Chapter 35 - After Marrying the Great Demon Lord in Secret Part 2 - The First Encounter

Upon the first encounter with the enigmatic sorcerer, Cendrarsa found herself facing a man of striking countenance: his narrow, sword-like brows framed eyes akin to bright stars, his complexion fairer than snow, and his lips as icy as frost. Angular from cheek to jawline, he bore a slight gauntness, with a hint of weariness between his brows.Gazing upon this man of exceptional allure, Cendrarsa's heart leaped wildly within her, though her cheeks had yet to flush; memories of her past life suddenly flooded her mind.Wasn't this the same Zagonnas she had encountered half a year later at the Demon Slaying Convention? Back then, they had met for the first time, not exchanging a single word before engaging in combat.Unluckily, both had ended up gravely injured, meeting their demise simultaneously.Now, reborn six months earlier, Cendrarsa's intent was clear: to poison him ahead of time, ensuring no one would challenge her as the preeminent sorceress at the upcoming convention.Though unsure why Zagonnas had chosen seclusion as a village schoolteacher, whether in the present or future, he remained a formidable adversary.The notion of preemptively poisoning him was no easy feat.Poison him? End his life prematurely?No, she had barely begun to love him; how could she even fathom such an act?Swiftly dismissing the dangerous idea inherited from her previous host, Cendrarsa opened the door."Please, come in. Is this child unwell?""Yes." Zagonnas entered the room, laying the small boy he carried on the wooden bed within the clinic."My apologies for the disturbance. This is my student, and I am the schoolteacher of Maple Village.""Ah, the pleasure is mine.""Um, what ails this child?""A fever." Zagonnas stood by calmly."I see." Cendrarsa proceeded to check the child's pulse, and her slightly furrowed brow soon relaxed."It's just a slight cold. Nothing serious; a bowl of medicine will suffice.""Very well." Zagonnas nodded nonchalantly."I'll fetch the medicine now. Sir, please watch over him in the meantime." Despite Zagonnas appearing composed, Cendrarsa couldn't help but feel uneasy, aware of the unpredictable nature hidden beneath his facade.After her cautious words, Cendrarsa withdrew to the backyard.Observing her departure, Zagonnas's lips curled slowly upwards.Just ten days prior, he had been reborn, meeting his demise at the Demon Slaying Convention six months later due to a fatal encounter with Cendrarsa, the enchantress whose whims could turn deadly at any moment.Given the opportunity, Zagonnas had resolved to eliminate Cendrarsa before the convention, intending to confront her on her territory. To his surprise, she had unknowingly presented herself, establishing a clinic right under his nose.With the child falling ill, today was the day he would end her life.Moments later, Cendrarsa had prepared the medicine.Carrying a small bowl of the concoction, she emerged from the room, a sheen of sweat on her brow from tending to the medicine burner. Strands of dampened hair clung to her smooth forehead, her cheeks flushed, embodying a blend of innocence and allure."Sir, allow me to administer the medicine to him.""Very well."Fearful of revealing any vulnerability, Zagonnas quickly averted his gaze, suppressing the murderous intent he had harbored moments before, assuming a passive stance by the bedside.Placing the medicine within reach, Cendrarsa cradled the child in her arms, proceeding to feed him the concoction with a porcelain spoon.Aware that their paths had never crossed before the convention, Cendrarsa harbored no concerns about being recognized by Zagonnas. Though perplexed by his choice to masquerade as a schoolteacher, she doubted he would harm the innocent.Lost in thought, Cendrarsa relaxed her guard, turning her back to Zagonnas.Sensing her vulnerability, Zagonnas, standing behind her, raised his hand to strike her down. Yet, as he lifted his hand, a voice filled with innocence resonated from Cendrarsa's embrace."Are you a fairy, sister? You're so pretty!"The child had awakened! Of all moments, why now?Simultaneously, a chill breeze grazed Cendrarsa's neck.Turning around, she found Zagonnas's hand hovering above her head."Sir?" Cendrarsa blinked, feigning ignorance."Um, there's a weed in the lady's hair."Despite his history of bloodshed, Zagonnas hesitated to murder in the presence of a child. Awkwardly smiling, he reached forward and plucked something from her hair.Uncertain of what he had retrieved, he withdrew his hand, concealing it behind his back."Thank you."Cendrarsa smiled and turned her attention back to the child."Sister isn't a fairy, she's a doctor. You're unwell, and your husband brought you here for treatment. Come, be a good boy and finish this medicine; it'll make you feel better."As she tenderly coaxed the child, Cendrarsa cursed inwardly.A weed! He had intended to harm her just now; the intent to kill was unmistakable.She had gravely misjudged him; this man was a ruthless killer. Whether she could tame him into normalcy or even coexist with him remained uncertain.Yet, as the child stirred awake, Zagonnas had subdued his murderous intent. It seemed he still retained shreds of humanity, unwilling to reveal his true nature before the child."But sister, this medicine tastes awful."As the child began to protest, Cendrarsa struggled to engage with him. Setting him back on the pillow, she reached for the medicine bowl, intending to coax him once more. At that moment, Zagonnas reached out, taking the bowl from her."Doctor, rest. I'll handle this."Before Cendrarsa could respond, the child on the bed abruptly sat up, snatched the bowl from Zagonnas, and drank the medicine in one go, wiping his mouth with his sleeve."Sir, I've finished the medicine."