DSB 30

“I made it to the measurements Young Master gave me, but if anything feels too tight or too loose, I’ll adjust it myself.”

His hands moved so fast that in an instant, Lebel’s clothes were off and the new outfit was on. The ornate garment with gold trim made him shine even more.

Heath clapped his hands in delight.

“I knew it would suit you perfectly! Young Master described you as having an angelic, holy appearance, so I designed it with that image in mind.”

“…What? Angel?”

So that man also thinks I’m some kind of angel?

“Yes! He said you were cute and lovely! And, of course, that you were beautiful and graceful as well.”

“When did he ever say something like that…”

Lebel clicked his tongue. He knew that in this frail human body, he couldn’t look imposing, but it seemed that man saw him as far too delicate.

Cute and lovely? Are those words that should apply to him?

Lebel slightly frowned. But when he remembered how his legs had hurt after walking just a short while, it wasn’t entirely unfair for Yutis to see him that way.

“Young Madam, you’re different from others. It’s a pleasure to dress you! Ah, have you seen Young Master or Madam’s clothes?”

“I’ve seen them.”

“They don’t like decoration. They prefer simple styles. They always wear black or dark tones. I prefer colorful, beautiful clothes, but it’s always so dull…ah, I shouldn’t have said that!”

Heath stopped himself mid-sentence, realizing he’d said too much. Lebel stood quietly, looking at himself in the mirror.

So I really do look like an angel like this. All this gold makes it so.

“What colors do you like, young madam? You’d look good in anything! I think bright, ornate clothing would especially suit you.”

If anything, he tended to wear black like the demons, but he didn’t care about color or style.

“Do whatever you want. I don’t mind what I wear.”

“Oh, thank goodness! That means I can try many designs! I’ll make you the most beautiful person in the world.”

“…I have no desire to become beautiful.”

But Heath ran out before Lebel could even finish speaking. He soon returned with armfuls of clothing.

“Do you plan to make me wear all of those?”

“Yes! Which one would you like to try first?”

Lebel wondered if this was really the same man who had been trembling in fear moments ago. Without much interest, he pointed at something at random.

“I knew white would suit you! I think gold or red tones would also be wonderful, but let’s try this first… should we add more gold chains here? Or a sash? The young master has one on his shoulder, but for balance, perhaps…”

Heath muttered to himself as his eyes swept over Lebel’s whole figure, not even waiting for an answer. Lebel stared into the mirror.

It’s certainly extravagant.

“Young madam, you’re stunning! In all my life, I’ve never seen anyone as beautiful as you!”

Was it flattery or sincerity?

But there wasn’t a hint of deceit in Heath’s wide eyes.

Lebel had stopped hearing words like “handsome” and instead kept hearing “beautiful” and “lovely.” And just now, even “adorable.”

“The young master will love it.”

Then a voice came from outside the fitting room.

“My wife, are your legs alright? You’re taking quite some time…”

Lebel stepped out without replying.

Yutis, who was standing in front of the fitting room, was surprised when he saw him.

It was the same look he’d worn that morning.

“How is it? Do you like it?”

It didn’t matter to Lebel what he thought of it, as long as the one buying it was satisfied.

Yutis’s voice trembled slightly as he spoke.

“You’re beautiful.”

His tone was filled with awe.

“Hmm, I see.”

Now that he said it, even Lebel thought it didn’t look bad.

As Yutis continued staring without blinking, Lebel smirked and asked teasingly,

“I heard from this man earlier that you called me angelic, cute, and lovely. Is that true? Oh, and apparently you said I was pretty and beautiful too?”

“Well… Heath.”

“Yes? I only told the young madam what the young master said.”

Yutis looked flustered and couldn’t meet Lebel’s eyes.

Lebel laughed. The moment Yutis heard it, he lifted his head again to look at him.

Both of them couldn’t look away from Lebel, dressed in a splendid outfit and smiling softly.

Heath finally came back to his senses and asked Yutis,

“What do you think?”

“I like it.”

