The Incubus Archduke Dreams of a Pet Human - Chapter 53

As the ritual announcing the start of the coming-of-age ceremony ended, the time for the spectators began.

Demons shared small talk here and there, selecting partners to request a dance. Glacia also quickly laid claim to a sheep-headed young lady of similar stature to herself. Lucifer picked out a large-framed elephant lady.

Descending from the platform, Theticia looked up at Asmod with a pounding heart.

“What was that just now?”

“It is a declaration that you have become a master of mana as an adult. It also carries the meaning of relief for the masses.”

Looking around gently, the demons appeared overflowing with more vitality than when she had first arrived. Seeing a strangely sweet energy wafting about, it seemed to be the result of sharing the Incubus’s mana.

Asmod gave a light tug to Theticia, who was observing the altered atmosphere of her surroundings.

“I called the last ball a debutante, yet I failed to properly request a dance.”

“Ah, I am not very good at it. I have never actually danced before. I will only be a nuisance to you, Lord Asmod.”

“It is fine, for I shall lead.”

Before she had time to refuse, Asmod and Theticia took their places in the center of the demons who had organized themselves into pairs. As Asmod elegantly lifted the hand he held and supported her waist, the posture was quite plausible.

“Relax your body.”

“Yes, yes!”

The dance music began with the heavy melody of a viola. She felt Asmod’s mana flowing in along the brand that flashed for a moment. Her lightened body matched the rhythm simply by Asmod’s slight twisting and pushing.

‘Mana can be utilized in this manner as well.’

They were only holding hands, yet it felt as if Asmod was touching every part of her body. A feeling of being connected as one. Following his increasingly fast hands, she was able to easily perform even the rotation movements.

“Now that you have tried it once, shall we try it alone?”

“Pardon?”

As soon as he spoke, the mana that had been comfortably wrapping around her body was sucked right back toward Asmod.

Fortunately, movements she had already performed once were easily followed with just a light lead from Asmod. Theticia soon began to step in time with the beat.

“Your skill is quite decent. Is it truly your first time dancing?”

“Even if I call it dancing, practicing while holding the seam of a pillow is the extent of it.”

When Theticia, unaccustomed to praise, blurted out her honest experience in a fluster, Asmod smiled, his eyes crinkling finely.

“You danced with a pillow as your partner?”

“Ye, yes.”

Theticia flushed to the bridge of her nose at the handsome smile.

“You moved my body with mana, Lord Asmod. I feel as though the movements remain in my body. I am simply trying to follow that.”

As she mumbled her protest, Asmod arched an eyebrow.

“If you can feel that, you may not only have abundant mana, but perhaps a talent for magic as well.”

“……Really?”

“Or perhaps you are just good at everything involving the body.”

“Ah, Lord Asmod……!”

Beneath the brilliant glow of the mana lamps, Asmod teased her nonchalantly while Theticia protested with a bright red face.

Multi-colored ruffles and lace, the ends of cravats and tailcoats fluttered to the beat. The sight of animal heads rising here and there, swaying among the dancing faces, was like a scene from a masquerade ball.

Only after arriving among the monsters did Theticia finally feel ordinary.

***

The event at the Archduke’s mansion continued until the Blue Moon lost its light.

Was it because grand balls and parties had decreased due to the war? The spectators worked for a long time to extract the maximum enjoyment out of the proceedings under the name of tradition.

Thanks to this, Theticia, who had been tense the entire time, became completely exhausted.

The orchestra had also vacated their seats, and as the last guest was seen off, only the scents they left behind lingered in the vast space.

Nutmeg and hyacinth, pepper and honey, musk and camphor.

If the lingering scent of a ball held on the Surface was a neat wedding bouquet, a party in the Demon Realm was like a bundle of flowers where all sorts of wildflowers and grass blades were stuck in haphazardly.

“Still……. It was truly fun.”

Theticia dropped her tired head against her shoulder. It seemed the aperitif she drank to relieve her tension had been too much.

Theticia blinked and raised her head at the large shadow looming over her. Asmod, who had returned after seeing off the last guest, looked down at her.

“Lord Asmod. Has everyone returned?”

Theticia stood up from her seat with a silly grin. As she staggered from the lightheadedness of the alcohol, Asmod quickly caught her. As his large hand wrapped around her waist, heat transferred even to his cool body temperature.

“You drank quite a bit.”

“I drank a little too much. This alcohol is delicious because it tastes like peaches. ……More than that, I am curious about how the event was for you.”

Borrowing the courage of the alcohol, Theticia asked for Asmod’s thoughts.

Even as the eldest daughter, she had never hosted so much as a small tea party. Her stepmother, Farsha, would not have allowed it, but even if she could have held a party, no one would have come to a party hosted by a traitor’s daughter.

Still, reading the etiquette books until they were worn out just in case proved helpful.

When there was no answer from Asmod, Theticia asked back with pouting lips.

“……Was it not good?”

At the sight of Theticia seemingly pressing for praise, Asmod let out a small, hollow laugh. Because she had been strangely devoted, he had let her do as she pleased. Seeing her look so proud, it was rewarding in its own way.

‘It will be helpful in getting her attached to the Demon Realm.’

Asmod kissed her slightly protruding lips with a soft sound.