Chapter 30
Chapter 30
My mouth parted slightly in surprise. Of course, I was the only one startled by the fireworks because I was human.
“Oho… so this is what humans detonate on special occasions?”
“It’s my first time seeing it, but it’s not bad.”
“I’ve heard if you blow up a Randar from the eastern forest, it looks just like that.”
“No need to visit the human realm at all. A Randar would burst even more splendidly.”
Since entering the banquet hall, I’d been hearing murmured comments from the demons. It wouldn’t have been a problem if they hadn’t sounded as if they were whispering right beside me.
Do fireworks materials exist in the Demon Realm too? What even is a Randar? I wondered, just as their voices continued.
“A shame. If the Randar weren’t the gatekeeper of the eastern forest, Regnator could’ve blown it up to his heart’s content.”
“No, no. Isn’t the Demon King’s daughter said to have human blood? Fireworks disappear after they burst, but a Randar leaves behind remains.”
“Hm, that’s true. That might be a little… traumatic.”
“She wasn’t born a demon, after all.”
“Exactly. Humans are said to be as weak in spirit and heart as they are in body. Can’t you tell by how Regnator dotes on her?”
“Lucifer too… shh. She’ll hear us.”
Too late, though. I’d already heard everything. After that, I shut my ears on my own. I didn’t need to hear more to guess what those ‘remains’ meant. I thought they had special materials to make fireworks in the Demon Realm… but apparently, they just blew up some living beast-like creatures.
Damn it. Cruel bastards! Now I couldn’t stop imagining it!
Grinding my (nonexistent) teeth inwardly, I still watched the fireworks that brightly embroidered the ceiling. Just as the fireworks fizzled out, a new threat arrived.
With a triumphant expression and confident stride, he looked like a war hero returning from a great victory.
He carried an enormous tray in one hand so large I couldn’t believe he held it with just one hand.
“Lady Bella! Congratulations on your birthday!”
With a booming cheer, Regnator placed the tray onto the empty table before the throne. Then, who knows what magic he used, a mist rose over the tray, and a cake so huge it left my jaw hanging appeared in its place.
The cake was… shocking, to say the least.
What caught my eye first was the unknown red liquid dripping down the white whipped cream.
‘S-Strawberry cream… maybe…?’
Whirr, whirr.
Inside the cake, something round and bright red was spinning. It looked like… eyeballs. And there were wings that seemed oddly familiar, and other decorations I desperately hoped were just props.
There’s no way.
There’s no way he’d gift a cake like this to a human like me… right? But I still felt uneasy.
I hadn’t forgotten, Regnator. You’re the one who once tried to feed me Hirpus’s tongue. Despite its horrific appearance, the cake’s sweet scent filled the banquet hall.
“Oho, that smell…”
“Regnator really went all out for the Demon King’s daughter.”
“Hard-to-get ingredients all packed in.”
The demons were salivating at the sight, even though I found the thing completely unappetizing. Regnator, ignoring their stares, turned his glittering eyes toward me and knelt on one knee.
“They say humans must receive a cake proportionate to the heart of the giver on their birthday.”
I had never heard that in my past life. Do they prepare cakes like this in this world?
“A cake that reflects the heart! I made it myself with all my sincerity for Lady Bella’s health and growth!”
Please, no…
“Of course, it’s far smaller than my heart, but my skills are still lacking, so this size was the best I could do. But isn’t quality more important than quantity?”
Just give me the quantity!
“I’ve already confirmed the taste, so no need to worry!”
The taste wasn’t the issue. Knowing the kind of baby food he usually made, I was sure I couldn’t eat this. Maybe not physically harmful… but mentally impossible to consume.
Those eyeballs and that red liquid alone were already too much. Still, Regnator, clearly determined to feed it to me, pulled out a long knife. It was large enough to slice the massive three-tier cake in one go.
‘Someone, please stop him!’
As I turned my head frantically, Morus entered behind Regnator, pushing a blue cart. She shook her head at him.
“Regnator.”
Right. Even if Morus was a fool who only saw Regnator, she’d always handled my baby food in the end. Maybe this time, she’d want the cake for herself.
But good things rarely happened for me.
