The Incubus Archduke Dreams of a Pet Human - Chapter 25

So, this day had finally come. Compared to her previous life, it was a complaint born of being spoiled, yet Theticia was still uneasy.

“I suppose I absolutely must go to the ball. Honestly, I think it wouldn’t be bad to live like this for the rest of my life.”

Theticia muttered to herself as she cast a wistful glance toward the book lying on the table. Jess tightened the strings of Theticia’s dress while shaking her head.

“You said you wanted to go outside. It’s dangerous until you receive His Majesty the Demon King’s confirmation. You have to be recognized as Lord Asmod’s.”

Lord Asmod’s. Jess’s words, spoken as if she were an object, made Theticia’s earlobes flush bright red.

They called me a pet human, didn’t they? The status she needed to be acknowledged for by the Demon King felt embarrassingly demeaning.

“Right? To see all those things with my own two eyes, I’ll have to attend the ball, won’t I?”

Theticia accepted her situation with resignation. The strange animals and plants of the Demon Realm she’d seen in books vividly came to mind. The colors and textures that couldn’t be discerned from the black engravings were unbearably curious to her.

As Theticia steadied herself, Jess dragged over a wheeled mirror adorned with elaborate decorations.

“Now, take a look.”

Theticia’s face flushed deeply as she saw her reflection.

“I… I’m supposed to make an audience dressed like this?”

“Practically, only Lord Asmod will be having an audience with His Majesty the Demon King.”

“No, that’s not what I mean!”

The dress itself was beautiful. The voluminous white gown was layered with weightless, translucent fabric that seemed almost see-through, decorated with blue jewels sparkling like stars plucked from the sky.

If it were only that, it would have been fine. But the neckline was deeply cut, revealing about half of her ample chest, and from below the knees, her bare legs were visible through the thin fabric.

“I just can’t believe I have to stand before others dressed like this.”

Moreover, the shoes were another matter. The high heels and soft leather soles felt startlingly unfamiliar. Theticia looked regretfully at the flying shoes she had carefully stored away in a box.

“For a Demon Realm ball dress, this is actually quite modest.”

No matter how much Jess tried to reassure her, Theticia couldn’t believe it.

Just then, the door swung open and Glacia hopped in.

“Sonni! You’re dressed so pretty! Let’s go for a walk, let’s go!”

After greeting Glacia warmly, Theticia looked toward the still-open door.

As expected, Asmod would follow behind.

Since arriving in the Demon Realm, Theticia had been able to sense where Asmod was. She could feel him as if they were connected.

Following the sweet scent of sandalwood, Asmod appeared through the open door.

He wore a neat, dark purple suit embroidered with refined gold thread decorations, befitting the title of Archduke. Aside from his mysterious appearance, he looked like a high-ranking human noble.

‘His suit looks perfectly normal, so why…!’

Asmod scanned Theticia with an appreciative gaze as her face flushed as if it might burst.

“Halima actually sent you a modest dress this time.”

“…You call this modest?”

Startled, Theticia questioned, but Asmod didn’t change his expression and nodded seriously.

If this was the culture of the Demon Realm, she had no choice but to accept it. With her days filled with fine meals and reading books, and the research that lay ahead, enduring this was the right choice.

As they stepped out of the entrance, Pandemonium, the capital of the Demon Realm, revealed itself beyond the window. In the distance, atop the Demon King’s Castle, a pale, gigantic blue mana light shone. The glow of the mana light resembled the light pillars created by the Mana Collectors in the Imperial Palace.

Asmod called to Theticia, who was staring blankly at the mana light.

“Don’t just stand there gaping, come here.”

In front of the mansion, two pairs of carriages drawn by black horses were waiting. Up close, these were no ordinary black horses but had blazing red eyes and manes. Every time the horses neighed, flames burst from the corners of their mouths.

“That’s a Nightmare!”

They were clearly the demonic beasts she had seen in books. Entranced, Theticia reached out to pet one, but Asmod caught her.

“Don’t touch them. They’re fierce creatures, and you might have nightmares.”

“But I want to touch them just once. I’m curious if it’s really true that they cause nightmares. After the ball, I’ll be able to see lots of demonic beasts like this, right?”

Theticia asked with sparkling eyes, and Asmod muttered awkwardly.

“Wanting to have nightmares is a bit unusual.”

“I’ve heard that a lot”

Flustered by being caught, Theticia darted her eyes around.

Though she had never encountered an animal or insect whose face she couldn’t see, she had the habit of touching them to make sure she could trust her own eyes.

“All right.”

Asmod lightly extended his hand to Theticia, signaling for her to accept his support and board the carriage. Not used to being escorted, Theticia hesitated noticeably.

Without waiting, Asmod took her hand gently.