Chapter 197

Chapter 197

I Proposed While Drunk and Now the Princesses are Obsessed.

Episode 197: Secret Meeting (3)

“And?”

“So?”

“Why does that matter?”

Even after revealing that Akne was the 0th Princess, all three of them only reacted like that.

“…”

Jaekiel blinked unconsciously. He hadn’t expected this situation at all.

“I’ve seen countless people who went missing on the continent return corrupted after years of war on the Northern Front.”

The 1st Princess was the one who spoke.

“I naturally learned how to let go. They can’t be reformed anyway, and trying to accept them only brings trouble.”

“I feel the same.”

Hedera, standing beside her, added.

“As you know, all the princesses of the empire are half-sisters. We had different mothers to begin with, so there’s no bond. Even the 1st through 5th Princesses can’t be said to get along.”

She also wore a calm expression.

“It’s just a surprising fact, nothing more. It doesn’t change my belief that she should be expelled. The one before us is simply a demon.”

“The version of me that you see.”

It was then that Akne spoke.

“I’m glad that’s all you see. It would be uncomfortable to be treated like the 0th Princess again, whose time I can barely remember. On that point, I agree—please treat me as just a demon.”

“I told you not to act so arrogantly.”

The 2nd Princess furrowed her brow. Her unique energy wave flared, visible to the naked eye.

It was a clear sign that she was highly agitated.

Akne didn’t seem to care much.

She wasn’t being polite out of fear of clashing with the princesses. It was because she knew fighting them would trouble Jaekiel.

Also, if anyone from either side were to get hurt, Jaekiel would feel bad about it. That was the only reason she remained courteous.

Even beneath her simple actions lay the psychology of always prioritizing Jaekiel.

“So I won’t appeal to you as the 0th Princess. I’m pleading as the person I am now. There’s something I can help my husband with.”

Akne gave a sweet smile.

“My husband doesn’t just handle cold energy now. He’s managing both heat and demonic energy. If not handled properly, it could be catastrophic.”

The other princesses listened silently. They didn’t care much about Akne as the 0th Princess, but Jaekiel’s health forced them to pay attention.

“Among the three energies, I can help manage the demonic one. Actually, I’m the only one who can. Isn’t that extremely useful?”

“Akne is right.”

Jaekiel quietly nodded.

“I’m currently handling three types of energy, but my proficiency with demonic energy is lacking compared to cold and heat.”

Jaekiel explained the circumstances under which he swallowed the Eternal Blood Orb in the Demon Realm. He added that he’d made progress with it and was working hard to master it.

“…”

The princesses’ expressions turned sour.

They didn’t want to accept Akne’s presence, but they didn’t want to see Jaekiel suffer from energy mismanagement either.

How long did that silence stretch?

“One hour.”

After a moment, the 1st Princess broke the silence.

“She will stay in the imperial prison and be allowed to teach the Teacher demonic energy use for only one hour per day. I believe this is quite generous.”

Unexpectedly, Akne accepted easily.

She even smiled brightly.

“That’s more than enough. I’ll behave diligently in prison and prove my usefulness step by step!”

Hedera shot back from the side instead.

“Even one hour sounds excessive.”

“There will be guards monitoring the entire hour. Demon, don’t you dare try anything suspicious with the Teacher.”

“Assigning guards? That’s a good idea.”

Only then did they reach a dramatic resolution.

Akne simply bowed her head once again.

“Thank you for your mercy. Just wait. Your perception of me will change.”

“That’s enough. Now disappear from my sight.”

The 1st Princess, Ether, gave the command with a very cold expression. She made it clear that this was for Jaekiel’s sake—not out of consideration for Akne.

Hedera’s eyes were still sharp.

“Don’t even breathe if you can help it. Stay out of sight.”

“I just want to be escorted by my husband until we reach the prison. I’ll be confined all day… Can’t I have that last kindness?”

They must have judged that acceptable. The two princesses nodded silently—along with the stern warning that if she acted up, she’d be executed immediately.

The path to the imperial underground prison.

Jaekiel felt puzzled.

“Hmm-hmm~”

First of all, Akne humming a tune was strange. It was irrational behavior.

She’d be imprisoned for 23 hours and could only see Jaekiel for 1. He thought she’d naturally resist that.

