Chapter 12
Chapter 12
When I was in Regnator’s arms, I came to truly realize just how carefully Lucifer had been handling me. Perhaps he unconsciously learned it from being around my mother while she was pregnant that humans must be treated with extreme delicacy.
Whatever the case, I knew Regnator’s actions came from good intentions, but my poor bottom saw them as nothing less than hostile and dangerous.
‘You stupid demon! The most wicked in all the Demon Realm!’
Grinding my teeth inwardly, I burst into a pitiful wail. Yet even with all my crying, Regnator showed no intention of putting me back on the bed.
Truly a damned bastard.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
Just as I was beginning to mentally say goodbye to my aching tailbone, Lucifer’s voice arrived like a savior. I turned my head through tear-blurred vision and flailed my short arms.
‘Help me! My Demon King!’
I poured all my desperate feelings into my outstretched hands. Regnator, completely shameless, responded nonchalantly.
“I only wanted to hold Lady Bella once, but she won’t stop crying.”
“She’s human.”
“Yes? I’m aware.”
Lucifer snatched me from Regnator’s hands as if tearing me away. The moment I saw the irritated expression on Lucifer’s face, my tears stopped immediately. I couldn’t afford to be caught in the crossfire.
Despite his abrupt movements, Lucifer held me with a tenderness I could clearly feel. I used to grumble even about this gentleness, thinking it was still too rough, but after experiencing Regnator… I realized how clueless I’d been.
The difference between them was like heaven and earth.
I’m sorry, my Lord. I’ve misunderstood you. You’re an angel.
“Humans are fragile. Have you forgotten that a wrong breath could take their life?”
“I know. That’s why I did my best to hold her gently.”
“You were supposed to use no strength at all.”
“… Excuse me?”
“Even the tiniest force can break a human infant. They’re ridiculously weak.”
Just… calling me ‘delicate’ would have sufficed. Regnator seemed convinced by the explanation and opened and closed his large hands with a stunned expression.
“So… she cried because she was hurt…”
His once-proud shoulders sagged, and his face looked as though he were about to curse his own hands.
“Withdraw all your strength. Only then can you hold a human child.”
It’s common for adults to make mistakes when holding a baby for the first time. Usually, you just correct them and warn them to be careful next time. Only, in my case, it nearly cost me my backside, and I had no intention of giving him another try.
Looking utterly defeated, Regnator clenched and unclenched his fists, struggling to rid himself of his natural strength.
Lucifel, ignoring him entirely, wiped away the tear streaks on my cheeks with his thumb and muttered,
“You are still unworthy to hold her.”
Despite the serious tone, the slight curl of his lips looked suspiciously like a victorious smile. Even though he helped me, I couldn’t quite shake off the bitter feeling.
Still, I felt safe in Lucifer’s arms.
And I am currently five months old. I could now sit up by myself and babble incoherently with impressive flair. Crawling was still tough, but not impossible. Whether this was the normal pace for a human baby, I had no idea.
Then again, I was the daughter of a hero, blessed by Lucifer’s energy. Being unusual wasn’t out of the question.
Leaving the defeated Regnator behind, Lucifer carried me somewhere else with swift steps. I’d spent so much time in the dim bedroom that I hadn’t noticed until now that there was a clear distinction between night and day in the Demon Realm.
Occasionally, sunlight would slip through the heavy curtains while I was crawling around. According to Regnator, demons don’t like moving around during the day.
Too bright, apparently?
We passed a garden with beautifully blooming red leaves and arrived at an outdoor hot spring I’d visited before. Whether it was naturally formed or artificially constructed, I didn’t know. It was as large as a swimming pool, with bubbling water that looked hot enough to cook a baby.
‘Even the water’s reddish… it really looks like a magma spring…’
I squinted and studied it carefully, but with no knowledge to guide me, it was a futile effort. Still, just in case he planned to toss me in, I clung tightly to Lucifer’s robe.
“You liked it before. Seeing it now scares you?”
“Aah!”
I protested, insisting I wasn’t scared, but my grip tightened. It was an instinctive fear. I knew Lucifel wouldn’t toss me in now.
Surprisingly, he truly treated me like a daughter; genuinely, tenderly. He’d probably cast a spell like before.
Just thinking about the bliss I’d felt while soaking in the hot spring made my facial muscles relax.
‘Ah, that was nice…’
Lucifel chuckled dryly as he watched my expression.
“…You look like a dying worm who just got a drop of rain.”
