Chapter 27
“Mmhm!”
When Bella gave a soft, happy giggle, Morus snorted out of habit and said, “I heard you tried to name the beast recently? Regnator said he finally saw you after a while, and upon hearing that news, he cried like thunder struck him.”
A being as powerful as Regnator, a role model for demons, cried over something like that?
That reminded Bella of the conversation she’d had with Regnator not long ago:
***
[“Lady Bella! While it is wonderful that you are already grasping letters with such brilliance… don’t tell me you were reading that book to name that beastly brat, were you?”]
[ “Yep!”]
[“That is outrageous! Giving a name to a beast creates a binding pact, and the named beast becomes a vassal for life!”]
[ “Huh?”]
[ “Have I not explained this before? Names hold special power in the Demon Realm! Words themselves hold strength, and especially those spoken by you, Lady Bella, who carries the power of Lord Lucifer.”]
[ “…”]
[ “So under no circumstances should you name it! That kind of creature must not become your vassal!”]
***
Bella had understood… maybe about 50% of what he said. Words from the Demon King Lucifer, the absolute monarch of the underworld, were said to be imbued with power. That meant she shouldn’t speak carelessly or make casual promises.
Maybe that’s why she couldn’t undo his first contract with her mother.
Anyway, since she had inherited Lucifer’s energy and had been declared his daughter, Regnator had repeatedly warned her not to make any promises with anyone. But she didn’t know that it included giving names.
[“Not until blood flows through your body—absolutely not!”]
Said by someone who had no blood flowing on his own. Was there any need to declare that with such ominous terror? And then Lucifer himself had come, unusually firm, stopping her from going through with it.
[“You can do what you want, Bella… but I think this is still too soon for you. If you want a vassal, I’ll bring you someone better.”]
The way Lucifer glared at Hirpus then was so intense that the beast rolled his eyes back and fainted, unable to bear the demonic pressure. If Bella had pushed the issue and insisted on naming him, Hirpus might’ve ended up mysteriously dead, so she had no choice but to accept their words.
Naming a dog… no, a beast, was not as simple as it sounded. After that, Lucifer and Regnator, who had been busy lately, started taking turns watching over her. Their watchful gazes were so intense they looked like they were ready to kill someone.
Clearly, both Lucifer and Regnator wanted to dispose of Hirpus immediately. If she had received those kinds of stares, Bella probably would’ve had sleep paralysis every night. That’s why, even now, she was still calling him ‘Puppy.’
“So close… I had thought of names like Snow, Fluffy, White Bean…”
Names that would’ve horrified Hirpus had he heard them. Bella pouted, disappointed. Whether she was disappointed or not, Hirpus, the subject of it all, didn’t seem to care at all.
[“Lady Bella, don’t brush off what Regnator said too lightly. Giving a beast a name means you’re making it your eternal vassal.”]
[ “Mhm.”]
[ “Please don’t make that face. You don’t really understand what a vassal is, do you? Hmm, how do I explain… It’s like having the beast’s life and death in your hands and using it like a slave. Like a master and a servant.”]
At Morus’s words, Hirpus flinched while sitting on her lap.
[“Especially if the person giving the name is powerful, the beast has no way to resist. If that brat doesn’t want to be a vassal but you give him a name, he has no choice but to accept it.”]
[ “…Mhm.”]
She hadn’t known that. She was surprised that a vassal was essentially no different from a slave, and more shocked she hadn’t considered how Hirpus might feel about it. Maybe that was because she still hadn’t fully accepted that Hirpus was a beast.
[“Besides… that beast brat, overwhelmed with overflowing essence, is…”]
Morus was still speaking, but Bella couldn’t hear anymore. She didn’t know what Hirpus was thinking because she had never tried to find out. She remembered the day she was reborn into this body and how painful it was to have her will ignored by Lucifer and Regnator.
Was she now doing the exact same thing?
With a pale face, she hugged Hirpus tightly.
“Sorry.”
Her expression so gloomy as she apologized, Morus let out a half-laugh and shrugged.
“Lady Bella, did you even hear what I said?”
She hadn’t; which was a bad habit. Whenever something popped into her head, she got so caught up in it that she couldn’t hear anything else.
