DSB 15

When Lebel raised his head, Yutis’s state finally came into view.

The man, who was only pale, was dyed bright red from nape to face. How long had he been red? Out of curiosity, Lebel reached out and poked the red cheek of the man.

“Y-Your Highness!”

“Why are you so surprised?”

“Th-that’s……”

“I just touched because your face is red. You touched me saying my fingertips are red, my earlobes are red, but I can’t touch you?”

The man who fiddled with his fingertips and earlobes saying they were red, panics when touched himself. Even turning redder.

Yutis distanced from Lebel and swept his face with his hand. Lebel tilted his head, not understanding his reaction.

“I, I thought Your Highness was weak to cold…….No, no. Just call me by name.”

“Yutis?”

“Yes. I’d be grateful if you call me that.”

Yutis, who seemed to have come to his senses, answered politely.

“So you? How will you call me?”

“Th-that’s….”

Even demons who held mate ceremonies didn’t particularly change titles. There were guys who imitated human titles they saw.

“Seems the title is awkward. Then you can call me Lebel too. Since you’re my mate, it should be special.”

Did the human in front know how great an honor this was? Not only to humans but to demons too, he almost never revealed his name directly and urged to call it.

It was then. Lebel’s eyes widened slightly. The original demonic energy that had settled somewhat in his body burst from his heart.

The demonic energy leaking out like thin threads tangled slightly with the demonic energy Yutis harbored. Lebel furrowed his eyebrows.

‘…I didn’t expect this.’

The mate ceremony between demons was only half completed. Lebel did intend to cherish him as a mate sincerely, but time was fixed. He had no intention of holding the ceremony at all.

Was it because Yutis harbored demonic energy that the ceremony was held? It was a bit disconcerting, but it seemed fine.

Anyway, the connection would break if one died. The mate ceremony wasn’t anything grandiose.

“Either way is fine, so call as you like.”

“Yes, understood.”

Yutis nodded. The face red from embarrassment wasn’t visible well, but his nape was red too, so one could tell his face was still burning red.

Knock knock.

A knock resounded in the quiet room. Yutis raised his head and ordered the existence beyond the door to enter.

The one who opened the door and entered was Iol.

“What’s the matter?”

“Young master, there’s a demonic beasts raid.”

“…What? What about Father?”

“He’s finished preparing.”

“…….”

At Iol’s words, Yutis looked at Lebel once and hesitated. The red face had vanished completely. Yutis made a sorry expression toward Lebel with a serious face.

“I’m sorry. I think I have to go. I wanted to show you the castle interior, but……”

“Go. You can show me later. Anyway, I’ll be here.”

Seeing his expression, it seemed like a serious matter. He already heard they had to go on expedition to gather food.

“It will take long.”

“How many days?”

“Depending on the situation but…”

“The raided village is a bit far. Exact date unknown, but it takes three days just to reach the village.”

Iol answered instead of Yutis. Lebel nodded saying understood. Unlike the calm Lebel, Yutis couldn’t hide his regret.

“I’m really sorry. I’ll return as fast as possible.”

“Not getting hurt is more important.”

“Yes. Understood.”

Yutis spoke to Iol as if giving a warning.

“Please take good care of Your Highness….no, my wife.”

One of Lebel’s eyes widened slightly. Wasn’t the title awkward? Though he ask Yutis to use it, hearing it felt strange.

With that, Yutis disappeared.

Yutis, who had just returned tired, had to leave again due to the demonic beasts raid. Lebel watched Yutis preparing from the window.

As Yutis appeared, the knights lined up and formed a procession. Riding their respective demonic beasts, they quickly rushed out of the castle.

“Are you busy in winter?”

Iol kept standing behind Lebel, who was quietly looking out the window.

“…In winter, there’s no prey. Starving demonic beasts become ferocious.”

“I heard they hibernate.”

“Demonic beasts that couldn’t secure prey due to competition raid humans to hibernate. The ones that didn’t store food properly wake early and raid villages.”