But that wasn’t the case at all.

Could she really be satisfied with just one hour?

“Akne.”

“Yes, my husband~”

“Are you okay?”

“Of course I’m fine.”

Akne smiled slyly and subtly linked her arm with Jaekiel’s.

“If I’d stood on my pride and clashed with the princesses, you’d be in trouble, right? I don’t want that. I have to be smart about it.”

“I meant your attitude… but also the time.”

“Ah~ You mean the one-hour restriction~”

Akne nodded like she understood, but didn’t bother explaining anything further.

She just kept humming cheerfully. She even looked more excited than before.

…What on earth is she thinking?

‘Could it be…’

Has she prepared some other scheme?

A sense of unease began to bloom in Jaekiel’s heart.

Thunk!

Suddenly, Jaekiel and Akne’s arms were separated. Someone had yanked Akne’s collar roughly.

When he turned, it was the 3rd Princess, Solana.

Solana’s eyes were ice-cold.

“Since she spent so long in the Demon Realm, she’s barely socialized. I held back only out of consideration for her former status as the 0th Princess.”

“Hmm?”

“If it were another woman, I’d have killed her. Don’t link arms with the Teacher so casually.”

“Ah~ I see what you mean.”

While Solana gave a cold warning, Akne just smiled like it was no big deal.

“I’ve received word. For now, she’s to be housed in the underground prison… but we need to check if she’s carrying anything.”

“Go ahead~”

Solana and Akne went into a small room briefly, and Jaekiel waited outside for a moment.

‘Maybe it’s a relief after all.’

Though the others didn’t look kindly on Akne, he was grateful they at least respected his wishes.

He didn’t expect them to get along from now on. He just hoped no big problems would happen.

“This outfit is so ugly, though.”

A little later, Akne appeared, grumbling.

It was basically a white sheet, like a tablecloth. So loose-fitting that her graceful curves were completely hidden—much to her displeasure.

“What is this? It’s not like I’m some ghost.”

“We still don’t fully trust you. Until then, this is how you’ll live.”

“Hmph, well… I guess I have no choice.”

Solana ignored her whining and approached Jaekiel with several firm reminders.

“Teacher, you really must only escort her to the prison and then return. That’s what was agreed upon.”

“Got it.”

Jaekiel nodded and descended with Akne. It was a very deep place.

Down a dark, maze-like hallway, at the very bottom, was the cell assigned to Akne.

It wasn’t even spacious. More like being caged in a tiny pen.

“…”

Jaekiel hesitated briefly.

“Hm? Husband, what’s making you hesitate?”

“It feels too harsh… Thinking of you spending all day in a place like this doesn’t sit right with me.”

He shook his head.

The more he thought about it, the more it felt unfair. He could just handle Akne himself.

“Oho~ To hear you say that, my husband… I must be truly blessed~”

But then…

Creak.

Akne stepped into the cell on her own.

Thunk!

She even shut the door herself.

“Thank you for worrying about me… but I’m fine. Please go on ahead. It’s kind of dreary in here.”

Akne only smiled as if to reassure him, but it stuck in Jaekiel’s heart.

Was she still doing everything just for Jaekiel’s sake, to avoid making him uncomfortable?

‘I’ll ask them to give her separate quarters instead.’

That’s what Jaekiel resolved.

“I’ll request a separate annex instead of a prison. It’ll be much more livable.”

“Fufufu, it’s okay, my husband. Go on now~”

With a heavy heart, Jaekiel returned to the surface. All he had to do now was persuade the princesses.

But then…

Just as he began walking down the hallway…

Snatch!

Someone grabbed Jaekiel by the wrist.

“My husband!”

“…!”

Seeing who it was, Jaekiel’s eyes widened. His lips silently mouthed, “Are you insane?”

It was understandable—because Akne was right there.

But Akne was smiling brightly.

When Jaekiel looked at her like, “What did you just do?” Akne explained calmly.

“No need to worry. That was just a duplicate I left in the cell. I put everything I had into it—it won’t be discovered unless something extreme happens.”

And then…

Fwwip!

Webbing wrapped around Jaekiel once more.

“Mmff…!”

“Now then, shall we go? My beloved husband~”

Akne kicked off the ground.

Her face was overflowing with desire.