“If it’s about cutting, I’m better at that.”
Her red lips curled into a crescent. Morus reached into the air and pulled out a massive scythe. Fresh blood dripped from it as if she had just decapitated something.
Ah… what is this? Am I watching a horror film that needs a parental advisory?
I didn’t even have the strength to be shocked anymore, let alone stop them.
Just as my shoulders slumped in defeat, Lucifer stepped in to stop them.
“Put it away, Morus.”
But he didn’t mean the cake. He simply didn’t want the cake that I would eat to be cut with a scythe that had just severed someone’s neck. In the end, the cake was sliced by Regnator’s giant sword.
A small table appeared in front of me, and a neatly plated slice of the cake with a fork was placed atop a lovely dish.
I pretended to taste it with my eyes and did my best not to look directly at it.
‘Please… let this be the end.’
I looked at Regnator, filled with hope but then his eyes sparkled again as he clapped once more. A dazzling gold candelabra floated in midair, and shimmering lights shaped like adorable animals formed constellations above me.
It was a different kind of magic from the fireworks, and almost enough to wash away the horror of the cake.
I had never seen anything like it.
“Once again, happy birthday, Lady Bella.”
The hand that touched my head as Lucifer spoke those words was warm. Lucifer was now used to gently stroking my hair.
“Did you like the banquet?”
The firmness in his touch, combined with the tender question, made my chest swell with emotion.
‘Did I like the banquet?’
It was flashy and over-the-top and honestly, overwhelming. The fireworks reminded me of my past life and made me sentimental. The cake was horrific. But the constellation lights were mesmerizing, and I couldn’t look away.
I didn’t know how to describe it… it was a mix of feelings. But if I had to sum it up…
Yes, I liked it.
Regnator, who looked like he had never planned a birthday in his life, had traveled between realms to prepare this. And Lucifer… had allowed all this to happen for me.
How could I not be touched?
I felt a flutter in my stomach and my toes curled from the ticklish joy.
Maybe the voice saying ‘Happy Birthday’ felt so tender because I had never heard it before. And… no one had ever truly celebrated my birthday in my past life either.
‘I never even got a bowl of seaweed soup…’
My birthday was a day that people ignored—even if they knew, no one offered me a simple ‘happy birthday.’
“Congratulations, Lady Bella.”
“A day of joy for the Demon Realm.”
“Celebrating a birthday is a human custom… but this seems worthwhile too.”
“You must be pleased, Lord Lucifer.”
Demons were sharp at reading the Demon King’s mood. Seeing my lips tremble with overwhelming emotion, they noticed Lucifer’s face slowly hardening. They quickly stepped forward, kneeling and offering their congratulations.
They clearly still watched Lucifer closely but their wishes felt somewhat sincere. They truly didn’t want to fall out of Lucifer’s favor.
Just as the tightness in my chest began to ease, Lucifer asked again, in a slightly displeased tone,
“You didn’t like it?”
I quickly shook my head.
“No!”
My heart raced, and I accidentally raised my voice. This time, I really didn’t want to be misunderstood.
“Wuv it!”
At my enthusiastic shout, the demons froze. They hesitated and stepped back, startled by something.
Why were they looking so scared?
I didn’t say anything that could be misunderstood this time! I said I liked it!
“Wuv it sooo much!”
I repeated myself and squirmed into Lucifer’s chest, burying my face in his neck. Lucifer laughed happily as I tried to wrap my arms tightly around his neck.
“Haha, that’s a relief.”
Hearing that, I’m sure I wasn’t the only one who let out a breath. If I’d said I didn’t like it, Regnator’s belly might have been punctured again, and no one here would’ve made it out in one piece.
‘Well… no, Dad wouldn’t do that.’
I briefly recalled the stories of Lucifer popping humans like balloons in the past but to me, he was now the gentle dad who stroked my hair lovingly. In response to my movement, Lucifer gladly supported me with one hand so I could wrap my arms around his neck.
“Will you eat it?”
And with that one sentence, I was hurled back into harsh reality.
—
(TN: I feel bad for Bella for experiencing such life haha. The fact that she had to adapt every single chapter because of Regnator can never fail me to laugh.)
