When he lowered his gaze to the child, there was not a shadow in those clear seacolored eyes.

Even her innocent laughter was full of sincerity.

Worried that the child who looked up at him might hurt her neck, he knelt on one knee to meet Evelia’s eyes.

Born to be a ruler, it was obvious that a submissive posture like a loyal knight did not suit him.

But what’s the use of arrogant gaze and arrogant attitude in front of her, who called him a friend.

“Will a wish come true if made here?”

“Because it’s a Blessing Festival petal. Surely it will!”

The small head nodded as if to say it certainly will.

After a moment of silence, Evelia tilted her head and asked.

“What wish did you make?”

“The wish I made a while ago. I want to make it again.”

His serene golden eyes met hers and he answered softly.

The Castle of the Eastern Demon Realm.

In Ashrathhen’s office, where only dim lighting was turned on as it became night, two demons entered and reported on several matters.

Marbas and Ronobe.

Those two were quite highranking demons who were followers of Ashrathhen.

Marbas, who had been his retainer for a very long time, was different from Ronobe, who had just recently come to his territory and pledged his loyalty.

“Lord.”

Whenever Ronobe had the opportunity to visit Ashrathhen’s office, she would wear a deep crimson dress, with her violet hair flowing freely and emphasizing her ample bosom.

She was a succubus.

Succubi instinctively crave vital energy.

Especially the energy of the strong tasted unique to them.

She scanned Ashrathhen slowly with her seductive gaze.

His solid chest, visible through his not fully fastened black gown. His distinct abs.

His red lips that hardly ever smiled. His throat moving as he drank wine.

And more than anything, those casual, languid golden eyes that drove her mad.

‘Ah… If I could just be embraced by that beautiful body for one night, I would have no other wishes. If those languid golden eyes were to burn with passion on top of a bed…’

Despite her desperate attempts to catch his attention, Ashrathhen did not even glance at Ronobe.

“Go now.”

He only gestured, clearly meaning she should leave now that the report was finished.

Actually, Ashrathhen’s mind was entirely focused elsewhere.

‘Friend…’

The little one called him a friend while wishing for his blessing.

In his life that was almost eternal, no one had given him that word before. Yet, she had given it to him.

The word he heard for the first time felt awkward.

Yet it also felt like something engraved somewhere within him.

He wanted to slowly savor that moment while drinking his favorite wine.

However, his lack of attention and the incessant chatter of his subordinates about irrelevant reports made him quite uncomfortable.

As Marbas was about to turn around and leave at the firm command, he saw a light pink petal on the desk of his respected lord.

‘Oh no!’

Marbas made a face as if he were in trouble.

Our lord, the strongest and cruelest in the demon realm!

Our lord who is nesting in the east out of annoyance!

What is this petal doing on the desk of our respected lord?

The pathetic petal must have been a piece of garbage that had drifted in through the window.

‘The garbage that has made it onto our respected lord’s desk must be cleaned up by me, Marbas, right away!’

As Marbas reached out to remove the garbage.

“Remove your hand.”

A threatening voice immediately shot towards Marbas.

His eager action was returned by the wrath of his lord.

Agares’ golden eyes contained a sharp warning, causing the circulating demonic energy in the underworld to abruptly halt and hold its breath.

‘How could…’

The demonic energy was essentially the life force of the underworld.

Therefore, when the demonic energy held its breath, it was no different from the underworld, an entire world, prostrating and submitting in front of Agares.

‘He truly puts the underworld under his feet.’

A shiver ran through the entire body of the onlooking Ronobe.

The greedy red eyes became even deeper.

“Who do you think gave it, my Lord? I’m jealous, Ronobe.”

She asked in a flirtatious voice and an exaggerated expression, but…

“I don’t keep dogs that make me repeat myself.”

The immediate response was a cold warning not to ask again.

“It must be very precious. I made a mistake, my Lord. I’m sorry.”

Ronobe pouted her lips, but Marbas, who had been serving Agares for a long time, knew exactly when to bow.

After the subordinates left the room.

Agares placed a petal on his hand and repeatedly clenched and unclenched his fist.

A friend. A friend…

“Well…”

I still don’t know for sure.

To what extent he’d soak in.

Because I started to like getting wet in the warm rain without an umbrella.