Chapter 84: A Heart’s Unbidden Turn

Lilith’s mood was so exceptionally good, she felt she could burst into two songs.

Indeed, anyone witnessing their former superior’s face flush crimson while asking if they were unwell would struggle to keep their lips from curving into a grin.

While Lilith harbored a mischievous desire to see the Great General display such an expression, for now, simply witnessing Lamia’s current state was more than enough.

“No, my dear little sister.”

The term “sister” was a feigned endearment, while “my dear” was typically a mark of respect. Lilith’s deliberate fusion of the two, however, imbued the address with a distinctly teasing undertone.

“This isn’t an illness, my dear; it’s merely the most fundamental reaction of the human body.”

“A fundamental reaction?”

“Precisely. The human body, you see, is incredibly intricate, possessing many facets that we demons simply lack. Now—don’t be alarmed—allow me to explain how to alleviate such a situation.”

As Lilith conspiratorially whispered into Lamia’s ear, Wade found himself perched awkwardly upon the toilet seat.

He had closed the bathroom door, not even bothering to lift the toilet lid.

Still fully clothed, he simply sat there, his face buried in his hands, a mixture of distress and shame washing over him. He repeatedly raked his fingers through the hair falling across his forehead, desperately trying to regain his composure.

This current state of affairs was, to put it mildly, dire.

He distinctly sensed something silently shifting within him—

It was emotion.

Yes, emotion.

He found himself increasingly preoccupied with his own words, and acutely aware of Lamia’s every reaction.

He recalled how, upon first joining the Knights, he had delivered speeches before countless individuals without a flicker of nervousness or shyness. Yet now, the mere mention of Lamia’s childish, age-old “Who would you save first?” game had him utterly flustered.

This was not good… not good at all.

Wade Nairt—you are truly in a predicament!

Wade’s earlier schemes had been beautifully simple: he would subtly entice Lamia, then gracefully extricate himself when the time was right.

Now, however, it seemed… no, something was profoundly amiss.

Wade was not so obtuse as to miss the palpable shift in his own sentiments toward Lamia.

Though his lips might utter, “Ha, such a thing is impossible,” the truth remained undeniable. He… he…

—He had fallen for the Demon King?!

He had fallen for *that* Demon King? The one cloaked in darkness, who manifested as a girl with violet hair and crimson eyes?

*Slap!*

At this thought, Wade forcefully slapped his own forehead.

Amidst the sharp crack and the stinging pain, he was forced to confront this wretched truth. And then, there it was, the image branded in his mind: Lamia’s face, flushed crimson, her eyes wide with a bewildered gaze fixed upon him.

Her sparkling eyes, fixed upon him, were utterly captivating—so much so that he felt compelled to strike himself again.

*Slap!*

Wade struck himself a second time, the sharp pain momentarily jolting him back to reality. Yet, the clarity lasted only a fleeting instant.

Inevitably, his thoughts drifted back to Lamia, to her flushed cheeks, and to those eyes that mirrored his very own reflection…

…Beautiful.

Lamia… she was beautiful!

Even a little cute! This damned, exquisite facade!

It had to be the handiwork of a succubus! A heartfelt “thank you” to them indeed!

Wade gnashed his teeth inwardly, his golden hair nearly rubbed into a disheveled bird’s nest. Yet, despite his inner turmoil, the sheer honesty of his emotions compelled him to confront the vivid scenes unfolding within his mind.

His hands gradually stilled, his thumb coming to rest against his temple, while his other fingers curled gently near his nose and lips.

The crimson blush on his face stubbornly refused to recede.

Perhaps it was the incessant thoughts of Lamia that kept his internal temperature from settling.

His gaze flickered to the side, a futile attempt to empty his mind by fixating on a distant corner. Yet, it was no use; the insistent thrum of his own heartbeat resonated clearly in his ears.

Had he glanced into a mirror then, he would have seen his own blue eyes, now shimmering with a liquid sheen, perfectly reflecting Lamia’s image.

Mmm…

He let out a low, muffled hum through his nose, his fingers unconsciously tracing the corner of his mouth, as if mimicking a tender curve.

Finally, after countless mumbled repetitions of, ‘I need to calm down,’ he slapped his cheeks, then emerged from the restroom.

He approached the sink, met his own gaze in the mirror, and turned on the faucet.

It wasn’t merely to wash his hands; he cupped water in his palms and splashed it over his face, hoping to achieve a greater sense of calm. At the very least, this physical action might cool the heat from his cheeks.

Wade emerged from the restroom, having mentally rehearsed appearing as if nothing had transpired.

However, the moment his gaze instinctively sought Lamia, and he saw her flinch like a startled fawn upon sensing his eyes on her, his own heart gave a corresponding lurch. It was over, he realized; the rehearsal had been entirely in vain.

Lamia’s eyes met Wade’s, and she noticed something subtly altered about him this time.

Perhaps it was because he had brushed his hair back while washing his face.

His usual bangs, which typically fell across his forehead, were now swept upwards, a few stray drops of water still clinging to his cheeks. The effect was an entirely new sense of freshness.

His striking blue eyes were now fully revealed beneath his tousled hair.

They were truly beautiful, more exquisite than any sapphire crystal Lamia had ever witnessed within the Demon King’s castle. And at this very moment, within those luminous sapphires, her own reflection was perfectly enshrined.

Wade could no longer flee. He returned to his original seat, settling beside Lamia.

This time, Karen had once again prepared coffee, but with an addition: a slice of cake now rested beside the steaming cup.

Wade remained silent, his gaze fixed upon the cake.

Lamia, too, offered no words, her eyes casually drifting to the dessert.

No gazes were exchanged, no words spoken. They simply sat across from each other, their hearts hammering in unison.

Ah, damn it all—this so-called composure was utterly nonexistent.

All those splashes of water in the restroom earlier seemed to have been a complete waste of effort.

Wade gritted his teeth inwardly, yet the frantic rhythm of his own heart still drowned out Lamia’s inner voice.

A fresh wave of nervousness washed over him, making him question whether he should even attempt to listen to her thoughts.

What would she say? What would she think? What would she do?

What should they do next? Remain here? Or return home?

Or—

“…?”

But in the very next second, before Wade could even process what was happening, Lamia moved.

Wade almost instinctively opened his arms, having sensed Lamia leaning in his direction.

*Thump.* Lamia burrowed into Wade’s embrace.

Bringing with her warmth, and the rhythm of her heartbeat.

She held tightly to Wade, who, in turn, had instinctively enveloped her in his arms.