Chapter 41
Whoosh!!
In no time, Crus carried Lisbeth to the Lower District of the Demon King’s Fortress. During the flight, Lisbeth had considered blasting him away several times. But remembering she’d plummet too, she shook her head slightly and gave up. Yet, spotting the Lower District gates, Lisbeth gritted her teeth and issued her final warning.
“Lord Crus, I’m serious now—I’ll never develop romantic feelings for you, and I won’t accept your proposal. Before I truly start hating you, will you please let me go?”
Though Lisbeth’s face remained expressionless, the icy chill in her voice struck Crus directly. Normally, even love-struck, Crus would’ve grasped her meaning. But after Stalos’s whispers, every word from Lisbeth now seemed like sweet denial to him.
Smiling gently, Crus replied, “Miss Lisbeth, I understand your shyness. Don’t worry—I’ll win you over with my sincerity!”
“I said it already! That’s not what I mean at all!!!”
Watching Crus utterly miss her point, Lisbeth nearly smashed her head against the floor in frustration. Since he was dead set on forcing marriage, her eyes turned cold. She prepared to punch him away while still in his arms.
But before she could act, the Lower District gates swung open. Crus soared skyward again, heading straight for the throne room in the Upper District.
“Seriously!? Flying again!?”
“I can’t help it, Miss Lisbeth. My longing to marry you is overwhelming—I must see Lord Demon King as soon as possible!”
“Haa…”
As they neared the throne room doors, Lisbeth sighed wearily and fell silent. Crus wouldn’t listen anyway. Better to let Demon King Christia handle this.
“We’re here. Miss Lisbeth, let’s pay our respects to Lord Demon King.”
“Haa… Fine. See him if you must—but can you at least let me go first?”
At the throne room entrance, Crus excitedly relayed his request to the guards. Then he beamed at Lisbeth as if she were already his bride.
Too drained to argue, Lisbeth lazily waved a hand, hoping he’d release her. But her lack of resistance backfired—Crus’s smile widened brightly.
“Ah! Just as Stalos said! My love is melting your resistance, Miss Lisbeth! Wonderful, truly wonderful!!”
“Yes, yes, no resistance… So can you let go now?”
“Absolutely not!”
“Huh!?”
Lisbeth had tuned him out, but his refusal made her pupils contract sharply. “Are you done!? How long must you hold me like this!?”
“No, no—I mean, you’re still shaken from the monster beasts. Proof? Your hands are trembling.”
“Ah…”
Distracted by plotting his defeat, Lisbeth hadn’t noticed her shaking hands. Pushing to Class Change 3 too soon had strained her body. Resigned, she nodded. “Fine… Keep holding me then.”
“Good, good!”
Minutes later, a guard bowed slightly to Crus. “Lord Crus, Lord Demon King isn’t in the throne room. He’s handling documents in his office. Please follow me there.”
“Ah, understood. Thank you. Could you lead the way?”
“Of course. This way, please.”
The guard nodded again and guided them toward Christia’s office. Lisbeth sighed softly, too tired to care how Christia would view this mess…
——————————————————————————————————————
*Knock knock.* “Lord Demon King, Lord Crus of the Four Heavenly Kings requests an audience.”
“Enter.”
The guard led Crus to Christia’s office door. After announcing them, Christia’s calm voice drifted out.
*Creak.*
Granted entry, the guard opened the door. “Lord Crus, please proceed.”
“Much obliged.”
Crus smiled at the guard and stepped inside. Lisbeth instinctively scanned the room. Unlike the lavish throne room, this office was simple—just a massive desk, a few guest chairs, and stacks of paperwork.
Christia looked up from her desk, piles of documents awaiting review. Her face lit with a smile at first. Then she saw Lisbeth in Crus’s arms. Her expression froze cold.
“Crus, why the sudden visit… Hm?” Her gaze sharpened. “What’s this? Did this fool cause trouble again?”
Christia reached for her teacup, about to sip. But Crus’s next words made her spit the water out violently.
“Lord Demon King, Miss Lisbeth did nothing wrong. I brought her to declare my love—I wish to marry her. I seek your blessing for our union.”
*Cough cough… Cough cough cough…* “You—you want to marry Lisbeth?”
Still coughing, Christia fixed her eyes on Lisbeth. “Lisbeth, explain.”
“Lord Demon King, I don’t want to marry him at all! But he won’t take no for an answer…”
“…”
Though puzzled, Christia sighed at Lisbeth’s weary face. She turned to Crus. “Crus, did you hear? She refuses you.”
“No, Lord Demon King. Stalos told me Miss Lisbeth hides her true feelings. Her rejection is just shyness. I know she wants to marry me but fears speaking her heart.”
“No, no, no—that’s impossible.”
“No, no, no—you’re overthinking it.”
Both Lisbeth and Christia shook their heads urgently. Crus blinked, confused. “Lord Demon King, I truly love Lisbeth. Please approve my request.”
“Haa… I see.”
Christia sighed deeply. Lisbeth knew she’d pieced it together. Christia stood, walked to Crus, and spoke icily. “I don’t know why you think Lisbeth would marry you. My answer is no. Release her and leave.”
“Why… Why!?” Crus cried. “Lord Demon King, why!?”
“Because she’s not yours to touch.”
Christia seized Lisbeth’s wrist, yanking her from Crus’s arms. She glanced at Lisbeth, then dropped words that stunned both of them.
“I may not have said it before—but Lisbeth’s body and soul belong to me now.”
“So… Do you dare lay hands on what’s mine, Crus?”
