DSB 9

Last time it was fingers, now earlobes. But indeed, due to prolonged exposure to the cold air, he had no sensation.

When Lebel looked up at Yutis, he pulled his hand back with an “ah.” Looking slightly flustered, he offered something.

“Please wear this.”

Yutis put the glove he had been wearing on Lebel. The glove was as large as his big hand. His bare hand, hidden by the thick glove, was revealed. The calluses embedded here and there proved he had held a sword his whole life.

Lebel looked at the glove that reached only to his knuckle. It was big, but the warmth seemed to restore sensation to his hand.

“Hm, that’s better at least.”

“Your Highness, those people….”

Yutis glanced at the imperial knights and then, seeing Lebel’s indifferent attitude toward them, bit his lip and said.

“No, it’s nothing. I will serve you well.”

“You?”

“Yes.”

Yutis’s eyes showed determination. Lebel found it odd but nodded. Although there were casualties, the procession did not stop. However, due to the injured from the demonic beast attack, the speed slowed.

Even without Lebel summoning the demonic beast, more demonic beasts came charging after smelling blood.

As they delved deeper into the mountains, he sensed presences of various beasts around. Due to the numerous demonic beast attacks, the carriage was no longer intact.

One clung to the carriage, causing it to flip once. Thanks to that, the door rattled, and the window shattered.

Of course, Yutis had rescued Lebel before that, so Lebel’s body was unharmed. Only the cold wind was the problem. Lebel sat inside the carriage wrapped in a large, warm blanket, but wind seeped in.

“Your Highness, aren’t you cold?”

“Do you know how many times you’ve asked that?”

“I apologize.”

Lebel looked at Yutis with eyes that said he was overdoing it.

This man didn’t like the empire or the emperor, yet he treated him well. Or did he know what position he had been in at the imperial palace?

The rumor of the foolish prince was widespread. Lebel gazed out the window at Yutis and the northern people called demon bastards by the empire.

They were taming the demonic beasts. They were riding demonic beasts that could swallow the horses the imperial knights rode in one bite, using them as mounts. Among them, the one Yutis rode was the strongest.

It was far stronger than the other demonic beasts’ auras he sensed nearby.

Yutis noticed Lebel’s gaze directed at the beast he was riding.

“…Shati doesn’t bite.”

“I can tell by looking.”

“Is it surprising?”

“Well, it is surprising. That you’re carrying around a beast like that.”

“What do you mean?”

“Exactly what I said.”

A demon had once brought a demonic beast to the Demon Realm. They were much weaker than demons, but occasionally, there were ones as strong as demons. The one that demon had brought was just like that.

Though it was only low-grade demon at best.

“Are you saying Lord Yutis is a demon?”

However, his subordinates, dissatisfied with the situation, didn’t take it as a good joke. They grumbled.

“Ah, because of these slowpokes, we’ll arrive late at the castle too.”

“I told them we don’t need those things, but they insisted on giving them. And why did they come? In winter, saving food is important. Don’t we have to provide food for those knights too?”

“They can hear you.”

“I’m saying it so they can hear. Unlike the abundant south, the north lacks food.”

Should he feel sorry?

They would consume food anyway. Demons didn’t need to eat much, but the human body required nutrients. Lebel had been flustered by hunger for the first time.

But since he came as a bride, they wouldn’t chase him away, right? This man was also taking him to their territory. By the way, who was his marriage partner?

He had casually thought it was the duke, but he had a son, Yutis.

With such an excellent heir, it seemed unlikely he would take a bride.

No. If it’s a politically unavoidable situation where the duke has to take a bride, it’s possible that he will be a concubine.

“Yutis.”

“…Me?”

“I heard the name Yutis, but was I wrong?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“Do you know who my mate is? No one’s telling me.”

“Are you curious?”

“Of course. I’m about to marry some guy whose face I don’t even know.”

Lebel stared at Yutis’s profile. It would be better if it was this human. The duke would have a mate since he had a son.

Then, couldn’t he become the bride of his son, who looked about the same age? With that thought, Lebel asked.

“Are you my mate?”

“No.”

“No?”

“Yes.”

There was a slight hesitation, but he firmly said no. He had thought this one would be better than some stranger. It was a bit regrettable. Then who was it?

Is he really a concubine?

The emperor had multiple wives. There was no law saying the north couldn’t. Demons were similar. Demons enjoyed free love. Many confessed love to strong demons. There were both monogamy and polygamy. There had been demons who confessed to Lebel too, but he had no interest in love at all.

Citri always praised the greatness of love and the pleasure of intercourse, but he didn’t get it.

Yutis looked at Lebel quietly and then opened his mouth.

“You don’t have to marry.”

“The emperor told me to become a bride.”

“There’s no need for you to do that.”

Lebel chuckled softly.

“Can you stop it?”

“………”

Ah, since he was a young master, maybe he could. If he was really becoming the wife of his father the duke. If not, was he speaking indirectly?

The north’s declaration that they wouldn’t accept him.

“Do you have any siblings?”

“I’m an only child.”

“Your father?”

“He’s alive.”

If not even a concubine, they might send him somewhere else.

“Your Highness……”

As Yutis opened his mouth, Lebel looked at him. But he moved his lips several times and then clamped them shut.

“Didn’t you have something to say?”

“…I’m sorry.”

“How half-hearted.”

Lebel wasn’t curious about what Yutis couldn’t say. If he wanted to say it, he would. More than that, Lebel hoped to arrive at the northern castle quickly.

He didn’t know how life in the north would unfold, but the expedition lasting over a week had become a burden on his body. He was reaching his limit.

“Can’t we arrive earlier?”

Yutis looked at Lebel, whose complexion wasn’t good.

Despite wrapping himself tightly in the gloves and warm blanket Yutis had given him, he couldn’t block the biting wind on his face, so his lips were slightly bluish from the cold, and his nose was red.

And his red-glowing eyes looked bloodshot from fatigue.

“We can go faster.”

Lebel’s lazily hooded red eyes widened slightly. He lifted his chin toward Yutis as if to say, go ahead and speak.

“If we go not by carriage but on this child, we can arrive early. This one can gain speed even in snowy fields, unlike horses.”

Yutis said while stroking Shati’s head.

“You should have said that sooner.”

As soon as he heard, Lebel grabbed the blanket and stood from his seat, flinging open the carriage door wide. All eyes focused on him.

“Get back inside the carriage! Who knows what they’ll do to Your Highness?”

“Do you think we’re you?”

The imperial knights shouted at Lebel’s sudden action. At their words, Yutis’s subordinates grimaced, feeling insulted.

Lebel ignored the bickering between the two groups and extended his hand toward Yutis.

“What are you doing? Aren’t you going to grab it?”

Lebel’s intention was clear. Yutis looked down at the massive magical beast, Shati, he was riding. He looked worried.

Hans, who had stayed close like monitoring Lebel, had kept his distance all because of the fierce Shati.

Even now, it snorted disdainfully, displeased with the slow movement.

And it bared its teeth toward Lebel, who tried to mount it. He knew well that Shati, obedient to him, was savage toward others.

“Your Highness, Shati is dangerous. It’s better to travel by carriage.”

“Why would it be dangerous with you there? My buttocks hurt too much; I can’t ride the carriage anymore.”

Lebel demanded boldly. He was confident Yutis wouldn’t ignore the demand.