CHAPTER 37………………………………….
That night, Zennia couldn’t bring herself to talk to Lumiere about the business trip. The fact that the human world was the destination weighed on her mind, and after receiving even a mask as a gift, it became even harder to bring up the topic.
“I asked when he was leaving and ended up chewing on poison…”
If she took the wrong turn while talking about the business trip to Lumiere…
—Is he going to abandon me again?
Zennia shivered, thinking that the already half-crazed Lumiere in the garden might do something reckless again.
“There’s no way I could watch that happen again.”
So, at the very least, she decided to delay the conversation until she had fully grasped the situation and found a solution.
“But even that’s only until today.”
The deadline the Demon Lord had mentioned was approaching tomorrow. And Zennia still hadn’t fully understood the situation.
What if the Demon Lord or Eligos actually supported Zennia’s romantic involvement at the demon castle?
“Such dreams and hope, huh.”
The Demon Lord, strict about separating work and personal life, supposedly allowing her to bring a lover? Eligos supposedly giving gifts out of pure goodwill?
If she truly believed that, it would be a declaration that she was no different from any other demon.
“The worst-case scenario is…”
That the Demon Lord and Eligos knew about Lumiere.
The hopeful scenario was so absurd it made her laugh, but this worst-case scenario felt so plausible that it sent chills down her spine.
Zennia lifted her head slightly to look at the Demon Lord. As if waiting for this, the Demon Lord beckoned her over.
Zennia put down the pen she was holding, stepped closer, and lowered her eyes.
“Did you call me?”
Wearing a friendly mask that betrayed none of her suspicion, Zennia smiled gently.
“Go get a document from Eligos.”
“Yes, understood.”
Without a word, Zennia left the room and headed toward Eligos. Despite her uneasy heart, the walk to Eligos’s office was quick.
“Why?”
“They said to bring a document related to the second-quarter budget.”
“Oh, that. Here.”
Zennia took the document and stared at him intently.
Whether it was the Demon Lord or Eligos, even after doing such things, nothing seemed out of the ordinary.
Zennia observed Eligos without trying to hide anything, not even blinking. Yet she could read no emotion on his indifferent face.
As Zennia swallowed a sigh, Eligos suddenly asked:
“So, have you made a decision?”
“What decision?”
Feigning ignorance, Zennia looked away, but Eligos lifted only his eyes to stare at her.
“I think it would be better if you explained precisely.”
As the date approached, Zennia felt less fear and more of a let it be attitude. She was tired of probing and being on edge.
If the Demon Lord and Eligos knew Lumiere’s true identity, the two demons would have already made all necessary preparations.
The conclusion seemed already decided—so why was time being dragged out?
“Do you really want that?”
Zennia shrugged.
“I’m tired of thinking alone.”
“Why not ask someone you’re with?”
“Someone.”
Eligos no longer tried to hide anything. Zennia didn’t either.
“Am I going to be fired?”
Recalling the heads of servants who had been rolled on the floor after being abruptly dismissed, she flinched. Eligos, showing no interest, answered:
“That depends on your decision.”
“As long as I continue as I am, nothing will happen.”
He clearly had known from the start. The Eligos she knew was decisive. So why was he acting so lenient?
“Still a reprieve?”
“Yes.”
Why? Why? Zennia asked, almost accusingly.
“Did you grow attached to me?”
Eligos’s cold, colorless eyes looked at her. Feeling no warmth, Zennia quickly clarified:
“No, then is it because, as you said before, no harm has come yet?”
The same silence, but this time it carried a subtle affirmation.
Zennia laughed at herself for reading his thoughts so easily. She tilted her head, letting out a dry laugh.
“Why are you just watching?”
“The time hasn’t come yet.”
Another vague response.
“So you’ll overlook it for now?”
Eligos blinked affirmatively. Why? She couldn’t understand.
But at the same time, if his inexplicable actions could keep Lumiere safe or give him a chance to escape, that was enough.
Zennia roughly swept her hair back.
“So there’s nothing preventing me from going to the human world?”
“Yes.”
“Do you plan to tell me the plan?”
“No.”
Zennia pouted.
“How mean.”
