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 39

From a small hill near the mansion where Liliana and Asbel lived, a sky full of stars stretched out, almost inviting them to reach for it. The view was so grand that even the biggest worries—even the fate of the world—seemed trivial.

The first time the two of them came to this hill, they were left breathless.

…But even such a view becomes familiar after seeing it many times. When they first came to this mansion, they’d gaze at the stars together almost every night, but with the nights growing colder recently, they had stopped coming here as often.

“It’s rare for you to invite me out, Asbel.”

The cold night wind gently lifted Liliana’s golden hair, casting a radiant glow against the gaps in the starlight.

“I just wanted to talk to you a little.”

Asbel responded in his usual calm manner, showing no signs of weariness despite the long walk up the mountain path. Liliana sighed in mild exasperation.

“Well, I don’t mind. The stars here are always beautiful, and tonight’s especially clear…it’s really beautiful.”

“Yeah, it is.”

“‘Yeah, it is’ isn’t what you’re supposed to say! That’s where you’re supposed to tell me I’m more beautiful, or something like that. Go on, try again!”

Seeing Liliana’s dissatisfied expression, Asbel let out a small sigh this time.

“…You’re beautiful. Much more so than any star.”

“It lacks feeling, but…I’ll let it slide for today.”

Liliana’s mouth softened into a gentle smile. The distant chirping of insects filled the night. Asbel shifted his gaze from the stars to Liliana.

“There’s something I need to apologize to you for. I’ve…been lying to you all along.”

“Oh? What’s with the formality? If you tell me you’re actually married, I’ll slap you.”

“It’s not that. It’s just…I don’t know what happiness is.”

Liliana tilted her head, as if to say, “I’ve known that all along.” Asbel continued speaking in his calm manner.

“I killed my own parents with my own hands…no, I killed the parents of the boy known as Asbel. I think that’s when my heart must have shattered.”

“What…what are you suddenly talking about?”

Ignoring Liliana’s confusion, Asbel continued.

“They were researchers. The kind of people who’d do anything for their work. They were good-hearted but didn’t know right from wrong.”

Asbel slowly walked along the hill, and Liliana silently followed.

“They conducted experiments—experiments on human beings. Trying to recreate the power of gods, they sacrificed countless people, wiped out an entire town, and in the end…they failed. Asbel’s friends, his neighbors, and Asbel himself—everyone died. Even then, they laughed, saying they’d get it right next time.”

“So…you killed your own parents.”

“My very first memory is of their dead faces. Even though I was just born and hadn’t even formed a heart, I knew I couldn’t just leave them like that.”

“So that’s why you’re so fixated on what’s right. To prove the righteousness of what you did, you took up the sword.”

Asbel turned to look at Liliana and shook his head slowly.

“At first, maybe it was as you said. I joined the knights to prove my own righteousness…but it was different. I was already broken.”

Asbel looked up at the sky again. The darkness of the night hid his expression from Liliana.

“I couldn’t feel anything anymore. From the day I killed my parents, from the moment I drowned in that pool of red blood, my heart was dead. No matter what I do, I feel no joy. No matter what I eat, I can’t taste anything. No matter how hurt I am, I don’t feel pain or sorrow.”

“Is that why you put chili peppers on everything…?”

“Yes. I can’t taste food. I once told you I was impotent, but it’s more than that. The real me is a numb, broken doll.”

Liliana nearly slapped Asbel’s cheek on impulse. She didn’t even know why she felt like doing it. But instead, she clenched her fists and managed to restrain her emotions.

“That’s why I clung to righteousness. Because righteousness is fair, even to someone like me who doesn’t understand other people’s feelings. I read countless books to establish my own rules of right and wrong, and I’ve adhered to those rules without hesitation. In doing so, I’ve somehow managed to fit into society…and live within it.”

“But I was the one who forcibly shattered that sense of righteousness you clung to…Does that mean you…resented me?”

“Well, I don’t know. I’m not even sure I still have the feeling of hatred inside me. My sense of justice was shattered, but even then, I continued living without change. If I had resented you, that probably wouldn’t have been possible.”

