Saoto was sitting quietly in his space inside a room which was known as a library in this castle where there were many books about magic from all around the world while probably doing his thing as a Great Demon King. I knew well this is his daily life as one of the Five Great Demon Kings and also as the ruler of the Miltia district who is always busy with various national affairs and people's problems. Coupled with his kind yet very strict in every matter, no wonder he is burdened with a mountain of duties from all over his territory. Without asking him, I knew that he wouldn't have time to serve or meet anyone at a time like this. Meanwhile, I still froze in front of a large door that separated us between the corridor and the library while thinking about whether or not I should disturb him at this moment just for a trivial reason.
I just want to ask him how I look.
I scratched my chin as I thought about what action should I take here.
("He must be busy doing his thing there but I came out there just to ask him how I look...") (Guilt)
("Doesn't it look too obvious that I want him to praise me? I'm worried that he would think I'm ready for that kind of thing...") (Restless)
I felt restless as I thought about a thousand possibilities that would happen to me just by knocking on this door in front of me. Either everything would end up well if I got the praise that I wanted from him or he would think that I was finally ready to be a 'mother'. Although I had made up my mind to marry him, I thought it was too fast to go for it. Long story short, this door was a 'boss' that would determine my future right now.
I then stared the door for quite some time before finally daring myself to open it. I gulped while my hand slowly reached the knob to open it. Even though my hands were trembling so badly since I felt guilty for bothering him, my tail and heart said otherwise. It's like they were begging to be praised by him. After a few moments, the tense atmosphere finally broke as soon as the big door opened by itself and revealed the person behind it. I was surprised to see Ena's face that appeared as soon as she opened the door.
"Eep, Ena? What is Ena doing here-"
I asked in wonder after seeing Ena who had been in the library since the beginning. But before I could finish it, Ena quickly cut it off while looking at me with a smiling face and glared into my eyes as if she was aware of something. She then came a little closer before holding my shoulders tightly, making me shocked by her action.
"Let that aside, what is Mahou doing here? Mahou's cheeks are so red. Is it that Mahou is planning to be caressed by Saoto-Sama again? Aa... How romantic..." (Teasing)
Shocked by Ena's words, I then cupped both of my cheeks which I didn't realize had been blushing for a while. I, who was still panicking, then looked away from Ena while lowering my head a little so that my blushing cheeks could no longer be seen by her. I then denied the accusations leveled at me by her in panic.
"N-NOTHING... S-SEI J-JUST... EEK?!!" (Panic)
Yet I was shocked again as soon as Ena hugged me tightly from behind. With a slightly stern voice, I heard something come out of her mouth.
"Mahou don't worry. All of Ena's tasks related to Saoto-Sama have been completed. So, Ena has no reason to disturb the romantic atmosphere of the two of Mahou. Anyway, all the best!!!"
I was flustered as soon as I heard her words of wisdom. Despite that, my heart felt very eased once I knew that she would not disturb my time with Saoto soon. I then looked back at Ena's face behind me as soon as she released her hug. I froze for a while after seeing her pointing out her thumbs at me as if to indicate that she was encouraging me to keep moving forward.
("Eeh... Is this how women encourage others?...) (Stared)
I then smiled back while looking at her face. Although it was awkward for me to be treated like that, somehow I felt motivated to continue my original intention again. Ena seeing that I had regained my spirit then gently patted my shoulder before leaving me alone. I kept looking at her until she was surely gone before going back into the library. However, I was shocked again as my head stumbled on something hard that suddenly appeared out of nowhere in front of me. I then gently caressed my sore nose to reduce the pain before I was startled as soon as I saw a hand reaching out to touch it.
Saoto.
"S-Sorry Sei... Saoto didn't notice Sei was here earlier..." (Anxious)
Saoto suddenly worried as soon as he realized that he had bumped into me as soon as he wanted to leave the room. He then reached out his hand to gently caress my nose which was still in pain but I ran it since I didn't feel any serious injury on it. I slowly grasped this man's hand with both of my hands to show Saoto that my nose was not injured despite bumping into his hard chest earlier.
