CHAPTER 38………………………..

The suspicious business trip had crept up to the very next day.

The first thing Xenia did after declaring she was going on the trip was pack her bags.

Though, despite that, even now—nearly a full week later—it still wasn’t completely finished.

“So today, we have to pack perfectly.”

Lumiere stared blankly at the small mound of items piled up in one corner of the room, then quietly walked over to stand beside her.

Feeling oddly embarrassed under his gaze, Xenia gave an awkward laugh. She had tried to tidy things up whenever deliveries arrived, but there were still heaps of unopened packages.

This is all because of the Demon King.

If he was going to send her on a trip, he should’ve at least given her time to prepare—but instead, he’d piled even more work onto her than usual. Thanks to that, she’d barely had any time to pack.

And it’s not like I can just leave it to Lumiere. That’s too nerve-wracking.

Ignoring the mountain of items that made her tired just looking at it, Xenia began sorting through them one by one.

As she tore open packaging and tried to reduce the bulk, Lumiere—who had been laying the items out neatly on the floor—opened a familiar-looking box.

“This arrived? The one you said you absolutely had to buy.”

Xenia’s eyes lit up at the black mask in his hands.

“Thank goodness.”

It was identical to the mask Eligos had sent some time ago.

Whether the other side knew Lumiere’s identity or not, the two of them had agreed that, as much as possible, they would keep his face covered.

Of course, she had no intention of using the mask Eligos provided. That was why Xenia had ordered a custom-made replica.

The maker had complained that one week was a tight deadline, and she’d had to pay double—but the result looked good.

“It’s exactly the same, right?”

When she held it up beside Lumiere’s face, he took it and put it on.

“Yes. The enchantment is well done, too.”

The mask, which had been slightly too large at first, gradually shrank—

Click.

—and fit snugly against his face.

“It’s not uncomfortable?”

Xenia ran her fingers along the edges, checking for gaps. It felt perfectly flush against his skin.

Even his hair, now magically turned black, didn’t look unnatural.

As she smoothed it down, Lumiere’s lips curved slightly.

“No. It’s good.”

“That’s a relief. You’ll have to keep wearing it, so it can’t be uncomfortable.”

Despite its hard exterior, the inside was made of soft material. At least the high price had been worth it.

After inspecting his masked face a few more times, Xenia returned to packing.

“Should we bring this too?”

“Isn’t there something similar already over there?”

“This one’s small, and this one’s big.”

They were completely different water bottles.

When she thrust them toward him insistently, Lumiere awkwardly nodded.

“…Alright. Pack them all.”

In truth, she’d bought all of these intending to give them to Lumiere.

I shouldn’t expect both of us to escape safely.

She hadn’t said it aloud, but Xenia always prepared for the worst.

So she bought everything she could, and stuffed every item into the bag with whatever excuse she could manage.

She didn’t want Lumiere—so helpless in daily life—to suffer because of something like this.

“Should we pack this too?”

“Yes. If you want.”

In the end, after placing every single item inside, Xenia nodded with satisfaction.

“I’m glad I bought the bigger bag.”

“Yeah.”

From the outside, it looked no different than before, but inside it was packed to the brim.

She patted it proudly, feeling full even without eating.

“Alright. I think we’ve packed everything… but are you sure you don’t need a sword or anything?”

“No.”

Xenia looked down at Lumiere’s large hands.

“Do you enjoy hand-to-hand combat?”

There were calluses on his palms, but not enough on the backs of his hands.

Which meant he probably didn’t.

As expected, Lumiere gave a vague answer.

“It’s not bad.”

“That means no.”

When Xenia narrowed her eyes into a triangle, Lumiere smiled faintly.

“You’re not wrong. But my sword is separate.”

She wanted to argue that it wasn’t here, but she held her tongue.

She’d asked him several times already, and he always insisted he didn’t need one.

Pressing further would just be bothersome.

“Fine. Do what you want.”

When she zipped the bag closed, Lumiere asked, looking refreshed,

“Then… we’re all packed?”

“Yes. It’s really late.”

It was well past bedtime.

As Xenia scanned the room one last time, Lumiere leaned in.

“You didn’t order anything else, right?”

“N-no, not anymore.”

She coughed awkwardly, avoiding his eyes.

Lumiere let out a bright laugh.

For a moment, he looked like a young man his apparent age.

Even his voice near her ear didn’t sound bad at all.

Xenia chuckled softly with him, then checked the time again and hurried him.

“Now hurry and sleep. Condition is important.”

