Episode 18
Lian’s voice, calm at first, began to tremble slightly toward the end. I already knew about his past, so I just nodded from time to time as he spoke.
“…It’s strange. That your memory was cut off like that.”
“I think someone intentionally erased it.”
I knew he had lost part of his memory. But in the game, it was never revealed why he lost it.
“Have you ever thought about wanting to get it back?”
He shook his head.
“I did, once. But not anymore. I’ve got too far to go to be clinging to the past.”
That was such a Lian thing to say. I smiled faintly and closed my eyes for a moment, lost in thought.
…A power that can erase memories, huh?
At least from what I remembered, no Demon Lord had ever used such a thing. And if a Demon Lord couldn’t use it, it was unlikely a human could.
Unless… he had been so traumatized by the event that he erased his own memories. Not impossible.
“It’s strange.”
“What is?”
“Just… all of it.”
The memory loss, and the childhood friend he mentioned — the one he was close to as a kid.
Normally, I would’ve been jealous hearing that. But for some reason, I didn’t feel a thing.
Maybe because the kid was already dead? Or because it was so long ago that even Lian couldn’t remember the face?
…Something feels off.
“Thanks for telling me.”
“……”
“Guess that makes us secret-sharing partners now.”
When I smiled, Lian did too, a small lift of his lips. The warmth of his hand eased the tension in my body bit by bit.
By the time we stopped talking, the sound of rain had faded. The endless rain had finally stopped.
And then, suddenly, a wave of drowsiness hit me.
“So sleepy…”
“Go back to your room and sleep.”
“…Can’t.”
I’d probably fall asleep in the hallway before reaching my room.
In the end, I couldn’t fight it off — I leaned on Lian’s shoulder and let the sleep take me.
Right before I drifted off completely, I smiled faintly at the soft scent and the gentle fingers brushing through my hair.
❖ ❖ ❖
The next morning, bright sunlight poured into the room. There were no birds chirping, but it was so bright I had to open my eyes.
…Weird. I always close the curtains before bed. Why is it so bright?
I was too tired to get up and fix it, though.
“Ugh…”
Just as I turned over to escape the sunlight, I felt something heavy pressing down on me.
Frowning, I opened my eyes to find out what it was — and froze.
“……”
Lian was sleeping right in front of me, close enough that if I leaned forward even a little, our lips would touch.
And he wasn’t wearing a shirt.
…What the hell? Am I dreaming?
Maybe it was because of the drinking last night, but my brain — usually quick to react — was completely frozen.
If I hit myself in the head, I’d probably break my hand before I figured this out.
“…Ha.”
After a long silence, I sighed quietly. That small breath made his eyelashes tremble — and then he opened his eyes.
Those crimson eyes first thing in the morning — not a bad view, honestly.
But… is this situation really okay?
“……”
“……”
We just stared at each other in silence. Normally, I’d be curious what he was thinking, but right now, it was obvious.
‘What the hell?’
‘What the hell?’
I broke the silence first.
“Did we, um…?”
“No, we didn’t.”
He cut me off before I could even finish.
“…do it?”
“Are you insane?!”
He looked utterly horrified.
Then why the hell are you shirtless? I stared at him with trembling eyes, then quickly lifted the blanket to check my own clothes.
Okay. I was still in my pajamas — a little messy, but intact.
“Now that you’re awake, could you… move?”
“I can’t. Look at your arm.”
His solid arm was wrapped tightly around my waist, pinning me in place.
“……”
Lian fell silent, realizing what he’d done. Before he could react, I pressed myself closer.
“What are you doing?!”
“It’s cold.”
“You don’t even feel cold!”
I clicked my tongue softly. He knew me way too well — inconveniently so.
“Then… maybe I just want to feel some warmth?”
“……”
Even I had to admit — that was a smooth line. I grinned and suddenly rolled on top of him.
From this angle, looking down at him under the morning light — wow. What a sight. It’d be a crime to waste this.
I pinned his shoulders down before he could escape.
“Finally, my long-cherished wish comes true.”
“…What?”
“You should’ve said something if you wanted this so badly last night.”
He looked completely bewildered.
