CHAPTER 43…………………………………………..
How long had she walked in silence, weighed down by complicated feelings?
Leraje, who had stopped in front of the inn, gestured as if to say “Hurry in,” and went inside first.
Zenia checked the inn’s sign and looked up at Lumiere.
Her mood had sunk, yes—but there was something she needed to confirm.
“Before we go in, I have something to ask.”
“What is it?”
“Why were you like that earlier? All pouty like this.”
She jutted out her lips the way he had. Lumiere let out a small, amused laugh, then drooped his brows and spoke in a forlorn tone.
“Everyone acts too familiar with you, Zenia.”
“When?”
“You don’t even realize.”
What don’t I realize? Bewildered, she stared at him. Lumiere pouted again.
“They almost touched your face.”
“I’m not a child.” Zenia let out a hollow laugh, and Lumiere lowered his head.
“Then… touch me.”
“What?”
“Yes.”
She laughed it off, telling him not to joke around, but though he was smiling, he looked at her stubbornly.
So he was serious.
Zenia stared at him in disbelief, then reached out her hand.
“Just this once—”
“Not coming in?”
The moment her hand was about to touch Lumiere’s face, the Demon King appeared. He glanced at the two of them, clicked his tongue in disapproval, and went back inside the inn.
‘Seriously, why does he show up only at times like this?’
Beyond feeling wronged, she was exasperated. As Zenia stood there with her mouth slightly open, Lumiere pulled her hand the rest of the way and buried his face in it.
“Here.”
Honestly, at this point, even I don’t know anymore.
With a resigned “whatever happens, happens” mindset, she obediently let him have her hand. Lumiere smiled in satisfaction.
“Let’s go in now. And be kind.”
Reminded once more of their plan, Lumiere beamed and nodded obediently. Still holding Zenia’s hand tightly, he stepped into the inn.
Leraje, who had just received the keys from the staff, greeted them.
“You’re here? Quite crowded, isn’t it?”
Not far from them, the Demon King sat with his legs elegantly crossed, sipping a welcome drink. The moment she saw Zenia, one corner of his lips curled upward. Zenia ignored it and turned to Leraje.
“It really is lively.”
“It’s caused us a bit of trouble, actually.”
“Yes?”
Leraje shook the key in his hand.
“There aren’t many rooms left. Luckily, I managed to secure some by paying extra.”
Zenia watched the key spin around his white fingers.
“Unfortunately, there are only three rooms.”
Four people, three rooms. Zenia recalled the street she had seen before entering the inn.
“I think there’s another inn across the way. Should we go there?”
At that, the smiling staff member at the front desk instantly stiffened. But it wasn’t just the staff whose expression hardened.
Leraje straightened his face and said firmly, “The only room worthy of His—Marbas—staying in is here.”
Zenia closed her mouth. She knew all too well he meant it. And besides—
‘He just said his real name.’
Having uttered it, Leraje shyly stole a glance at the Demon King. In contrast, the Demon King looked utterly at ease.
Clearing his throat, Leraje continued, “So we’ll need to decide which two will share a room. The lady will likely need time alone. How about I share a room with your lover?”
Even if they were trying to use a honey trap, put Leraje and Lumiere in the same room?
Zenia quickly shook her head, startled, but Leraje wasn’t finished.
“Or it wouldn’t be bad for Zenia to stay in Marbas’s room. It has a separate annex.”
Zenia couldn’t hold back this time and asked in a shrill voice, “In His—Marbas’s room?”
“It’s the largest.”
She wanted to ask if that was truly the best option, but Lumiere wrapped an arm around her shoulders from behind.
“Zenia can share a room with me.”
Zenia seized the chance and nodded quickly. Leraje hummed.
“Hmm, really? That is the most conventional choice, I suppose.”
If you knew that, why even ask? Zenia’s brows twitched, but Leraje asked with concern,
“Still, Zenia, it might be better for you to rest alone at night. You’ve been through a lot.”
When he put it like that, she couldn’t very well snap at him. Deciding to let the slightly absurd suggestion pass, Zenia smiled faintly.
“It’s really fine, Sir Leraje. Thank you for your concern.”
Her flawless expression of gratitude made Leraje step back.
“…It can’t be helped, then. Shall we go up to our rooms?”
Leraje turned toward the Demon King, who had finished his drink. The Demon King uncrossed his legs gracefully and stood.
