Chapter 177

Chapter 177

The Demon King Castle on the 50th floor was bustling with energy today, as this was the day their lord, Seere von Debata, was returning.

“Do you think His Majesty will achieve something?”

“He must have done well.”

Cecili spoke with a hint of concern.

“Well, Nahun is quite the fortress…”

“Hmm, I think differently.”

“Do you think Nahun is not a fortress?”

“No, that’s not it. It just seems like it could crumble.”

Cecili tilted her head at Rea’s prediction.

“Even if His Majesty pushes, there’s no reaction. Honestly… it feels like the hurdles are a bit higher than him.”

“Ah, that guy was quite high, wasn’t he? Thinking back to when you were troubled, Cecili, even now…”

Rea chuckled softly.

“Hehe, it’s hilarious.”

“…Was I a bit pathetic back then?”

“A little? But you were still cute. That’s why it’s a bit regretful. The Kitsune clan only cherishes one person for life… it feels like it binds you.”

“I don’t particularly think that.”

At Cecili’s response, Rea nodded.

“Well, if you’re okay with it, it doesn’t matter. Anyway, the reason I’m making such predictions is…”

Before leaving, Rea had accidentally overheard that Seere sought advice from Ersha. The advice Ersha gave Seere seemed to be more effective than just pushing Nahun.

“Nahun is a fortress, but I think he’s surprisingly weak against gentle teasing.”

“Do you think His Majesty could manage that…?”

“This one? Our lord is quite rational.”

When it came to issues not related to Nahun, Seere usually displayed an imposing rationality. He could become emotional but regained his composure quickly. As a Demon King, he was a remarkably rational and reasonable figure.

“If it’s necessary, he can also approach gently.”

“I’ll be glad if it goes as the maid head says.”

At that moment, there was a light knock on the maid room’s door, and the door opened slightly.

“Maid head?”

“Eldein, what’s the matter?”

“The butler said His Majesty is returning. Please get ready to welcome him.”

“Already?”

It seemed he was returning a bit earlier than scheduled. Rea nodded and spoke.

“Got it. I’ll prepare.”

“Yes.”

After Eldein bowed and left, Rea and Cecili exchanged glances. Why was he coming back so early? With that question in mind, they set out to welcome Seere and Nahun.

‘Huh?’

‘Oh?’

When Seere and Nahun arrived, the two could only tilt their heads in confusion. The two were separated. They were not the harmonious sight Seere usually showed when with Nahun.

However, their expressions were not bad. Seere was smiling brightly, and Nahun did not seem displeased either.

“Welcome back, Your Majesty, Nahun.”

“Yep, Rea. How have you been?”

Seere’s voice was also bright. Seeing this, one could tell that Seere was in a good mood, yet the reason they were not stuck together was puzzling.

“Teacher….”

Seere called Nahun but stopped, breaking into a slight smile. Then she waved at him.

“I’ll see you later, Teacher~.”

“Yeah.”

The title remained unchanged. Their relationship did not seem altered. Yet, why did Seere look so satisfied?

Rea and Cecili tilted their heads, and Seere, noticing the curious expressions on their faces, whispered,

“I’ll tell you later.”

Rea and Cecili politely accompanied Seere to the office. As soon as they closed the office door, the two women changed their demeanor and asked Seere,

“Your Majesty? Did something happen?”

“It feels like something has changed, but I’m not sure. Please tell us!!”

Naturally, people were often most interested in others’ love lives. Seere chuckled at the curious faces of the two.

Cecili spoke hesitantly, hoping.

“Did… did you succeed? Did you sleep together??”

“Oh, not yet.”

“Yes?”

“But….”

Seere smiled brightly as she recalled what happened at the beach last night.

“There was progress.”

A slightly cold sea breeze gently blew. The moonlight of the demon world bathed the entire world in a pale blue hue. The waves, tinted with blue moonlight, surged onto the sandy beach before slowly receding, creating a clear sound of water.

It felt as though the moment whispered to one’s ears that it was beautiful.

Yet, above all of it, a sharper sound was clearer than any other.

Heaving breaths.

Heaving breaths.

The sound of Seere’s softly flowing breaths was the most distinct.

For some reason, Nahun’s heart was racing.

“…Huh?”

Though Nahun had awkwardly repeated that back, Seere neither laughed nor treated him as foolish. She merely voiced her feelings quietly.

“I’m curious if I truly don’t look like a woman.”

She was not just asking about gender, and Nahun understood that all too well.

Her student harbored feelings, which Nahun had realized through past experiences.

Yet, Nahun had denied those feelings. They were burdensome. He believed they were wrong. A teacher and a student… Even if it didn’t matter now, back in his original body, she was the daughter of a close friend.

So he could not cross that line. He did not want to.

Yet, why was it?

The way her hair swayed in the moonlight was so beautifully reminiscent of a white evening primrose.

Or perhaps it was the peaceful and lyrical atmosphere making him sentimental?

If it wasn’t that…

“….”

Seere waited silently for Nahun’s answer. She didn’t rush him. She sat curled up, gazing at Nahun with anticipation.

“…You.”

“Yes?”

“How could you have grown into such a beautiful lady?”

That was the only thing Nahun could utter while overcoming the burdens arising from their relationship. Seere understood that too, and her eyes widened at that confession.

“…Is that really true?”

Nahun nodded slightly instead of verbally answering. This reaction caused Seere’s face to turn bright red.

