Anna felt the stark contrast between her high hopes and crushing reality. She desperately wanted to find a place to vent her sadness, anger, and fear, but the demon was right in front of her. She couldn't let him see her distress. Her ability to evade him relied on his ignorance of her awareness. If he discovered she saw through him and realized she would never fall for his tricks, he might abandon the rules altogether. And those rules were her only safeguard.
She forced her expression from one of terror to one of delight, knowing it was awkward but the best she could manage. "Good day, esteemed sir!"
Rotgar noticed Anna's initial fright but dismissed it as a reaction to his sudden appearance. With Ulysses' body brimming with elemental energy, his mood was quite good.
Ulysses, a four-star mage and the duke's second son, was a stark contrast to Parich. With exceptional fire affinity, he was aloof and focused on honing his spiritual and magical prowess, rarely interacting with women. Thus, Rotgar couldn't rely on Ulysses' memories to woo Anna. However, he believed that since she had already targeted Ulysses, he didn't need much charm to win her over.
Feeling pleased about the prospect of ending Anna's charade today, Rotgar's expression softened slightly. "You want to be my student?"
I want to be a student of a talented mage, not a sinister demon! Anna swallowed her initial refusal and responded with apparent excitement, "Yes!"
Yesterday, Anna thought the demon feared the four-star mage and had stayed hidden. Now she realized how wrong she was. This demon wasn't just unafraid; he could possess a powerful mage like Ulysses. She used to think of him as a minor demon, but now she knew he was far more formidable. He must have overheard her conversation with the real Ulysses and then seized his body.
But Anna quickly reined in her chaotic thoughts. Despite his power, the demon was still bound by rules, which reassured her.
Rotgar said, "I can take you as my student if you agree to marry me. This is your only chance; I'm leaving tomorrow." He waited for Anna to enthusiastically accept. Ulysses was different from Parich—once he healed, he would leave. Anna had to decide now. Unlike with Parich, who she needed to win over, she couldn't afford to lose this opportunity. Rotgar was sure she wouldn't make such a mistake.
Anna wasn't surprised by the demon's proposal, recognizing his determination to claim her soul.
She knew she couldn't refuse too directly. After feigning delight and hesitation, she said, "Esteemed sir, I truly wish to be your student… but I can't marry you. I'm just a common maid, unworthy of your noble status."
Rotgar frowned at her refusal. Where was her cunning now? Didn't she understand he was leaving tomorrow? "Do you really mean that?" he pressed, his tone heavy with irritation. "You'll never get another chance like this."
Anna thought, if only he really would leave tomorrow, she'd pray for him every day in gratitude. But now she had to put on her best act, showing reluctance yet firm resolve. "Esteemed sir, though I deeply regret not becoming your student, I cannot accept your proposal and tarnish your reputation."
Rotgar finally believed Anna wasn't misunderstanding him. Despite thinking he understood her motives, her response surprised him. What was her goal? He had seen her abandon Parich for Ulysses, but when he offered to fulfill her wishes as Ulysses, her answer wasn't what he expected. Did she truly only want to be his student?
Reluctantly, Rotgar admitted he couldn't decipher Anna's choices. He glared at her, sneering, "Don't regret this."
Then he turned and left.
Anna's tense body relaxed as the demon walked away. She carried the food box back, feeling a bit dejected. Her relief had been premature; she still had to deal with the demon. His claim about leaving tomorrow went in one ear and out the other. He wouldn't leave.
When Anna brought Parich's lunch, he seemed better, sitting up and even noticing her, asking her name.
Anna respectfully gave her name. Parich, with a weak yet radiant smile, complimented her, "Such a lovely name, dear. Your smile is as pure and radiant as the goddess's light. I adore it."
Anna smiled. "Thank you, Parich. It's an honor."
She noticed that similar compliments from Parich felt genuine, unlike the demon's honeyed words that always felt like a prelude to a stab in the back.
Parich didn't say much more and let Anna leave after finishing his meal. He had no memory of the demon's possession, thinking his memory loss was due to his illness, and didn't bother with the details after checking with Waldo.