Even under Eligos’s gaze, she remained unabashed.
“What does it matter? I might get fired soon anyway.”
Seeing no point in lingering for information, Zennia tucked the documents under her arm and turned.
“Then I’ll go.”
Returning straight to the office without detouring, Zennia handed the documents to the Demon Lord and concluded her thoughts.
Even after a week of thinking, there was only one conclusion: strangely, both the Demon Lord and Eligos were giving her leeway.
And at the same time, they were also overlooking Lumiere.
Zennia and Lumiere had no choice but to rely on their inexplicable goodwill.
“Unless Lumiere’s companions appear.”
His companions had been completely silent until now, so expecting help from them was hopeless.
“The decision is due tomorrow.”
The Demon Lord informed her of the last day of the reprieve as she left work. Zennia made no reply and headed to her room.
Delaying a decision even after reaching one wasn’t about pride—it was about holding onto the faint hope that another option might arise.
Judging by the circumstances, it seemed unlikely.
“No special moves would appear in just a week.”
Perhaps she should have spoken to Lumiere directly. Two heads are better than one, after all. Something might have emerged if they had thought together.
As Zennia ruffled her hair, a soft voice accompanied by a small laugh came from behind.
“Zennia, such sorrow on your beautiful face.”
Gray eyes curved kindly, and a white-gloved hand reached out.
“Excuse me.”
Gently smoothing her disheveled hair, he smiled brilliantly.
“Marquis Lerazie?”
“I regretted leaving without properly greeting you last time. It’s fortunate we meet again like this.”
Indeed, aside from Viscount Vine, who came later, she hadn’t properly greeted Eligos because she was summoned.
“You weren’t scolded too much, I hope?”
She couldn’t answer that, although she hadn’t been scolded, she had been constantly exhausted.
“Of course.”
“Relieved.”
“I didn’t hear you were coming. What brings you here, Marquis Lerazie?”
Lerazie widened his eyes, then smoothed his chin and replied:
“Haven’t you heard? About this schedule. I’m going too.”
As Lerazie winked playfully, Zennia realized he meant the trip to the human world.
“You’re going too?”
Startled, Zennia watched him smile.
“Yes. The honor, of course, was chosen by His Majesty.”
Lerazie would accompany her?
“Heavens.”
This might create a gap.
Zennia’s eyes sparkled, but Lerazie looked troubled as he checked the time.
“Sorry to detain you first, but I need to see His Majesty.”
Zennia, who had been thinking quickly, smiled brightly.
“Of course. Go ahead quickly.”
There were many things to consider, so parting quickly was welcome.
Zennia hurried to her room. Unlike the past few days when she wandered the halls listlessly, she now radiated energy.
“Got it!”
A moment later, slightly out of breath from walking fast, Zennia burst through the door and faced a surprised Lumiere.
“Lumiere, we need to talk.”
With a slam, she closed the door and strode up to Lumiere.
Golden hair like spun gold, eyes as clear as a lake, a high nose bridge, and a strong jawline.
Broad shoulders, large frame, and tightly packed muscles.
“…Zennia?”
He trembled slightly, but his voice was pleasant to hear.
The gap that had suddenly appeared seemed to grow larger.
The past week of emotional turmoil flashed through her mind, and she recalled those gray eyes looking at her—full of warmth and goodwill.
“What is it…?”
Zennia suddenly grabbed Lumiere’s hand as he reached to brush her hair.
“Lumiere.”
“Yes?”
It might sound absurd, but after thinking, there was no other method, and this was her best approach.
She knew he would dislike it, but there was no choice. Excited, Zennia pressed close and shouted:
“I’m going to use a beauty trap!”
Saying it out loud made the plan feel perfect. Lumiere, looking confused, asked:
“Zennia, I don’t understand. A beauty trap?”
“Yes.”
Lumiere’s expression turned stern.
“To whom?”
Excited, Zennia paid no heed to his sharp gaze from above.
“To Marquis Lerazie.”
“…That silver-haired demon from before?”
Zennia smiled.
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Why? Isn’t it obvious?
“Because Marquis Lerazie likes you, Lumiere.”
“Excuse me?”