It was a surprisingly accurate metaphor. I smiled innocently and tapped his arm. This was my sign for ‘Put me down.’ He always responded with a small chuckle and set me down.
He did so again, though with a slightly exasperated look. It was my second time here, but now I saw just how beautiful this place was.
The steam rising from the hot water created a dreamlike atmosphere. A large red moon hung in the sky added to the beauty of the whole view.
I didn’t know why there were temple-like pillars and crimson-leaved trees, but they added a tranquil ambiance to the scene.
An open-air hot spring in a place like this… if snow were to fall, it would be even more breathtaking.
I crawled a few steps to look around, but my knees quickly began to ache.
I’d forgotten that outside my bedroom’s thick carpet, the ground was hard and unforgiving.
‘Sigh.’
I sat down, only to wince—sharp pain shot up as my sore bottom touched the cold floor. I collapsed forward.
‘Damn you, Regnator!’
What kind of grip strength was that? Did he fracture my tailbone? The pain I’d forgotten in the wonder of the spring came flooding back. I felt the sting of injustice all over again.
A baby’s body is far too honest and instinctive.
Maybe I really was becoming one with this body because I couldn’t hold back emotions like before. I held back sobs, but a few tears slipped out.
It was a feat of spiritual endurance. Then I heard the splash of water.
Turning my head, I saw Lucifel had already undressed and stepped into the hot spring. He reclined comfortably and gestured to me with his chin.
“Come here.”
Normally, I obeyed Lucifel without question but not now. I couldn’t move. Crawling hurt my knees, and sitting hurt my rear.
And I certainly couldn’t ask for help.
Th-there has to be a way…
Then, a plan. I lifted my butt high in the air and planted both hands on the ground.
“Auuugh.”
This is humiliating, absolutely humiliating. But it was the only way I could express myself. That my bottom hurt too much to move.
Even to me, it felt like the dumbest form of communication.
“…Should I have taken his head instead?”
But Lucifer understood instantly. He muttered another curse against Regnator and beckoned with his finger.
By now, I was used to his magic. Floating through the air didn’t surprise me anymore.
“Hhm.”
He brought me to him and, with ease, removed my clothing specifically to inspect my reddened rear. It had been embarrassing when I’d posed to show my pain, but now I felt nothing.
Maybe it was because I’d accepted Lucifer as my father from the depths of my heart. After all the eating, sleeping, and pooping we’d shared in the same room, this was nothing.
“Bright red… like a ripe ruby apple.”
After a brief, experienced observation, Lucifer slowly lowered me into the water. I floated, half-submerged, like I was supported by a floatation ring.
The warm water stung my bottom at first, but soon it melted away like it was washed clean.
‘This water really does feel healing…’
It was absurd, but hey, it’s the Demon Realm. Why not? With the pain gone, my thoughts cleared. I began paddling and kicking around joyfully.
I was completely absorbed in the play when I felt someone watching me. Turning, I saw Lucifer holding a glass of deep purple wine, with his eyes on me. Something warm bloomed in my chest, and a strange emotion surfaced.
Jet-black hair, crimson eyes. He is a handsome man.
His snow-white skin and finely sculpted muscles made his form seem otherworldly.
Yet unlike before, I didn’t feel embarrassed, flustered, or excited.
This unforgettable figure was my father. Sure, he still sometimes scared me so much I hiccupped, but he called me his daughter. And I accepted him as my father.
We were a family now. He and I.
Thinking that made my toes curl inexplicably.
Just as my body squirmed from the odd feeling, Lucifer spoke.
“You cannot.”
His fingers leisurely brushed back his wet hair.
‘What… What can’t I do?’
Can’t be your daughter? Can you read my thoughts now? Caught off guard by his sudden words, I blinked rapidly in confusion.
Lucifer beckoned with his finger.
I slid smoothly through the water toward him again.
I didn’t want to enjoy this, but just like before it was ridiculously fun.
“Kyah!”
I accidentally let out a squeal and quickly covered my mouth. Lucifer’s eyes narrowed.
“You can’t drink this yet.”
What is he talking about? I looked at ‘this’ which was his glass of wine.
Did he think I wanted to drink it?
Sure enough, Lucifel said,
“You’re always coveting what’s mine.”
“Auwuu!”
No! I’ve never coveted anything! I babbled in protest, and Lucifel raised an eyebrow.
“How dare you talk back to me.”
“…”
I shut my mouth tight.
Even though he couldn’t possibly understand my babble, Lucifer took it very seriously.
“Well, you already kicked me when you were still in the womb.”