“…I see. Then it’s fine. I’ll forgive you for lying about my cooking being delicious.”

Liliana smiled, but Asbel did not.

“Even so, my sense of justice hasn’t completely disappeared. If a demon king appeared to destroy this world, I would pick up my sword without hesitation.”

“There’s no demon king left. The demon kingdom isn’t ruled by a monarchy anymore. Representatives of each race govern with empathy and freedom in mind…though it’s mostly just appearances.”

Liliana turned her back to Asbel and looked up again at the starlit sky.

“Truly beautiful…”

She reached out instinctively, thinking she could touch the stars. But her hand cut through empty air. No matter how much she reached, the stars would always remain out of reach. Even with wings and freedom, some things were beyond one’s grasp.

Asbel watched Liliana’s unguarded back intently, slipping his hand into his pocket and feeling the cold metal inside.

“So? What’s with this sudden confession? Sure, you surprised me, but that doesn’t change why I’m here.”

“Even with wings to fly freely, is there a reason for you to stay here?”

“Don’t be ridiculous.”

Liliana turned back and laughed, her usual smile brightening her face and dimming even the stars. Whatever was said or whatever might remain unspoken, she would not waver.

The proud Queen of the Succubi laughed off Asbel’s worries as trivial.

“I am the Enchantress of Nations, the Succubus among Succubi—Liliana Liche Riden. I’m always exactly where I want to be. That’s all.”

The meaning of those words would likely never reach this man. Even if she stayed beside him forever, her feelings might remain unspoken.

But that was fine with Liliana. She didn’t understand why she felt that way, but being by his side warmed her heart…and brought her pain. A pain she could never discard, even though she hated it. As long as it lasted, she would stay by this man’s side.

“You never change.”

“And neither do you, Asbel the Impotent.”

“That’s right. No one changes that easily.”

Asbel took a step forward, his eyes still colorless, revealing nothing of his thoughts, even to someone as perceptive as Liliana. Yet she trusted him, not doubting for a moment that he would never harm her.

—And that’s why it caught her off guard, completely.

“…What is that?”

Liliana’s eyes widened as Asbel spoke.

“Didn’t you say your necklace broke before? Today, I asked in town if it could be repaired, but it seemed that would be difficult. So I bought a replacement.”

From his pocket, Asbel took out a ring—a simple silver band, plain and without embellishment.

“I thought about it for a long time, but no matter how much I thought, I couldn’t find an answer.”

To kill Liliana for the world’s sake. Until now, that decision would have been easy. Yet, he found himself hesitating. And the moment he noticed his hesitation, Asbel’s path was decided.

“If it’s no trouble, I’d like you to stay by my side from now on. I’ll protect you, even at the cost of my life. So, please…”

The night fell silent, only the stars moving in the sky as Asbel gazed directly at the girl before him. A star shot across the sky as he spoke.

“Liliana…I love you.”

Her chest ached, fiercely, unbearably, yet somehow it felt soothing. The pain was intense, almost pleasant, though she didn’t understand why. It hurt, yet didn’t hurt, and she felt as if she might cry, though she was happy.

“…Do you hate it, then?”

Seeing her fall silent, Asbel looked at her uneasily. She softened, releasing the tension from her body and smiled.

“Well…it’s not a bad setup, proposing under the starry sky. But I am Liliana Liche Riden. You’ll need a bit more flair if you want to win me over.”

“I see. Then forget I—”

“But! Still…I’m happy. Even though I was noisy beside you, and you always looked unbothered, like it was annoying, I…I’m glad.”

Liliana nodded slightly and held out her left hand toward him.

“I love you too. If you can’t smile, I’ll smile for you. I’ll cry, get angry, and do everything I can in your place.”

The wind blew, revealing Asbel’s empty eyes. Whatever might happen, Liliana had resolved to protect this man.

“If you have no heart, I’ll be your heart, standing beside you more than anyone else. So, Asbel…please let me stay by your side forever.”

Asbel slid the ring onto Liliana’s finger. The two of them smiled in the same way, held hands, and looked up at the sky.

No matter how far they reached, the stars would always remain out of reach. Yet, the two of them clung tightly to each other’s hands.