The Incubus Archduke Dreams of a Pet Human - Chapter 63

The dimensional gate, opened as abruptly as a decree of expulsion, led back to the Archduke’s mansion.

Levia’s horrific scream had echoed through the closing gap of the portal, leaving Theticia’s heart in a state of unrest as she awaited Asmod. Jess, who had been applying an ointment that smelled of fresh grass to every grazed spot on her skin, looked up at her bonnet with concern.

“How are you feeling?”

“……My body is fine.”

‘Though my spirit feels entirely parched,’ she thought, but she could not bring herself to say the words aloud because of Glacia, who currently had her head buried in a corner of the room.

“You do not seem fine. Your eyes are quite swollen.”

“It is likely because I cried.”

Her eyes were not the only problem. Perhaps it was because she had been dangling in midair before being released, or perhaps it was due to the unfamiliar mana she had been forced to emit. Her entire body ached as if she had been beaten, and a persistent dizziness clung to her. Still, her physical state was better than her mind, which felt gnawed raw by anxiety and dread.

“I’m going to die-ie. Even if he doesn’t kill me, he might turn me into muth.”

Glacia was gloomily repeating the same words over and over. Recalling Asmod’s frigid gaze made Theticia’s body shrink, feeling as though a needle were being driven into her very tailbone.

Jess stroked Theticia’s ankles, which were covered in reddish scratches.

“I should not have left Lady Theticia alone. Since we were inside the Archduke’s mansion, I did not think. I am truly sorry.”

“No. I should have been more careful.”

According to Glacia’s brief explanation, it was true that the Bestiary had functioned as a dimensional gate. Jess added the supplemental explanation that nothing would have happened had she simply not touched it.

She had already been scolded several times for grabbing demonic beasts without hesitation. She had let her guard down because it was a book. She felt an unbearable sense of shame, as if she were a child who could not go a single day without causing an accident.

‘The problem is how to appease Lord Asmod’s anger.’

Should she visit him wearing only her undergarments again? It had worked once, but she doubted it would be effective this time; before, his anger had been like fire, something she could attempt to soothe, but thinking of Asmod’s current icy eyes, there seemed to be no answer.

‘Am I truly going to be kicked out this time?’

From within the bonnet, a transparent gaze watched Theticia, who was trembling like a newborn lamb, with pity.

“Still, it is a relief that you returned safely. This……. I managed to engrave the pattern properly.”

Jess handed Theticia a pen wrapped carefully in cloth. Theticia took the pen with hands that had already lost all strength. Even though it was an object entirely unrelated to her current ordeal, it felt like a small reward for her suffering.

“Thank you, Jess. I truly only have you.”

The moment she spoke, the space split wide with a jagged fracture, and a dimensional gate appeared in the center of Theticia’s room. The gate, which usually looked as luxurious as a work of art, was now misaligned, its once smooth surface as jagged and rough as thorns.

With the sound of grinding friction and crushing weight, Asmod emerged from the gate, drenched in a green liquid. The fluid, which appeared to be Levia’s blood, dripped steadily from his hair.

His glowing purple eyes pierced through Theticia.

“Are you planning to distribute your life to all demons?”

“Ah, Lord Asmod……?”

His voice was as sharp as a blade held to a throat. As Asmod strode forward, dark green footprints were left behind on the carpet.

Theticia flinched and pulled her head back as the thick scent of mugwort wafted from the hand reaching toward her. Wet fingers gripped her small chin.

“Do you dare attempt to betray me?”

At the sudden accusation, Theticia’s captured mouth hung open.

If what Glacia said was true, Asmod certainly knew that Theticia had been kidnapped. Hearing a scolding that seemed to gouge out her heart, small creases formed around Theticia’s eyes.

“Why……. would you say such a thing.”

It was not the first time she had heard groundless accusations. It was not the first or second time she had been placed in an unfair situation. However, she realized for the first time that the pain could differ so greatly depending on who was speaking the words.

“Glacia!”

At Asmod’s call, Glacia, who had been trembling violently, hesitantly approached the two. Jess, standing nearby, spoke up in defense of Theticia, her bonnet quivering.

“Your Grace. Lady Theticia has done nothing wrong. It is my fault for not remaining by her side.”

“Who gave you permission to open your mouth?”

The moment he spoke, the bonnet flew into the air as if caught in a gale. The ointment Jess had been holding fell to the floor with a loud, messy clatter.