Chapter : 08
“Why?”
“What if His Highness suddenly decides to return to the capital? Like… going back to work beside His Majesty the Emperor.”
At Oliver’s words, Phillip’s face crumpled as if he were about to cry.
He didn’t even want to imagine going back to a life of hunger.
Beth let out a deep sigh before replying to Oliver.
“Then what should we do? Just sit still?”
“No! We should push the rumors even harder!”
Oliver snickered, eyes gleaming.
As Oliver—master of crafty ideas—began whispering in a low voice, the servants all glanced around and soon gathered around him.
“Let’s spread the rumor far and wide. Instead of stories about His Highness being competent and reviving the North, we spread the rumor that he’s the Demon Duke. If that spreads to the capital, won’t they stop paying attention to him?”
“But you saw earlier, didn’t you? It seems like His Highness actually cares about that rumor more than we thought…”
“Well, it’s fine as long as it doesn’t reach his ears again!”
“So basically, we exaggerate the rumors to raise His Highness’s infamy and prevent the imperial court from looking for him?”
“Exactly!”
“…His Highness didn’t have a good reputation to begin with. What was it again—wasteful, spoiled, and pretty-faced troublemaker?”
The maid Mary replied with a bored expression.
Of course, after actually meeting Terestia, Mary had vowed never to believe the capital’s rumors again.
Still, at Mary’s reckless comment, Ben jumped in shock and smacked her back to shut her up.
“Are you crazy? This is the Duke’s residence. Be quiet!”
“Ow! That hurts! Do you not know your own strength?”
Mary glared at Ben like she might tear his hair out. Beth, who had been watching them quietly, stepped in quickly.
“Enough, both of you.”
“Well, anyway, since that’s the case, wouldn’t one more bad rumor be fine? Like… Her Highness brutally bleeds the North dry, or that she bathes every day in the blood of those who fail to pay taxes. A truly wicked, demonic rumor!”
“…If we get caught, we might be punished severely.”
Phillip gulped.
But still—
Ever since Terestia arrived in the North, so much had changed.
Just the fact that they could dream of a better future without worrying about their next meal made the citizens unwilling to lose her.
She’s our Grand Duke!
The whispering servants soon shut their mouths and nodded firmly.
Hehehe—snickering quietly, their scheming expressions looked as wicked as followers of the demon from their own rumors.
✦ ✦ ✦
Argo overheard the servants whispering and sighed, pressing his fingers to his forehead.
She had no idea, but Terestia was unbelievably careless.
To say such innocent things like, “Ahem, I, the Grand Duke, am not a demon!” as if introducing herself…
But then again, that transparency was part of her charm.
The way she fretted over her real identity being exposed as not human—adorable.
Every time that charming, delectable Terestia showed her bright expression to someone else, Argo found himself licking his lips.
Of course, Argo had no intention of showing such a tempting, fascinating creature to anyone else.
His origin as a being was emptiness, and the source of his strength was greed.
Among the primordial demons, Argo had once possessed the deepest desires. As countless years passed and even his age faded from memory, that desire had long slumbered—
Until now.
Those luscious blonde strands, that rosy skin, that enchanting scent.
And on the other hand, the pure smile and innocent behavior only newborn creatures possessed.
Terestia was the first in a very long time to awaken Argo’s dormant greed.
When Terestia entered the bedroom to change clothes, Argo dismissed all the servants.
“There is something I must discuss with Her Highness. Leave us.”
At his low voice, the maids blushed and slipped away.
Once everyone left, Terestia tilted her head and asked Argo:
“Why? Do you have something to report?”
Her face was full of confidence—the certainty that her intimidation earlier had worked perfectly.
Argo wondered where to begin, then quickly gave up.
Terestia didn’t understand what humans considered strange.
Nor what behaviors were not human like.
And those were not things he could easily explain with “this is how it is.”
So—he would simply stay by her side and watch over her.
Having organized his thoughts, Argo shook his head.
“You were injured while hunting the monster.”
“I’m fine.”
“I’d like to confirm the wound.”
At Argo’s firm tone, Terestia’s expression soured.
When she lazily tried to flop onto the couch, Argo stopped her and effortlessly lifted her up.
Even as she obediently wrapped her arms around his neck, she scolded him:
“I said I’m not hurt! Bring me cocoa!”
“Yes. I’ll bring it after I check.”
With that, Argo headed for the bathroom.
He glanced at the slender leg that stuck out from his arms and kicked lightly, and internally chuckled.
Terestia, unaware of his thoughts, narrowed her eyes and barked:
“Two cups of cocoa! No—three!”
“I clearly told you three cups would harm your teeth.”
“And I clearly told you earlier. The Grand Duke is the nation!”
Argo didn’t respond, simply kneeling to gently set her on the bathroom floor.
As the warm body that squirmed in his arms separated from him, he felt a pang of regret. But Terestia only looked up at him smugly.
“Check quickly.”
Argo slowly knelt on one knee and took her wrist.
When he rolled up the sleeve, the long wound she’d clearly received the day before was gone.
She had been scratched by a monster with poisoned claws—yet Terestia’s skin was now spotless.
When Argo looked up, Terestia gave a bright purple-eyed grin.
“Told you. No injury.”
“…So it seems.”
There had definitely been a scratch. He knew she wasn’t human, but her regenerative ability exceeded expectations, and Argo furrowed his brows.
“Please take care not to get injured in the future.”
“It heals right away… Enough staring. You’re acting like I’m your master.”
“I’m merely concerned for Your Highness.”
Argo looked up at her puffed cheeks and continued gently:
“Ordinary humans do not possess such healing abilities. Therefore, you must not only avoid getting hurt—you must not allow others to see you get hurt.”
At his words, Terestia rolled her eyes.
Since hearing the rumors about being a demon, she’d been more sensitive than usual.
Even though she had just blatantly told people she wasn’t a demon—without realizing how strange that was.
Her darting eyes told Argo she was full of private worries, warily thinking all sorts of things.
It was absurd how transparent she was—but Argo decided to pretend not to notice and soothe her.
If he pushed too hard, she’d only get scared and clamp her mouth shut around him.
“Of course, there are rare humans with extraordinary abilities like Your Highness.”
“Right?”
As expected, she took the bait immediately.
Seeing her suspicion melt into a smile, Argo was certain she had already forgotten all his warnings.
With a resigned sigh, he fixed her sleeve and said:
“Since the wound is gone, I’ll bring the maids to assist you with your bath.”
“Cocoa.”
“…”
Her sudden cocoa demand drew a faint, defeated smile from Argo.
The cold-looking man’s eyes softened gently toward her.
Terestia, who loved Argo’s smiling face, lifted her own lips in response.
“Two cups.”
“Three—ugh, fine. Two.”
“You should eat first. How about one cup after your meal?”
“That’s not bad.”
Argo nodded, checked the prepared bathwater’s temperature, and left the room.
Once he was gone, Terestia carefully undressed herself and stepped into the spacious tub.
Since taking over a human body, she had discovered that the joys of life weren’t alcohol or pleasure—
But things like these.
Soaking in warm water, sweet foods, the faces of humans cheering for her, a dog wagging its tail as it chased her, and the smile of the handsome man who followed her everywhere.
Why had the original Terestia not enjoyed any of this?
It was all so fun.
End Of Chapter : 08