“I thought you would! I actually designed it to match your own outfit, only in a different color. If you wear them together at a banquet or gathering, you’ll look like a loving couple!”

The same design? So that’s why he was sure Yutis would like it.

“Even if the designs are different, it doesn’t change the fact that we are married.”

“Yes, of course. I agree. But is there anything else you like more?”

And so, the same thing happened again and again.

Lebel only answered Yutis’s questions with a nod or a gesture, but the pile of clothes continued growing.

Even the ones Lebel said were fine ended up being purchased, with Heath saying they all suited him perfectly.

When Lebel finally stood up abruptly, unable to bear it anymore, Yutis sighed and reluctantly stopped.

“That’s enough. I can’t possibly wear all of those.”

“You still have to choose accessories.”

“Sparkling accessories are essential for a beautiful outfit.”

Before Lebel could blink, they had already reached a jewelry shop. Yutis swept up a pile of ornaments, and a moment later, he was saying they needed to buy shoes as well while dragging Lebel along.

Each time they entered a new store, Lebel clicked his tongue at the mountain of purchases piling up.

“I can’t do anything for you in return.”

“I’m buying them because I want to.”

“…Don’t go overboard. Sorting them will be a hassle.”

“That’s what the attendants are for.”

“Are you planning to buy more?”

When Yutis saw Lebel’s weary expression, he finally stopped his spree. He had already bought enough to be satisfied.

“No, I’m not. This way, please.”

The parcels that couldn’t fit in the carriage were sent ahead to the manor by attendants.

Everyone who sees that will probably think it’s excessive. Especially Father.

That thought didn’t last long. Yutis took Lebel’s hand and led him somewhere.

The place Yutis brought him to was the marketplace. But there were so many people that they would have been pushed and shoved from every direction.

When Lebel stopped walking, Yutis said he had a good idea and asked him to wait for a moment, then disappeared.

When Yutis returned, Lebel frowned.

“…You’re satisfied with this?”

Lebel sat on Shati’s back, looking down over the whole market.

Even though the beast’s massive body blocked part of the road, no one complained. Instead, people watched with curiosity.

Of course, they would be curious. Seeing a large demonic beast was rare.

But contrary to what Lebel thought, the people were not staring at Shati. They were staring at him. It wasn’t unusual for Shati to appear in the territory.

What was unusual was that someone other than Yutis was riding on its back.

“Are your legs sore? Shati, stay still.”

“Hnng…”

Shati disliked having Lebel on its back, but with Yutis glaring to say it’d better not let him fall, the beast had no choice but to endure. It pitifully whimpered.

At first, its expression said, “How could you make me carry this human?” Now it looked more like, “How could you hand me over to this terrifying, unknown creature?”

Of course, Yutis couldn’t even understand that look, so he didn’t notice anything.

Sitting on Shati’s back, Lebel swung his legs. The heaviness in his muscles slowly eased.

And he could see the marketplace beneath him from the high vantage point.

A human market. It resembled the ones in the Demon Realm, but the goods on display were completely different, which made it interesting to watch.

The shouts of townsfolk trying to sell their wares rang in his ears.

“These are apples.”

“I know what apples are.”

“You do?”

“…Are you treating me like an idiot?”

“Of course not.”

Lebel took the red apple Yutis handed him.

To be honest, he had only ever seen apples with white flesh, so this was his first time learning they had red skin.

He clicked his tongue inwardly. When others had talked about visiting the Middle Realm, he should have gone once himself.

Each time Yutis found something new, he made a point of putting it into Lebel’s hands. Lebel examined it for a while and then handed it back, and Yutis took care of it again.

“It’s not bad, right?”

“It’s fun to look around.”

Except that I’m the one being looked at.

“Let’s come again next time.”

“Hmm. We came today, so… maybe in three years.”

Yutis made an odd expression, but Lebel didn’t notice. By human standards, three years would be enough time for the streets to change.

Then it would feel new again.

He had meant to say ten years, which was a short time for demons, but remembering human lifespans, he changed it to three. That seemed like a reasonable gap for another outing.

After hearing that, Yutis’s expression stiffened completely.