Volume 2 Chapter 44: I Love You【The Aristocratic Council Arc】

After mocking Kelphine at the noble council, Balor had been staying at an inn for about a week.

With everything that had happened, he couldn’t possibly return to Apophis territory and resume work immediately.

And he was conceited enough to believe that, with Kelphine gone, no one would target his life.

For these two reasons, Balor was thoroughly slacking off.

“Balor-sama! Clean my ears!”

“…Huh?”

At that moment, Izun burst in.

Her excited ukyaa! mood was extremely cute, but to Balor it was nothing more than irritating.

And on top of that—it was ear cleaning.

Why did he have to be pestered with such fuss?

He was thinking he might as well stick an ear pick in himself and tear his eardrum.

“What’s gotten into you? This is such a sudden request.”
“Aren’t children supposed to have it done by their parents at least once? Izun, haven’t you ever had someone do it for you?”
“Umm, well…”

He instantly found it hard to refuse.

He had intended to say no from the start, but refusing after hearing her reasoning would be unforgivable.

Balor, ever mindful of appearances, found he could no longer choose that option.

“Even though I haven’t done this much myself… is that alright?”
“Yeah!”
“(Not really, you know.)”

Even so, he continued his futile protest, but with Izun nodding cheerfully with an innocent, pure smile, there was no escape.
Balor seethed inwardly.

“Hehe—goron.”
“You’re in such a good mood (I’m just getting worse).”

After seating Balor, Izun cheerfully rested her head on his lap.
A soft, sweet scent wafted over, yet Balor remained completely unfazed.

In fact, his mood was even worse.
Only Balor would become sulky when being pampered by such a well-presented member of the opposite sex.

“But since you haven’t brought the ear pick, please step aside for a moment…”
“Okay.”
“…I see you’re ready, too.”

He had intended to waste some time by searching for an ear pick, but it was smoothly offered by Izun—leaving him with a sullen expression.
Of course, he instantly restored his cheerful demeanor so that perceptive Izun wouldn’t notice.

“(Well, I’ll just do it casually and kill time until I’m satisfied.)”

There was absolutely no need to do it meticulously.
Once he gave the impression of having done enough, he’d finish up quickly.

Thinking that, Balor parted Izun’s beautiful white hair.
With her pristine white ear exposed, he carefully inserted the ear pick, taking care not to cause any pain.

“Nn…”
“…………”

He cleaned her ear.

“Hic, ah…”
“…………”

He cleaned her ear.

“Nn, nn, aaah!”
“…Can’t you keep your voice down?”

Balor held his head as if in pain, while Izun emitted an incredibly sultry sound as she squirmed on his lap.

It wouldn’t be surprising if he started feeling something odd, but Balor—who was only interested in members of the opposite sex that could manage Apophis territory and support him—was simply worn out.
In fact, it would be even worse if someone outside the door heard that sultry sound.

It would shatter the pristine image of Balor Apophis.

“Mmm… it feels so good, I’m getting turned on on my own…”
“Is that so?”

He gave a wry smile.
Even though her cheeks were adorably flushed in pure white, he felt no emotion at all.

Dry Monster.

“Fuu—”

“Ahyaaahhh!”

To finish, he blew air into her ear.
Izun, showing an even greater reaction than before, jerked her body on his lap.

Izun wore a melted expression, going, “Hoheh…”
The sultriness emanating from her was staggering.

Meanwhile, Balor didn’t move a single eyebrow.

“It’s all clean now (Come on, hurry up and get moving).”
“Thank you, Balor-sama.”

Izun slowly sat up.
Balor quickly stepped away and stretched.

Though he didn’t want to return to Apophis territory, being in the royal capital with Izun and Nanashi was stressful, so he reluctantly decided to go back.

“Balor-sama?”
“Hmm? (Is there still something? Get out of here already.)”

Balor looked down at Izun, who remained seated.
He wanted to pour out his inner thoughts, but the serious atmosphere made him keep quiet.

He enjoyed watching such developments from afar, but getting involved was a different matter altogether.
In short, it was troublesome.

“Did I… help you out?”
Izun asked timidly while looking up at him.
For her, being useful to Balor was the very meaning of living.

Once hated by everyone as 【Cursed Child】, she had nearly faded away as an unnecessary existence before Balor rescued her.

In finding purpose through being useful to him, Izun wondered:
Had she been of any help this time?

Would he… ever abandon her?
That worry just wouldn’t leave her mind.

So she asked,
“Will you not abandon me?”

At Izun’s question, Balor gave a slight smile.

“You’re so stupid.”
“Wha!?”

He ruffled her hair vigorously.
Izun frowned slightly at him as her pristine white hair became tousled.

There, Balor’s gentle smile seemed to blow away all her worries.

“Whether you’re useful or not doesn’t matter. What matters is that you’re by my side.”
“…………”

Each of his words filled Izun’s heart with warmth.
Happiness.

It enveloped her completely.
She just wanted him by her side.

How much had she longed for those words?
She had desired them so desperately that they practically leaped from her throat, and Balor had spoken them.

“So, from now on, always support me.”
“……Yeah!”

Izun, with faint tears at the corners of her eyes, smiled beautifully.

“I love you, Balor-sama!”