CHAPTER 12…………………………..
“Hello, Xenia. Have you been well?”
Count Beris greeted her with a bright, friendly smile.
“Stop blocking the way and move aside, human.”
Viscount Vine spoke coldly, irritably.
Between the two demons who were always lumped together because they fought constantly, the more dangerous one was unexpectedly Count Beris—the one who seemed easier to approach.
He was always smiling, but his eyes clearly looked unhinged. Someone weak like Xenia should never go near his kind.
In fact, all the rumors about him were grim and horrifying. They said he killed the demons in his territory on a whim.
In contrast, Viscount Vine, despite his sharp tone, didn’t feel particularly frightening. Aside from stories about him fighting Beris and destroying castles, there weren’t many rumors about him.
It would be best not to get involved with nobles at all, but if she had no choice, sticking with Viscount Vine was better than dealing with Count Beris.
‘But today… neither of them looks good.’
Though his manner was always light and flashy, Count Beris usually maintained a neat appearance. But today, he looked—if one were being kind—casual; if not, downright shabby.
Viscount Vine, standing beside him, didn’t look particularly tidy either. Xenia quickly realized why.
“Xenia, it would be best if you stood behind me for a moment.”
As soon as Count Beris and Viscount Vine stepped into the castle, Lerazier gently took Xenia’s hand and moved her behind him.
She didn’t refuse and quickly hid behind him. No sooner had she done so than a battle of pressure began.
“Oh my, Count Beris. What a pitiful sight.”
The voice was soft and gentle, yet dripping with sarcasm.
Standing behind Lerazier, Xenia couldn’t see his face, but judging by Beris’s twisted expression, she could easily imagine how irritating Lerazier must seem right now.
“Don’t you have anything better to do? All dressed up like that—what brings you here?”
Xenia watched uneasily as the servants nearby turned pale and hurried away. If she could, she would have fled with them.
Was it a clash of magical power? The servants’ hair and clothes fluttered as they retreated. Thankfully, hiding behind Lerazier kept her out of its influence.
“What brings me here? I simply decided to help Duke Gremory.”
“Hah, since when did you become the duke’s lackey?”
At Beris’s mocking tone, Lerazier, who had been smiling outwardly, openly revealed his hostility.
“That hopeless, trash-like mouth of yours hasn’t changed.”
“Neither has your disgusting, greasy smile.”
Lerazier brushed his hair back as he replied.
“Greasy? This is a beautiful smile. I designed the expression that suits me best.”
“You actually put thought into something like that? How revolting.”
It wasn’t exactly revolting—just a little surprising.
“Isn’t pursuing beauty the most rewarding endeavor? Though a lowly demon like you, who smashes art on a whim, wouldn’t understand.”
Perhaps agitated, Lerazier’s voice rose slightly. Xenia could now guess why the two demons got along so poorly.
“Isn’t it because you fight like uncultured brutes every day that things like today happen? I heard that after your little battle, you ended up locked in the duke’s dungeon.”
‘So that’s why they look like that.’
Her curiosity was satisfied, but now she felt the conversation needed to be stopped. The central hall’s floor was no longer just scratched—it was being gouged apart.
“Ahh—!”
At the sound of a dying scream, Xenia turned her head and saw servants covering their mouths as they watched the castle being damaged.
When their eyes met, the servants clinging to the second-floor stairs waved frantically, looking as if they were about to cry. They were clearly begging her to stop the two demons before the cleanup became worse.
‘Why does everyone keep asking me to do the impossible?’
Watching them mouth “please,” Xenia cautiously stepped forward and called out:
“Lord Lerazier, shall we go now?”
Her voice wasn’t loud, but Lerazier obediently turned to her.
“Yes, we should. There’s no need to continue talking with someone who doesn’t understand the value of beauty.”
Only then did Xenia greet Count Beris and Viscount Vine.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you both.”
Instead of smiling as usual, Beris glared at Lerazier as if he wanted to kill him.
Looking down at the dust settling around her feet, Xenia lifted her gaze—and met Vine’s dark eyes staring at her.
‘I should get on his good side.’
Judging by the situation, if she wanted to avoid getting caught up in their fights, she needed to stick close to Vine.
