DSB 29

Contrary to what people expected, Lebel did not look down on or reject the northerners after he stopped being a fool. He seemed indifferent, but not cold.

He and Yutis even looked like a well-matched pair. A handsome man standing beside a beautiful one made for a pleasing sight.

“An angel!”

“Hm? Are you talking to me?”

The one who ran up to Lebel was a small child from the territory.

“You’re shiny! You have golden hair!”

“Ah, golden hair….”

Lebel caught a strand of his golden hair that stuck out in front and tugged it.

A demon like him was called an angel. The real angels would throw a fit if they heard that.

“Not every angel has golden hair.”

Among the angels he had seen, some hadn’t been blond. Though most of them were.

“There are many with silver hair, like Yutis. You too… your color is pale. Are all the people here this fair?”

Lebel casually stroked the child’s pale gray hair.

He was a demon, but he was gentle toward small, young things. Children were precious beings to demons.

“If you want one, I’ll give it to you.”

“Huh?”

“Wife, what are you saying…”

“I used to collect shiny things once. I can spare one strand of hair.”

“What would anyone even do with that…”

“I want it!”

The adults trailed off in disbelief at Lebel’s words, but the child’s eyes shone as he held out both hands.

Lebel smiled and touched the ends of his hair.

‘It’s short.’

He decided to give the small child a gift.

“If you keep this with you, it will protect you.”

He wasn’t lying. He had placed a spell on it. The child laughed brightly, clutching the glossy, silk-like hair in his hand.

Everyone watched Lebel with surprise.

When Lebel noticed how quiet it had grown around him, he tilted his head and spoke to Yutis.

“Yutis, weren’t you going to show me the tailor’s workshop?”

“Ah, yes. Let’s go.”

The corners of Lebel’s mouth, which had risen slightly, fell again, and his face returned to its usual blank state.

Yutis regretted the disappearance of that brief smile as he took Lebel’s hand and led him.

“Thank you.”

“What are you thanking me for? What did I do?”

“You gave that child a gift. Didn’t it hurt when you pulled your hair?”

Yutis reached out and touched the spot where Lebel had pulled out the strand.

“Do you think one strand of hair would hurt?”

Yutis chuckled and shook his head. His delicate spouse disliked being told he was fragile.

But sometimes he would use the excuse of being in pain to stay in bed. That side of him was endearing and lovely.

As they walked side by side, Lebel realized something.

“…Should I give one to you too? Now that I think about it, I’ve never given my husband anything.”

Since Yutis had thanked him, he thought maybe Yutis had noticed the spell he had placed on the hair.

But that wasn’t it.

“I’m already happy just because you’re by my side.”

So he didn’t notice the magic at all. Then was he really thanking him only for giving a single strand of hair to a child? That was surprising, but saying he was happy just to have him nearby was even more so.

And yet, wasn’t he already beside him?

“I already am.”

“That’s why I’m happy.”

Yutis squeezed Lebel’s hand tighter. Lebel looked down at their joined hands and thought to himself.

Does that mean he wants it to stay that way?

While they spoke, the two entered the inner part of the territory, and the townspeople greeted Yutis one after another.

Each time they passed someone offering a cheerful greeting, Yutis’s face grew a little stiffer. Introducing Lebel to them was a joy, but he couldn’t stand the constant interruption.

“You’re popular.”

“Ha, does it look that way?”

“It’s not a bad thing.”

Those who ruled over others were meant to receive both respect and trust.

“…I see. You’re a bit different from me, then.”

“Different? How?”

“It’s nothing. We’re already here. That way. I sent word ahead, so we’ll be received comfortably.”

Lebel sensed Yutis had changed the subject, but since their destination was in sight, he walked toward the tailor’s shop.

The moment he opened the door, someone rushed out from inside. The designer, pale with tension, bowed before the two.

“Y-Young Master and Young Madam! I’m terribly sorry for not having the clothes prepared ahead of time due to my earlier mistake!”

“It’s fine. The fault lies with my attendant.”

The designer trembled, bowing repeatedly. His face only regained some color after Yutis reassured him several times.

“This is the man who makes all my clothes, and my parents’ as well.”

