Chapter 9

For now, I decided to save the question of what exactly defines a married couple for another day. Since it was already late, we prepared to sleep. Now that I thought about it, I had been awake for two straight nights. Strangely, I still had energy to spare, so I’d forgotten. Maybe it was an effect of becoming an Archdemon?

Before bed, Lord Albert asked me to hold him for about a minute, so I did.

"Ah… Being close to you like this really is… wonderful."

"Is that so, my lord?"

I couldn’t quite understand it myself, but apparently, whenever I embraced him, his curse seemed to weaken. How did that even work?

"Ahh… It’s been… so long… since I’ve felt… this at peace…"

"Lord Albert?"

"Zzz… Zzz…"

"He’s asleep."

Now, what to do? Was Lord Albert’s bedroom the one further inside?

I carried him on my back and approached the door. Despite my slender appearance, I seemed to possess considerable strength—lifting Lord Albert was effortless. I was far stronger now than when I was a man. Not that I’d deny how scrawny I’d been back then.

I knocked three times, checking if anyone was inside. One second, two, three… No response. Seemed empty.

"Pardon me."

With that, I turned the doorknob and entered. Sure enough, it was a bedroom—a king-sized canopy bed dominating the spacious room. But what caught my attention more was…

(There’s nothing here except the bed…?)

Aside from the bed, the room only had a closet, a foldable desk and chair, a mirror, and a carpet laid out on the floor. It felt oddly barren. Still, I carefully laid Lord Albert down on the bed. His breathing remained calm, with no sign of waking.

"Goodnight, Lord Albert."

"Yu… ka… Zzz…"

He murmured my name in his sleep. I wondered what kind of dream he was having.

Well, what should I do now? It suddenly hit me—

(Wait… where’s my room?)

I had no idea where my room was. The mansion was too damn big, and I’d only just arrived. How would I know?

This is a problem. I should’ve asked Lord Albert. But waking him now feels… wrong.

As I stood there, lost, Lil came toddling over.

"Lady Yuka, have you finished talking?"

"Lil! Yeah, more or less. Actually, can I ask you something?"

"What is it?"

"Do you know where my room is?"

"Of course!" She puffed up proudly. "Lord Albert commanded me to guide you! It’s this way!"

"As expected of Lord Albert."

I’m impressed. No, awed.

We turned right through the second-floor hall until a black door came into view. Lil stopped and pointed.

"This is Lady Yuuka’s room!"

"Thanks, Lil. Pardon the intrusion."

"Pardon me."

I knocked and stepped inside—Lil followed right after.

Though not as grand as Lord Albert’s bedroom, the room was furnished with a spacious bed, a closet, a folding desk, a chair, a carpet, and a full-length mirror. More than enough.

"Whoa. Fancy."

"This used to be a guest room," Lil explained.

Ah, a guest suite then. Not a speck of dust in sight—immaculately kept.

"Guess I’ll turn in. Thanks for everything, Lil. Goodnight."

"Yes! Let’s sleep now!"

"Lil?"

"What’s wrong?"

"You’re… sleeping here too?"

"Mm-hmm!"

Such a cheerful reply. Well then. Sharing a bed, huh? Not like it’s an issue—the bed’s huge, and Lil’s tiny anyway. Plenty of space.

"Lady Yuka! Hurry, hurry!"

"Yeah, yeah. Coming."

Lil patted the mattress eagerly. I climbed in beside her, settling under the covers.

"Goodnight, Lil."

"Goodnight, Lady Yuka!"

With the lights off, we both drifted into sleep.