Chapter 31
The festival on Cordelia Island lasted about two days every year. During that time, so many ships came and went that the harbor was never empty.
By now, I guessed the streets were probably packed with outsiders.
“Your wounds have healed.”
“See? I told you it wasn’t a big deal.”
I recovered quickly, almost as if I had only caught a minor cold. In truth, for a magical creature, it was still on the slow side. If I had been in full health, I would have healed in less than half a day.
“Did you get that medicine from Elder too?”
I asked, looking at the medicine in Lian’s hand—the one he had been applying to my back all this time.
“Is there a problem?”
He seemed puzzled at my question, probably wondering what I was thinking, now that I asked about the source of the medicine.
“No, it seems to work well.”
I added casually, trying to brush it off. Then I ignored his gaze and took out one of the leftover potions to drink.
Instantly, my once dazzling silver hair changed back to the same night-sky color as Lian’s. As my hair fully transformed, he gave me a look of disbelief.
“You said last time you only brought one potion?”
“I brought an extra just in case.”
Without it, wandering the streets would be inconvenient. Wearing a robe is much more troublesome than it seems.
“Are we heading back to the castle today?”
“Yes, after finishing some remaining business.”
“Remaining business?”
“I wouldn’t have changed my hair color otherwise.”
I raised the corner of my mouth and stood up.
“Let’s go on a date.”
❖ ❖ ❖
Compared to yesterday, the streets were packed with people. Honestly, all I could see were heads.
I grabbed Lian’s hand, dreading the crowd. I had asked for a date, but I hadn’t expected it to be this crowded…
“Thinking of going back?”
“Hmm… I’m undecided.”
As soon as we stepped onto the streets, it felt like we’d be swept away by the crowd. Maybe we should find a quieter spot.
While I was lost in thought, Lian sighed softly, adjusted his robe, and guided me somewhere.
“Where are we going…?”
Before I could react, he held my hand and pulled me halfway into his embrace to avoid the crowd.
He always smelled so good. His scent had a calming effect, quieting all my anxieties.
“You said we were going on a date.”
“….”
“Nothing to do at the castle anyway. Let’s explore a bit.”
“…Okay.”
I nodded faintly from his embrace. Earlier, he had acted annoyed when I suggested a date. This is why I fall for him every day.
Lian guided me through the crowd, his broad back protective, his warm hand firmly holding mine. Every little thing seeped into my heart, deeper than before.
“What’s with everyone sticking something in their hair?”
By now, I had gotten used to navigating through the crowd and noticed that everyone had something in their hair.
Upon closer look, they were all flowers.
…Are they crazy? Wearing flowers in broad daylight?
“Those are flowers that only grow on Cordelia Island. Their meaning is happiness, which is probably why everyone wears them in their hair.”
“But the colors are all different?”
The flowers were the same shape, but each color varied slightly in shade.
“Those who haven’t received a flower yet, come here!”
A woman nearby, carrying a basket nearly as big as herself, shouted. It seemed everyone had received their flowers from her.
Curious, I approached her.
“I’d like to have a flower.”
“Of course!”
She eagerly picked a flower from the basket and handed it to me—a translucent flower that looked as if it were made of glass.
“Does the flower normally look like this?”
“Oh, this one changes color depending on the person touching it! That’s why I wear gloves.”
She wore white gloves on both hands. Now it made sense why each person’s flower had a slightly different color.
“Close your eyes for five seconds after holding the flower.”
Apparently, the flower’s color reflected the holder’s emotions.
Following her instructions, I closed my eyes. After a brief moment, I opened them again.
The transparent petals had turned a deep blue, like something from the Nieves Mountains.
“This flower looks like winter!”
Winter. It suited me perfectly, though it was a season I didn’t particularly like.
I looked at Lian, who had been watching me, fascinated by the color change. I smiled softly and tucked the flower behind his ear.
“What are you…?”
“A gift.”
It looked even better on him than on me. Lian was strikingly handsome, but the flower made him impossible to look away from.
“This is my thank-you for going on a date today.”
He seemed awkward with the flower, glancing around, which made me laugh.
“You’re laughing because it looks weird?”
“Not at all. It really suits you.”
This fleeting moment felt like an irreplaceable treasure to me. I silently hoped I would never forget this feeling.
❖ ❖ ❖
After leaving the chaotic streets, we reached a quiet place where I could finally breathe. Leaning against the railing, I exhaled and gazed at the sea.
The sound of the waves calmed me. I closed my eyes, feeling the wind brush against me.
“Lehel.”
Lian returned after stepping away briefly. Where had he gone alone?
“Where did you go…?”
I turned slightly in a teasing tone, but words caught in my throat. In his hand was a flower dyed red.
It was different from the one I had given him.
“You went to get this?”
“I can’t just take; you should have one too.”
He had obviously hurried back, with a faint sweat on his forehead. He handed me the flower shyly.
…I hadn’t expected a gift.
Unsure how to react, I took it, smiling, and lightly kissed the petals.
“Thank you.”
Even though he didn’t love me, he paid attention to my feelings and tailored his actions to me. I liked him more every day, dangerously so.
“Let’s go back to the castle now.”
I didn’t respond verbally but gripped the flower tightly, casting a cold gaze.
“For whom? For my adorable subordinates waiting at the castle? Or… for those humans who’ve been following us?”
We had noticed from the start that someone had been tailing us. Lian wanted me back at the castle to avoid entanglements. If we confronted them, someone would die.
“For you.”
“Liar.”
Even if Lian claimed to be on my side now, I didn’t believe it. If he truly cared, he wouldn’t be stopping me—he’d pretend not to notice.
As we exchanged silent glances, a strong wind blew. The blue flower behind his ear flew into the sea.
That was when my patience ran out.
“Had fun on our date.”
Suddenly, a jet of water shot up from the sea, grabbing Lian’s arm and dragging him underwater. He had no time to react.
“Lehel!”
“Wait there. I’ll get you once this is done.”
Splash—!
Lian was pulled deep into the sea.
I watched the waves for a moment, exhaled, and brushed my hair back. My hair had returned to silver.
“…Sorry, Lian.”
From now on, he would be in the way. Until my task was finished, I had to bind him to Shaila.
I carefully kept the flower he gave me and turned to speak.
“Time to come out.”
A person who had been hiding behind a tree finally appeared. One of the God-chosen heroes, Elder Perez.
“Hello, Rima. Enjoying the festival?”
He smiled innocently, making me smile despite myself.
“Heh…”
A clear smirk.
“How long will you keep up this ridiculous act? You knew I was the Demon King from the start, didn’t you?”
“Well, yes. I just played along because I thought Lian wanted to keep it secret.”
Elder shrugged at my question.
So we had been pretending not to know each other’s secrets from the start—to uncover each other’s intentions.
“Does showing your true identity mean you no longer need the act?”
“Exactly. What I wanted came to me directly.”
There was a reason I had prolonged my stay on Cordelia Island. I glanced past Elder to the people behind him.
“Just the ones behind you. I don’t care about the rest.”
The six who had been following me.
SYSTEM: Main Quest – Take the lives of humans. (0/6)
