It was always surprising how light a person’s body was. But when he thought about it, Leskal had never held anyone other than Rasilian.

“Is it okay to be this light?”

Leskal was very serious.

“What if you disappear like this?”

Therefore, the demonic instinct to tie her to his body, to bind her, wriggled in his stomach.

In case he might wake her up, cautious steps headed towards the bed. Leskal gently placed Rasilian down, pulled the blanket up to cover her up to her chin.

The room became silent.

Leskal lay down next to her, turning his body to face her. The sight of her sleeping face directly below him was incredibly satisfying.

[Dash] No. Not yet.

The voice of a demon, with no ups and downs like a human, sent shivers down the human’s spine. However, after adapting, it became a different story. The steady voice seemed to assure that he would always be the same.

“Why not? It seems possible.”

On the contrary, his voice sounded slightly detached.

[Dash] To manipulate a human’s heart, you have to look deep into the human heart. If you don’t want to do that…

It seemed absurd, and a laugh seemed to escape.

Isn’t it a bit too late to say that?

I’ve already learned to read human hearts. You too, anyone, didn’t want it, but it happened.

[Dash] So, it’s very sad.

Stop. Saying that everything that happened to me is all your fault.

You gave me a heart. As long as that bird exists, I won’t be harmed. What more can I do?

He had no hesitation in giving something. Even if he asked for the remaining hearts, he would do it.

So, I don’t like that he is sad.

You gave it to me.

So, I won’t consider that as misfortune.

That’s my power. With that power, I will still believe in humans. I will still love them.

There is nothing for you to be sad about.

He affectionately stroked the face with scales. He leaned his shoulder back as he patted his shoulder.

[Dash] Be careful. So you won’t cut your hand.

This much is okay.

Dealing with blood was the beginning of long patience.

For his body to become completely human, they still had a long time to spend together.

But I’m fine with that.

You will be attached to me as much as the long time we spent together.

It will be as difficult for your heart to change as the time I endured.

He pulled her face close. Whispers were exchanged with lips colder and harder than humans’.

Wait and see. I’ll handle this power properly.

It’s all for you.

As the dream ended, she woke up.

Rasilian opened her eyes in a feeling of longing and a bit of regret.

The morning air was warm.

Not because it was an unusually warm season, but because of the Emperor sleeping next to her.

“Ah…”

She was in the blanket, and the Emperor was outside the blanket.

It was a bit surprising.

Considering him in usual situations, she would have expected him to be inside the blanket at least. Even if she opened her eyes, it wouldn’t have been particularly surprising to meet his gaze right in front of her nose.

However, Leskal was intentionally sleeping without touching her as if he made an effort.

‘No. Is he pretending to be asleep when he sees me waking up?’

Considering that she had pretended to be asleep once even after waking up, Rasilian first checked his breathing. She brought her palm to the tip of her nose, but there was no change in his steady breathing.

“Hmm…”
This time, she gently scratched her nose with the tip of her fingernail.

At first, he only twitched his nose, but after sneezing, he opened his eyes.

“Ah…?”

His eyes were somewhat dazed, like someone who suddenly woke up.

‘Oh… so I was asleep.’

Suddenly, he felt sorry.

He made sure not to touch himself who was sleeping first, not even covering himself with a blanket.

‘Surprisingly unexpected.’

Even though he sometimes made strange requests and incomprehensible actions, it seemed that he would abandon those strange stubbornness when he couldn’t comply.

‘He’s being cautious. Because he’s waiting.’

And he seemed to be somewhat weakened by such appearances.

Lacelia lightly pressed Lescale’s shoulder.

“I woke you up. Please sleep more.”

Lacelia lifted the blanket.

Lying down, without getting up, Lescale asked in a dull state.

“…And you?”

“I’ve already slept.”

“Then, I’ll get up.”

His leaning body rose. He found that his eyes looked a bit hazy, unlike usual.

“Is it not enough sleep?”

“…Maybe. One day is okay.”

“Did you go to bed late?”

“Yeah.”

Lescale nodded.

“Then, please sleep more. It won’t affect your work if it’s about an hour.”

It was not that, but it was a slightly earlier time than usual.

“No. I’ll get up.”

Lescale insisted with tired eyes. If it had been before, he would have casually passed it as something to do by himself, but now he was concerned.

Maybe it was because he had a dream of a demon. It was impossible not to overlap the demon in the dream with Lescale.

“It seems better to sleep more.”

“No. I don’t want to delay it anymore.”

“What are you saying?”

“Kiss. You promised to kiss me when I finish reading the book.”

“…What?”

Lacelia had no memory of it.

“When was that?”

“Yesterday. While reading the book. …Don’t deny it. I clearly remember it.”

“…”

If she hadn’t seen how the Emperor was sleeping just now, she wouldn’t have believed it.

Now she knew how he treated her. He wouldn’t lie.

“Alright. I’ll give it to you after washing up.”

When Lacelia said that and was about to leave, Lescale was surprised.

“…That easily? I thought you would deny it at least once.”

“I believe you’re not lying.”

“I’m not lying. I really made a promise.”

“Then, I believe you.”

Lacelia nodded lightly, then rose.

Before that, Lescale hurriedly grabbed Lacelia’s hem.

“But why do you need to wash before kissing?”