Chapter 29
Chapter 29
Just moments ago, she looked like a complete pervert but in the blink of an eye, she had become a loyal subordinate, carrying out the Demon King’s orders with utter precision. She moved as if it were second nature, like it was something she’d done countless times before. The sheer contrast left me stunned, blinking blankly, until Lucifer tightened his grip on my hand and spoke.
“Let’s go.”
“Ah…”
Only then did I realize I hadn’t taken a single step forward and was still hesitating. Feeling flustered, my cheeks flushed, and Lucifer gave a soft chuckle.
“You’re getting more and more insolent by the day. Just like me.”
“… Huh?”
“Asking to be carried is one thing, but why not try walking on your own today?”
I had never actually asked to be carried, but… I did wish for it, just for a second. And, of course, he caught on immediately. But instead of carrying me, he said that because he knew everyone in the ballroom was eavesdropping. He did it deliberately.
“Do I need to guide you as well?”
He said it with a smirk playing at the corners of his lips. I glanced at the faces of the demons nearby who had gone beyond pale, almost deathly white. As though they had just seen the most terrifying thing in the world. It was then I realized why Lucifer was saying these things to me.
He was showing them, the entire demon realm, what he, the Demon King, was willing to do for me. And the fact that he was displaying it openly, without hesitation was another thing. He was shielding me so no one could ever lay a finger on me.
Even if it meant lowering himself.
My chest felt heavy. It was comforting, but also stirred an unfamiliar urge to cry.
“Mmm! Okay!”
So I gave the most cheerful answer I could muster. I even smiled brightly at him. Through our tightly held hands, I could feel Lucifer’s cool warmth tingling against my palm, making me unconsciously bite my lip.
Of course, that warmth didn’t last long.
“I-I’ll be your guide! Please, take my hand!”
Just when father and daughter were sharing a warm moment, Regnator had to ruin it by cutting in. Despite Lucifer’s fierce glare, Regnator was desperate to hold my hand. There were countless eyes watching, but Regnator didn’t care one bit.
Lucifer finally spoke, irritation thick in his voice.
“You’re in the way. Get lost.”
But even the Demon King’s words didn’t faze Regnator. In fact, he looked determined, as if he wouldn’t move unless Lucifer took his hand too. He looked ready to throw himself onto the red carpet at any moment.
‘It’s the day I’m supposed to be introduced—I can’t let this go to waste.’
Embarrassed beyond belief by Regnator’s childish display, I reluctantly gave him my hand.
“Well then, shall us go!”
Regnator beamed like touching my hand was some divine blessing. His slack-jawed, silly face was honestly… pitiful. And with that expression, he still insisted on acting so recklessly. I suppressed my exasperation and walked forward again, hands now held on both sides.
I’d wanted to walk gracefully and elegantly, but with my chubby butt and short legs, there was only so much I could do.
‘Let me just not fall.’
Since the stares were intense. I tripped a few times, but each time, Lucifer and Regnator held my hands firmly, keeping me from falling flat on my face.
“Gah!”
“Ahh!”
“Eek!”
Just before we arrived, the ballroom was suddenly pierced by a few short, startled cries. I flinched, turning my head toward the sound only for Regnator to gently block my view.
“Don’t you want to see all the surprises we’ve prepared for you, Lady Bella?”
“Hmm?”
“Ah! Are you tired, perhaps? If you are, just say the word! I’ll carry you in a heartbeat!”
His eyes narrowed in hopeful anticipation clearly, he wanted to be the one to carry me. The way his lips twitched gave it all away. And just like that, I forgot about the scream. Well… even if I did hear it, I’m sure it was something scream-worthy.
This is the demon realm, after all.
I decided to brush off the unease and climbed the stage, finally reaching the ornately decorated seat.
“I’ll go retrieve the special item I prepared for today.”
Regnator reluctantly let go of my hand, looking disappointed as he walked off.
I turned to look at the chair ahead.
