Welcome to the Demon’s Cabin - Chapter 12

A monster and a human, a puppeteer and a puppet, a director and an actor. It could be nothing more than that kind of relationship.

While her mind had remained perfectly sound all along, it seemed her emotions had malfunctioned for a moment.

As though throwing away all worry and deep thought, Irene laughed with a renewed lightness.

“It is truly all right. It is only something trivial, so you need not concern yourself.”

Yes. It is all merely trivial.

The fact that Idris might fail to endure and show rejection once or twice, and that the fear and disgust he could not hide surfaced faintly, all of it.

‘Ignore such things, and simply laugh and enjoy it.’

This is not playing at friendship but merely a puppet show.

Since it is a relationship that will not last long anyway, that is proper.

Naturally, in her heart she wanted to keep a person for a very long time, but it was a hopeless dream.

To begin with, even the mental fortitude of Idris, an excellent actor, would surely reach its limit……

“Irene. Remember this well.”

There is such a thing as fate in this world that cannot be defied.

“In exchange for setting you free, you must not allow your true nature to be discovered by anyone.”

At the low, leisurely voice that surfaced in her mind, Irene’s gaze sank darkly.

“Mm……. Well, yes. Perhaps I shall overlook one or two. But you must not leave them alive so that they may go about speaking of you. It is a simple promise, so you can easily keep this much, can you not?”

She had to remember. That at present she was living by clinging to a thread of mercy.

Even if it was a little regrettable that Idris, who would meet his end while keeping pace with her demanding rhythm, she could do nothing about it. Irene lightly brushed down her arm, where goosebumps had risen.

‘He was someone whose life was already forfeit from the beginning. I saved him, so what does it matter if I keep him for a while and then kill him? Have I not, rather, prolonged his life?’

It was shameless rationalization, but Irene truly thought that way. She leaned casually against the dresser and propped her chin on her hand.

‘Still, until then, it would be better to treat him as well as possible, would it not?’

With that resolve, Irene washed away even the last grain-like discomfort in a single stroke.

‘Now I only need to think about how to spend the time as enjoyably as possible. That is what is right.’

Since the ending was already decided and time was short, she found herself considering what to begin with at once. While Idris tilted the cup and sipped the stew little by little, Irene watched him endlessly with a smile.

“As expected, the lake first……”

“Yes?”

“Ah, it is nothing. I was only speaking to myself.”

Deep in thought, Irene smiled brightly when her eyes met his.

“No, asking you directly would be the most certain. Mr. Idris, once your body recovers, how would you feel about looking around this area together? Just a light walk.”

“……I would be nothing but grateful, but whether that would be all right…….”

Idris placed the half-finished cup down on his knee and made a puzzled expression. His eyes trembled faintly, yet he steadfastly met Irene’s red gaze.

Yes. If it is only exactly like that, it will be enough. Irene murmured inwardly to Idris and smiled with sincerity.

“It is all right. This area is safe from monsters. How about starting with the lakeside just ahead?”

“You mean the lake visible outside this window?”

“Yes, that is correct.”

“Then of course I would be glad. Thank you, Miss Irene.”

“You may look forward to it. It is a large and clear lake, truly beautiful. I am certain you will like it as well, Mr. Idris.”

In a voice filled with excitement, Irene went on at length about the lake and the beautiful flowers beside it. The thought that she could finally show someone the flowers she had carefully cultivated made her heart flutter.

Starting from the lake, then the forest and the flowers she cherished, and even this cabin, she would carefully guide him through all of her territory. Partly for the pleasure of a walk, partly to introduce the place where he would stay from now on.

‘Come to think of it, I must somehow say it well, that he will not be able to leave this place before he dies. How should I begin?’

Irene curved her ornate eyes and fell into pleasant contemplation.

Strangely enough, her heart felt at ease.