Chapter 30: The Mrs. Nairt Dilemma

After quickly preparing themselves in casual attire suitable for guests, Wade and Lamia exchanged a glance. A strange, yet mutual understanding passed between them before they approached the door, and with a soft click, Wade turned the doorknob.

“—Ah! Mr. Nairt, Mrs. Nairt, good afternoon to you both!”

The door swung open to reveal a young woman with long golden hair, and behind her—two men and three other women.

“Ah, good afternoon, everyone. Please, come in.”

Wade paused, taken aback by the imposing aura of the people at his doorstep. Their varied expressions made him feel a subtle sense of unease.

Beside him, Lamia blinked. ‘Mrs. Nairt? What is that?’

[Nairt? Isn’t that Wade’s surname?]

Hearing the address, Lamia pursed her lips, muttering inwardly.

…

Lamia’s unspoken question also reached Wade. He hadn’t noticed it at first, but her thoughts served as a reminder.

…Mrs. Nairt… the Demon King?

The ruler of the demon race, now bearing my surname?

Uwah… for some reason, this feeling… it’s a little… secretly satisfying…?

A blush crept onto Wade’s cheeks at the thought. However, with four strangers standing before him, he quickly suppressed his hidden delight, schooling his features back to their usual welcoming expression.

As a human, Wade understood the social implications of surnames.

Current customs weren’t overly strict, and Wade was a reasonable man. While women marrying into a family weren’t compelled to take their husband’s surname, ‘Mrs. Nairt’ was the most appropriate address.

This was especially true when interacting with strangers one wasn’t intimately familiar with but wished to greet politely, such as neighbors who would be seen many times in the future.

Hmph… haha.

Though I haven’t truly defeated the Demon King in battle, in this regard, on a societal level, I’ve certainly got the upper hand, haven’t I!

Theoretically, as the White Knight, Wade was undoubtedly a righteous character. Yet, the laughter echoing in his mind now sounded no different from a villain’s.

His mastery over his expressions, however, remained impeccable. After such a convoluted train of thought, his face still held the gentle, polite smile suitable for greeting guests.

[Hmm… Wade had no other reaction, so this must be a polite address exclusive to humans. ‘Mrs. Nairt’ means… Wade Nairt’s wife? Human society has such customs, how novel. It’s like a notebook with a name written on it… It must mean exclusive property, right?]

Wade offered no explanation, too busy indulging in his dark, secret satisfaction. Instead, Lamia managed to explain it to herself.

Still—the Demon King certainly has a good temper.

Even knowing that such an address implied becoming someone’s possession, she wasn’t angry. She merely acquiesced to it—

No… no, what am I thinking? Why am I acting like some old-fashioned traditionalist obsessed with marital customs? This feeling, it’s definitely still—

“—Oh my, what a suggestive address 😋❤️, to take the husband’s surname!”

Before Wade could fully process his thoughts, the black-haired woman among the four suddenly clapped her hands with a sharp “snap.” Then, she uttered words that were… utterly baffling.

No, not utterly baffling.

Perhaps the others present found it incomprehensible, unsure what the woman was saying. But when those narrowed pink eyes fixed on Wade, his heart gave a nervous thump.

His dark thoughts had been seen through by this woman.

Taking a husband’s surname… for Wade, a man who was generally open-minded about others’ views but traditional at heart, such a thing indeed stirred a strange sense of excitement within him.

If he were just an ordinary man, it would be fine. But he was the White Knight!

Pure and sacred, a White Knight who dedicated himself to humanity, a legendary hero—how could he harbor such… such perverse thoughts—

“Seeing you two so affectionate, I feel relieved. My sister is indeed being treated well, isn’t she?”

With that, Lilith found a convenient excuse to diffuse the situation, preventing the atmosphere from becoming overly awkward.

…

Wade paused, unsure whether he was sighing in relief or exasperation.

“Are you Lamia’s sister? Please, don’t tease us…”

In truth, these were minor issues. The fact that these two probationary knights, disguised as a married couple, could use the address ‘Mrs. Nairt’ merely proved that taking a husband’s surname was quite common.

Indeed, if they were to introduce themselves, the female knight would likely refer to herself using her pretend husband’s surname. This behavior was perfectly normal, even a sign of politeness and respect.

Yet, for Wade alone, he couldn’t discern precisely why he felt such shyness, such excitement.

Was it because the Demon King had become his wife?

No… how could it be? Someone like her becoming my wife was clearly a burden, a responsibility I couldn’t escape. I only did this for everyone’s sake, but…

In that instant, images flashed through Wade’s mind: their recent embrace, Lamia strolling through the knight’s barracks with his hand in hers. He recalled the blueberry-flavored kiss beneath that tree.

No, no—what is this nonsense!

I can’t possibly be developing feelings for the Demon King after only a day and a half!

It should take at least a month… two months, or maybe half a year, a full year! Then, perhaps, I could give myself the excuse of feelings developing over time!

Wade, this man, wasn’t even willing to grant himself the justification of “love at first sight.”

And what about “feelings developing over time”… he’d been fighting the Demon King for several years, seeing her every two or three days. That felt like a long time already, didn’t it?

Or perhaps, it was simply his stubborn refusal to be swayed by the Demon King, his desire to keep the White Knight’s name untainted by a demon’s shadow.

“—Right? I’m asking you, Kaze, Ka~ze~”

Naturally, Kaze picked up Lilith’s cue. His attention had been fixed on Lamia and Wade from the start. Though he rarely spoke and often maintained a fierce, cold demeanor, as Lamia’s personal guard, he was fundamentally as mild-mannered as Lamia herself.

He obediently accepted the Demon King’s will regarding Lamia becoming a human’s wife. As previously mentioned, a human lifespan of a few decades was short for demons, posing no real issue.

Thus, Kaze’s animosity towards Wade wasn’t as profound as that of the more radical factions. Nevertheless, he was deeply concerned about the Demon King’s circumstances while by Wade’s side.

However… it seemed, unexpectedly, that these two were quite harmonious?

“Ah, mm.”

Lilith nudged Kaze forcefully, bringing him back to attention. He nodded.

“Indeed… my sister, she seems… quite happy.”

📚 Also on NHV Novels

Enemies on a Single-Log Bridge

AcademyBattleBL

Read Now →
Not interested