Chapter 88: Home Comforts and Hidden Thoughts

Perhaps some things are better discussed at home, I suppose.

Not that it’s anything embarrassing, not at all. Just some… intimate words?

Like words of comfort, for instance. It’s better to be home, wearing comfortable pajamas, nestled together, perhaps sharing any worries or discomforts weighing on one’s heart.

A cup of hot milk or cocoa would complete the scene, making it even more soothing.

Alas, the current weather wasn’t quite right for a roaring fireplace. Otherwise, one could certainly create a cozy scene: sitting before the hearth, wrapped in a blanket.

Not for any other reason, but for that drowsy warmth cast by the firelight. It was often in such moments that people felt most inclined to open their hearts.

Of course, there was also the possibility of simply falling asleep. But a good night’s rest would be beneficial for Lamia too.

“Home?”

Lamia looked up at Wade, who had already straightened himself. His face was flushed, and his breathing hadn’t quite settled.

The warmth of his recent breaths still lingered on Lamia’s chest.

“Yes, home.”

Wade tentatively reached out, his fingers brushing Lamia’s. Then, opening his hand, he clasped hers firmly.

Lamia’s hand felt cool. Even amidst their embrace, her body temperature was naturally a little lower than a human’s.

She turned her head, glancing at Kaze and Lilith, who were still muttering in the corner of the staircase.

Noticing Lamia’s gaze, Lilith waved a hand, as if telling her to simply do whatever she wished.

‘A Demon Lord needing instructions from others?’ she mused. Yet, at times, she truly did need someone to make decisions for her.

“All right, home it is.”

After her gaze swept over Kaze’s resolute expression once more, Lamia shifted off Wade.

Wade immediately felt a significant weight lift from him. Without that pressing burden and warmth, his breathing became noticeably easier than before.

Wade stood up, taking a deep breath. After nodding his thanks to Lilith and Kaze, he tightly held Lamia’s hand and led her out of the coffee shop.

****

“Human emotions are quite interesting, aren’t they?”

Watching Lamia and Wade’s retreating figures, Lilith swayed contentedly—or rather, her tail swayed contentedly.

The black, glistening leather-like tail had emerged at some point, coiling around her thigh, absorbing the warmth of her skin.

Then, with a mischievous flick, its tip scratched the palm of Kaze’s naturally hanging right hand. It was like striking a match, leaving a faint red mark on Kaze’s palm, yet without any stinging sensation.

Only a faint ‘crackling’ sound, like sparks, could be vaguely heard.

Kaze unceremoniously waved his hand, batting Lilith’s small tail aside. The pink, cafe-themed dress accentuated his pale complexion.

Even so, his expression remained unchanged in the face of Lilith’s deliberate or unwitting provocations. No shift was discernible beyond the subtle changes in his facial muscles.

Yet, Kaze’s expressions were quite telling. His blatant look of disdain spoke volumes, more eloquently than any words.

“How annoying,”

Lilith grumbled, watching Kaze step half a pace to the side. Still, her face held a cheerful smile, and her tone remained light.

‘Observing others’ reactions is always the most amusing part, isn’t it?’

Kaze said nothing more. He simply shook his head and walked to the door.

After watching Lamia and Wade board their carriage home, he flipped the ‘Closed Today’ sign on the door to ‘Welcome’.

He remained at the entrance, breathing deeply of the crisp outdoor air.

Lilith watched his retreating back, humming an unnamed tune.

As if nothing had happened, she began tidying the tables, preparing for the cafe to reopen soon.

Such was the nature of a succubus: their moods and choices were perpetually fickle. They wanted to try everything, yet cared for nothing.

After all, succubi were creatures of “joy.” As long as they could feel pleasure, nothing else truly mattered.

****

The carriage rattled along, its interior quiet save for the sound of breathing.

Of course, this was only true for Lamia. From Wade’s perspective, he could still hear Lamia’s thoughts.

[What should I do when I get back…?]

Lamia gazed out the carriage window, her thoughts sounding somewhat perplexed. Yet, her eyes shone brightly, her deep red irises reflecting every detail outside.

[Eat? Sleep? Human life is so idle. There are no urgent matters of state for me to handle, no White Knight yelling at my door… Hmph, what a dull yet peaceful existence.]

“…”

Upon hearing the words “White Knight yelling at my door,” Wade’s Adam’s apple bobbed awkwardly. It was like a suppressed cough, trapped in his throat.

[…Just thinking about the previous White Knight gives me a headache. Who knows when he’ll show up to blast the city walls again? I not only have to resist him but also busy myself repairing the fortifications. So annoying…]

[…I built the walls with magic for convenience, but every time they’re bombed, it feels like it’s happening to me personally.]

Wade continued to feign interest in the passing scenery outside the window. However, as he listened to Lamia’s inner complaints, his expression grew increasingly “colorful.”

It was hard to tell how many different emotions and thoughts were mingled on his face. Outwardly, he appeared largely unaffected.

Yet, beneath the fingers subconsciously covering the corner of his mouth, his lips had twisted into a somewhat awkward angle.

Theoretically, Wade shouldn’t have felt any guilt.

He should have even felt proud, thinking, ‘Look, I’ve harmed the Demon Lord!’ On the battlefield, the more pain an enemy endured, the more reason there was to be proud.

After all, it proved that his actions were highly effective, a significant achievement indeed.

Before, when Lamia was still Kares Lux, Wade would have puffed out his chest. He might even have given a confident, mocking middle finger to the Demon Lord busily repairing the walls.

But now, perhaps due to their prolonged and intimate time together, Wade’s image of the Demon Lord repairing city walls wasn’t the figure in black armor, but the purple-haired girl in a long dress.

A seemingly delicate girl, hauling bricks and carrying sandbags, crying out in pain while screwing reinforcements into the wall…

Well, Lamia’s “corruption” was truly taking effect. He actually felt a pang of sympathy for her.

Regardless… did it really, truly hurt?

As Wade pondered this, his fingers, which had been covering his lips, now seemed to suddenly furrow his brow. He covered the lower half of his face with his palm.

He had indeed seen the Demon Lord’s movements hindered during previous attacks on the city walls. He’d thought his assaults were effective and had used them repeatedly without fail.

Who would have thought… well, in a way, they really were effective.

And didn’t she feel pain from even a tiny prick before? Ah, no, he heard her innermost thoughts: it was because he had gotten her so used to being struck that she no longer felt much pain.

“Mmm…”

“Mmh-hm…”

At this thought, Wade finally couldn’t hold back. Half-covering his face, he let out a sigh of lament.

“Hm? What’s wrong?”

Lamia heard Wade’s voice. Her internal grumbling ceased, and she looked towards him.

Wade merely waved a hand, shook his head, and casually brushed her off:

“Nothing… I’m just a little hungry…”

“Then—would you like me to make you some snacks later? Would you eat them?”

Lamia actually accepted Wade’s explanation. She blinked, looking at him, her face alight with an expectant expression that starkly contrasted with his troubled look.

“Mmm…”

Wade shifted his gaze to Lamia. Within him, a sudden surge of guilt battled with the rational thought that he had no reason to feel guilty.

And then there was another part, screaming, ‘Please, those are snacks my wife is making for me!’

“Mmm…”

Ultimately, Wade chose the third option.

“…”

“Yes, I’ll eat them.”

“Good.”

Lamia smiled, clapping her hands together happily.

“I was just wondering what to do when we get home. I’ll make you some snacks!”

“…”

“Okay.”

‘What about the promised guilt?’

‘It probably got eaten along with the meal.’