The Story of an Arrogant Succubus Princess Who Always Looked Down on Humans as Mere Food, Until She Fell in Love With an Ordinary Man - Chapter 21

Liliana left her room purely on a hunch.

“…It feels like that guy smells of another woman.”

It wasn’t the first time Asbel had left Liliana behind to go out. Liliana, who always stood out no matter where she went, was often left at the inn to wait while Asbel went about his business in the city. No matter how much she complained, nothing changed. Even when she tried to sneak out, she’d be caught right away.

“Well, I guess that just means I shine that much brighter.”

But this time, something about Asbel seemed a little different. Tomorrow was the final day of their journey, which could explain it, but even so…something felt off.

“If he’s sneaking off to meet a woman behind my back, I’ll definitely not let that slide.”

There was a beautiful girl right in front of him, yet he was sneaking out at night to meet another woman. As the Enchantress of Nations, Liliana couldn’t allow such a thing. She cautiously looked around before stepping out of the inn.

“…He’s not here.”

No matter where she looked, Asbel was nowhere to be found. Even if she found him, he’d probably notice her following him immediately. Still, Liliana kept looking for him. And then…she found him.

“Is that…?”

A short girl wearing the uniform of the Knights’ Order. Liliana instinctively hid herself. The girl passed by Liliana, her face tense as if suppressing her anger. From a nearby alley, Liliana heard voices. It was Asbel’s voice, along with what was likely the girl’s voice from earlier.

“………”

Liliana stayed hidden and listened closely.

“Even with a junior, he acts like that…”

Just from hearing their voices, Liliana could tell that this junior—Eris—had feelings for Asbel. But whether those feelings were out of admiration for a senior or directed toward him as a man…Liliana exhaled, realizing this much.

“Hated within the Order, huh? He’s just clueless, that’s all.”

Liliana’s interest had cooled, and she was about to head back when the atmosphere between the two shifted. It seemed they were about to fight. There was a dull sound, and finally, she heard Asbel’s words.

“…What’s that supposed to mean?”

The words “I don’t need fun or happiness” echoed. For some reason, that made Liliana incredibly angry. This journey, which had unexpectedly become fun for her. And though she wouldn’t admit it outright, she felt a little sad about tomorrow’s parting. Yet Asbel didn’t feel anything at all.

What irritated her the most was how he had given up on enjoying anything right from the start. Every time he said something like that, people around him got hurt, but he didn’t realize it at all.

“That’s it. I’ll make him smile.”

The Enchantress of Nations. The succubus among succubi. Liliana Liche Riden swore on her pride that she would make him smile.

◇

“Even if we go this way, there’s nothing here. Are we still walking?”

Liliana walked through the mountain path, weaving between the trees. Even in the best of times, walking through a mountain at night was difficult. While Asbel, who was trained for such conditions, walked effortlessly, Liliana, leading the way, seemed ready to stumble at any moment.

Asbel, unable to bear watching her struggle, called out.

“Hey. I get what you’re trying to say, but shouldn’t we—”

“Just be quiet and follow me. I’ve been to this town before. I found a place I really liked, and I want to show it to you—Ah!”

As Liliana’s foot slipped, Asbel hurriedly caught her.

“…Thanks.”

“Don’t mention it. But I’ve been to this town, too. If I remember right, there’s a hill ahead known for its beautiful view of the stars, right?”

“…You knew about it?”

“Sorry, but I’ve already seen it once. And even back then, it didn’t leave much of an impression. Besides, it’s cloudy tonight. Even if we go, we won’t be able to see the stars—”

“That doesn’t matter. Look, come on. Even if you’ve seen the view ahead before, I wasn’t there with you. It might’ve been boring with someone else, but it’ll be different with me.”

“You’re awfully confident.”

“It’s not confidence, it’s a fact.”

For some reason, the way she spoke made her seem noble. A succubus who seduced many men and disrupted nations. She had even toppled corrupt nobles, though her nature as a being of evil never changed.

Perhaps, if not for the war with the Demon Kingdom, Asbel wouldn’t have saved her from execution.

“………”

Even so, the way she never bent her will, no matter the situation, certainly had an allure.

“Alright, let’s go.”

Liliana tugged Asbel’s arm, pulling him along. It was something that had happened many times during this short journey, but the thought that today would be the last time made Asbel feel a slight pang of regret.

“…What am I even thinking?”

