S-Class Dungeon’s Mistress - Chapter 217

Chapter 217

Caladium and Lupinus nodded as if they had been waiting. Lisianthus continued to wear the same displeased expression he had maintained for hours.

"Lupin, why don't you eat a bit more?"

"I'll eat plenty tomorrow. The food's gone cold, and everyone's asleep. I can't just eat alone."

"Alright, then. Let's go."

She carefully rose, trying not to wake the other demons. However, before she could take more than a few steps, something like a cotton ball grabbed her ankle.

"Squeak..."

It was Bell, who had been lying on his back, fast asleep just moments ago. His eyes were barely open, clearly still drowsy, but he seemed reluctant to be separated from Adelaide.

She gently picked up the small puppy. Since Bell was known for being a heavy sleeper, taking him along wouldn't be a problem.

Bell nestled into her arms, reassured, and immediately returned to dreamland. His plump belly slowly rising and falling was incredibly adorable.

They made their way to Adelaide's room without making a sound. Only after the door closed with a soft tap did her voice rise above a whisper.

"Would you like something to drink?"

Adelaide glanced at the tea set placed in one corner of her room. It was something Lisianthus had prepared so she could have tea whenever she wanted, though she had never actually used it herself. He had always been the one to brew it.

"...I'll prepare it for you."

Today, it seemed she would not get the chance to brew tea herself. Adelaide narrowed her eyes, scanning Lisianthus with a suspicious gaze.

"You're not thinking of putting sleeping pills in it, are you? I told you, if Lisian tries to leave me secretly, I'll immediately tell Agapanthus―"

"I won't do that. Please stop. It's painful to hear. What kind would you like?"

"Then, black tea."

"You always suffer from sleeplessness when drinking black tea late at night. Have the hibiscus instead."

Why ask if you were going to suggest something else?

Adelaide stuck out her lips and grumbled, but her face betrayed a hint of joy. Deep down, she was pleased that he had finally spoken after hours of silence. It felt good that he had remembered and cared about her smallest preferences even in such a situation.

She sat on the sofa, holding the sleeping Bell tightly. Though smaller than the one in the living room, it was twice as comfortable in texture. This was thanks to Lisianthus having it specially made for her.

Caladium, sitting beside her, complained that his sofa was significantly different. As the one who loved sofas the most, his frustration was understandable.

"By the way, didn't that demon king propose marriage to you? The skeleton mentioned it earlier."

Lupinus, sitting on a single-seater sofa with a displeased expression, asked. Come to think of it, she hadn't told them about the marriage proposal. The revelation of Lisianthus's identity had been shocking enough.

"Yes. At the time, Agapanthus said..."

Adelaide glanced at Lisianthus brewing tea and began explaining the situation. As her story progressed, rage began to bloom on Lupinus and Caladium's faces.

"That bastard said I wouldn't have children because I'm stupid! It's infuriating. Who decides who gives birth?"

"That motherfucker, how dare he..."

"He clearly doesn't understand his place."

Caladium couldn't hold back his curses any longer, and Lupinus ground his teeth with a grim expression. Lisianthus, too, seemed displeased as he handed over the tea with a cold expression.

Oops, have I ruined the mood? Adelaide sipped her fragrant hibiscus tea and gauged the three men's reactions. She needed to change the subject somehow.

"By the way, have any of you three ever thought about marriage or children?"

Casually thrown out, but not a bad choice for changing the atmosphere. The previously distorted faces quickly smoothed out. Their complex expressions as they stared at her suggested they were deep in thought.

In the demon realm, marriage wasn't particularly common. If they liked someone, they would cohabitate, and sometimes have children by mutual agreement, but they rarely formally married. There was almost no established system for marriage, and there were no benefits.

Of course, for high-ranking demons like Agapanthus, they might follow such traditional formalities, but this was far from Adelaide's reality.

"Lupin might be a bit different from us. What do you think?"

Having grown up among humans, Lupinus might have thought about marriage. However, he slowly shook his head.

"I've never really thought about it. I was too busy thinking about you my entire life."

Though it sounded romantic on the surface, the real meaning was 'I spent my entire life thinking about how to find and kill you.' Adelaide shuddered involuntarily and awkwardly averted her gaze.

"I was always skeptical about the concept of 'family' because of my father. But... if it were marriage to you, I'm sure it would be happy. A child who takes after you would be incredibly cute."

