CHAPTER 137…………………………………………….
Kwahng!
Earth shot up beneath their feet, and the ground trembled.
As always, Sidarius, who had entered the mansion without a second thought, froze in place.
He blinked a few times at the sharp object that had brushed past his cheek.
“…Duke?”
Sidarius looked up, slightly startled, and saw Kaelos smiling faintly.
“What are you planning to do with my daughter?”
“…Excuse me?”
Sidarius, still confused, turned just in time to see Esther rushing out.
His eyes darted around nervously before he slowly inhaled.
Esther’s lips moved.
‘M…arriage.’
Sidarius, who understood her words without difficulty, let out a low sigh.
Before he could even fully process his thoughts, swords rained down. Sidarius barely managed to dodge the initial attacks, but that was all he could do.
Kaelos was an exceptional swordsman, and Sidarius was at a disadvantage, unable to go all out.
“Planning to snatch her away like this… quite amusing.”
“Father, that’s not—”
“Who are you calling ‘father’?”
Kaelos swung his sword toward Sidarius. Sidarius tried to speak while dodging, but it wasn’t easy.
Seeing him scurry around like a mouse, Kaelos abruptly stopped in his tracks.
“So you’ll keep dodging. Even when my daughter is in danger, you’ll run the same way, huh?”
“That would never happen!”
Sidarius shook his head desperately.
Yet, the truth was that he couldn’t fight freely against the person who would become his family.
His expression darkened.
“Then fight properly.”
“If I win… can I marry Esther?”
“…Planning to marry by force?”
“No, that’s not it—”
Kaelos kept responding sarcastically, and conversation became impossible.
Frustrated, Sidarius shook his head and glanced at Esther. Seeing her tired expression, he guessed she must have endured a long lecture.
‘This is tricky.’
Sidarius looked at Kaelos again.
It wasn’t easy to dodge Kaelos’ attacks. He was a seasoned swordsman who could spot even small openings. Ultimately, Sidarius drew his sword to block an attack he couldn’t avoid.
“Father.”
Esther finally spoke up.
“Say it, dear.”
“Are you really going to do this?”
“Think about my position—I was suddenly told about marriage without formal permission.”
“If you keep this up, I’ll tell Mother.”
Kaelos immediately froze at her words. He looked at Esther, then shot Sidarius a very displeased glare.
“You don’t want to make a scene here, do you?”
“I cannot allow a thief to barge into my house.”
“Please, I’ll be happy and take care of her. You met Mother too, didn’t you?”
Kaelos fell silent, realizing Esther’s argument was perfectly reasonable. Narrowing his eyes, he looked at both Esther and Sidarius.
“Still… this was far too sudden.”
“Yes, but I wanted to tell you beforehand. You know how devoted Sidarius is to me.”
“Do you like this?”
“I don’t know. Understanding love has always been difficult for me.”
Kaelos narrowed his eyes at her answer.
“Without feelings, giving hope to the other person isn’t right.”
“Yeah, but if I were to marry someone, it would only be Sidarius.”
At this point, she wouldn’t suddenly develop feelings for anyone else.
“So please, be reasonable. I’m doing my best here.”
As a human.
Everything was new and unfamiliar to her, and Sidarius had been with her for most of these first experiences. She wouldn’t call it love, but she didn’t dislike him either.
“…If you insist this much, I have nothing to say.”
Kaelos let out a deep sigh. He glanced at Esther and fell silent.
“Thank you.”
“No, you’ve grown up too.”
He lightly stroked her hair.
“When are you planning to get married?”
“Soon, I suppose?”
“…Soon? That fast?”
“Sidarius wants to do it as soon as possible…”
Before she finished, Kaelos’ sharp gaze fell on Sidarius.
“If Father wants, we can delay a bit. But I’d like it done this year if possible.”
“I heard the servants who attended you have been dismissed…”
Kaelos addressed Esther.
‘He must be talking about Siphon and Raxa.’
She nodded. Even if the next meeting wouldn’t happen for ten years…
She didn’t feel that they wouldn’t see each other. Raxa wouldn’t harm his contractor.
If a contractor were hurt, the demons would also suffer.
There could be long sleeps or sealing of magic as a consequence.
“Aren’t you lonely?”
“I’m fine. They said they’ll come back… and there’s Father, Mother, and Sidarius with me.”
