The Incubus Archduke Dreams of a Pet Human - Chapter 27

Beyond the curtain, the Demon Realm’s ball had begun.

“There is no need to be nervous. It is but an ordinary ball.”

“Glacia’s here too!”

“Y-yes!”

With practiced ease, Asmod guided Theticia’s hand back around his forearm. The moment she held on to that arm, solid as ebony, her restless heart settled a little. Glacia stayed close at her feet and wagged her tail lightly.

Asmod briskly swept aside the curtain. From the balcony, stairs descended to the ballroom below.

Since it was said to be a ball hosted by His Majesty the Demon King, Theticia had expected something like the Imperial Palace’s grand balls, but it was neither as splendid nor as vast as she had imagined.

The atmosphere was closer to a light gathering of high nobles. Aside from the fact that the appearance of its members was, for the most part, bizarre, everything else seemed ordinary.

“Presenting His Grace the Archduke Asmodeus and Commander Glacialabolas!”

Whether amplified by magic or not, the booming voice shook the hall, and the demons below turned toward them.

“Ugh.”

To avoid the flood of gazes, Theticia instinctively bowed her head low. Above her small, tensely hunched head, Asmod’s arrogant gaze settled with satisfaction.

Relying on the arm she held, Theticia descended into the ballroom. In her downcast gaze, shoes of every shape and kind crowded close.

“Your Grace! How long it has been.”

“It has indeed been too long. Have you been well?”

Asmod’s voice, as he exchanged greetings with the demons, was dignified and elegant, befitting the position of an Archduke.

“Your Grace, His Majesty has granted you an audience.”

“I understand. I shall go at once. Theticia.”

At the sound of her name, Theticia’s shoulders flinched and trembled. Still unable to lift her head, her shoulders were quietly steadied by Asmod, who whispered in a calm tone.

“I will go have an audience with His Majesty. Since this is your first Demon Realm ball, take the time to look around.”

“M-me? You mean for me to stay here alone?”

“Glacia is here. Do not worry.”

Her hand, flailing in bewilderment, could not in the end catch Asmod as he strode away. Theticia froze where she stood.

Unaware that her mere presence at the ball as a human in her right mind was itself unusual, Theticia shrank under the torrent of stares and whispers.

“Is that the pet human Lord Asmod brought in? I heard from Lady Halima that he cherishes it quite a bit.”

“Is this not, in effect, merely a display of mana? Incubi are truly an incomprehensible race.”

“Mother, can’t I have a pet human too? She looks like a doll, and she’s so cute.”

“Until the war ends, private amusements are forbidden. His Grace the Archduke is an incubus, which is why he alone can maintain such a thing.”

Since the war, keeping a pet human had been forbidden as a luxury. Preserving a human’s reason was exceedingly troublesome and consumed vast amounts of mana. Even if an incubus had a secret method to lessen the mana required for keeping humans, to other demons it could only ever appear an extravagance.

As cold sweat dripped from Theticia, a warm bundle of fur brushed against her calf.

“Don’t mind them, Shon-ni. They’re just curious.”

“Glacia…”

With the thought that she might feel a little better holding the bundle of fluff, Theticia lifted Glacia into her arms.

“Shon-ni, your heart’s pounding like crazy.”

“It’s because I’m afraid of places where there are many people.”

“They’re not humans. They’re demons.”

Glacia gave a sniff, then flicked out her tongue and licked the tip of Theticia’s chin. Letting out a small laugh and saying it tickled, Theticia lifted her head to avoid the soft, damp tongue.

“Ah……!”

She gasped softly at the sight that met her eyes.

“What’s wrong, Shon-ni?”

Even at Glacia’s question, she could not bring herself to speak.

‘……I can see their faces.’

Her heart pounded as if it would burst out of her throat. The gloomy world, where she had seen nothing but the feet of others, suddenly brightened without warning.

A wolf beastkin, laughing as he poured liquor into his gaping muzzle; a beautiful demon woman, lips pursed in irritation; and a goat-faced gentleman, looking flustered.

No matter how long she looked, not a single face appeared blurred or smudged.

‘To see demons’ faces this clearly…… My condition must be related to mana after all.’

When Theticia was absorbed in these new faces, the crowd of demons, overflowing with party spirit, parted like reeds struck by a gust of wind. From between them, a tall man and a beautiful woman walked straight toward Theticia.

Scarlet hair, bright as flame, falling down to his waist, and snake-like yellow eyes gleaming with greed. Beside him, a woman with grass-green hair flaunted her dazzling beauty.

Theticia stared, spellbound, at their captivating looks. Accepting the flood of stares as if relishing them, the two demons stopped before her.

“So, you’re Asmod’s pet human?”