.”
Ernhart Egbert glanced meaningfully at Marie Egbert.
‘…Oh, right. I became a fraudster.’
Esther laughed awkwardly. Ernhart crossed his arms and snorted.
“This time, you won’t get off so easily.”
Esther swallowed hard.
“But before that…”
He stepped closer and gently patted her head.
“I’m glad you’re safe. I was very worried something had happened to you.”
Esther’s eyes widened.
“Though I’m sure you don’t believe that.”
She pressed her lips together.
“Marie and I both worried about you.”
For some reason, those words made her heart sink like a stone. Esther frowned.
‘Don’t get sentimental.’
There’s nothing worse than being moved by humans.
Esther would become a proper Demon King.
‘A Demon King who lives free and easy.’
A leisurely monarch who holds power, strength, and fame —
and laughs as she toys with Michael Enoch.
She would destroy everything he cherished, right before his eyes.
‘Maybe I’ll throw his beloved humans into the arena and make them fight. Wouldn’t that be fun?’
Blood and flesh flying everywhere —
That’s what demons enjoy, isn’t it?
‘That kind of life would be fun.’
No need to be stuck among these exhausting, annoying humans.
Esther shook her head violently.
“Really?”
“Yes. I prayed every day that nothing bad would happen to you.”
Probably to Michael Enoch, not to her.
‘I told you, I serve a different god.’
‘Well, humans always see demon gods as filthy heresy anyway.’
Expecting more would be a luxury.
“The god of Surt is a demon god, isn’t it?”
“……”
“As head of House Egbert, it was something I should never do, but since that’s your origin…”
Ernhart Egbert trailed off, clearly uncomfortable.
“I prayed to your god. If the Imperial Church finds out, the Inquisitors will surely come.”
Esther’s eyes widened.
He prayed to the demon god of Surt?
Unbelievable.
Most humans outside Surt despised demon worshippers.
‘And this is even the territory of that so-called god, Armos or whatever.’
Of course, Esther was willing to bet all her cookies that Armos was really Michael Enoch.
“You must be tired. Go rest for now. We’ll talk later.”
He patted her head again — then gently dismissed her.
“Esther!”
“We’ve got so much to talk about, come quick!”
Dylan and Aaron each grabbed one of Esther’s arms.
“Let go of my niece, you brats!”
“Shorty!”
“Esther…”
Looking at the crowd surrounding her, Esther caught her breath.
Warm hands reached out from all directions, touching her lightly.
“My dear, you’re lucky.”
“Mother?”
Freya had approached quietly and kissed Esther on the cheek.
“You have so many people who care for you.”
“…No, it’s not like that. They just need me for something…”
“Even that pitiful man over there,” Freya whispered.
When Esther turned, she saw Kaelos Egbert standing stiffly, his brow furrowed, looking cold and stern.
‘This isn’t good.’
She mustn’t let herself get used to this warmth.
They were all people who would disappear someday.
Her face stiffened, and her head began to droop, heavy with weariness.
Then—
“Lady Esther.”
A calm, grounded voice called from behind her. Esther turned slowly.
“Laxa…”
“Yes. It is I, Laxa. It’s time you rested. Please, this way.”
Laxa knelt on one knee and held out his arms to her.
Red eyes met hers.
A demon is both teacher and servant to the Demon King.
They are guides — the ones who show the rules.
And above all… demons are those who raise the Demon King to become truly demonic.
For that purpose, they will use any means necessary.
Even if it means destroying everything to build anew.
To a young Demon King, a demon is absolute.
They are beings powerful enough to match her — at least until she fully matures.
Laxa’s intervention was a warning.
He could sense Esther’s growing instability.
His appearance meant she was getting too close — too human.
Esther gently peeled away the warmth of those around her and walked toward Laxa.
He smiled approvingly and gathered her carefully into his arms.
“Then, as Lady Esther must be weary from her long journey, I shall see that she rests.”
“Please take care of her.”
“Of course.”
Laxa smiled politely at Freya, then carried Esther away.
“Are you all right?”
“What do you mean?”
At her puzzled reply, Laxa smiled faintly.
“It’s nothing.”
“You know your place, at least.”
“My apologies. Was I overstepping?”
“…No. You acted appropriately.”
For a demon, it was indeed the perfect response.
It was Esther who had erred.
She mustn’t be swayed by human warmth — and yet, she had been.
That was the problem.
Laxa’s arms were comfortable, though lacking in warmth.
Strange, since it was still a human body.
‘I’m tired.’
With that thought, Esther drifted off to sleep in his arms.
