DSB 77

The Empire had suffered a crushing defeat in the war against the North. Every citizen of the Empire considered that defeat a disgrace. Naturally, Biakin would feel the same. After taking the throne, Biakin might use demonic power to start another war and try to destroy the North.

From the Empire’s point of view, sharing a border with the North and watching its growing strength day by day could only be seen as a threat. Even the previous war had been a preemptive attack meant to cut down a rising power before it could grow.

The outcome of the war won’t be decided by a single demon who couldn’t even use his own strength, but no one know what might happen.

Especially if that demon hadn’t given up on what he was aiming for yet.

Demon summoning.

“If something’s bothering you, please tell me. You promised to tell me everything you could.”

Repeating his earlier words, Yutis looked at Lebel with a serious face seemingly ready to listen to whatever Lebel might say.

Would Lebel tell him that Norman was both a mage and a demon? But to explain that, Lebel would have to reveal his own identity as well. Could Yutis accept that his husband was a demon?

By human common sense, demons were evil. Humans avoided evil. And Yutis, being a kind man, would surely be even less able to accept it.

When Lebel thought about how Yutis might change after learning the truth, something twisted inside him.

He didn’t know what this feeling was, only that it was something he had never experienced before.

Lebel took Yutis’s hand.

“Wife…?”

Once Yutis knew the truth, he would no longer blush happily when Lebel touched him.

The man who once said he liked him might start to curse him, claiming he had only fallen under a demon’s charm, that everything he said had been a lie. He might even say that the beauty humans admired in Lebel was what made him all the more demonic.

It was an excessive thought. Yutis wasn’t that kind of man. But the thoughts just occurred to him.

Only now did Lebel understand why Yutis had been so anxious and overly worried about him.

Demons loved to play and stir trouble. Considering the damage they had caused in the mortal world, it was no wonder humans trembled at their sight.

But understanding and accepting it were different matters.

‘If Yutis rejects me…’

What should he do then? He had never cared whether anyone liked or hated him, but imagining Yutis glaring at him with disgust and saying harsh words made his heart ache.

A wild, unfamiliar desire clouded his thoughts.

Even if Yutis rejected him, Lebel had no intention of letting him go. He was a special human, and Lebel had already decided to stay with him for a long time. It was Yutis who had said so first, and Lebel who had agreed. So even if Yutis changed his mind, Lebel wouldn’t quietly accept it.

“I only met him because I didn’t like that he kept coming to find me. He wouldn’t have stopped sending letters or chasing after me unless I saw him. But now that I’ve said what he wanted to hear, he won’t come again.”

“…Then you won’t meet him anymore?”

Yutis’s pleading tone almost made Lebel smile. He wanted things to stay like this.

‘I want him to look only at me and act gentle only toward me.’

And then he realized that his own thoughts and actions were no different from how Yutis behaved toward him.

When had that started?

His memory went back, but there was no clear point. His behavior had long mirrored Yutis’s. It went beyond mere concern for a fragile human.

He had told himself Yutis was special, but it seemed that wasn’t the whole truth.

Even after realizing what he felt, nothing changed.

“My wife?”

When Lebel didn’t answer, Yutis called out urgingly. Lebel snapped out of his reverie and stared at Yutis. He seemed determined not to back down until he received a definite answer.

“I don’t plan to meet him again, but who knows what he’ll do.”

Yutis frowned and grabbed Lebel’s hand tightly.

“Isn’t that dangerous?”

Lebel laughed.

He couldn’t give up something this delightful.

Yutis’s eyes widened, unable to understand why he was suddenly laughing.

“Ah, sorry. I was thinking about something else for a moment. Dangerous…”

Even after learning that Norman was a demon, Lebel had never once thought he was dangerous.

“With Karon and Mahan both here, why would I be in danger?”

“…You still don’t know what that man’s true purpose is.”

Yutis gritted his teeth as he spoke. He couldn’t understand how Lebel could smile so calmly. He only wanted to protect him.

As expected, the envoys had arrived, and although Yutis had planned to sign the agreement quickly and send them away, things were dragging on. One of them was even a mage, someone Lebel had to personally go and check on.

It was inevitable that he would get on edge when that kind of guy kept coming to see Lebel.

“You look like you want to kick him out right now.”