"It's fine"
I looked at his face while smiling at his worried face to soothe his heart. Slowly, Saoto smiled again before holding my hand tightly with both of his hands to return the grip of my hand earlier. I was a little surprised by his actions and kept looking at his face until I remembered the original purpose of my coming to see him at this time.
("Hold on... How am I going to ask him about my appearance... All this time, I'm the one who always answered this kind of questions but this time I'm the one who wants to ask him...) (Stared)
I froze while thinking about the steps I needed to take. Unconsciously, I averted my face from looking directly into Saoto's face as soon as I felt embarrassed when I thought about the question I was about to ask him. I then startled as soon as I saw my gaze getting higher while my feet were no longer touching the ground where I was standing before. Unbeknownst to me, Saoto had lifted my body before looking back at me with a slightly worried on his face. I kept silent not daring to tell him about the question I wanted to ask him before he asked me,
"What's bothering Sei right now... Just tell Saoto..."
I was shocked as soon as I heard Saoto's request. However, I realized that the expression on my face just now did not reflect the slightest calmness on my face. Despite that, the thing didn't bother me at all but this man whose schedule was so tight and packed. Suddenly, I felt guilty about expressing what I wanted from him earlier.
"Aah... A-anu..." (Restless)
"Sei, do Sei want Saoto to teach Sei how to live as a succubus right now?"
I gasped a bit to hear his question. I suddenly remembered that I indeed had promised him to teach me how to live as a succubus since I still couldn't control my changing ability 'thing'. Let that aside, I didn't think that he still remembered it despite I, who was the one who wanted to learn about it for myself forgot about it. For a moment, I suddenly felt terrible for disturbing his busy schedule just because of my selfishness, just wanting to be praised by him. Even though Saoto didn't have much time to spare, he still remembered everything about me while I just hindered his work right now. Suddenly, I was startled as soon as Saoto kissed my forehead, leaving me wondering and confused thinking how to respond to it. I then looked at the man's face to get an answer.
"Sei, just tell Saoto what bothered Sei so much right now. If not, it won't be on the forehead next time..."
My cheeks immediately blushed as soon as I heard the warning from the man in front of me. Somehow I felt very calm to know that Saoto was trying to comfort me and didn't consider my presence at this time to be hindering his work as the Great Demon King. For a moment, a memory flashed in my mind as soon as I remembered the same atmosphere as this moment.
I woke up early in the morning to be woken up by a phone call from a no stranger in my life, Tomori-San. It can be said that every time we go out for a walk, it is certain that every day I will be asked a deadly question as soon as I am with her.
"Hey Sei-Kun, how's Tomori looking today? Isn't that girl prettier than Tomori?"
Tomori then pointed her finger at a beautiful woman who was standing not far from us as we walked through the city. In a moment, I realized that the question he asked was nothing but a trap so both answers could lead to a misunderstanding. If I nodded her question, I would be accused of thinking that she wasn't beautiful at all, while if I said otherwise, I would also be blamed for trying to protect her heart without telling the truth. As a man, I am completely wrong to answer this kind of question. Just a small mistake they would be sulking for no reason. I then doubted the answer that Saoto would give if I asked such a question to him. For a moment, I was startled by Saoto who suddenly returned to kiss my cheek stopping my long reverie before I immediately blushed as soon as I realized that he was trying to comfort me again who went blanking earlier. Saoto then smiled back at me to show that he wouldn't mind listening to whatever problem was bothering me right now.
"Sei, just say it. If not, it won't be on the cheek next time..."
Saoto teased me again so that the problem I'm facing now is not for me to hide alone. Despite that, I didn't hate Saoto who kept teasing me right now and somehow I was expecting something more from him. With a low tone and filled with embarrassment, I lowered my gaze so as not to directly look into his face while hugging his body tightly before daring to ask him something.