…Though despite saying that, Xenia ended up barely sleeping at all.

* * *

On the morning of the trip, after preparing breakfast for Lumiere, Xenia stood up immediately.

“Where are you going, Xenia?”

“To say goodbye.”

“Goodbye?”

“I think I should say goodbye before leaving. I’ll be back from the kitchen soon.”

Lumiere tilted his head.

“You mean that demon, Beef?”

“…Yes.”

Swallowing the discomfort rising in her chest, Xenia nodded.

Lumiere touched his lips with an unreadable expression.

“I see.”

“Huh?”

He gestured toward the door.

“Go ahead. We have to leave together, so I’ll wait.”

Xenia hesitated, looking back at him several times.

But eventually, she stepped away.

“Make sure you eat breakfast.”

“I will.”

“Then…”

Leaving behind Lumiere—who seemed willing but faintly subdued—Xenia hurried toward the kitchen.

There wasn’t much time left before they were supposed to meet.

She didn’t intend to talk long.

This might be their last conversation, but that was exactly why she didn’t want it to become too heavy or serious.

Forcing her expression not to stiffen, Xenia opened the kitchen door.

“Beef, are you busy?”

She peeked in slightly, calling him.

As always, Beef turned around with a delighted face.

“Busy? Come in.”

“I have something to say.”

“Hm?”

As calmly as she could, Xenia told him about the trip to the human world.

* * *

Xenia kept glancing up at Lumiere in his mask, checking again and again for anything suspicious.

His clothes were ordinary enough.

With the mask, his face was hidden.

His hair color was different.

Even though the other side already knew who they were, the small change in appearance gave her ridiculous comfort.

Just changing his hair makes his whole vibe different.

Only his mouth and jawline were visible—

and yet, it was still obvious he was handsome.

“Alright. Let’s go.”

Xenia pushed back Lumiere’s shoulder, since he’d bent down as if inviting her inspection.

Without complaint, he lifted the bag onto his shoulder.

“Did you say goodbye properly?”

“Well… sort of.”

Honestly, it hadn’t been much of a goodbye.

Just empty words: she had to leave, she’d be away from the castle for a while.

Nothing meaningful.

If Beef found out later, he might feel hurt.

But it was the best she could do.

Swallowing her bitter smile, Xenia urged Lumiere forward.

“We’ll be late. Hurry.”

Thankfully, Lumiere followed without asking anything else.

If only nothing happened until they reached the departure point—

But unfortunately, fate wasn’t on Xenia’s side.

Why were there so many servants in the corridor today?

She could feel every single gaze stabbing into her.

“They’re all talking about you and me.”

Lumiere whispered near her ear.

Even without him saying it, she could guess.

Rumors about her having a lover had circulated, but she’d never walked around so openly with a man at her side.

Xenia avoided the servants, who looked ready to pounce the moment she made eye contact.

“Don’t look at them. Pretend you don’t notice.”

“Alright.”

After glancing at his mask, Xenia carefully brought it up.

“Lord Leraje is probably waiting. You remember, right?”

Our plan.

“…Of course.”

Ignoring the gloom in his voice, she reminded him again.

“Be polite. Okay?”

“I understand.”

Even though she’d nagged him for a week straight, Lumiere answered obediently.

Xenia scratched her cheek.

“I’m being too much, aren’t I?”

“You’re worried about me, aren’t you?”

“Yes.”

“I like that you worry. I like that you care.”

…If only he’d speak like that to Leraje.

Feeling her face heat up, Xenia looked forward again.

As they neared the meeting place, the servants’ stares finally faded.

They were heading deep into the Demon King’s castle, to the place where the magic circle leading to the human world was located.

Whether it really leads there or not, who knows.

Passing through a wide corridor filled only with their footsteps, Xenia stopped before an enormous door.

She’d seen the Demon King’s armies disappear through here before—

But this was her first time coming herself.

Curiosity didn’t win out over fear.

Her mouth felt dry.

She placed her hand on the door, met Lumiere’s eyes once—

Then opened it.

“Xenia.”

The one greeting her was someone she already knew.

Leraje.

But the person beside him—

Xenia stared in shock.

The other man met her gaze without blinking.

Noticing, Leraje burst into loud laughter.

“Hahaha! Now I understand too!”

Understand what?

Before she could ask, Leraje twisted around dramatically, face flushed.

“Aren’t you happy, Xenia? His Majesty himself will be joining this trip!”

The Demon King blinked his red eyes.

At last, his lips parted.