episode_0019

Leaving behind Sera, who had decided to wait outside the door, Hyunseong passed through the huge door with Lilith and entered the reception room.

The moment the door closed, the thick and heavy door felt like a portal to another world.

An intimidating feeling that takes your breath away. The moment I raised my head, what caught Hyeonseong’s eyes was a magnificent space covered in gold.

It was a gorgeous yet cold beauty. And in the center of the space, a woman was sitting on an imposing golden throne.

It looked like a single lily, or rather, it would be more appropriate to say it was an ice lotus that had bloomed elegantly.

Her dazzling silver hair was braided in a thin braid and hung down to her waist.

The first thing that caught my eye were her eyes. It was a strange color, too cold to be called red, like residual heat left after a flame had gone out.

No emotion could be read inside, like a sharp sword blade.

Her pure white skin was pale and bloodless, and the black dress draped over it made her body look even more delicate.

The hem of the dress was stained a deep, dark color like the night sky, and silver embroidery was embroidered on it, making it look like the Milky Way.

She stared at Hyeonseong without saying a word. The silence felt like an enormous burden, pressing down on Hyeonseong’s body.

A presence so strong that you even forget to breathe. She was none other than Luciferia, the queen who ruled this demon world.

Lilith stepped forward as if nothing had happened, or rather, at a leisurely pace. As she moved, her black wings, wrapped like a cloak, brushed against the floor and made a rustling sound.

“Luciferia, have you been waiting?”

Lilith slightly bowed her head and said hello. Her voice did not waver at all even in front of the queen.

Rather, there was a strange sense of tension. Like a prosecutor standing in front of an old enemy.

But Luciferia did not answer. Her eyes were still fixed on Hyunseong.

Those eyes were cold and indifferent, as if they were looking at a small insect. Hyunseong felt like he was a rare frog in a laboratory.

A breathtaking silence followed. Lilith coughed slightly and opened her mouth again.

“This kid is… What I said… ”

“I know.”

Luciferia’s lips finally opened. Her voice was low and calm, but strangely enough, it had the power to vibrate the air around her.

“I said you brought me an interesting being, Lilith.”

Luciferia’s gaze turned to Lilith. Her eyes were subtly different from when she looked at Hyunseong just a moment ago.

It was just as cold, but it seemed like a different emotion was passing through it.

jealousy? boundary? or not… interest?

“Yes, Luciferia. This kid… ”

The moment Lilith was about to continue speaking while pointing at Hyunseong, Luciferia raised her hand and stopped her.

“That’s it. There is no need for you to explain.”

Luciferia slowly stood up from the throne. Her movements were graceful and majestic, as if time was passing slowly.

“I will check it myself.”

She approached Hyeonseong with quiet yet menacing steps, like a cat.

Luciferia stopped right in front of Hyeonseong. So close that you can almost feel your breath. I gently lifted his chin with cold fingers.

“Interesting…”

A low voice came from her lips.

Hyunseong was unable to move with his chin held by Luciferia’s fingers.

Her fingers were cold, but strangely enough, they felt like hot fire. Overwhelmed by the intense gaze that seemed to pierce his very existence, Hyunseong instinctively flinched.

“Such a fragile being…”

Luciferia muttered quietly. There was surprise and strange interest in her voice. Like a collector who discovered a rare treasure.

“It’s amazing…”

Luciferia muttered once again. Her eyes seemed to be observing a mysterious creature she had never seen before.

“Lilith.”

She suddenly turned towards Lilith.

“Yes, Luciferia.”

Lilith immediately lowered her head and answered.

“I will take this child… to my room.”

“Yes?”

Lilith’s eyes widened as if she was surprised.

“What are you saying…”

Lilith couldn’t hide her embarrassment. It was very unusual for Luciferia to have someone else in her bedroom.

A being this small, fragile, and whose identity is still unclear.

“Can’t you hear me, Lilith?”

However, Luciferia’s voice became cold and subdued. There was not a single flicker in her red eyes. It was an order.

Lilith stopped breathing for a moment. I couldn’t refuse Luciferia’s orders. She was the absolute ruler of the demon world, and Lilith was a subject who swore loyalty to her.

but…

Lilith looked at Hyunseong with a wink. A small and fragile being. A precious being that must be protected.

Lilith, who was conflicted between Luciferia’s orders and her own feelings, eventually bit her lip and lowered her head.

“Of course, Luciferia. I will leave this child to you for a while.”

Lilith said, trying to remain as polite as possible. But there was a subtle warning in her voice.

Her sharp nails dug into her black leather gloves. Luciferia’s command was definitely unexpected.

‘dare… ‘

To covet your own precious existence out of simple curiosity. Lilith was suspicious of Luciferia’s intentions.

‘no way… ‘

Lilith tried to suppress her boiling anxiety and approached Hyunseong. Luciferia’s command was absolute, but that did not mean she could just give in to Hyeonseong.

This strange attraction that she felt from the moment she first saw it, and the instinctive feeling of wanting to protect it, was a first-time experience for Lilith.

‘Mya.’

In order to protect this small and fragile being, Lilith was willing to turn the entire demon world into an enemy.

Luciferia’s gaze was still cold, but inside it was swirling with subtle interest and unknown emotions.

I can borrow it for a while. Lilith muttered to herself. But I will never take it away.

If that happens…

Lilith’s eyes shined sharply for a moment.

It’s a war

Lilith’s power, known as one of the most powerful people in the Demon World, was not just bravado.

The air in the reception room became heavy.

Luciferia must have sensed what Lilith was thinking, and opened her mouth with a faint smile.

“Don’t worry, Lilith.”

Her voice was soft, but it contained a firmness that left no room for doubt.

“I’m just borrowing it for a while. ”

“Just…”

Luciferia walked slowly and approached Lilith.

“I just want to see it up close.”

Her fingers grazed Hyunseong’s soft hair. It was a gentle touch, as if stroking a cat’s fur.

“This is my first time seeing such an interesting being.”

Luciferia muttered quietly. Her voice was strangely trembling. Lilith didn’t know if it was excitement or some other emotion.

To Hyeonseong, the conversation between the two demons, Lilith and Luciferia, felt like a quiet island in a loud storm. I couldn’t understand what they were saying or why there was such a tight tension.

However, instead of cowering in unknown fear, Hyunseong’s eyes were all fixed on Luciferia.

I came to this world and saw many demons, but they were all one, two, or even three heads taller than Hyeonseong.

Thanks to this, Hyunseong always raised his head. But this beautiful woman in front of me now was different.

‘Small…’

Of course, the intimidating atmosphere and fancy dress made it seem far away, but the moment it got closer, Hyeonseong could tell.

That he is similar in height to me. No, maybe it was a little smaller than me.

‘Smaller than me?’

Hyunseong opened his eyes round without realizing it. It was an amazing sight I had never seen before. Of course, I knew instinctively that she was not human.

Pointy ears, glowing red eyes, and a strange atmosphere that can never be felt in humans. But it was my first time meeting someone of the same level.

Hyunseong stared at Luciferia with an unfamiliar sense of familiarity.

Then, suddenly, he felt Luciferia’s fingers brushing his hair. Hyunseong tilted his head at the cold yet soft touch. It was a gentle touch, as if stroking a small animal.

‘I feel… not bad.’

Rather, Hyunseong burst into laughter at the tickling feeling. It was a pure and innocent reaction, like a young puppy wagging its tail when touched by a human.

Luciferia’s fingers stopped at the sound of Hyunseong’s laughter. Surprise flashed through his red eyes.

“……”

Luciferia didn’t say anything, but her gaze became strangely soft. Like a spring breeze blowing across a frozen lake.