Chapter 18: The White Knight’s Vulnerability

Wade Nairt, for all his quirks, possessed a remarkably amiable disposition.

Firstly, his handsome appearance alone was enough to land him on many a maiden’s list of potential suitors.

Even the scar marring his lip, far from being a blemish, served as a rugged enhancement for women drawn to a more masculine charm, lending him an air of hardened handsomeness.

His personality was equally commendable. He was perpetually cheerful, often sharing a laugh or a complaint about work with his colleagues.

He never stooped to petty tattling, earning him a reputation as one of the more approachable and well-liked individuals.

Secondly, his career prospects were more than just good—they were exceptional.

Within the Imperial City, only three institutions boasted officially sanctioned positions.

These were the Royal Court’s politicians, the Church’s priests, and the Knight Order’s senior knights.

Wade served as a high-ranking civil servant within the Knight Order. Furthermore, considering his identity as the White Knight, he could also be considered a civil servant of the Church.

His remuneration was substantial, often supplemented by free tickets during holidays and regular allotments of rice, flour, and cooking oil.

If there was one minor drawback, it was that he lacked noble lineage.

However, within these three esteemed professions, commoners comprised the majority, with the exception of the royal politicians.

Those seeking a noble match would rarely scour the ranks of the Knight Order, where accolades were bought with blood and life itself.

Moreover, the Emperor himself was reluctant to entrust military authority to the great noble houses, further diminishing the appeal of the Knight Order for the aristocracy.

Consequently, most aristocratic families preferred to steer their children towards the royal political sphere, a path more conducive to expanding their familial influence.

Nonetheless, Wade’s popularity among eligible bachelors was unequivocally top-tier, a cut above the rest.

Were he, a confirmed bachelor, ever to waver on his stance, the steps leading to his home would undoubtedly be worn smooth by the ceaseless parade of matchmakers.

Alas, before Wade could even contemplate transitioning from his steadfast bachelorhood to finding a wife and raising a family, the Demon King had already claimed him.

Should she ever find herself at a ladies’ tea party, questioned on how precisely she ‘claimed’ Wade, she would likely just flash a peace sign with two fingers.

It wasn’t that she felt overwhelming joy about the matter, but rather, she wished to convey one simple truth: ‘This King conquered Wade in just two days!✌🏻😉’

As their kiss parted, Lamia heard Wade’s heartbeat.

It thumped relentlessly, threatening to shatter his ribcage—

Huh?

No, wait.

‘How could that be my own heartbeat?’

Upon hearing a breathing rhythm entirely distinct from her own beside her ear, Lamia abruptly realized the frantic thumping against her eardrums was, in fact, her own heart.

She found herself rather perplexed… ‘What did this rapid heartbeat signify?’

‘Was it a violent thrumming brought on by a momentary lack of air?’

Lamia paused, startled by the sound, then lifted her gaze to Wade.

He stood with pursed lips, subconsciously dabbing at the corner of his mouth, where a trace of moisture lingered, precisely over the scar that had been kissed crimson.

His hand grazed his lips, yet midway through the motion, he halted, using his palm to conceal his almost entirely flushed face.

‘That was quite the declaration, wasn’t it.’

After uttering those words, he turned away, his mind reeling. ‘What exactly was I saying? What was I doing? How did I suddenly kiss her?’

‘It must have been a momentary lapse of reason, a sudden rush of blood to my head. How could this woman even consider seeking another, when she is already my wife? How could she look for another man!’

‘Ah… what I meant, of course, was that I’ve sacrificed myself, keeping such a dangerous Demon King contained. I’ve given so much; how could I possibly allow him to harm others—’

‘Hah… blast it all… Who am I even trying to explain this to? No one can hear my inner monologue.’

The Demon King and the White Knight, having just shared a kiss, now stood silently facing each other. One concealed their face, while the other quietly listened to the frantic rhythm of their own heart.

If his grandfather could witness this scene, he would undoubtedly chuckle and remark, ‘Ah, youth!’

[A passionate kiss… Heh heh… I knew it! The White Knight has truly succumbed to my relentless charm! I was certain of this King’s formidable power and allure. To have him kissing me openly in the street after only two days—what further advancements might we achieve in public in just a few more days?!]

“…?”

Hearing Lamia’s inner monologue, Wade was once again dumbfounded.

‘What did she mean by “further advancements in public”? Was she planning to strip off his pants in broad daylight, right in the middle of the plaza?’

“Huff… huff…”

Lamia, clearly, was quicker to shift gears than Wade. Her focus remained solely on her objective, whereas Wade, a human with a conventional moral compass, needed time to fully process the recent events.

‘It had undeniably been an impulsive act, but…’

‘The instant his hand brushed his lips, there seemed to be a lingering sweetness, one he found himself wanting to savor…’

‘Ahhh—what am I savoring?! This individual is the Demon King! The Demon King! A fiend encased in black armor! What possible satisfaction could there be in kissing such a creature? I… I should find a tissue and wipe my mouth…!’

Yet, as he instinctively lowered his gaze towards Lamia, who stood beside him, his peripheral vision caught sight of her still-rosy lips. Recalling their recent encounter, Wade found his heart once again thrumming with an uncontrollable beat.

“Husband?”

“Hm? Ah…”

Despite it being only their second day together, Wade instinctively reacted to the word ‘Husband.’ His swift response even caught him by surprise.

“What is it—”

The next instant, before Wade could even fully recover from his racing heart, Lamia rose onto her tiptoes, tilting her head upwards. Like a turn-based game, it was now her move.

Perhaps because the scar on his mouth was so captivating, Lamia simply brushed a soft kiss near his lips. Yet, Wade distinctly felt the fleeting brush of a tongue.

“You… what was that…?”

Compared to his own earlier, somewhat premeditated assault, Lamia’s sudden kiss felt like a complete breach of his defenses. He stumbled back half a step, barely keeping his footing, his face flushing even deeper than before.

The emotions that had only just begun to recede surged through him once more, overwhelming him in an instant.

“The same goes for you, Husband.”

[Lilith said that human emotions are reciprocal.]

[Therefore, if I imitate his actions, it must surely be the correct approach!]

Finding it cumbersome to mimic Wade’s earlier gesture of cupping his face, Lamia instead wrapped both arms around his waist. She pressed her soft form against his chest and abdomen, allowing the distinct warmth to transfer clearly through their respective layers of clothing.

“Now that you have me, you’re not permitted to look at any other women, you know.”

To the Demon King, who had yet to fully grasp human emotions, Wade’s words held some sway, yet not an overwhelming one. However, the reverse proved entirely different.

For Wade, a man of delicate sensibilities who had never experienced romance, her echoing his very words delivered an utterly devastating blow.

He flushed crimson, an uncontrollable blush spreading to the tips of his ears. This time, Lamia finally heard Wade’s own frantic heartbeat.

‘This… this isn’t right—she’s using all my own words…!’