“Please, call me Heath. It’s an honor, but I serve as Hestro’s exclusive tailor.”

Lebel stared at him. Sweat beaded on Heath’s forehead.

Yutis had forgiven his mistake, but Lebel hadn’t said a single word.

No one could tell whether the one now called young madam would forgive him or not.

When he heard that Lebel had lived in the annex without a single proper outfit because of his mistake, Heath thought the world was ending.

He had hurriedly sent ready-made clothes, but when he heard they were too big, he fell into despair again. That was the smallest size among adult clothing…!

While Heath floundered in panic, Lebel had no thoughts at all.

He only felt that his legs felt strangely heavy.

Watching Heath tremble like a frightened squirrel, Lebel spoke.

“Do I look like I’ll eat you? Stop shaking.”

“Ah, yes! I-I’m sorry!”

“Let’s go inside. I’ll choose winter clothing overall, so I’ll look at your catalogue.”

“Ah, yes, yes! H-here it is.”

The man immediately guided Lebel to a sofa. As soon as Lebel sat down, he sighed. Yutis’s eyes widened at the sight.

“Are your legs hurting?”

“Hmm? Ah. Maybe they are.”

Yutis’s experience turned serious.

“…I’m sorry. I was by your side, yet I didn’t notice your condition. We can do this another time. Should we return to the manor?”

“It’s fine. We came all this way. I still have strength to flap my wings, so don’t worry.”

“…Flap your wings?”

Ah, that was something demons say.

“Forget it.”

“But…”

“The catalogue?”

Lebel changed the subject and reached out his hand. The tailor quickly handed him the catalogue.

Lebel sat back on the sofa and flipped through the pages one after another. Every time he turned a page without hesitation, Heath’s face grew paler.

“I-is there nothing you like…?”

“…Shall we go somewhere else?”

At Yutis’s words, Heath’s eyes widened in horror.

“You suggested we come, but now that I think about it, there’s no reason to buy anything. You already bought me plenty of clothes that I haven’t even tried on.”

He wouldn’t be leaving his room much anyway.

His goal had been to see the town, not to order clothing.

Only a few days ago, he had thought to himself how much Yutis had bought when he saw his wardrobe suddenly filled. He hadn’t planned to visit a tailor. He had only followed because Yutis wanted to go.

“Those were all ready-made clothes.”

“As long as they serve their purpose as clothing, that’s enough.”

“Can someone who will be the northern lord’s spouse wear the same as everyone else? This design is made especially for you.”

“For me?”

“I think this one would suit you well. What do you think?”

Lebel looked at the rough sketch drawn in pencil, but he had no idea what was supposed to be good about it.

He had never cared much about clothing. Even before, he had simply worn whatever his subordinates handed him.

“You choose. If it’s given to me, I’ll wear it without complaint.”

Yutis wanted to buy something Lebel himself liked, so he was a little disappointed. But since Lebel still answered when asked, he decided to be content.

In the end, Yutis and Heath put their heads together, debating which design would suit Lebel best.

“The young madam has a slender waist, so how about a more fitted fabric? The silhouette will stand out beautifully!”

“…Isn’t that too revealing?”

“What do you mean? Young Master’s clothing is similar. The emphasis is just in different places. Ah, young master, would it be alright to add accessories?”

Heath’s trembling stopped, and his eyes shone with creative energy as he looked at Lebel. Lebel waved a hand and said anything was fine.

Heath smiled brightly. Once he forgot his fear, he found Lebel inspiring to dress. He had never seen anyone so beautiful in his life.

He could finally understand some of the praise Yutis had always given him.

Heath began to recall all the colorful fabrics and elaborate designs he had never been able to try before. Northerners preferred dark, simple clothing for practicality, but now those long-unworn designs might finally find their owner.

And Lebel looked like someone who wouldn’t mind wearing anything he was given. Heath’s guess was right.

“In fact, I already have one ready-made piece. Would you like to try it?”

“My wife, are you alright?”

“Well, wearing it isn’t a problem.”

Lebel followed Heath toward the fitting room. What Heath brought out was a showy outfit completely unsuitable for an outing.

It had decorations hanging all over it, but Lebel didn’t care. In the Demon Realm, he had worn things far more extravagant than that.