By Zephyria 
Side Story Episode 6
“No… Since when!”
Maximun suddenly shouted angrily, springing up from his seat.
His reaction was so uncharacteristically violent that I just stared blankly, wondering if I had said something wrong. Then Leshnold chimed in.
“That bastard… no, that guy! When did he…!”
“I won’t accept this! Ray!”
With Maximun and Leshnold chattering noisily, my ears were starting to hurt. Amidst it all, Esili wore a serious expression, lost in thought, with only Luciel remaining calm.
“What’s the problem?”
I asked, genuinely unable to understand.
Because the hidden flaws I knew about ‘Ardian’s public flaws’ were likely far greater than what they knew, and I had already accepted and learned to handle them.
From the start, being involved with a prince would bring political benefits to the Valentasia family. As the ducal family ruling the Defnel Marquisate, it wasn’t an unsuitable match. That was also why the scandal hadn’t taken a negative turn.
I couldn’t find any logical reason why I shouldn’t be with him.
Maximun and Leshnold stiffened in surprise.
“…If it’s not allowed, then it’s not allowed!”
“Right! Dad’s correct!”
As expected, they couldn’t give a proper reason.
“Doesn’t it not matter? If they like each other, what’s the issue? Besides, His Majesty the Emperor is still young and healthy, and even if something were to happen, the 4th Prince has no succession rights, so there’s no reason for things to get complicated.”
At least Luciel gave an extremely normal answer. When I nodded in agreement with my mother’s words, Leshnold and Maximun’s expressions grew even paler.
They looked as if they hadn’t expected me to argue so actively—in my own way.
Then Esili, who had been lost in thought, spoke up.
“Let’s meet him first and judge then. Bring him over sometime, Ray.”
“That’s actually what I was planning to bring up. He said he’d come soon.”
“…!”
“…!”
“…!”
Leshnold, Maximun, and Esili simultaneously exchanged meaningful glances with each other. Luciel, smiling gently, asked in a soft voice.
“When exactly did he say he’d come?”
“I think I need to ask him that.”
Frankly, I didn’t want to ask because if I asked when he’d come, the response would likely be something like “even tomorrow is fine”… I averted my gaze slightly and swallowed a sigh internally.
During the semester, I was busy trying to obtain my Black Class certification, and with Hunter missions leaving no time to rest, I had taken about a month’s vacation right after graduation. If I called Ardian over now, it seemed like he’d bother me the entire month.
But if I said I wanted to take an additional month off, Cloud—the guild master of the Baekya Guild I currently belong to and my superior—would undoubtedly sneer, saying, “Now that you’re a vice guild master, all you think about is slacking off.”
That would also hurt my pride.
“Ask him when he’s coming. We should prepare to welcome him in advance.”
“…Understood.”
I nodded reluctantly at Luciel’s words. Maximun, Leshnold, and Esili suddenly huddled together and began discussing what they’d ask Ardian when he came, why he liked me, and whether he was qualified to be brought here, saying they’d dig into it.
It’s not like they’re conducting a pressure interview… Aren’t they just subtly enjoying finding ways to torment His Highness the Noble Prince? Letting out a small sigh, I finished my meal and stood up. Everyone’s eyes followed me intently.
“Already finished eating? Wasn’t it enough?”
“Yes, it’s fine. I’ll head upstairs first.”
“Alright, you must be tired. Go up and rest well.”
I smiled slightly at Luciel’s warm consideration and turned toward the hallway. Then, something else I felt I should mention came to mind, and I turned back just as I was about to leave the dining room.
“Even if Ardian comes, don’t torment him too much.”
My siblings, including Maximun, who were in the midst of conspiring, widened their eyes and stared at me, but since that was all I had to say, I left the dining room and went up to my room.
‘Before I forget, I should contact him too.’
Opening the door and entering, a clean scene without a speck of dust greeted me. Thanks to my family having the servants clean daily even while I was away.
I headed to the bathroom first. Since I had only washed my hands and face earlier to eat, I planned to wash up early and change into comfortable sleepwear.
By the time I finished soaking in the warm water and stepped out, the sun had already set, and it was growing dark. Feeling relaxed and drowsy, I sat on the bed and turned on the Communication Orb. But before I could contact him, a call came from Ardian.
It was perfect timing, as if he had been watching from afar.
-Ah, Ray. What’s the occasion? You picked up so quickly today.
“I just happened to have it on.”
-Who were you planning to contact?
Ardian tilted his head from the other side of the orb. Did he not think he might be that ‘someone’? Resting my chin briefly, I stared at him intently before speaking.
“What does it matter to you who it was?”
In response, I saw him pout silently without a word. Here I am, telling my family not to torment him, yet I’m the one tormenting him. The thought made me chuckle softly.
“Just kidding. I turned it on to contact you, but you called first.”
-……!
Ardian’s eyes widened as if he hadn’t expected such a response. It seemed he truly hadn’t thought I’d reach out so soon.
Tom was like that, Herman too…
‘Do I come off that indifferent?’
I reflected on my own actions anew. Thinking about it, I was always in my place, and it was those around me who approached first or contacted first. It wasn’t intentional, though.
Caring about beings other than myself wasn’t something very familiar to me, so I thought I was getting along well with them in my own way, but it seemed that wasn’t the case.
I felt a bit reflective.
Maybe I need to look around a little more than I do now.
Humans are social animals who feel loneliness and must live mingling with others. And since I am also human, I accepted that issue more closely.
Among the life I remember, the years I lived as an empty vessel, as a Demon, and as the Demon King reigning over the Demons were longer than the years I’ve lived as a human…
But whenever I feel that emotion of emptiness and loneliness in a corner of my heart, I think, “Ah, I am human now too.”
“You said you’d come visit. When are you coming?”
Breaking free from my brief reverie, I asked.
Ardian smiled softly, lifting the corners of his mouth as he answered.
-I’d be fine even tomorrow.
How he consistently defies my expectations like this is beyond me.
-Ray. Did you miss me?
I stared curiously, wondering if he could read my mind, as Ardian added that question. Feeling the joy seeping uncontrollably from his low voice, I chuckled softly.
“I’ll say yes. So, should I tell them you’re really coming tomorrow?”
-Did your family ask when I’m coming?
“Yeah.”
-I see. So you… told your family about me too.
Ardian smiled shyly and lowered his eyes. My gaze drifted to his long, lush eyelashes visible even through the orb. An impulse to touch them arose.
-Alright. I’ll come to the front of the mansion tomorrow morning.
“You know the coordinates, right?”
-Yeah, I know.
“Then see you tomorrow.”
-Sleep well, Ray. I love you.
After a brief hesitation, I replied, “Me too,” and quickly turned off the orb.
Belatedly, a ticklish feeling rose in my chest.
“……”
I rubbed my chest slightly. After regaining my memories and starting to live as Raymond instead of Mephisto, I began to understand and feel various emotions, and one of them was this ticklish sensation.
A peculiar ticklishness, slightly different from the excitement of my heart racing while rolling around with him. It’s hard to define this with a single word. Because it’s complex.
I don’t dislike this ticklish feeling, but whenever it happens, it becomes strangely hard to stay still, making it one of the emotions I still find burdensome.
‘I should just tell Father and Mother… and go to bed early.’
Since he said he’d come tomorrow morning, he’d undoubtedly rush over as soon as he wakes up. Leaving my room, I went down to their bedroom, informed them he’d be coming tomorrow, and returned.
Turning off the light and lying down, bright moonlight streamed in through the window. Feeling inexplicably cozy, I gazed blankly at the moonlight before falling asleep.