Zenia’s eyes sparkled as she looked at the glass, now filled with only ice.
‘Did he like it?’
If so, she should find out what that drink was and later ask the staff if they could order more. While she was at it, she might as well discover which dish suited the Demon King’s tastes best—
As her thoughts drifted along in a very maid-like direction, Lumiere tapped her shoulder lightly, snapping her back to attention.
Meeting her gaze, he pointed to Leraje and the Demon King heading up the stairs. Zenia let out an awkward laugh.
“Thank you.”
There was no cure for occupational habit. Suppressing a chuckle, she followed the staff’s greeting upstairs.
‘Isn’t it usually the staff who guide you to your room?’
Zenia looked oddly at Leraje, who began introducing the inn as if he worked there.
“Marbas’s room is on the top floor, and ours are just below.”
The inn’s luxurious, extravagant interior was exactly to Leraje’s taste.
“Meals are usually served on the first floor. But for guests on the fifth floor and above, they can be delivered to the room upon request.”
Zenia half-listened to the rest. The details about the bedding or the fruit in the room weren’t particularly important.
Just then, as if noticing her lack of focus, Lumiere tapped her shoulder again.
“Our rooms are on the fifth and sixth floors…”
When she turned her head, he tugged lightly at her fingertips. Thinking he had something to say, she raised her brows. His lips moved.
“…Hold my hand?”
Squinting as she tried to read his lips, Zenia flinched. As if to confirm she hadn’t misread, his finger traced across her palm. Startled, she swatted his hand away.
Smack—
“—It’s said the rooms are on par with those in the capital…”
Thankfully, the sound was drowned out by Leraje’s explanation.
Her heart pounded rapidly. She wasn’t sure whether she felt more guilty for swatting his hand too hard or relieved that no one had noticed.
She shot him a firm look meaning don’t. But Lumiere pretended not to see it and slowly reached for her hand again.
‘What are you doing?!’
She fought the urge to shout and instead glanced nervously at Leraje. As she tried to avoid his hand once more, her eyes met the Demon King’s.
“……”
While she stiffened, Lumiere finally succeeded in claiming her hand. Fortunately, the Demon King seemed not to have noticed and casually turned his head away.
‘Seriously!’
Clutching at her racing heart, Zenia glared at Lumiere. But far from being intimidated, he only smiled brightly.
Was he actually enjoying this? She was about to say something when Leraje called her from the front.
“Zenia?”
Quickly hiding their joined hands behind her back, she turned.
“Yes?”
“Do you have any other questions?”
She shook her head briskly as if nothing had happened. Leraje gestured toward the stairs leading up to the sixth floor.
“His Majesty’s room is on the sixth floor. Our rooms are here on the fifth—Rooms 10 and 11.”
Taking the key he handed her, Zenia asked, “Shall we head to our rooms now?”
She felt like she wouldn’t be able to hold back from saying something to Lumiere unless she got inside quickly. She looked to the Demon King as if seeking an answer.
“Yes. You—come with me for a moment.”
Why? She eyed him warily before reminding herself of her position.
‘I’m his maid.’
It wasn’t strange for the Demon King to summon her separately.
“Understood. Go on ahead… As.”
She filled her gaze with a silent message—come quickly if something happens—and looked at Lumiere. He nodded slowly.
Zenia quickly shook off the hand behind her back. After a brief hesitation, Lumiere let go.
She handed him the key, approached Leraje to receive the key to the Demon King’s room, and followed after the Demon King, who was already climbing the stairs.
“As, will you be going straight to your room?”
“…Yes.”
“Would you care to have tea together? We’ll be traveling together for quite some time. It might be good to grow closer.”
“Let’s invite Zenia to join us later.”
“Oh, yes. Yes.”
Though slightly stiff, Lumiere didn’t ignore Leraje and responded properly, which relieved Zenia. It would have been nice if he’d accepted the invitation, but meeting alone made her uneasy as well, so that was enough.
Focused on their conversation behind her, she slowed her pace slightly. Because of that, the Demon King, who had gone up first, was now waiting in front of the door.
“Hurry up.”
As if scolding her with his eyes, he stood there. Zenia quickly stepped ahead of him and opened the door.
Click.
Beyond the wide-open door, the room glittered so brightly it almost hurt her eyes.
Zenia steadied her breath.