A deep crimson throne. It was a massive throne that two grown men could sit on. It looked like wood, but when I touched it, it wasn’t wooden at all. It was etched with intricate carvings that gave it a mystical air. Not a single jewel adorned it, yet it was dazzling.
I stole a glance at Lucifer’s face. It was obvious that this was his seat. The weight pressing down on my shoulders felt like the burden one must bear to sit there. Any lesser demon would’ve been crushed the moment they touched it.
‘Is this the weight a king must carry?’
While I was getting lost in the thought, Lucifer looked at me and chuckled again.
“Want to sit?”
It was clearly a joke. At least, I thought so. But the others in the ballroom didn’t see it that way. As soon as he said it, a murmur rippled through the room and panic spread among the demons like wildfire. I had no idea what his true intention was this time, but my answer was clear.
“No!”
I shook my head vigorously, and Lucifer raised a brow in amusement. He wanted to hear my reason. I wasn’t dumb enough not to understand the implication of being asked if I wanted to sit on the Demon King’s throne.
I snorted and patted the throne with both hands while looking at him.
“This!”
“…”
“Daddy’s seat!”
“…Hmph.”
“Sit!”
“…Are you telling me to sit?”
He easily read my actions, and just as easily responded. I nodded hard and stomped my feet to urge him to sit down. Lucifer tilted his head slightly, but soon sat just as I wished.
He looked perfect on that throne. The thought ‘This is my father’ filled me with pride. Beaming, I stretched my arms out toward him.
“Me! Hug!”
The words made me want to squirm in embarrassment. This was why I tried to stick to the simplest words. Still, just as Lucifer had told me before, I proudly asked to be held.
He didn’t hesitate.
“Pfft… the way you mumble nonsense with that tiny tongue of yours is quite amusing.”
Why did he always smirk whenever I spoke?
And calling it a ‘tiny tongue’, did he not see how hard I was trying? If he’s going to laugh, maybe he shouldn’t talk to me at all!
Pouting, I jutted out my lower lip. Even then, Lucifer only smiled more. His faint grin was familiar to me but judging from the rising murmurs, the demons watching had never seen him like this. Regardless, Lucifer picked me up just as I asked.
It was a familiar position. I’d always lounged on his lap back in the lounge.
Lucifer sat on the throne but I, I claimed the Demon King’s lap.
Wasn’t that answer enough?
Grinning proudly, I shouted:
“Happy!”
But from the looks on the demons’ faces, that still wasn’t the ‘right’ answer. I just wanted to give a clear response to Lucifer, who so casually asked, ‘Do you want the Demon King’s seat?’
My actions were simply to say, ‘I don’t care for thrones.’
‘Why is it that my intentions never seem to get across?’
The demon realm had always been like this. Their way of thinking, their sense of normal, it was so different from humans.
‘Maybe I really do want to go back to my room…’
With a heavy sigh caught in my throat, I leaned comfortably against Lucifer’s chest. I pictured the cozy room where Hirpus would surely be waiting. And I prayed that whatever Regnator had ‘prepared’ wouldn’t just make me more exhausted.
***
“Happy birthday, Bellatrix.”
Lucifer’s unexpectedly gentle voice tickled my ear. At the same time, all the food laid out on the banquet table changed in an instant. It was clear the host wanted to reset the hall to welcome its true guest.
It was then that the real reason behind the banquet was revealed; it was my birthday.
“You’ve worked hard, traveling back and forth from the human world. Enjoy it to your heart’s content.”
Lucifer’s tone was detached, but I knew exactly who had done all that traveling. The face that had greeted me with such fluttering excitement earlier popped into my mind.
‘Please, Regnator… Please tell me you didn’t go overboard.’
So that’s why he’d been so busy he had to leave me with Morus.
Dread crept in.
A birthday banquet planned by a logic-challenged Regnator? What could be more anxiety-inducing?
And right on cue… Pop! Pop!. Fireworks exploded in midair. The hall was vast, and the ceiling high but it was still indoors. Never in my life did I expect fireworks inside a building.
—
(TN: Hey, we appreciate Regnator for his efforts. The fireworks were topnotch, chef’s kiss!)