It was obvious that he knew that the Empire would send a delegation, so he prepared to welcome them, but Yutis made it clear that he was not pleased.

“We’ll just resolve the trade issues quickly and send them away. Father-in-law went out of his way to give us some time, and it’s a shame I can’t spend it with you.”

At those words, Yutis’s expression softened a little.

He was so easy to read.

Seeing Yutis’s face, expressing warm and affection, filled him with satisfaction. He reached out and touched Yutis’s face. Yutis tilted his head slightly, not understanding why, but since he liked the gentle touch, he stayed still. Lebel softly brushed back his hair, stroked his cheek, and traced the area near his lips.

[Um, Lord Lebel…?]

Karon sensed something strange in the atmosphere and called out to him. Lebel’s red eyes met Karon’s, and the heat flickering in them made Karon flinch.

Lebel withdrew his hand.

“So? Do you think the negotiations will go smoothly?”

“There shouldn’t be any major problems. They’re still clinging to their pride, but we already settled key points beforehand, so we won’t end up bending to their demands.”

“That’s good to hear. I’d rather not see that shameless face again.”

The problem was that the demon didn’t seem ready to let go.

Lebel felt sorry for Yutis, but it was better if Norman kept his attention on him instead. A demon like himself was better suited to deal with another demon than a human like Yutis.

Just as Yutis worried for him, Lebel worried for Yutis.

“That Norman seems very interested in demonic beasts. He said he plans to look around the territory too.”

Then Mahan elaborated on Lebel’s words.

“They suggested that since both sides plan to continue trade with the North, it would be good to learn each other’s way of life. I believe they’ll start inspecting the territory soon. He also seemed fascinated by the demonic beasts. He said that since they exist only in the North, they should prepare in case they appear in the Empire as well.”

That was no different from saying they were investigating the North, and Yutis’s expression turned rigid. After a brief moment of thought, he began giving Mahan several instructions.

‘And I’m supposed to just sit back?’

There was no way Lebel would let that demon cause harm to his husband or his territory. This place was his domain now.

He looked toward the window. Sensing Norman’s presence, the demon had retreated to his quarters. Lebel calmly said.

“If he’s so interested in demonic beasts, he’ll probably enjoy having one nearby. Since he says he’ll look around the territory, tell him to take a walk with Karon. Karon must be bored from staying by my side all the time.”

[What? But I should stay with you, Lord Lebel…]

“Please, Karon. There’s no one else I can trust for this.”

His tone left no room for argument. Karon guessed why Lebel was sending him but kept his complaint to himself.

[…Understood. Leave it to me!]

Karon trotted to the door to carry out the order. He jumped up, grabbed the doorknob, and opened it, then ran out.

“W–wait…! Karon, where are you going…!”

Karon might have been Lebel’s demonic beast, but he was also a troublemaker who couldn’t be left alone, so Mahan hurried after him.

“…You sent Karon to Norman?”

“He’s clever. He’ll manage well.”

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been allowed to stay by his side in the first place.

Karon would find out what that demon was scheming in the North.

“Are you sure it’s alright to send Karon? Without him, there’s no one to protect you.”

So Yutis didn’t see Karon as just an annoying beast that wouldn’t leave Lebel’s side after all.

“There’s Mahan. He seems quite skilled.”

“The more guards, the better.”

“Mahan’s enough.”

“…You don’t need my help then?”

“You already have plenty to do. I’m trying to help you too. Don’t get close to him. You don’t know what he’s thinking.”

Norman was interested not only in the North but also in Yutis, who carried demonic energy himself. He might be avoiding him now, but no one knew when that might change.

When Norman hadn’t yet learned of Lebel’s existence, his target had been Yutis. Once he realized that Lebel wasn’t someone easy to handle, he might shift his attention back to Yutis again.

But that wasn’t the answer Yutis wanted to hear.

“I can be of help to you.”

“I know. You’ve already been a great help.”

“No. You don’t understand.”

“Yutis?”

Lebel saw the hurt and sad look on his face and flinched for a moment.

What had he said wrong this time?

“In case that man tries to approach again while I’m away, I’ll assign a knight to guard your side.”

“That’s not necessary…”

“No. It’s necessary.”

This time, Yutis did not back down.