Hunger is unbeatable. Same as what Yutis said.

“Now I’ll attend to you. We’ll appoint a servant to serve Your Highness soon. Since it’s an unexpected visit, please forgive the unpreparedness.”

He used “Your Highness”, meaning he won’t acknowledge Lebel as Yutis’ wife.

“I don’t mind. I don’t need attendance particularly. I’m tired, so I’ll sleep.”

There was a maid in the imperial capital, but she didn’t do her job properly. Undressing alone is easy.

Lebel casually took off the heavy clothes one by one. Of course, he didn’t pick up the clothes or fold them.

As he undid the buttons, the clothes fell to the floor with a thud. Iol quickly picked up the fallen clothes.

Toward Lebel, who was looking at the bed in only undergarments, Iol said.

“Shall I prepare pajamas?”

“Yes.”

Iol hurriedly went out holding the clothes.

Regardless of his displeasure, as a guest, he had to treat him with hospitality, which was the duty as the Hestro family butler.

Even if it was a paper marriage, he became Yutis’s wife.

Lebel put on the pajamas Iol brought. The problem was they were large size. Northern people were bigger than Lebel.

Omegas boasted smaller builds than alphas or betas, so the gap was large. There were omegas in the north, but not as small as empire people.

“…That was the smallest clothes available.”

“It’s fine. As long as it covers the body.”

“I’ll prepare clothes soon….”

“No need. Make the room warm since it’s cold.”

Shivering from cold is declined.

“I’ve already added firewood.”

“Then it’s good. You can go out.”

Iol furrowed his brow while looking at Lebel, who slipped into the bed covers. Is this really the end?

Lebel was in a state with eyes comfortably closed.

The one called the Foolish Prince was shrouded in much veil.

In winter, Edmund and Yutis frequently went on expeditions, and Damian handled castle affairs.

Winter was the busiest season with no time to breathe. Thus, Iol was on guard thinking what Lebel would do, but he sleeps.

“…Rest comfortably.”

Lebel didn’t answer. The frail human body fell asleep as soon as it entered the warm bed.

***

Gurgle-

Lebel opened his eyes. The surroundings were dark.

“It’s night. Humans’ eyes don’t see well at night, it’s inconvenient.”

It was so dark he couldn’t see surroundings well. Lebel sighed. He rested in bed, but somehow his body felt more stiff.

Moreover, his stomach hurt to the point of feeling his belly skin sticking to his back.

From experience, he knew what this was. Hunger.

“Human body’s fuel efficiency is bad.”

Demon’s body only needed to fill demonic energy. Demons had no concept of meals. If anything, they ate someone’s desire, anger, soul.

There were demons who ate human food, but Lebel wasn’t. Lebel massaged his neck and got out of bed.

Since he couldn’t sleep with a starving stomach, he wandered looking for food.

The castle at midnight was quiet. Lebel walked wherever his feet took him. Because it was quiet, he could easily sense presences.

“…I knew it.”

Turning back, he saw a man approaching with a fierce frown.

“What are you wandering around in the dead of night when everyone’s asleep? By any chance, planning to find confidential information and report to the emperor? It’s all in vain. You’re weak, this fortress won’t be breached.”

The man who walked forward without hesitation grumbled into Lebel’s one ear. Because there was something more urgent than his business.

“If you’re thinking of acting as a spy……”

“Is there food?”

Gurgle-.

Because it was dead of night, the sound from his stomach resounded clearly.

“What?”

“I’m hungry.”

Lebel considered the man might ignore and leave him, but let out a hollow laugh in disbelief for a moment.

“Hungry……?”

“I heard when human stomach gurgles, it means hungry.”

The man was so flustered he didn’t even realize Lebel’s words deviated from common sense.

“…Follow me.”

The place he headed was the kitchen. The malice was still there, but Lebel was satisfied he could eat food.