Sister Elsa’s chest rose and fell with her racing emotions.

She made a silent vow.

She *had* to protect Roy from those chicken-like succubi!

They might have long legs and fair skin, but she wasn’t lacking either—

*Cough cough.* Not the point!

Elsa smoothed her expression, determined not to seem flustered in front of Roy.

Then she met the boy’s bewitching violet eyes and spoke softly.

"Roy, trust your sister."

"Dreamland Village isn’t a place for boys your age."

"Not even a single glance!"

"Terrible Demonfolk lurk there—they... they..."

But Elsa struggled to name what made succubi truly frightening.

Succubi were weak Demonfolk who survived by siphoning vitality through dreams.

Beyond the leathery wings on their lower backs and the horns atop their heads, they looked almost human.

And boys as stunning as Roy always drew adoring crowds among succubi.

They’d likely fawn over him, hearts pounding—not harm him.

*Wait, am I actually—?*

Elsa snapped back to her senses, shaking her head hard.

*Why am I comparing myself to succubi?!*

"Anyway... they’re terrifying man-eaters!"

Resorting to big-sister authority, Elsa crossed her arms, puffed her blushing cheeks, and glared down at Roy.

A classic feminine tactic—when logic fails, pout.

But undeniably cute.

Roy’s eyes crinkled as he gave his usual gentle, moonlit smile.

"I know you worry, Sister Elsa."

"But don’t underestimate me."

The moment his confident words landed—

Elsa remembered: beneath Roy’s innocent face lay a maturity many adults lacked.

A fruit forced to ripen too soon. Its taste, inevitably bitter.

Because of the years he’d spent orphaned and wandering...

Roy kept his sorrows locked away, offering only warm smiles to everyone around him.

Sister Elsa’s expression softened with emotion.

Then Roy shattered the mood.

Or rather, twisted it entirely.

"Honestly, compared to those legendary succubi who enchant men..."

"Sister Elsa looks far more... *tempting*."

Words that should’ve felt like harassment.

Yet spoken by this pure-hearted boy, they stirred something unexpected.

Elsa knew he meant no harm.

But her face still flushed crimson, steam practically rising from her skin.

"R-Roy—!"

Elsa only *seemed* mature. Such innocent teasing left her utterly flustered.

Roy flinched, shoulders hunching as he realized his slip.

"Sorry, Sister Elsa!"

"N-no... it’s fine. I overreacted..."

She couldn’t bear his apology.

In three quick strides, she pulled him into a tight embrace.

Roy’s still-growing frame barely reached her chest—

about the same height as her little sister, Airi.

*If only Airi’s illness would heal... maybe they could’ve been childhood sweethearts.*

Roy nearly suffocated in her arms.

But the scent of warm milk, ripe berries, and soft clouds...

It was dangerously comforting.

Drowning here might even feel like smiling into the abyss.

A knowing smile flickered on Roy’s lips.

One Elsa would never see.

(Though humans and angels believed souls ascended to heaven after death... only Demonfolk spoke of sinking into the abyss.)

Realizing she was smothering him, Elsa jumped back.

"S-sorry! I’m such an idiot!"

"...Don’t say that. You’re wonderful."

"Still," Roy chuckled, adjusting his herb satchel, "I lingered too long with you."

"If I don’t leave now, I’ll miss my delivery deadline."

"Don’t worry, Sister Elsa. I won’t fall for Dreamland Village’s succubi."

"After all, how could they ever compare to..."

He caught himself, covering his mouth with a blush and a playful wink.

Elsa understood the unspoken words.

Her face burned as she whispered,

"...I believe you."

Roy walked away.

Elsa’s heart rose and fell with each step he took.

Unsettled. Unquiet.

………………

After bidding farewell to the golden-haired nun,

Roy reached the famed Dreamland Village by dusk.

Even from afar, its opulence radiated—gleaming gold, towering arches, neon lights painting the night.

A members-only luxury resort.

Outside, a jade succubus statue poured water from a silver pitcher.

Above the grand archway, murals depicted human and Demonfolk harmony.

Carriages carried nobles and beauties through gates glowing with decadence.

Roy presented his Herbalist Guild badge at the entrance.

Granted passage, he stepped inside.

Like a timid rabbit stumbling into a wolf’s banquet.

"P-please, sisters... I’m just delivering herbs."

Succubi surrounded him—tall, petite, busty, curvy—all devouring him with their eyes.

Their gazes stripped him bare, hungry to claim him as their guest.

Or better yet, *their* patron.

Only when Roy climbed the pristine spiral staircase—

heading toward the private chamber of Dreamland Village’s owner—

did their longing stares finally retreat.

They knew.

The little rabbit was walking straight into the jaws of the pack’s most seductive alpha.

Roy knocked politely.

*Tap tap.*

A sultry, eager voice drifted through the door.

"Enter."

He pushed it open.

Inside a dreamlike boudoir, a woman leaned against the window.

Sunlight carved her silhouette—elegant, breathtaking.

No one knew how long she’d waited there.

But when she turned, the world dimmed.

Only she and Roy’s violet eyes held light.

Sophia.

Princess of the Succubus Royal Court.

Duchess of Eoliel.

Mistress of Dreamland Village.

Her poise shattered the moment she saw him.

Like a stone dropped in still water—ripples tore through her composure.

Her shoulders trembled. Tears welled. Her entire body thrummed with feverish excitement.

Then—she knelt.

Prostrating herself completely before Roy.

Roy sighed, a quiet authority threading his voice as he spoke her name.

"Sophia."

Just hearing it made the succubus shiver.

"Yes, this servant is here~"

As Roy approached, she pressed her lips to his shoe.

"Your loyal servant forever..."

"My revered, beloved... *Your Majesty the Demon King*."