CHAPTER 89………………….
How should I put it… I’m pretty sure I just wanted to enjoy some honey.
But when I woke up after a full night’s sleep, a strange scene was waiting for me.
The moment I opened my eyes, a rather dazzling face appeared before me.
“Esther, here’s some water.”
“Mmh.”
“I’ve prepared breakfast over here.”
“Ah, okay.”
A handsome young man was bustling about in front of the still-bedraggled Esther.
His jet-black pupils and impossibly deep blue eyes made Esther lose focus for a moment before she slowly swallowed.
In the time she hadn’t seen him, Siderius had grown into the kind of beauty that could make people cry.
He was probably only two or three years older than her, yet he already towered over her.
Siderius, who had been moving busily, scooped up some soup and held it out right before Esther’s lips.
Esther, who had obediently opened her mouth until that moment, suddenly froze.
‘Why is he even here?’
She paused mid-bite.
‘And what the heck am I doing?’
She had no idea why Raksa was standing off to the side with a tragic expression like a heartbroken heroine.
“Lady Esther… my Lady Esther…”
…Even his murmuring voice sounded a little terrifying.
Since early morning, Siderius had shown up at Esther’s side, tending to her needs without being asked.
Thanks to that, Raksa and Siphon were just standing there blankly, unable to do anything.
“You went to bed early yesterday, so I was worried. Are you feeling better now, Esther?”
“…Yeah, I guess.”
“That’s good. Then… can we make the contract now?”
His curved eyes looked so gentle.
‘Was he always this soft-spoken?’
She didn’t think so.
It felt like he was wearing a mask—a thin extra layer over his face.
“Um… I mean, I can, but…”
That was unexpected.
Originally, Esther had planned to make a contract with Siderius after lifting this curse.
It was already difficult enough to have two contractors with such a small body.
Even if one of them was already dead and couldn’t exert any influence anymore.
But this was happening much sooner than she’d thought.
“You’re already the crown prince?”
“Yeah. I wanted to protect you as soon as possible.”
He decided to? That’s not exactly the kind of title you just decide to take.
“Fortunately, my brothers gladly yielded their positions.”
“Gladly…?”
Those greedy, toad-like brothers of his? She seriously doubted “gladly” was the right word.
“You’re a liar, Esther. So now, you have to keep your promise.”
“Why am I a liar?”
“You didn’t come. I kept waiting.”
Ah—come to think of it, she had said she’d be right back. Esther averted her gaze.
“From now on, I’ll be by your side.”
Siderius smiled sweetly.
“Uh…”
“If you had died, I was going to kill them all.”
“…What?”
Kill who? He just said he became crown prince!
“Kill… what, exactly?”
“This family. The royal family. Everyone.”
Siderius pressed his forehead lightly against Esther’s knee.
“I heard they tormented you.”
“…Uh-huh.”
“A world without you means nothing to me anymore.”
Esther’s lips pursed tightly.
‘What the heck happened to him while I was gone?’
He used to be this innocent kid—a homunculus with some strong power, sure, but still rather naïve.
‘He has dark magic, but he’s not a demon, not a homunculus either…’
He’d somehow become much more human than before.
“What… am I to you?”
“You told me to live.”
“I did… huh?”
“So you have to take responsibility. You told me to live, said you’d make a contract with me. I’ve endured everything up to now because of that one promise.”
His words were stubborn, desperate. Esther’s lips pressed together tightly.
Oh, Great Demon Lord…
This innocent kid has turned into something darker than a demon while I was gone. What should I even do?
Esther sighed, looking troubled.
“To make a contract, we need to go to the Land of Covenant.”
“Land of Covenant?”
“Yeah.”
“That’s how dragons do it, right?”
How does he even know that? Maybe that “crown prince” thing wasn’t a lie after all.
“Right. Demons—ah, you know I’m a demon, right?”
“Yeah. You’re amazing—both a saint and a demon.”
“Uh? Ahem, well, yes, of course.”
Esther answered smugly, then quickly composed herself.
“Anyway, demons do it similarly. Normally, we’d form a contract in demon territory, but that’s impossible right now.”
She shook her head.
“The Land of Covenant, as it is now, just means I spill some blood to make a small temporary domain of mine.”
“…Blood?”
Siderius frowned slightly.
“Can’t we use my blood instead?”
