Chapter 20

Chapter 20

Recalling how Lucifer had once pierced through him, yet he fluttered away like fine white powder, it all made sense now. Best not to dig too deep into it thus I stopped staring at him and resumed practicing how to walk.

Perhaps he had been truly shaken by my previous fall. Now, there wasn’t a single spot on the bedroom floor left uncovered by carpet. Looks like I won’t be falling and hurting myself again anytime soon.

As I struggled on, Regnator fondly chatted to me as he watched me fondly. 

“Lady Bella, did you know? Morus has expressed interest in taking my position as your nanny.”

Why would anyone want to compete for that?

“Of course, I told her no. I’m your nanny, after all.” Regnator said it with the pride of someone defending a highly prestigious position.

“Oh, but doesn’t a child usually have two parents? Lady Bella, you only have Lord Lucifer as a biological parent, it must feel a bit lonely, no? That’s why Morus has volunteered to be your second parent.”

My leg, mid-step, flinched awkwardly in mid-air. I nearly tripped forward again.

‘A second parent…? What is he talking about now…’

Lucifer wasn’t even my real father to begin with, and who said every child needed two parents? Lonely? Please, I’m overwhelmed enough just dealing with the two of you. The last thing I feel is lonely. And now I’m supposed to handle one more?

I slowly turned my head, so stiffly I could almost hear it creak yet Regnator remained deadly serious.

“Isn’t two always better than one? Morus may seem lighthearted, but she’s a combat-class demon. She wouldn’t cause you harm. She’ll make an excellent second parent.”

An excellent second parent? That… actually sounds kind of believable. But still, what use is a combat demon to a baby this small? As my vision dimmed slightly, I calmly processed Regnator’s explanation.

‘So basically, I now have two nannies…?’

But ‘second parent’… that term—wasn’t that used for the husband of a nanny? It’s rarely used, but still… I haven’t even met this demon called Morus, but I’m guessing she’s no ordinary one.

If she’s Regnator’s only close friend, well… It figures. She must be as strange as he is. Still, I didn’t expect her to willingly join in on Regnator’s antics.

“Haa…”

I sighed deeply, then turned a gaze full of sympathy toward Regnator. He is indeed a poor guy. How did the so-called Gentle One of the Demon Realm end up like this? I swear, he wasn’t like this when we first met.

Almost as if he could read my mind, Regnator asked,

“Are you feeling bored?”

He’s beyond saving. This guy is a lost cause. I dropped the sympathetic gaze and turned away sharply. Regnator, now with a strangely kind expression, continued,

“Come to think of it, I promised to give you a comfort toy, didn’t I? I completely forgot. I’ll go fetch it now. Can you wait here alone for a moment?”

I nodded eagerly. If it were up to me, I’d ask to be left alone all day. Not realizing how much I meant that, Regnator muttered to himself, “How precious she is!” before vanishing with a whoosh.

He’d be back in less than a minute, no doubt. Both he and Lucifer use a kind of teleportation magic that makes them disappear in an instant, like mist dissipating into the air. It was amazing every time I saw it.

I wondered, would I be able to use that kind of magic someday? I mean, I am the biological daughter of a Hero and the adopted daughter of the Demon King. That should count for something.

As I dreamed grandly, I pulled myself together with a deep breath. Now wasn’t the time to get lost in fantasy. I had to prepare myself for whatever bizarre thing Regnator might bring back.

Who knows? He might show up with some creepy taxidermied beast, like the grotesque bat-mobile that floats over me during naps.

‘Just try me, I’ll actually throw it this time.’

Steeling myself, I wiggled into my special chair. I wanted to cross my legs, but they were too short and pudgy to make it happen.

‘Tch. I want to sit coolly like Lucifer does…’

“Hhmm.”

I even tried resting my chin in my hand, but my head was too heavy and I gave up quickly. After some awkward squirming, I settled into a loose, slouchy posture. True to prediction, Regnator returned in less than a minute.

“Lady Bella! Thank you for waiting!”

He’d barely been gone a blink, but I acted as though his return were deeply welcome. He was hiding something behind his back with both hands, as if about to present a surprise gift.

I swallowed nervously. What on earth was he planning? Did he really bring a stuffed demonic beast or something?

‘Why do I have to be this tense just to receive a comfort toy…’

It was a bit sad, but given that this was the Demon Realm, I had no choice. I had to adjust. Yes. I had no choice but to adapt.

As we stared at each other in silence, my palms began to sweat where they gripped the armrest. Just then, Regnator’s facial muscles twitched with excitement.