"Sa-Saoto... D-Don't Saoto think that S-Sei looks p-pretty today?..." (Embarrassed)
Saoto was silent for a moment as if he was surprised by what he had just heard. I, who was still embarrassed for asking such a question to him, kept lowering my gaze, not daring to look directly into his face. It's obvious how rude of me to ask him such a trivial question that needed to be answered by him who was currently busy right now. I remained silent until he suddenly put his mouth close to my ear before saying something to me again.
"Sei, the beauty is relative... No one is truly pretty in everyone's eyes... But for Saoto, Sei is the most beautiful woman Saoto ever met in life. The clothes Sei is wearing right now suit Sei so much that it draws Sei's beauty as a woman in Saoto's eyes..."
I was very surprised and embarrassed at the same time as soon as I was praised like that by him. I didn't think my heart would melt just by hearing his hoarse yet seductive voice praising my beauty. My body instantly felt very warm as if I wanted something to be done to me. My mind suddenly blanked and I couldn't think properly anymore. My heart was beating so fast that my breath felt heavier in his grip. My tail continued to wag rapidly showing him that I was not calm at all even though my original intention to come meet him today was only to calm down my heart which just wanted to hear him praise my beauty badly.
Is this the pleasure as soon as a woman is praised by her lover?
Or is it just because of his seductive voice that my body feels like this?
Or because I'm a succubus who should like this kind of thing?
Many questions crossed my mind as soon as I questioned how my body suddenly became so hot. Even though I was held tightly by the warmth of his body and accompanied by his scent that soothed my very heart, somehow my heart didn't calm down yet expecting more from him. I was craving something warmer from him. I then looked at his face for a long time with blushing cheeks since I was embarrassed to ask him for something. Saoto, who had been silent for a moment, was surprised as soon as he saw the face I made. With a trembling voice, I expressed the uneasiness in my heart to him.
"Sa-Saoto... K-kiss Sei-" (Embarrassed)
I unabashedly asked this man to kiss me even though his early intention of teasing me like that was only to make me express the uneasiness in my heart. However, my heart won't calm as if I wanted to be kissed by him so badly. I kept staring at his dull lips for a long time without realizing it while imagining myself gently kissing it. I finally expressed my desire to Saoto while hoping that his kiss would soothe my heart. However, I was surprised by him who suddenly kissed me gently even though I still hadn't fully told him about what I wanted yet. This man seemed to know that I was looking forward to a kiss from him, maybe because it was clearly shown on my face earlier. Although I was surprised, for some reason I enjoyed the kiss given by him and continued to hold his body tightly as if I didn't want to let go of his mouth at this time.
I continued to enjoy every moment of his lips gently touching mine right now. His tongue swayed slowly around my tongue which became frozen as soon as my mind went blank after it had been touched gently by his tongue. This warm atmosphere continued to fill my mood as soon as I could feel how warm this man's mouth was. Saoto who continued to hold my head tightly permitted me to remain in this position and enjoyed it for quite some time.
Finally, the beautiful atmosphere broke as soon as Saoto pulled back his lips from mine again. I, who was still shocked and rambling by the warmth of his lips then gently touched the lips that he had kissed earlier as if I couldn't believe how pleasurable the kiss was. I was then surprised by Saoto who suddenly kissed my cheek to calm me down again since I made a sad face on him without knowing it. After some time, I asked him to put me down again as I felt calmer after getting a kiss from him.
"Sa-Saoto... Saoto can put down S-Sei now..." (Tired)
Saoto slowly lowered me from his arms while helping me to stand on the floor. I don't know why all my energy was gone as soon as I got a kiss from him earlier that made it so hard for me to balance myself since my legs were shaking like crazy. Saoto quickly held my hand for a moment before finally letting it go once I was able to stand up properly again. Saoto then asked about my condition while looking at me with a slightly worried on his face.
