Chapter 30
[You’re feeling really embarrassed right now, aren’t you?]
“…Could you keep it down?”
[Hahaha! Then why bother with an act that won’t fool anyone? Seriously, you’re such a unique one.]
“Ugh, just go away already!”
I buried my face in the pillow and flailed around.
I was already dying of embarrassment, and he wasn’t even fanning me—just teasing me from the side!
‘I know you’re not crying.’
‘…How do you know?’
‘I saw that not a single tear fell.’
‘…You saw that?’
I kept recalling Leighton’s expression, lips pressed together, nodding with a troubled look.
Even thinking back on it now made me blush. If I could, I’d vanish on the spot.
How could he be so perceptive?
The more I remembered that earlier scene, the more humiliating it felt.
Was my acting really that terrible?
Had Hailey been pretending to be fooled by my acting all this time?
Frustrated, I rolled over and stared at the ceiling. Zzack, my little bird, had perched its chin on my forehead.
“Why didn’t my acting work?” I asked.
Zzack chirped in amusement.
[Why wouldn’t it work! You’re honest with your feelings, so why would you lie? Lying is something only those who’ve practiced it can do. Like that Leighton guy earlier.]
“Divine Beast, you’re mistaken. It wasn’t Leighton who lied—it was me.”
[You’re far too naive. I don’t like that guy anyway!]
I lightly ignored Zzack, who had always been wary of Leighton from the start.
He was picky enough that it would be faster to search for someone he liked.
“What should I do if Leighton never goes back?” I asked.
[Then of course, you go back to Ailey quickly. She’ll be waiting for you.]
I shook my finger and disagreed.
“Ailey isn’t just waiting for me—she’ll be waiting for Leighton too. She likes him, after all.”
Ailey, like me, seemed to enjoy having an older brother figure, and she often followed Leighton around.
So I couldn’t just leave him behind.
If he truly never returned to the Bennett Grand Ducal household…
‘The story would completely go off-script.’
If I intervened to lessen Leighton’s suffering, I might ruin everything.
I absolutely couldn’t allow that.
To make Ailey, Leighton, and me happy, we had to preserve the story’s original path.
“All right! Straight ahead until it works!”
[…You really are something.]
Zzack clicked his tongue as if resigned and settled onto the pillow beside me.
He yawned, sinking into the soft white pillow.
[Have you never once thought that Leighton might be a demon?]
I tilted my head at his slow, drowsy voice.
“A demon? He’s just cursed by one. He made a contract, but I don’t think he had any ill intentions.”
[Sometimes you speak as if you’re certain about everything. Especially when it comes to Leighton.]
‘Well, I’ve read the book this story is based on.’
Unable to find an adequate answer, I simply petted Zzack’s soft fur.
[I’ll tell you because you don’t seem to understand. Every contract with a demon comes with a price. Demons always expect an exchange. Surely, Leighton received something from the demon, and he’ll pay the cost.]
“…A deal with a demon?”
I rolled my eyes and stared directly into Zzack’s brown eyes.
If what he said was true, what had Leighton gained from the deal?
I didn’t know what Leighton received, but one thing was certain: this detail was not in the original story.
Zzack seemed satisfied with my petting, soon chirping softly in his sleep.
Watching him, I too began to feel drowsy.
I was bothered by what Zzack said, but…
‘That’s something I’ll figure out later.’
Even if I asked Leighton directly now, he wouldn’t answer.
He’d already nearly tried to kill me due to the curse’s side effects.
If I revealed that I knew about the demon deal, he might try to avoid me completely.
Even if it wasn’t fully confirmed, Zzack’s words made it obvious why Leighton would be suspicious.
If a person who had nothing to do with his life knew everything about him, it would be natural to be wary.
I yawned widely and rubbed my eyes with the back of my hand.
Though my mind was restless, my exhausted body was already drifting into sleep.
The journey to the Zains Marquisate had been grueling, and arguing with Leighton as soon as I arrived had worn me out even more.
I slipped into the warm blankets and quietly watched the fireplace flicker.
‘It’s the first time a guest has stayed in this room… please forgive any shortcomings.’
‘It’s fine. I’ll leave now.’
The room, hastily prepared in a mansion unaccustomed to visitors, was cozy and warm.
‘Still, he’s so thoughtful.’
Thinking about how he had worked to make the room comfortable brought a small smile.
‘Tomorrow, I’ll continue the plan.’
For now, I just needed sleep.
“Why is my arrogant and prickly master in such a bad mood?”
Third floor of the Zains estate.
Gaia silently approached Leighton, who was leaning against the sofa above Selena’s room.
The air around her carried a heavy rose scent, and she observed him meaningfully.
As usual, he didn’t answer, but reading his mood wasn’t difficult.
‘…Hmm, this is interesting after so long.’
The unstable magical aura surrounding Leighton reflected his messy emotions.
‘Leighton Zains acting like this is fascinating.’
Gaia had been with Leighton for a long time.
Among humans she had contracted with, Leighton was the most similar to a demon.
Sometimes cruel and cold enough to make even a demon feel ruthless.
But now… he’s acting strangely human, showing emotion.
She whistled softly, her luscious red lips drawing attention.
Crossing her legs, she asked slyly,
“That girl earlier…”
Leighton’s fingers twitched at the mention of ‘that girl.’
“I sensed her sexual energy.”
His piercing blue eyes flashed through his disheveled light brown hair.
“…And?”
Gaia’s interest in Selena irritated her.
Even among the demons around him, Gaia was the strongest and most curious.
Leighton showing sexual energy shouldn’t have attracted her attention.
He casually lifted a teacup from the table and drank, every movement smooth and natural.
Gaia smiled, seeing the subtle unease beneath his calm exterior.
“Just curious. I felt sexual energy, familiar somehow, though I don’t know why.”
Gaia, facing his cold eyes without flinching, raised an eyebrow and smirked.
“I need to find out.”
“Just leave it?”
Twisting a strand of her red hair, she let out a pleased hum.
‘That blonde girl has him wrapped around her finger, huh?’
During the time he wasn’t summoned, so much must have happened.
Gaia leaned slightly, resting her head on Leighton’s shoulder.
“What if you don’t like it?”
Leighton calmly turned his gaze to her.
“Leave.”
Most people would fall for Gaia’s seductive appearance and beguilement.
They’d give themselves completely.
But Leighton, as always, didn’t yield.
Such a boring human.
Gaia crossed her arms, displeased, and lifted her chin.
“Geist.”
Leighton tilted his head, looking at her as if asking who she was.
Annoyed, Gaia frowned and said,
“A demon born with the same magical essence as me in the underworld. My twin demon.”