She blamed Regnator for that.
Without even glancing at Morus, Bella quietly called out.
“Puppy!”
Hirpus, who had been resting his head on her lap with his eyes closed, twitched his ears and opened his eyes at her voice.
His glowing red eyes turned to her.
‘Alright then! I’ll ask Hirpus himself when he’s older and if he agrees, I’ll give him a name. And if he becomes my vassal, I’ll love him forever!’
Then they could be together forever. The thought made her so happy she buried her face in his fluffy fur and giggled. Hirpus lazily brushed her neck with his tail, but it only made her laugh more.
She was goofing around with Hirpus for no particular reason when Morus sighed deeply and scooped her up.
“Lady Bella, you do know today is a special day, right? Enough with the beast smell, let’s get you dressed up.”
“Mmm…”
She pouted, displeased, but Morus just smiled sweetly. Yes. Today was a special day.
Regnator had once said it was an extremely important day as if the end of the world was coming. For the past week, before the whole naming incident with Hirpus, he had murmured that fact repeatedly like a mantra.
‘What kind of day could be so important?’
She grumbled, but she didn’t have the right to refuse, so she let Morus dress her up. She bathed in fragrant water, had some strange sweet-smelling stuff slathered all over her, and had her short but thick hair neatly arranged. A bonnet was placed on her head.
“Humans really do have great craftsmanship. It suits you so well!”
Morus said the same thing over and over as she dressed her. It was the first time she had been dressed up this thoroughly, so she felt a flutter of excitement. She wasn’t shy about the compliments.
Because they were true. Her reflection in the mirror looked so pretty and lovely so even she had to admit it.
‘Damn. Is it even fair to be this cute?’
And yet, part of her wondered why she was getting so dressed up when all she did was lounge around the bedroom or living room.
‘Lucifer once said he’d introduce me to the demons someday… is that today?’
If so, all this prep made sense. Maybe that’s why Regnator has been so busy lately. When she was finally done and dozing off on the couch, Lucifer walked in.
“Are you ready?”
“Just finished. How do you like it? Do you approve?”
Of course he would. Bella thought back to her mirror reflection and waited for his compliment. But Lucifer just stared at her, his expression unreadable, eyes scanning her for flaws, making her feel oddly shy.
If he was going to compliment her, he should just hurry up!
She could feel her cheeks heating up and reached her arms out.
“Daddyyy.”
Still wearing that odd expression, Lucifer picked her up with one arm. The scent she’d grown used to over the year washed over her.
It was comforting and warm.
Finally, Lucifer smiled at her.
“You’re beautiful.”
“… Huh?”
“What is it humans say at times like this?”
He tilted his head, and Morus kindly leaned in and replied.
“They say ‘lovely,’ my Lord.”
“Ah, right, that.”
His languid red eyes gleamed coolly.
“You’re lovely.”
Not delicious? That’s what his eyes looked like they were saying.
“It suits you well. I’m glad.”
Why did he have to say nice things with such terrifying vibes? She blinked, unsure how to respond, and Lucifer let out a quiet laugh.
“Do you like the clothes?”
He poked her now chubbier cheeks.
“…I like them.”
He chuckled again. Ever since she started speaking, Lucifer always asked her about her feelings and thoughts. Like they were the most important thing in the world.
It made her feel ticklish inside every time.
Just like now. She squirmed, rubbing her face into his shoulder.
And that’s when she locked eyes with Hirpus, who was watching from a short distance. He had been staring at her even when she was napping earlier, hadn’t he?
‘Feels like he hasn’t taken his eyes off me since earlier…’
Maybe she was imagining things but maybe not. Even as their eyes met, Hirpus didn’t look away. That was unusual for him.
Maybe he really did think she looked cute? But, could a beast think that way about a human?
Either way, it felt nice, so she gave him a bright smile. Hirpus’s eyes softened, and though he didn’t move, his tail gently wagged like a loyal dog. Even though she hadn’t petted him.
“Eyes. Down.”
A chillingly cold voice cut through the air, obviously aimed at Hirpus.
(TN: From what I could understand, I think Hirpus desires to mate because of the Lepton’s whiskers, and is liking our Bella… because of that 😉 hihi)