"Sei, Sei feels better now, right?"
"Hmph..."
I affirmed Saoto's question while nodding slowly to answer his question. It's not because I didn't want to respond to it properly but rather I barely had any energy to do so. Everything disappeared as soon as I kissed his lips tightly. For a moment, I was surprised again as soon as Saoto, who had been silent earlier, suddenly pulled my body and rested my head on his chest while gently stroking my head. I felt calmer as soon as my head was gently caressed by him before Saoto then continued to say something.
"Sei, if Sei thought the kiss was so good that it made Sei lose all of Sei's energy, that means Sei's heart has opened to accept Saoto..."
I was surprised as soon as I heard the explanation from Saoto. I guess that explained how his kiss just now felt so good that my strength suddenly disappeared for a moment. Even so, I didn't hate that kiss and even wish to get another kiss like that in the future. I breathed a sigh of relief after I was getting better in his arms. Although it was slow, I could feel the heartbeat of the man in front of me which was still fast showing me that he also felt the same sensation as me from the kiss earlier. I continued to smile as I rested my head on his chest before I was shocked as soon as I saw the atmosphere next to me.
Some of the maids were stunned while looking at me who was just making out with Saoto until the tray she was carrying suddenly fell before they picked it up again after realizing it. I, who saw the incident realized something odd.
("Wait... Am I making love with Saoto openly since earlier?...) (Stared)
I then looked around me carefully. Saoto and I were standing quietly in front of the library or rather in the palace corridor while hugging each other tightly. I finally realized that our kiss was not only done in an open place but was also seen by the maids who kept passing around here earlier.
I then hit Saoto repeatedly in his chest to tell him to let go of his arms from keep hugging me. My cheeks flushed for a moment with extreme embarrassment as soon as I realized that many of the palace maids had seen the shameful side of me. Plus, I who was too eager to make out with him didn't think twice before doing it and got carried away. Saoto finally let go of his embrace as soon as he noticed that there were maids who had been watching us from earlier. After escaping his arm, I then turned my body away so that no one could see my embarrassed face at this time. In a moment, my ears caught Saoto's voice reprimanding the maids who had seen us earlier.
"Nina-San, Rina-San, continue working as usual... and don't tell anyone about this"
"Will do, Mahou. Allow us to continue our work"
I peeked a little and saw the two maids leaving to resume their duty. For a moment, I was surprised as soon as my head was gently caressed by Saoto who had been standing right behind me since then.
"Sei, don't worry. They don't even know about that..."
I was shocked before looking at Saoto's face in amazement. How could those two maids not know about it when they had been standing there for a long time watching us. Saoto then continued his speech while smiling at me.
"Saoto had put a barrier-kind spell around us earlier to prevent people from outside to find out what's going on inside it. After all, Saoto knows that Sei is a shy one..."
I was surprised while looking at the face in front of me. For a moment, tears pooled in my eyes before finally flowing out profusely of my eyelids. I didn't expect that this man in front of me cared so much about me who was very shy and even had installed some kind of magic to take care of my feelings. For a moment, I could feel Saoto resting my head back on his chest before stroking it gently to calm me down. I instantly felt calmer in his arms. In a low voice, I again asked the man in front of me to ensure something.
"H-Hei Sa-Saoto... W-why did you tell them not to tell anyone about that then..."
I asked him in wonder. If what he said was true, why did he need to tell those two maids to keep it secret. Doesn't that mean the maids realized that we've been making out in front of them since earlier. Saoto, who had been silent for a while, calmed me down for a moment and slowly lifted my face to look at his still-smiling face before kissing my cheek to comfort me. I was surprised and then looked at his face for a long time before he continued,
"They saw Sei who was still weak earlier because Saoto had to release the magic to help Sei. After all, they just wanted to help if anything happened to Sei before continuing their duty again"
I was relieved as soon as I heard his explanation regarding the situation. The maids were only concerned about me who seemed weak and unable to stand on my own at that time. I was the only one who misunderstood while thinking that they already knew all the romantic things that happened between Saoto and me just now. With a heart full of relief, I hugged the body in front of me tightly before my hug was returned by him. Slowly, I told him something,
"Thank you Saoto for taking care of Sei's heart"
I continued to rest my head on his chest happily. This man in front of me understands me very well even though we just met. Somehow I trust this man in front of me more than anyone right now and always feel comfortable being by his side. I continued to hug the body in front of me tightly to feel the warmth of his body and his scent as much as I pleased before looking back at his face to ask something.
