The Incubus Archduke Dreams of a Pet Human - Chapter 48

At Theticia’s praise, the pig chef let out a pleased squeal and took the plate back as he returned to the kitchen.

‘After the debutante, now even the role of mistress. I am doing everything in the Demon Realm that I could not do in the human world.’

The preparations for the coming-of-age ceremony were proceeding fairly smoothly, but what stayed on her mind throughout was, after all, the fact that she herself had taken Asmod’s first experience.

‘Why on earth am I the first?’

An Archduke was the highest rank in the Demon Realm beneath the Demon King. His face was not merely passable but beautiful. He even brought a human like herself to the Demon Realm and fed and clothed her, so his character went without saying.

‘Or is having a good character a problem in the Demon Realm.’

In the human world, frugality was demanded as a virtue of nobles, but in the Demon Realm, luxury and ostentation were the norm, so perhaps other things were the opposite as well.

Theticia checked the vase filled with lava willows and cone lilies once more. She had chosen them because the bluish leaves and petal colors suited Asmod well, and the cool and heavy fragrance suited him just as well.

At the edge of the ballroom, Asmod was watching Theticia as she checked the centerpieces. From the urn placed beside him, Rumpel grumbled in a dissatisfied voice.

“Why in the world is that human preparing His Grace the Archduke’s coming-of-age ceremony? To entrust such a traditional event to such a paltry existence. This is a disgrace!”

Compared to Rumpel, who was complaining with his face flushed bright red, Asmod looked quite satisfied.

“She says she wants to do it. Why stop her. More than anything, she looks happy.”

Theticia, smelling the fragrance of the flowers, was wearing a smile more lively than ever. Following her, the corners of Asmod’s mouth also rose subtly.

Only Rumpel looked at Asmod with an incredulous expression.

“I have no face to show the former Archduke……, ugh!”

After forcibly closing the lid of the urn, Asmod slowly moved his steps and approached Theticia.

“Is everything ready?”

At the hand gripping her shoulder and the deep scent of sandalwood, Theticia turned to face Asmod.

“Yes. Everything is ready. I do not know if it will be perfect, though. We are just waiting for Glacia to return, but there has been no word yet.”

“She will be back before the coming-of-age ceremony begins. Before that, it would be better to look in the mirror once.”

Asmod bent his head down and gently licked away the cream at the corner of her lips. With the attendants watching, Theticia took a hesitant step back.

“What is it.”

“J, Jess is here, and Lord Rumpel too, so this is a little embarrassing.”

With a light tap, Asmod’s finger touched her rose-tinted cheek playfully and then withdrew.

“There is nothing to suddenly be shy about. We should practice before the coming-of-age ceremony.”

“Practice for wha……, mmph!”

A large hand caught Theticia by the waist and, as if it were only natural, he pressed his lips to hers.

‘No matter how much he treats the attendants like furniture, is this not too embarrassing?’

Following the tongue that seemed about to reach her throat, Asmod drew in her mana to the full. By the time Asmod finally released her, Theticia’s legs were already trembling.

“Phhoo”

What kind of virgin kisses so shamelessly in front of others. With her face burning red, Theticia mumbled her question.

“Lord Asmod, by any chance…… have you truly not slept with anyone other than me?”

The violet eyes that had widened for a moment gradually curved as he answered and returned to their place.

In the Demon Realm, this belated first experience was nothing but a disgrace, yet it seemed to weigh heavily on Theticia’s mind. That sign was pleasing to Asmod. It was because of the expectation that the sympathy born of a long-gone chronic affliction might be tied into affection.

For humans, the more someone regards another as special, the more they in turn regard that person as special.

Asmod drew in a deep breath and answered.

“……Only you, Theticia.”

At the gentle and straightforward reply, Theticia’s face flushed even more than expected. Then who in the world was the woman said to resemble her.

“H, how could it be only me. With a face like that, and with a nickname like the Archduke of Lust.”

At the remark that sent a sharp jolt through him, Asmod’s brow twitched. Theticia did not seem to realize that the title carried a demeaning nuance.

“The nickname was inherited from my father, the former Archduke. It is a title gained by rank alone. And have I not already told you the reason I was able to sleep with you.”

Theticia rolled her eyes around, then flinched and asked back.

“Could it be…… because I am the only one whose face you can see……?”

“Yes. You are the only one from whom I can take lust, Theticia.”

Asmod drove the point home to the flustered Theticia.

“That is why you are precious.”

Theticia’s pouch of thoughts swelled even more noisily than before. She could not believe that Asmod would say such words so simply. All peculiar questions scattered, and her heart ran wild, forgetting its place.

That she alone was the one whose face Asmod could see.

‘That is…… far too much like fate.’

Faced with an unbelievable reality, Theticia swallowed dryly.