“Are you a demon?”
“……”
His reluctant expression made Esther shrug.
“That’s why I need some time. There are things I have to deal with first.”
“…Okay, I’ll wait. But can I stay with you?”
“Well…”
There was no reason to refuse, though she didn’t understand why he wanted to.
“Aren’t you busy, being crown prince?”
“No, not really.”
“……”
His confidence left her speechless.
“If anything tries to get in your way, I’ll draw my sword. So, Esther… don’t abandon me again.”
He whispered those words earnestly, kneeling before her.
His clear, blue eyes made Esther hold her breath for a moment before she nodded slowly.
‘I did promise him once…’
Besides, she’d forgotten to mention this before—but Siderius was destined to be a king from the very beginning.
He was born carrying a star within his sun.
At her answer, the boy’s face lit up with a radiant smile.
“I’ll become emperor. And I’ll give everything to you, Esther.”
…What?
“You can have it all.”
I just wanted to enjoy my honey, that’s all.
She had no intention of ruling any kingdoms—one demonic realm was plenty.
“I’m glad I found you again. If you had died, I was seriously considering necromancy to bring you back.”
As Esther stood up, she stiffly turned her head away from his sweet yet terrifying words.
“I’m glad you’re alive, Esther.”
Oh, Great Demon Lord… this boy has gone completely mad.
The contrast between his innocent face and the chilling words coming from it was enough to make her shiver.
—Master!
While Esther was still troubled, a shrill cry echoed nearby.
A chubby little dragon swooped down and plopped right onto her head.
“Ugh.”
Her head bowed under the weight.
The dragon’s front claws were smeared with cream—it had clearly stolen something again.
—What are you doing!
—I smelled something nostalgic, so I came! Don’t tell me there’s another great dragon’s contractor here?
Was the “great one” supposed to be the dragon… or its contractor?
—Whatever. Get off. Do you want to be frozen again?
—Ack! M-master, you’re so violent! So crude! Violence isn’t the answer!
—It is, though.
When Esther reached out a hand, the hatchling darted away with surprising agility despite its plump body.
—Ah! Did you meet Grandma?
—Don’t know, don’t care. But I saw a human man and woman bumping their faces together—they didn’t even pull apart! Humans are such idiots…
—Not interested. Quiet.
—But it was weird! That human woman had dragon power, but she was super weak!
—She made a covenant. Don’t tell me you don’t know what that is.
—Oh, I know! I’m a genius! A super cute genius!
What even was this creature?
Every time it acted like that, Esther got chills.
It felt… familiar somehow.
No, no way. It couldn’t be.
She shook her head quickly to dismiss the thought.
—A covenant! It’s like… a promise, right? I’m a genius, right? If you break it, you get punished, right? You didn’t even know that!
You’re the one who didn’t know that.
Esther frowned.
—Want me to break it?
—You?
—Yeah! I’m way stronger than him, so I can. Want me to do it?
—Stronger than… what now?
Esther furrowed her brows, then rubbed her chin.
“Esther?”
Siderius looked at her worriedly—she’d been frowning, biting her lips, and rubbing her chin like she was having an argument with herself.
“Huh?”
“Are you okay? Does something hurt?”
“No, not really…”
“Is something bothering you? I’ll take care of it.”
At his gentle smile and dangerous words, Esther reached out and patted his head.
“Good boy. Let’s stay calm, okay?”
“…Okay.”
He nodded obediently and sat quietly on the bed.
“Siphon, Raksa. I’m going to see Grandma!”
Yeah, it was about time she dealt with this.
‘I should clear my name as a scammer, at least.’
Especially since there was that ominous black exclamation mark.
“Ooh! At last, you have summoned me, Lady Esther! I have waited for so… so long!”
What was he talking about? It hadn’t even been a few hours.
Esther gave him a look like she was staring at a nuisance. Siphon nudged Raksa aside and almost reached out to hug Esther out of habit—then hesitated.
“I’m too big for that now, Siphon.”
“…So you are.”
Siphon gave her a faintly nostalgic smile, straightened up, and continued:
“Still, I’ve prepared a few dresses.”
“Dresses?”
“Yes! A collaboration between Lord Kaelos and Lady Freya!”
When Esther stepped into the dressing room, what awaited her were dresses so dazzling that she could hardly bring herself to open her eyes and look at them.