“I think you’re misunderstanding something—”
“If you prefer morning light, that’s fine too. I’m flexible.”
Bright light makes everything easier to see, right?
Sunlight danced across his tensed muscles, accentuating every curve. The heat beneath my fingertips rose sharply.
“R-Rahel…! Get a grip!”
His desperate plea didn’t reach me. If he had something to say, he could say it after.
I was about to claim those pink lips when—
Creak.
The sound of a door opening shattered the moment. Both our eyes darted toward the noise.
Standing there, frozen in the doorway, was Terio.
His jewel-like eyes were now vacant, like his soul had left his body.
“……”
Then, without warning, Terio dropped to his knees and covered his eyes with both hands.
Wasn’t this the kind of moment where people shriek and run away?!
But no — he knelt, shaking, and wailed, “Our Lady Rahel…!”
As I watched him sob uncontrollably, the heat that had been flooding my body instantly evaporated.
“…Sigh.”
I let out a deep sigh, climbed off Lian, straightened my pajamas, and said flatly:
“Terio.”
“…sniff Yes, my lady…”
“If I see you today—”
He flinched hard.
“—you die.”
That was the second most sincere thing I’d said since possessing Rahel’s body.
Terrified, Terio scrambled to his feet and fled the room in tears.
I ran a frustrated hand through my messy hair and turned around — only to find Lian huddled at the edge of the bed, clutching the blanket around himself.
“What are you doing?”
“Protecting myself.”
“From who?”
“You.”
Honestly, who told him to be this good-looking? I looked at him with obvious disappointment. If I’d had just a bit more time…
“Do people always act this weird when they’re drunk?”
“What do you mean weird? I don’t even get drunk easily. Never heard anyone say that before.”
“……”
Lian gave me the most disgusted look I’d ever seen from him.
…Ouch. That actually hurt.
“The condition we canceled before — let’s bring it back.”
I frowned.
“You mean that stupid ‘no touching, 5-meter distance’ rule?”
“Make it ten.”
“Why don’t you just say you don’t want to see me?”
“Would that be acceptable?”
Was he seriously asking me that?
“If you want to see me lose my mind, sure.”
Neither of us was backing down. But sitting here glaring at each other wasn’t helping, so I sighed and gave in a little.
“Fine. I’ll try to hold back.”
Was it just me, or did he look at me like I was some kind of wild animal in heat? I’m not that bad, geez.
“Five meters,” I said. “Ten’s too far.”
“……”
“You do want to see me lose it, huh?”
“…Fine. Five.”
“Good. And I can still touch you if I get permission first, right?”
“How did we get to that?”
“What, you mean I can’t touch you at all?”
I’d die. I gave him my best pleading look, and after a long pause, he sighed.
“Fine. No touching without permission.”
“Ah, but there’s one thing I can’t promise.”
“…What is it?”
A flicker of fear crossed his eyes — like he already regretted asking. I tried to choose my words carefully so he wouldn’t panic.
“…If you’re shirtless again, I might not be able to stop myself.”
He immediately wrapped himself entirely in the blanket, not even a sliver of skin visible.
“So, maybe just… don’t tempt me like that.”
(Actually, please do. I won’t complain.)
“You make it sound like I’m always stripping in front of you.”
“You were shirtless beside me just now.”
“That’s because I can’t sleep well with clothes on.”
…What a wonderful habit. I tried not to look too pleased.
“What about that rag you wore last time?”
“That was your subordinate’s fault. It was all they brought.”
“…And the time at the training grounds?”
He tilted his head, confused.
“You were wearing white, moving around — the sweat made it completely see-through. Everyone could see everything.”
“……?”
His eyes widened in sheer horror.
“…You seriously didn’t know?”
At this point, I was seriously considering locking him in his room for everyone’s safety.
“Anyway. Be careful, okay? I’ll do my best to keep my promise. No touching unless I have permission.”
“Rahel.”
“…I’m going to take a shower.”
Awkwardly getting out of bed, I saw him pull the blanket over his head completely, hiding inside it like a turtle.
Guess he really was embarrassed.
“Come down for breakfast after you wash up,” I said with a grin, glancing once more at the blanket mound before leaving the room.
What a perfect morning.
