The Incubus Archduke Dreams of a Pet Human - Chapter 59

Theticia shook her head with a frantic intensity.

“No, no, no! Wh-why would I live here? Why would I talk to Lord Levia forever?!”

It would be spine-chilling even if intended as a joke, but Levia’s voice was filled with nothing but sincerity.

‘Is he saying he’s going to lock me in this greenhouse forever?!’

Of course, the conversations with Levia had been fun, but Theticia had no intention of talking about demonic beasts with him indefinitely without any future in sight. To think he would resort to kidnapping and confinement without even asking for the other person’s consent. Well, originally, kidnapping is something where you don’t ask for the other person’s consent.

The pupils that had been stuck like dots within his deep green irises opened wide. He had a surprised face, as if he hadn’t known he would be rejected.

“Wh-why……? It was fun. You liked talking to me too, Th-Theticia, didn’t you?”

“That was fun, of course……! But isn’t this a bit wrong? My coming here was also because of your magic, Lord Levia, wasn’t it?”

“Y-you were supposed to come to the greenhouse. But there was no contact at all. While waiting……. I-I just got exhausted.”

His large eyes looked down at Theticia without blinking even once. This pressure, it felt like the air had become heavy. Just by standing still, cold sweat was pouring down.

“I-I said I would ask Lord Asmod.”

“Did you ask him……?”

“…….”

Since he asked that, she had nothing to say.

“I-it’s okay. I knew that would happen, so that’s why I……. I-I brought Theticia here. I will treat you better than Asmod.”

Something like the stems of a climbing plant began to pour out in a rush from between Levia’s robes. On the stems that wriggled with flexible movements, thorns were densely attached.

‘Ah, I feel like I’ve seen this sight in a dream somewhere…….’

Of course, the one who had tentacles in the dream wasn’t Levia. Recalling the blurry memory, Theticia moved back with hesitant steps.

“L-Lord Levia. If you try to hold me here by force like this, I won’t say a single word. There won’t be any pleasant conversations, or anything else……!”

“It’s okay. If I stir your head a little bit, I can make you docile. While leaving all your memories intact, that is.”

As he said that, a thin vine with a sharp end grew beside Levia. The tip, which shook threateningly, looked as if it would attack her head immediately.

She shouldn’t have expected something like character from a demon. Suddenly, Asmod, who had been kind to her, felt like an angel to the point of being extreme.

The back that was moving away from Levia went thud, hitting the glass wall.

“D-don’t run away, Theticia. A-anyway, you can’t open the greenhouse door.”

“What are you going to say to Lord Asmod? I thought you two were close. I am, to the very end……. Lord Asmod’s pet human!”

Theticia thrust her wrist forward like a shield.

To think she would say this with her own mouth. Even while saying it, her face became hot, but it was the best struggle a human could do against a demonic Archduke.

Levia stared intently at the purple brand clearly stamped on her milky-white skin.

“……A-as long as Asmod hasn’t stolen your soul, there is a chance for me too. H-humans are beings who can always choose.”

“I’ve never heard such a story before.”

“Th-the contract can be overwritten. If only you agree, I-I have the power for that. I will give you wh-whatever you want.”

Levia spread his skeletal, thin hand wide in front of Theticia. The faint green smoke coming from his fingertips gathered and clumped, then transformed into all sorts of grass and flowers.

‘Crab Orchids, Horned Rabbit Clover, Wind Cranberries…….’

Demonic plants that were written in the bestiary as being rare beyond measure, along with plants from the surface, bloomed fully in his pale palm. At the feast of rare, desirable plants, Theticia swallowed her dry saliva.

Among the brilliant colors, a downy white flower bud opened its petals wide.

“Sea Edelweiss! ……That’s mean!”

She had really wanted to compare it with the Edelweiss of the surface. It was a flower that was said to bloom once every five hundred years on the seaside cliffs of the Demon Realm. Since such a precious flower appeared, even her heart was thumping.

“I-if you are with me, I can get you every plant you want. Th-the soil to grow them yourself is also prepared. Y-you will become the co-author of a new demonic beast bestiary with the most authoritative botanist in the Demon Realm.”

……And even honor. It was a trade condition that was tempting, far too tempting.

“L-let’s contract with me, Theticia.”

Levia pushed his hand full of plants right up to her nose.

There seemed to be nothing that would be harmful to Theticia. It felt like she might be able to progress with more research even faster than when she was with Asmod.

But.

“……I can’t.”

Theticia closed her eyes tightly and shook her head. If she kept looking at the plants shining brilliantly on that palm, only her heart would waver.

“……Why?”

At the voice where the signs of disappointment were vivid, Theticia cautiously opened her eyes. His pale face was soaked in gloom, looking like he would cry at any moment.