As she gave a polite nod toward her potential lifeline, Lerazier stepped in between them.
“Xenia, could you guide us to where we need to go?”
She quickly nodded and started walking ahead before he could offer his hand.
The relationship between Beris and Lerazier was worse than she had expected. She didn’t want to provoke Beris by appearing too close to Lerazier.
Who knew how many more clashes like earlier would happen? Being caught in a stray attack was the last thing she wanted.
Just when she thought they might move quietly, as soon as they reached the warehouse, Lerazier turned dramatically toward Beris like an actor on stage.
“Well then, good luck!”
His bright smile made the remark annoyingly obvious.
“Hah!”
Beris snorted loudly, as if the childishness was unbearable, but Lerazier kept provoking him.
“That vivid blue hair of yours will be covered in dust… though perhaps that would suit you better?”
Xenia glanced around for somewhere to hide again, but Beris let out a long sigh and curled his lips upward.
“Even if I’m buried in dust, as the marquis says, this beauty of mine won’t fade—so you needn’t worry.”
Waving his hand lightly, Beris dragged Vine with him and strode into the warehouse.
‘At least they didn’t start fighting.’
Xenia grabbed the trembling Lerazier and followed them inside. Before he could start another argument, she decided to distract him.
“Do you see that splendid crown, Lord Lerazier?”
Just as he looked ready to go after Beris again, Lerazier turned toward where she pointed.
“That—!”
His eyes sparkled as he bounced on his feet.
“I like it. That necklace too!”
Watching him become completely absorbed in the treasures, Xenia sighed in relief.
‘He won’t fight for a while.’
Already exhausted, she looked around the warehouse.
She had wanted to avoid coming here, but somehow ended up inside anyway.
Glancing at Lerazier, who seemed lost among the treasures, she asked:
“Lord Lerazier, shall I wait outside for a moment?”
Contrary to her expectation that he’d let her go easily, he widened his eyes and shook his head.
“What are you saying? His Majesty entrusted you to me.”
“…But wouldn’t it be safer outside the warehouse?”
“Now that’s an amusing thing to say. There’s nowhere safer than by my side!”
Given his behavior so far, that confidence was far from reassuring.
“If you get hurt, how could I face His Majesty? I’ll stay right by your side and protect you.”
With that, she couldn’t insist on leaving.
Reluctantly nodding, she watched as he returned to examining the jewels.
“If His Majesty wore that crown, it would suit him perfectly! It would double his majesty, wouldn’t it?”
Looking at the extravagant crown studded with jewels—heavy enough to snap one’s neck—Xenia thought:
‘It would suit the Hero better.’
It wasn’t bias. The Hero had the kind of appearance that wouldn’t be overshadowed by such a flashy crown. Besides, the Demon King didn’t even like ornate designs.
Despite her thoughts, she quickly agreed.
“Yes, it would suit him well.”
“Right?”
With a flick of his finger, Lerazier summoned the crown. Catching the floating object elegantly, he examined it and muttered:
“Hmm… it might suit the Hero too.”
Startled by the sudden comment, Xenia looked at him.
“Hm? What is it?”
She hid her panic. Her reaction had been too obvious.
“…No, I was just surprised you said it might suit the Hero more than His Majesty. I thought you’d say His Majesty is the most beautiful in the world.”
It was a weak excuse.
Sure enough, his cold gray eyes stared at her as if measuring something.
Xenia forced a small smile, meeting his gaze calmly, as if nothing was wrong.
If she backed down or said anything stranger, things might become even more awkward.
As she steadied herself, his piercing gaze suddenly drew closer.
“My, Xenia.”
Then, suddenly, he smiled softly.
‘What?’
Confused, she watched as he blinked and whispered sweetly:
“There are many kinds of beauty.”
Like a lover murmuring a confession.
“You, too, are as beautiful as His Majesty. And quite adorable.”
As if truly charmed, he clasped his face with both hands, sighing dreamily.
She had no desire to understand what misunderstanding he was having.
Suppressing the goosebumps rising on her neck, Xenia forced a smile in return.
She was irritated at herself for being unnecessarily frightened by his cold demeanor.
