A little girl holding a pillow sat on the edge of Shien’s bed, looking at him with dissatisfaction.
Her appearance made Nadue’s heart tremble slightly.
“Airi, the Dragon Demon…”
Her former enemy finally appeared before Nadue.
“She’s actually here?”
Nadue stared intently at Airi.
In the war a thousand years ago, it was this Dragon Demon who had defeated her and Anima.
Therefore, even though she had already known that Airi was currently by Shien’s side, seeing her appear still made Nadue’s expression change.
However, the Hero didn’t seem to care about her dissatisfaction, carrying Lilith and walking straight towards her, then picking her up as well.
“…!”
Nadue covered her mouth.
She couldn’t believe that in this world, besides the deceased Demon King and the other five Demon Lords, there was someone who dared to pick up Airi.
That wasn’t the main issue.
The problem was that Airi, although looking a bit displeased, didn’t seem to resist being held by Shien.
What did this mean?
It meant that not only had he obtained her consent, but he also hadn’t caused her any displeasure.
“Is… is this really the same Dragon Demon from back then?”
Even Nadue murmured in disbelief.
She remembered that during the war in the past, this Dragon Demon Princess had repeatedly ravaged the battlefield with terrifying killing intent and brutality, a synonym for cruelty.
Countless people had been reduced to ashes by her dragon’s breath.
Countless countries and races had been destroyed by her claws and teeth.
Even two of the past Heroes had been killed by this Dragon Demon. After the Demon King was defeated, this Dragon Lord, the King of Dragons, was said to have gone on a rampage for a while. If it weren’t for the other Demon Lords stopping her, the human world would have been devastated. Therefore, Nadue couldn’t believe that this little girl before her, with a reluctant expression but no resistance, was the same Dragon Demon, second only to the Poison Demon in brutality among the Six Demon Lords.
“…Could this be a fake Dragon Demon?”
Nadue even began to doubt.
Under such circumstances, Shien and Airi started their conversation.
…
“I say, what are you so unhappy about?”
Shien looked at Airi, who was sitting on his lap, and smiled wryly, while teasing Lilith, who was rubbing against him.
For some reason, after returning to the royal capital, Airi seemed to be in a bad mood.
“Did I offend you?”
Shien rolled his eyes.
“How could you not offend me?” Airi said with dissatisfaction. “I think you lack self-awareness.”
“I lack self-awareness?” Shien looked confused. “Why?”
“Hmph.” Airi snorted. “You are clearly my person, yet you were so easily captivated by that pretentious princess, preparing to marry her without my consent. That is lacking self-awareness.”
“…So, I need your permission to get married?” Shien’s lips twitched. He stopped teasing Lilith and pinched Airi’s face, narrowing his eyes. “Don’t tell me you really think of me as your subordinate?”
“Not a subordinate, but a possession.” Airi frowned, swatting away Shien’s hand, and said with annoyance, “That’s why I said you lack self-awareness.”
“I think it’s you who lacks self-awareness.” Shien chuckled. “A possession? You might as well say I’m a kept man.”
“What’s a kept man?” Airi’s frown deepened, but she said, “It’s not impossible to keep you. If it’s you, it’s not a bad idea to keep you around.”
“Thank you very much.” Shien said with a forced smile. “So, you think I can’t decide my own marriage without your consent, is that it?”
Airi didn’t answer, but just snorted again and turned her head away.
Actually, Airi didn’t know what was wrong with her. Ever since she learned that Shien and Lucy were preparing to get married, she had been feeling inexplicably irritated.
Her claims of him being her person and needing her consent were just Airi’s way of expressing her irritation.
But Airi was still self-aware. She knew that although she could vent her irritation, she couldn’t go too far.
Otherwise, if Shien really thought she was restricting his freedom, it would make both of them unhappy.
Therefore, Airi wisely chose to remain silent.
Airi didn’t realize that if it were anyone else, she wouldn’t care so much and would say whatever she wanted.
As for others’ thoughts and feelings, what did it have to do with her?
Only when facing Shien would Airi choose to compromise in some aspects.
A dignified Dragon Demon actually compromising over such trivial matters, if word got out, no one would believe it, right?
Shien, not knowing what was wrong with Airi, could only exchange glances with the bewildered Lilith, then he seemed to have an idea.
Although he didn’t know what was wrong with this little girl, since things had come to this, why not coax her?
But was he the type to coax people?
Shien seriously doubted it.
At this moment, Shien inadvertently glanced at the pillow in front of Airi and suddenly remembered something important.
“Right, you haven’t fulfilled your promise to me yet, have you?”
Shien tapped his palm.
“What promise?”
Airi was stunned.
Shien smiled brightly.
“Have you forgotten, Dragon Demon Princess?” Shien said cheerfully, “You said that after we subjugate the Old Demon Faction in the Stalim Duchy, you would let me see what’s under your pillow.”
Hearing this, Airi’s expression finally changed.