“Ah…”

A hot breath involuntarily escaped her lips. Clenching the bedsheets tightly, she pressed her lips into a straight line before exhaling again.

Up until that point, Belled had been watching her without so much as blinking.

As if inviting her to speak her desires.

As if willing to listen to whatever she had to say.

“Do you want me to delve into you?”

The words reached her in a more direct manner.

“That…!”

Her face flushed to the point where it felt like even her mind was scorching. The words that should have formed and escaped her lips seemed to scatter.

―Squeeze.

Belled whispered to her, who was clutching the bedsheets unsure of what to do.

“If not,”

Where sharp expectation once poked, his heat suddenly engulfed her.

His proximity sent an odd sensation coursing through her body.

The moment she felt it, he subtly stirred, circling her and stirring her emotions.

His movements betrayed clear intent.

“……!”

Beril flinched. Belled’s laughter grew louder.

“I’m glad you want what I can offer.”

And more than anything, that you’re not hurt.

He who had looked pale when first entering the room had somehow regained his color.

The reason was unknown.

Was he, like me, becoming heated, or perhaps…

―Smack.

In her thoughts, his lips touched her cheek.

“It’s alright, my lovely bride.”

Only then did she feel like she could breathe properly.

Belled, whispering so, pulled her tightly into his embrace.

“……!”

Unwittingly she tried to cover her mouth, but Belled only shook her harder.

“Holding back is not something I taught you, Beril.”

You don’t need to hoard anything. Whispering so, he shook her until her mind became completely blank, until only he remained.

“……!”

It was futile for Beril to hold her breath.

My lovely bride.

The word resonated and spread in her bleached mind.

Lovely…

He was whispering love so naturally.

And treating her so considerately. Could the word “lovely” really be true?

Or, as previously stated, am I only loved as a useful source of energy?

If my value, not me, is what is loved.

Then what is this night?

Am I looking forward to this night that shakes me, or am I looking forward to my time with him, his warmth?

The night was fraught with confusion.

However, even that worry was soon erased, dissolving into pure white pleasure.
In a desire to enjoy this moment more than she had thought, she was increasingly consumed by such ridiculous thoughts. What’s wrong with enjoying this moment more, regardless of which side?

Thus, the night passed, even more heated than before.

Demons don’t sleep.

Belede left traces of himself all over her until she fell asleep.

Then he gently stroked her sleeping head.

For him, who needed neither sleep nor rest, this time should have been nothing more than a waste of time.

However, Belede thought that this time was valuable just by looking at Beril, who was soundly asleep with her eyes closed.

Just like the times when I indulged in my desires.

“Your Majesty.”

A faint voice was heard from outside.

Belede furrowed his brows. A voice that a human could not hear but was clearly caught in his combat-honed hearing.

Lonobe.

It was obvious what he was going to say.

“There is urgent business to attend to.”

At those words, Belede sighed briefly. He didn’t want to leave his spot.

He didn’t want to end this satisfying time. However.

“…It’s about the day.”

It means it concerns the human world. At Lonobe’s words, Belede involuntarily rose.

If it’s about the human world, then it could also concern Beril… With that thought, Belede narrowed his brows.

It felt like all matters were revolving around her. Was this what other demons referred to as carnal desire?

He couldn’t understand.

If this is carnal desire,

Why, when she is asleep, does he not take advantage of her?

If he was simply lusting after her body, it wouldn’t matter whether she was awake or asleep. Why?

Why is he also concerned about other things besides her body?

Is it because all other desires have been fulfilled, that interest is now pouring onto her? Or…

He closed his eyes and opened them. Then carefully got up so she wouldn’t wake up and left the bedroom.

Of course, he didn’t forget to pull the blanket up to her shoulders.

…Is this also a part of carnal desire, he thought.

The next morning,

Beril opened her eyes. She felt she could now distinguish between day and night.

The light pouring in from outside the window suggested it was daytime.

High noon, to be exact.

Judging by the clock that was approaching 12, it seemed correct.

“Are you awake?”

Decarabia’s voice was heard from outside.

“I’m up.”
When she answered in a voice still heavy with sleep, Decarabia opened the door and entered.

Saint Beril was naturally looking at the empty seat of Velered during this time.

Thinking about it, he was rarely there when she woke up.

What could this mean?

Of course, he had said he was a demon who didn’t need sleep, but… Beril couldn’t help but feel increasingly heavy-hearted.