"Saoto, why did Saoto suddenly rush out from the library earlier?"
I looked at his face in amazement. I somehow forgot that my original purpose was to visit him and ask him in the room as if I didn't want to disturb his work. However, everything happened as soon as Saoto suddenly came out and hit me in front of the door.
("If Saoto hadn't been standing in front of this door, I wouldn't have misunderstood and embarrassed myself...") (Thinking)
I thought about the cause of all the events happening right now. For a moment, I was startled as soon as Saoto caressed my nose and stopped my reverie just now. I looked directly at his face who was smiling at me while waiting for an answer from him.
"Saoto wants to come to pick up Sei for a meal in the palace dining room. But Saoto didn't expect Sei to come to ask Saoto about-"
I quickly covered the mouth of the man in front of me so that he would not continue his sentence. I realized that I was selfish and wanted this man in front of me to praise my beauty even though I understood very well how busy he was. However, my heart feels calmer and happier since that's the reason I was able to feel something so pleasant just now. Just thinking about it made my heart flutter a little. In a moment, I was startled again by Saoto who suddenly lifted my body with both his hands. Quickly, I hit his chest while telling him to put me down back before I was seen by any passing maids that were roaming around here.
"Sa-Saoto?!! P-put Sei down?!!" (Anxious)
Saoto grinned at me who panicked for a moment as soon as he picked me up. Suddenly my cheeks got kissed by him again and made me look at his face in surprise to get an explanation.
"Sei looks sad just now. Is it better now? If not, Saoto can carry Sei all the way to"
I anxiously continued to cover the mouth of the man in front of me again while nodding quickly to him. Rather than bear the extreme embarrassment of being taken by him to the dining room with my cheeks reddened at the moment, I should walk next to him while calming myself down first. To be honest, I was worried as soon as I was greeted by someone in the dining room with my condition like that.
"Alalala... This one Mahou is spoiled..." (Imagined Ena teasing me)
No matter what happens I can't make that woman see me like this. If that happened, I might have gotten teased badly by her every time I took a shower despite being a loner yet was very aggressive in this. In a moment, Saoto slowly lowered my body again before extending his hand to lead me. I was a little surprised by his actions and then warmly welcomed the hand he extended to lead me to the dining room. However, I was a little surprised as soon as Saoto adjusted his grip to hold my hand tightly like a couple. He also rested my head in his hand before Saoto asked me something again.
"See you don't mind if it's like this, right?"
Saoto asked me to make sure he didn't make me feel uncomfortable. On the other hand, I was very happy to be able to hold his big hand tightly while feeling the warm temperature of his hand which was very pleasing to my heart. I nodded slowly at him while resting my head on his arm before we stepped forward into the palace dining room like a couple of lovers.
For a moment I was surprised as soon as I saw the dining room that was now in front of me. I then looked at the dining table in front of me for a long time as if I couldn't believe what I was seeing.
("The table was so long and there were two chairs at both ends... How can we eat together like this...) (Gloomy)
I was a little gloomy as soon as I saw the table that would be my dining place with Saoto later. The distance between the two chairs was far from each other. I then asked the man next to me after suspecting something.
"Saoto, Saoto doesn't use that long table to do other things, right?" (Staring)
I glared at Saoto since I doubted him of something. How would I be positive to see the long table that could dine many people other than him. I didn't want to be shocked that I was just one of his harem. Saoto then gently caressed my head for a moment while looking directly into my face again.