Though few people surrounded her, it was enough.
“I can stay by your side now that all the complicated issues are resolved.”
“…I see.”
“Yes, so…”
“…Do as you wish. Do what’s best for you.”
Kaelos embraced Esther and patted her back. She smiled and pressed her face to his chest.
“Father.”
“Yes?”
“Thank you for being my father. Honestly… I used to feel… annoyed sometimes…”
Now that everything was resolved, the curses lifted, and misunderstandings cleared, her mind felt pure.
“Now, I’m glad you’re my father.”
Because you are you, and because you’ve always been by my side.
“Esther…!”
Sidarius hurried over, cautiously taking her hand. Kaelos narrowed his eyes but didn’t stop him.
“I’ve always wanted a family. For a very, very long time.”
Even before becoming the Demon King, Esther had longed for a family. It had taken a winding path to reach this.
Realizing she now held that ordinary life in her hands brought instant happiness.
“Which is why I’m happy now. We can all be a family together.”
Wherever she went, she had a home to return to. Family is such a place—a home, a world to come back to.
“Thank you, Father.”
“…I’m the one who should be thankful. You’re my daughter, and you chose to stay with me. I’ve always cherished that.”
Kaelos’ gaze was on Sidarius, but his expression was infinitely gentle.
Esther hugged Kaelos tightly, holding Sidarius’ hand with her other one.
“So let’s live together for a long time.”
Though her parents would likely pass sooner than expected, she decided to cherish that time.
“Yes, let’s do that.”
At the whispered words in her ear, Esther smiled brightly.
“I’ll head in now. If you have anything to discuss, talk more inside.”
“Yes…”
Kaelos patted her back once more and stepped aside.
“Are you hurt anywhere?”
Sidarius’ face brightened at her concerned question. He nodded quickly.
“No, not at all. You were worried?”
“Don’t say obvious things. You’re my contractor.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Sidarius nodded. Esther tapped his hair lightly.
“Damn, I love you, Esther.”
“…Okay, okay, I get it, stop saying it.”
“Let’s get married.”
“We agreed to that already.”
“This year, even next month.”
“If that’s what you want, then yes.”
Sidarius smiled at her words.
“I’ll handle everything. You just need to show up.”
“Alright.”
Esther answered lightly. Sidarius gently pressed his forehead against hers.
“Esther.”
“Yeah?”
“Can I kiss you?”
Esther’s eyes widened. She smiled and nodded.
“Anytime.”
With her eyes closed, Sidarius’ lips met hers.
It was a warm day.
Not long after, the wedding proceeded quite quickly. Sidarius’ eagerness to marry immediately was clear.
In less than half a year, the fast-tracked wedding had finally concluded.
‘I never thought I’d marry someone.’
Not that she loved him, but he was the one she would live her life with.
‘I never imagined this.’
The world really did move in mysterious ways.
Wearing her wedding dress, swearing eternity, and sharing a kiss before everyone—strangely, it didn’t feel unpleasant or tedious.
It was just new, and a bit wondrous.
“Congratulations, my daughter.”
A familiar voice made Esther look up. Freya held her in her arms.
“Thank you, Mother.”
Esther smiled at her mother, dabbing her wet eyes with a handkerchief.
She hugged Freya and let out a short sigh.
With Freya leaving, everyone was gone. Finally, the room fell silent, and Esther sighed.
“…So, how long are you going to stay hidden?”
Speaking without hiding her tired expression, Esther saw the man behind the pillar slowly step into view.
“Sorry, I couldn’t find the right timing.”
“It’s fine, Your Highness, the Crown Prince.”
“…Did you handle that matter well?”
“Yes, a competent subordinate resolved it instead.”
The Crown Prince fell silent. After a long pause, he spoke.
“Congratulations on your marriage.”
“Thank you.”
“…I’m sorry for pushing you back then.”
“It’s fine. That was to be expected; we were completely different species.”
Although it had been unpleasant at the time, in hindsight it was natural to be unafraid.
After all, a demon had appeared suddenly.
“No similar incidents since?”
“No, none at all.”
“Good, I’m glad it’s resolved.”
“Yes,” Esther replied. There was nothing more to discuss with the Crown Prince. Even after she finished speaking, he lingered for a moment.
“Do you have anything more to say?”
“No… no, nothing.”
