Isabella’s fierce protectiveness should have warmed Roy’s heart.
But the thought of Sister Elsa—his beloved Elsa—being pierced through the heart by his elven maid’s holy arrow made his expression freeze.
He waved his hand hastily, stopping Isabella from nocking her bow.
“No need, no need…”
“Yes, there is!”
Isabella glared back stubbornly, her eyes red-rimmed like a little rabbit’s.
The raw concern breaking through her tsundere barriers struck Roy deeply, leaving him momentarily dazed.
Undeniably, this warmth was what he cherished most after his rebirth—
those heart-stirring bonds,
those genuine connections.
Facing this elven girl, Roy found it hard to resist a primal urge.
After all, the surest way to silence someone…
wasn’t it *that*?
His thoughts shifted. Lightly, he rose on his toes—
and kissed the tall, fully matured maiden before him.
*Crafty girl. Not long ago, she was still a green sapling.*
*Now she’s ripened into a sweet, plump peach~*
*A maid who dares tempt the Demon King…*
*Surely deserves proper “punishment.”*
“Mmph…!”
Isabella stiffened at the soft yet domineering press of Roy’s lips.
Then her body melted like butter, collapsing against her master’s chest.
Her bow dissolved into shimmering light—
*Holding weapons means I can’t hug him…*
*Unfair…*
*No matter how I think about it…*
*This is just… too unfair…*
Her pale-gold eyes rippled like a still lake struck by a gem.
Her first kiss?
Years ago, she’d already given it to her master.
But her tsundere shyness meant true kisses were rare.
Isabella never seemed the type to ask for kisses—
so each time Roy initiated one, he’d wonder: *Was that actually her first time?*
*Is today the real first kiss?*
Her pure, flustered reaction was so endearing, Roy couldn’t help adding a teasing flick of his tongue.
Isabella trembled, her legs pressing together tightly.
“Hah… st-stop…”
“P-please don’t…”
“If this continues… I’ll become a fool who only thinks of you…!”
Finally, the crimson-lipped boy pulled away, licking his lips.
*Thanks for the treat~*
Isabella’s rational mind had utterly evaporated.
Watching his dazed elven maid, Roy smirked inwardly.
*Only like this would she ever listen.*
*Time to crush that dangerous idea in her head.*
Feigning regret, he murmured,
“…You were just too cute and serious. I lost control.”
“Troublesome, isn’t it?”
“But even if you eliminated that soon-to-be Hero, it might not solve anything.”
“History shows the Goddess’s blessing finds other candidates.”
“We’d still face the Hero’s threat—”
“a threat I know nothing about this time.”
That’s why Roy abandoned the dark, reckless idea of slaughtering all Heroes from the start.
Hearing her master’s words through her kiss-fogged mind, Isabella nuzzled his shoulder instinctively.
“What… what should we do then…?”
“I… I don’t want anything to happen to you…!” Her voice wavered with tears.
*Even like this…*
*She still puts me first.*
Roy’s heart swelled—sweet from her loyalty, bitter from his own deception.
*What a terrible master I am.*
But there was no turning back.
He couldn’t risk Isabella, learning Sister Elsa was the Hero, taking a headshot at his beloved Elsa someday.
Prevention was key.
“The only way I see… is to *persuade* her.”
“Heroes aren’t beyond reason, I believe.”
“…*Sleep* with her?” Isabella caught the slip instantly.
Her mind cleared as the image of the golden-haired girl beside Roy flashed back—
“That woman!?”
“?” Roy’s thoughts froze.
*Women’s imaginations only sprint this fast in one direction.*
*And damn it—she guessed right.*
Seeing Roy’s stunned face, Isabella snapped fully awake.
She gritted her teeth, pounding his shoulder with a tiny fist—
her strength carefully dialed down to zero impact.
*Does this even make her feel better?* Roy wondered.
*Besides… I may look frail, but I’m strong. Very strong. In every way.*
“So Master’s all satisfied now?!” she burst out.
“You’ve already *slept* her into obedience, haven’t you?!”
“Must be nice… with breasts bigger than mine… Waaah! But I won’t lose!”
“I’ll learn from cowgirls…”
“I’ll eat demon-tainted papayas every day!”
“I won’t lose to some gold-digger after your looks, waaah!”
Roy stayed silent.
*Explaining is denying. Denying is confessing.*
His experience with women taught him: let the storm pass.
Sure enough, after her tearful rant, Isabella wiped her eyes and whispered softly,
“…I understand.”
“I trust you, Master.”
“But please… stay cautious!”
“Heroes… humans, Elvenfolk—they’re our enemies!”
Roy neither nodded nor shook his head.
He simply reached up, stroking Isabella’s hair—
his fingers brushing her long, pointed ears.
They trembled visibly.
Like a shy little rabbit’s.
But even a shy rabbit lets its master touch its ears.