On her way back, Anna felt relieved. She had worried Parich might remember the demon and report her to the church, branding her as a witch. But Parich seemed oblivious, and she could finally relax.
Reaching the kitchen, Anna found her friends waiting, looking uneasy. They exchanged nervous glances until Fiona stepped forward, followed by the others.
"Anna, you're not mad at us, are you?" Fiona hesitated but asked.
"No," Anna smiled. "I figured out what happened."
Abigail sighed in relief, clutching her chest. "I knew you'd understand, Anna."
Anna wouldn't fully reveal herself to them but acted naturally. She quickly adapted to conversations, learning things swiftly, earning Rebecca's praise, making her friends believe in her intelligence.
Kelly, still shaken, said, "You don't know how scary Parich was…"
Anna thought, I know all too well. "I'm sorry for getting you involved," she apologized.
"Just don't hate us for following Parich's orders," Fiona said, dark circles under her eyes showing her sleepless night. "Did you see him after?"
"Yes," Anna nodded. "He knows about my lover and should give up."
With the demon no longer possessing Parich, she needn't worry about his proposals.
The three exchanged looks, not as thrilled as expected. Parich's behavior had scared them, reducing their romantic fantasies.
"Glad he understood. Anna, can we still chat with you?" Abigail asked timidly.
"Of course," Anna smiled.
The three visibly relaxed, moving closer to Anna, and they chatted as if nothing had happened. Though just "plastic friends," this was better than nothing. The real blame lay with the demon.
Facing the demon, Anna was at a disadvantage. She prayed he'd lose interest, but couldn't avoid him when he appeared. For instance, when she brought Parich's breakfast and found him and the demon-possessed Ulysses at the table.
Anna hesitated, feigning surprise. "Esteemed sir, I didn't know you'd be here. I only prepared breakfast for Parich. Let me get yours."
"No need," Rotgar stopped her.
"Alright, sir," Anna said, stepping back to wait.
Parich smiled at Rotgar. "There's not much to do in Blue Stone City, but some nice spots outside. When we're better, I'll show you around."
Anna listened closely. See? She knew he wouldn't leave.
"No," Rotgar said coldly. He hated Parich's familiarity, despite them having little interaction in their memories. He only entered out of politeness, but Parich acted overly friendly. It was irritating.
"Alright then," Parich laughed, unfazed by the rejection. Used to rejections from his many advances, he didn't mind. "Sure you don't want breakfast? Anna would gladly get it for you."
Rotgar ignored him, while Parich enjoyed his meal.
Anna observed quietly, thinking this would be a love triangle if she couldn't see the demon. Both had proposed to her…
She stayed silent, and Rotgar didn't speak. Only the sound of Parich eating filled the air. When he finished, Anna moved to clear the table.
As she did, she felt a light tug on her hair. Turning, she saw Parich inhaling its scent, smiling at her. "Dear, your hair is beautiful, like the goddess's flowers. Its color and scent are enchanting."
Anna resisted throwing the tableware at him, catching the demon watching intently. Right, she had shown some interest in Parich before, leading the demon to switch to Ulysses to tempt her.
If she changed too quickly, he might suspect. If she showed too much interest, he might switch back to Parich.
Anna continued packing the food, blushing as she pulled her hair from Parich's grasp. Before she could speak, Parich grabbed her hand, smiling charmingly. "Dear, are you shy? Don't be. My praise is sincere and deserved."
Is he insane?
Anna pulled her hand back, smiling through gritted teeth. "Thank you, Parich. Your praise humbles me."
Compared to Parich's forwardness, the demon's simple desire for her soul seemed preferable. She quickly bowed and left, hearing Parich laugh behind her.
After she left, Parich smelled his hand, marveling, "Such a lovely girl. What do you think, Ulysses?"
Rotgar had silently watched Anna's reactions, thinking her shyness and anger were likely feigned. That cunning woman wasn't as innocent as she appeared.
He snorted, making a sound of disdain.