Was it the sudden rush from drinking too quickly?

No, Seere knew very well that was not the case.

“Ah…”

Seere opened her mouth slightly, but quickly closed it again. She didn’t feel this embarrassed when she just bluntly approached, but striving for an emotional conversation made her feel more shy.

“Hehe….”

After that embarrassment came joy. While the alcohol heightened the happy emotion, the intensity of that joy surged within her.

“Hehe, I see….”

Seere felt relieved. She sometimes wondered if she truly had not shown any attractiveness as a woman to Nahun.

Of course, she knew through encounters that Nahun was conscious of her, but the lack of explicit expression brought about an unavoidable anxiety.

“I’m happy.”

The alcohol further amplified her delightful feelings. Seere expressed that joy with a beaming smile, her eyes sparkling.

“You looked pretty to the teacher, too.”

“…Seere?”

“Yes?”

“Why….”

Nahun had a suddenly shocked expression. Seere blinked in surprise as a droplet fell between her knees. She stared at it in a daze, before suddenly panicking and waving her hands.

“Ah, it’s nothing! Why am I suddenly like this….”

It wasn’t sadness. It was her relief at dispelling an unconscious anxiety she had been holding. Normally, her emotional dynamics wouldn’t be this shaky, but the alcohol greatly influenced it.

Seere quickly wiped her tears. Seeing her helplessly shedding tears, Nahun bit his lip lightly.

“…Why do you like me?”

With that question, Seere’s eyes widened.

“Didn’t you ask something similar before?”

Why do you like me?

There were numerous answers to that question. She liked his appearance, personality, and voice; she appreciated his way of thinking and values.

Even Nahun’s formidable power, which might scare others, was something Seere admired. Everything about him was wonderful. Rather than listing them all, she neatly summed up her thoughts.

“The teacher I know is someone I can’t help but like.”

“….”

“It’s because you’re the teacher. Not anyone else, but my one and only mentor.”

Seere seemed to recall something, a gentle smile spreading across her face. She then candidly confessed her inner feelings.

“You were the first person to take my hand when I had nothing.”

She leaned forward slightly. Her desire to get closer to Nahun manifested in her actions.

“I can swear to the night sky that my feelings for you are real.”

—

As she sworn to the night sky.

Nahun knew that expression well.

It was a phrase Seere often used, even in Ebel Queen Maker’s original work. It was a phrase Seere always said when confessing her feelings of affection.

In the demon world, swearing by the night sky meant that one pledged everything they had.

The softly shining moonlight gradually faded and shadows emerged.

Yet, even in this shadowed moment, at least Seere’s blue eyes sparkled like the stars named affection and shone brightly.

“…Hah.”

Nahun sighed. In that instant, Seere flinched and called out to him.

“Teacher?”

Nahun slightly furrowed his brow and closed his eyes.

Did he perhaps feel negatively due to her being so direct? In that moment of slight anxiety, Nahun grasped her arm.

“I lost.”

“!”

A strong arm wrapped around Seere’s back and waist, pulling her close. Instead of the cold sensation of the sea breeze, warm warmth enveloped her entirely.

Seere could only widen her eyes in surprise. Nahun gently enveloped her head, softly pressing his slightly warm lips against hers.

After briefly sharing the kiss, Nahun whispered to Seere.

“…I prefer to take things slowly.”

Nahun let go of her.

“For now, be satisfied with this.”

“….”

Seere gently raised her hand, lightly tracing her lips.

Just now, the teacher… had been the first one to…

“T-Teacher!?”

“Why? You did it impulsively too.”

Seere’s face turned bright red as she stammered while looking at Nahun. He spoke, looking at her.

“If you try to enforce again, this conversation never happened.”

“Ah, no! I won’t!”

Seere felt as if it wasn’t happening. Nahun had initiated an expression of affection towards her… even kissing her.

Overwhelmed by her fluttering heart, Nahun spoke calmly to her.

“This doesn’t mean we’re officially dating.”

“…What?”

With a kiss just shared, Seere couldn’t understand what he was saying, and her head tilted in confusion.

“What do you mean by that?? You kissed me first….”

“Before we discuss that, there’s something you need to know first. I might not want this, but I have to bring it up.”

It wasn’t a joke. Nahun seemed serious. He spoke as if he had no choice.

“If you want to have a deep relationship with me, there’s a story you must hear.”

“…What is that?”

“….”

Nahun sighed heavily. He then spoke to Seere.

“Give me some time to organize my thoughts.”

“…Do I have to wait again?”

“It won’t take long. Just go back and think a bit, and I’ll tell you right away.”

“…Then.”

Seere closed the distance with Nahun. This time, Nahun didn’t back away. He didn’t flinch, seeming as if it wasn’t strange for her to come closer.

“Can I pretend to be your lover until we go back?”

“…Sure.”

“….”

Seere spread her arms and wrapped them around Nahun. He gently embraced her.

“It’s cold.”

“The wind is chilly. It seems that the shawl alone wasn’t enough.”

“Because it’s cold….”

Seere glanced up at Nahun.

“Please do it one more time.”

“…You’re such a spoiled child.”

Nahun carefully tucked her hair behind her ear. The moonlight began pouring down again over their heads, casting shadows on the two’s opposite sides.

The shadow of the man’s face overlapped with that of the woman.

It took quite a long time until the two shadows separated.

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