“Congratulations on your first steps, Lady Bella! This is my gift to you!”

“Hic!”

I was so startled by his enthusiastic voice, I hiccupped and flinched violently.

‘Huh?’

But contrary to all my anxiety, in Regnator’s hand was… a white puppy plushie.

A tiny thing, small enough it didn’t even fill both of his hands.

“Oh…”

It was so unexpectedly normal that I let out a gasp of admiration. Regnator lowered the table attached to the chair and placed the plush on top so I could get a better look.

It looked almost alive.

Especially this white fur…

I ran my hand over it and was shocked by how soft it was. My eyes widened in delight.

“Haha! You like it, don’t you?”

Regnator laughed heartily, pleased. It felt strangely performative, but I was getting used to that now. It was unexpected. And I liked it. I never thought I’d get such a normal gift from Regnator.

Warm and soft, the kind of thing you’d want to pet every day.

Wait… warm?

Then, I poked it. I poked it with my index finger, and the plushie shivered.

Regnator, clearly proud, explained,

“It’s a mutation born from the Hirpus breed. I heard it was abandoned because of its rare white fur, which doesn’t exist in the Demon Realm. Left alone, it wouldn’t have lasted long… Oh? Lady Bella?”

It was like lightning had struck me. Hirpus! That damned Hirpus! This bastard, has he no limits?! I bit my lip, but I had no teeth, I only ended up sucking it in. I scowled deeply and clenched my tiny fists.

I glared at Regnator with bloodshot intensity.

‘How…how could you do this?! You gave me a living animal and called it a doll! If you were going to give it to me, you could’ve said it was a pet! You monster! Animal abusers!’

I had a million things I wanted to scream, but all that came out was pathetic baby babble.

“Waaah! Ahbuwoo! Aaahhh?!”

I even slammed my tiny fists against the table for emphasis. If he doesn’t get it after that, he’s seriously beyond hope. Regnator, sensing my anger, cautiously approached and knelt down beside me.

Thankfully, he seemed to be picking up on my mood and maybe he wasn’t doomed just yet.

“Lady Bella, what’s wrong?”

“Phew… phew…”

Breathing heavily, I glared back and forth between the plushie. I don’t know if it was sleeping or unconscious, before Regnator. Finally understanding what the problem was, Regnator spoke with a sheepish expression.

“Ah… is it because one just isn’t enough?”

Now he really needs to give up on life. Regnator, who was clearly born without an ounce of intuition, squirmed under my silence.

“I’m sorry. I would love to get you ten more if I could, but white-furred beasts are extremely rare in the Demon Realm. Occasionally, a mutant is born… but this is the first ever seen among the Hirpus breed.”

“…”

“It’s true. Please believe me.”

Belief wasn’t the issue. I wasn’t staring because I wanted ten more.

‘I can’t even explain this properly. And if I just say I don’t want it…’

I glanced at the Hirpus lying quietly on the small table. If I said I didn’t like it, Regnator might throw it away on the spot.

It barely filled his hands but it was small enough to fit snugly in my arms like a real comfort plush. But who would’ve thought the feared Hirpus was such a tiny, adorable creature? It looked like a puppy in every possible way. The fact that Regnator once brought me a slice of its tongue or blood to consume made him feel like some deranged beast himself.

“Abuaa!”

Fury welled up all over again. I glared at him, hugging the Hirpus tightly. I kicked the table, clambered off the chair, and waddled far away from him to sit on the carpet.

Well, fluffy carpet.

“Abubu.”

I gently laid the Hirpus down. It shivered slightly. Its limp form and unopened eyes didn’t sit well with me. Regnator might’ve done something strange to it just to turn it into a gift. I turned sharply toward him, his face looking like that of a guilty criminal.

“Wuwaa.”

“Yes, Lady Bella!”

He interpreted my beckoning gesture without fail. To prevent any misunderstanding, I asked about the Hirpus’ condition.

I pointed at the plush and blinked slowly, asking why it hadn’t opened its eyes. Fortunately, Regnator seemed to understand, and his face brightened.

“Ah, I see!”

“Wu?”

Why did he sound so definitive? I asked a question. Regnator suddenly grabbed the Hirpus roughly by the scruff of its neck.

It squirmed instinctively, but weakly. I was so shocked I lunged forward and grabbed his wrist. He flinched.

‘What the hell are you doing?!’

As I let out frantic baby noises, Regnator tilted his head and said,

“Didn’t you want it gone?”

He’s hopeless, absolutely hopeless. A broken demon! I swear, until I learn to speak properly, communication with this guy is doomed and there’s not even a chance that he could understand me!