Chapter 46
Had she gone to Kraven, she would have barely survived by selling herbs. What Theticia received in exchange for giving her lust was abundance.
So much that she wondered whether she deserved such treatment for sleeping with him only once every few days.
As Jess replaced the emptied soup bowl, she spoke kindly.
“It seems His Grace has completely calmed down. You look to be in good spirits too, Lady Theticia.”
“Well, I am able to have delicious meals like this every time. And I enjoy reading the books Lord Asmod brings me.”
Cheerfully replying, Theticia stripped the meat from the large rib and popped it into her mouth. After sleeping with Asmod, she always felt strangely hungry.
“I feel as though I am receiving too much. The only thing I can give Lord Asmod is mana.”
“You truly must like His Grace, Lady Theticia.”
At those words, Theticia nearly choked and spat out the piece of meat caught in her throat.
“I, I like Lord Asmod?”
“Isn’t it natural to want to give something to the person you like? I assumed you came to the Demon Realm because you liked His Grace.”
At Jess’s assumption, Theticia wore an awkward expression.
Certainly, when she looked into Asmod’s eyes, her heart did pound frantically. Whether that was because of his dazzlingly handsome appearance or simply because he was the first person she had ever properly seen face to face, she couldn’t tell.
And she had never once thought about liking Asmod.
For Theticia, who had only just begun looking at other people’s faces and having proper conversations, liking someone was still a foreign emotion.
Flustered for no reason, Theticia quickly changed the subject.
“I do wish to give Lord Asmod something more. His handkerchief burned up as well.”
“Lady Theticia, have you not already consummated your first night with His Grace?”
At the sudden mention of their bed, Theticia’s throat closed up all over again.
“Y-yes, we did.”
“His Grace will be satisfied with just that. A first night is precious for both men and women.”
She knew Jess meant to comfort her, yet Theticia still felt a sting inside.
‘I slept with Lord Asmod partly to tarnish that first night.’
Hearing it spoken of so reverently made her feel like some kind of scoundrel.
But precious for both men and women? Considering the demons who held orgies in the Sodom Hall, Jess was quite old-fashioned for a demon.
‘Lord Asmod must have had those kinds of relationships too, to maintain his mana. He’s skilled enough to be called the Archduke of Lust.’
Unaware that the title was a kind of irony, Theticia accepted it as it was.
‘That woman he said I resemble… she must have had that kind of relationship with him too…?’
The woman briefly mentioned the previous night came to mind. Imagining that, of course, there must have been several humans who had given mana to Asmod, a sharp ache pricked her chest.
Creak.
When the dining room door opened, Theticia didn’t even need to turn; the cool fragrance told her who had entered. Jess’s figure vanished from beside her. It seemed she was giving them space to be alone.
“Did you sleep well?”
“Yes, did you sleep well, Lord Asmod.”
Asmod offered a gentle morning greeting and placed a kiss on the crown of Theticia’s head where she sat at the table. Perhaps because she could still vividly recall him angry the night before, her shoulders went rigid at the casual gesture.
Once Asmod sat, a ghostly maid placed a glass of dark red wine before him and disappeared. To break the awkward atmosphere, Theticia quickly chose something to say.
“Come to think of it… Lord Asmod, you hardly ever eat.”
“…Watching you eat is enough to fill me.”
At the soft remark, Theticia swallowed dryly. Of course, it was because Asmod had taken in plenty of lust instead of food, but there was no way for her to know that.
Theticia glanced at Asmod, who was looking at her. Maybe it was because of what Jess had said. Remembering the meager first night she had given him, every word from Asmod weighed on her.
“Um, Lord Asmod. Is there… anything I can give you besides l…ust?”
“Why are you saying such a thing all of a sudden?”
“It just… came to mind. I feel like I’ve received too much from you.”
Fidgeting under his gaze, Theticia gnawed on her fork. Asmod, wearing a slightly awkward expression, spoke.
“There is something I was hoping you might do.”
At that, Theticia perked her ears up. If it could relieve even a little of her burden, she felt she could do anything.
“What is it?”
At her hopeful gaze, Asmod cupped his chin, looking uncharacteristically embarrassed.
“It is not something you absolutely must do, but…”
Why was he hesitating so much. Theticia tilted her head to the side.
“I want you to help with my celebration party for losing my virginity.”
“…A what party?”
An utterly unbelievable combination of words spilled out of Asmod’s mouth.
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