"The child would be cute if they take after Lupin. How cute you were as a little one."

She chuckled, recalling young Lupinus. A smile naturally formed as she remembered his small hand holding hers.

"I don't like kids."

Caladium suddenly wrapped his muscular arm around her, interjecting. His eyes looked fierce, apparently triggered by jealousy. Being the most jealous among the three, this was not surprising.

"That's a lie. You love Bell so much?"

Adelaide poked the muscular arm embracing her, and when there was no reaction, she began tickling him. Caladium flinched but stubbornly held onto her.

"Well, I don't hate them that much... But you'd be in pain. So I hate the idea."

Oh, she would be the one giving birth. She foolishly realized this only now, having never considered such a scenario before.

"I haven't thought about marriage, but it doesn't sound bad. I could call you 'darling'."

Caladium's lips curled up in a smile.

But she wouldn't only say 'darling' to Caladium. She cautiously added, naturally causing his eyebrows to furrow.

"But I'm the main wife, got it?"

"Who decides that? You've been dreaming big since before."

"Who else but Adelaide decides? A concubine sure is presumptuous."

"You always have such delusions."

The harmonious atmosphere quickly turned hostile. However, this was so common that Adelaide simply let it go, offering a simple warning not to overdo it.

Caladium and Lupinus, mindful of the sleeping Bell, moved to a corner of the room to continue bickering. Did they overhear the conversation about Pia earlier? She clicked her tongue, finding them pathetic.

Then she slowly raised her head to look at Lisianthus.

"Lisian. What about you? Have you thought about it?"

He had maintained silence since serving the tea, standing without sitting.

When their eyes met, his golden irises subtly wavered.

"...Adelaide. It's not too late even now."

Apparently, he had no intention of discussing marriage. Adelaide took a sip of tea, feeling disappointed.

"That's right. It's not too late."

Though she agreed, Lisianthus's expression remained dark. He knew her words meant something different from his.

"So just tell me honestly. Then I'll calm down."

"...What are you talking about."

"You want to live."

She roughly set down her teacup on the sofa table.

"Live with me, with us. Finding joy in the monotony, wanting to keep living."

Her voice was full of tears, but she didn't cry. She simply stated her claim more resolutely.

"Eating delicious food together, growing beautiful flowers, traveling to scenic places. That's what you want to live for, right, Lisian? Why are you acting like you have no attachments?"

Even as she probed with a trembling voice, Lisianthus's lips remained tightly sealed.

After a long wait, a low voice finally emerged.

"...It is you who wants to live like that."

To eat delicious food, see beautiful flowers, and travel, one must first survive. He must survive, even if it means being handed over to someone else, somehow continuing to live.

Although he wouldn't be by her side, she would be happy enough with the good demons around her. Yet, her persistent insistence was becoming increasingly frustrating. The more she insisted, the more he felt lingering attachments.

"You can't hold onto everything. Why are you deliberately choosing a painful path when you know that?"

"No matter who you lose, the pain is the same. So at the very least, I can't bear to watch the man I love walk directly into his demise."

"If you keep being stubborn, you'll end up with a greater regret."

"You're the one who's stubborn. Why won't you admit it? You want to live. You don't want to die like this."

Lisianthus again responded with silence. Ha, Adelaide let out a small laugh.

"Fine, I'll wait longer. I have strong patience."

This was coming from a demon who becomes restless if her meal is five minutes late. This time, it was Lisianthus who quietly laughed.

"Lisian."

Adelaide laid the sleeping Bell on the sofa and stood before him. Her soft hand naturally covered his chest. Simultaneously, their faces drew closer.

"I'll wait for you forever, so in exchange, can you kiss me now? You keep responding so coldly, and it's upsetting."

His golden eyes trembled significantly. No. Lisianthus muttered internally. Now is the time to definitively separate. This is not the moment to be carried away by passion and act rashly.

"Well? Do it quickly."

She languidly batted her long eyelashes, urging him.

Damn it. He whispered a curse low. The desire rising from deep within his chest easily enveloped his body.

Lisianthus could not endure for long and grabbed her head. When their lips met, a thunderbolt-like pleasure reverberated through his entire being. The thought that he must resist quickly evaporated. He simply followed his instincts, devouring her lips and ruthlessly exploring the tender flesh within.

The kiss was not long. But it was more intense and thrilling than ever before. Perhaps because they both knew this might be their last.

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