Asbel let out a self-deprecating sigh. His eyes, as always, were clouded and dark. A colorless, iron-clad face—a mask of a demon that wasn’t used to hide his true feelings, but rather, was a reflection of them.

So, Asbel was actually──.

“……Are you satisfied with this?”

Beyond the trees, there was an open hill. Nearby, a lake, with only the sounds of insects and the swaying trees in the wind to be heard. The scene was so tranquil that simply breathing made the body feel lighter.

Unfortunately, though, the sky was covered in thick clouds, and the dazzling stars were nowhere to be seen.

“I understand that you’ve done all this for me. I’m grateful for your feelings. So──”

“So what? You really don’t understand anything, do you?”

Liliana moved away from Asbel and walked up the hill. It was a moonless night. If they moved apart a little, they wouldn’t be able to see each other in the dark. Yet, Liliana walked as if dancing, enjoying herself in the pitch-black night.

Her fine golden hair swayed in the wind. Her deep, clear eyes seemed to draw you in. Her long limbs and large chest. There was still a trace of childishness in her, but that only made her charm stand out more.

She was a beautiful girl, the kind that would capture any man’s gaze. But despite that, Asbel’s heart──.

“……What are you doing?”

Liliana suddenly removed her jacket, revealing her flawless skin.

“Be captivated. Be joyful. Laugh. Fall for me. I am the Enchantress of Nations, the succubus of succubi, Liliana Liche Riden. ……Just for you, I’ll show everything.”

“……”

In an instant, Liliana was wrapped in a faint light. Black wings sprouted from her pure white back. Two horns grew out from her golden hair. Her long tail swayed seductively.

Her true form, concealed by her human guise. Wings like a demon’s, large horns, and a long tail swaying in the dark. This was the real Liliana, the succubus. A mix of beauty and wickedness, the true appearance of a succubus that could shake a person’s soul.

Liliana spoke.

“──Now, shall we go?”

She extended her hand toward Asbel, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

“……Go where?”

Asbel, uncharacteristically puzzled, tilted his head.

“Isn’t it obvious? The sky.”

Liliana grabbed Asbel’s hand and took off into the air.

“……You’re heavier than I thought. Maybe you should go on a diet?”

“I’ve been training, so of course I’m heavy. But more importantly, are you sure about this? I’ve heard succubi don’t have that much flying ability……”

“I’m special. And I’m going to fly faster, so try not to bite your tongue, okay?”

Liliana increased her speed. They climbed higher and higher. It was an altitude where, if a normal person fell, they would never survive. But she kept going, relentlessly heading up.

Asbel unconsciously embraced Liliana.

“Heh.”

Liliana found it amusing, and flew even faster, aiming straight for the sky.

“……”

They broke through the clouds. It felt like they were free from gravity, as if the heavy weight clinging to their bodies had all fallen away.

What lay before them was a dark night sky filled with a sea of stars.

“How is it? Beautiful, right?”

Liliana smiled.

“……Your actions are reckless.”

Asbel didn’t smile.

The cold air. The thick clouds flowing beneath their feet.

“Ah, a shooting star.”

Then, like falling tears, the stars began to stream across the sky. It was a sight no human body could ever witness—a world of stars. It was all new, a strange sensation that made his chest feel both warm and cold at the same time.

“……I see. So this is how it feels.”

Asbel, savoring the moment, gazed up at the sky.

“Have you fallen for me, perhaps?”

“I’m not that easy. But, I’ll thank you, succubus…No, Liliana. The view you’ve shown me is truly wonderful.”

Asbel looked up at the sky. Liliana, however, didn’t look at the dazzling stars but at the man beside her. …Another star shot across the sky.

“……Ah.”

At that moment, the man’s expression softened. It was the first time she had seen Asbel smile.

“Heh.”

For some reason, Liliana’s heart started pounding. She didn’t know why. Unaware of Liliana’s feelings, Asbel quietly gazed at the starry sky and said,

“I’m glad I could travel with you. …Yeah, it was a good journey.”

As Asbel gave a faint smile, Liliana, with the most radiant and happiest smile she’d ever shown, spoke her usual words.

“Of course. After all, I am──”

“The Enchantress of Nations, the succubus of succubi, right? ……I know. I know that very well by now.”

“Don’t steal my catchphrase halfway through.”

Under the starry sky, the two of them just laughed together. On the eve of their parting, it was the first time they truly understood each other, even if just a little.