"Why is Sei doubting again? The table used to be the previous Demon King's assets, nothing more. Besides in Saoto's heart, there is only Sei alone... Somehow, Sei looks quite jealous right-"
I quickly cupped the man in front of me for the third time as soon as I heard his words. However, I don't deny that deep down in my heart there is a feeling of jealousy as soon as I think of Saoto having someone else in his heart. Besides that, I didn't deny that I felt relieved as I heard his answer. I then released my hand from his mouth as soon as we were greeted by a maid there.
"Good morning, Mahou Seinarin, Mahou Saoto. My name is Lia. Mahou can both sit in the chair we had prepared"
The elf woman who introduced herself as Lia showed us the seats that had been prepared for us. The chairs that were originally far away were moved and placed right next to each other so that we could enjoy our meal together. I, who couldn't wait to eat the food here quickly pulled Saoto's hand to the dining table while smiling at him. Saoto, who was surprised for a while by my actions then quickly followed my steps before we laid our backs on the soft seats. I immediately drooled as soon as I saw the dish that was brought to us. But my appetite suddenly disappeared as soon as the lid that covered the food was opened and revealed the true appearance inside it.
"Did you call this food?..." (Staring)
I nibbled at the food in front of me with the prepared fork. In front of me right now is just raw flesh that is still covered in blood as if it had just been slaughtered and served directly to the guests. I turned my face to look at Saoto as if I didn't believe what I just saw. How could the Demon Lord seem to eat something like this every day? Saoto let out a heavy breath for a moment before looking back at me while gently stroking my head.
"This is why Saoto wants to invite Sei to live with Saoto... If it's left like this, Saoto will have to roast the meat every day..." (Sad)
(Eeh.. How can he be so sad just because the meat is not cooked... Isn't he Saoto the Great Demon King...) (Staring)
I was surprised to see Saoto crying just because of this problem of uncooked meat. However, I understood his suffering from having these meals daily and having to cook them himself every time before eating them. For a moment, I was startled as soon as a woman I knew approached and greeted me.
"Apologize Ena for my rudeness, Mahou Seinarin. But this is the favorite food-"
"HOW CAN YOU SAY IT'S THE FAVOURITE IF IT STILL RAW?!! HAVE YOU EVER HEARD THE SAYING THAT IF YOU WANT TO KEEP A MAN'S HEART, YOU HAVE TO KEEP HIS STOMACH FIRST?!! IF IT'S LIKE THIS, ENA WILL EVER BE SINGLE?!!" (Furious)
I was the one who was angry for a moment and blurted out as soon as Ena tried to correct me. For a moment, I felt terrible as soon as I saw the woman in front of me stand sadly after hearing my words just now.
"Ouh... That's why Ena is still single..." (Sad)
A sad Ena played her finger since she was aware of her mistake. I didn't want to see them continue like that then gently patted her shoulder while smiling at her before saying something,
"If Ena insists, Sei can teach Ena and all the maids here how to cook"
I do not blame them because I am aware that the demon race which consists of various races has various tastes in their food. Some prefer raw and some prefer cooked. Despite that, it is not wrong to know the tastes of other races so that it is easy to get along with each other. Plus, the age of the elves is so old that they need to know the tastes of various races if they want to find a life partner other than their race. For a moment, all the maids' eyes shone as if they were expecting me to teach them how to cook, including Ena in front of me. For a moment I was startled as soon as Saoto gently patted my shoulder and looked at my face with a smile.
"After all, Saoto misses Sei's cooking. Sei doesn't mind, right?"
My cheeks flushed as soon as Saoto praised my cooking. Maybe this is the happy feeling of a woman as soon as she is praised especially by the person she loves. I then looked back at all the faces that looked at me full of hope. I then let out a heavy breath before saying again.
"OK, LET'S GET COOKING"