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 41

“Is it true that you’re planning to return to the human kingdom, Lady Liliana?”

A few months ago, in the demon kingdom. After confirming no one was watching, Liliana told Mimi, who raised her voice in surprise.

“Shh! Don’t be so loud; the guards outside might hear you!”

With a finger to her lips, Liliana shook her head, silencing Mimi.

“I—I’m sorry. But, Lady Liliana, returning to the human kingdom in the current situation is, with all due respect…a bit reckless, don’t you think?”

Mimi’s concern was valid. Not long ago, Liliana would have been killed before reaching the demon kingdom if Asbel hadn’t intervened. It hadn’t been long since then. To return to the human kingdom now would be nothing short of suicidal.

“I know that much. You want to say it’s stupid to go back after all the trouble we went through to return here, don’t you?”

“I wouldn’t go that far…But security in this kingdom is also far stricter than before. Even for you, Lady Liliana, getting past the guards and leaving the kingdom seems nearly impossible…”

With her powers of enchantment, Liliana could possibly charm one or two guards. However, the demon kingdom was no fool; guards were stationed in groups, and any unusual behavior was to be reported immediately.

“I’ll manage that with this.”

Liliana showed Mimi a ring on her index finger, easing her worries.

“Is that…some kind of magic tool?”

“This is my ace. By using it, I can amplify my enchantment power by several times.”

“…! Could it be…the priceless heirloom passed down through the generations of succubus princesses…”

“You know it, then? It’s the heirloom ring that can grant even a puppet its own will. With this, I’ll charm the guards and leave this kingdom.”

“……..”

Mimi fell silent. Using such power might allow Liliana to leave the kingdom. However…

“But, Lady Liliana, what are you planning to do once you return to the human kingdom? I doubt you’ll be able to act freely as before.”

“I’m aware of that. Even so, I’ve decided to return.”

“Please reconsider. I understand your feelings, Lady Liliana, but now might be the time to wait. Perhaps in a few more years, things will change between the kingdoms, and then, you’ll be free to do as you please.”

Mimi pleaded, but Liliana’s expression remained resolute. She had already made up her mind.

“…Is this for that human?”

Mimi asked.

“Who knows,” Liliana replied.

“That human did help us. Without him, we wouldn’t have made it back here…But still, he’s just a human. There’s no need for you to risk your life for some mere human, Lady Liliana!”

“True. Humans are nothing but prey to me. Risking my life to help one is ridiculous.”

“Then why…”

Mimi, confused, furrowed her brow. Liliana laughed bitterly.

“Because I want to. I’ve always followed my desires. That’s just who I am, and that won’t change, no matter the situation.”

Seeing Liliana’s determined gaze, Mimi recalled the past. Pixies were the smallest of demons, often looked down upon by others. The pixie leader’s mild temperament also made their status in the demon kingdom weak.

Mimi, having lost her parents at a young age, was an outsider even among the pixies. Yet Liliana had said to her, when she was all alone:

“You’re so cute. Those rainbow-colored wings are beautiful.”

And with that, Liliana chose her as her attendant. Mimi had been overjoyed. If succubi had enchanting power, then Mimi had already fallen under Liliana’s spell long ago.

Liliana, who was everything to Mimi, was risking her life for a human. It was…too cruel. After all, it was a human who had killed Mimi’s parents.

“I’m sorry, but I’ve already decided.”

“Then at least, let me go with you—”

“No. You’ll stay here. There’s no guarantee I’ll survive, and you don’t need to follow me.”

“But I am your attendant, bound by Lord Ilias’s orders to always remain by your side—”

“Enough of that.”

Liliana interrupted Mimi.

“I think of you as a friend. That’s why I wanted to say a proper goodbye. Besides, I’m not going off to die. I’m just doing what I want to do, as I always have. So forget that nagging old woman’s orders and live the way you want.”

Liliana smiled. With that same unchanging, untainted expression from before, she looked directly at Mimi.

“I’ll always wish for your happiness. Goodbye.”

Those were the last words Mimi and Liliana exchanged. In the end, Mimi couldn’t say, “Don’t go,” or “Take me with you,” and could only watch Liliana leave the kingdom from afar.

What should she do now?

This question filled Mimi’s mind. Even months after Liliana’s departure, she still had no answer.

“Finally, you’re here, Mimi.”

The one who summoned her was Liliana’s mother, Ilias. She often summoned Mimi to reproach her for Liliana’s escape. Recently, Keydrec had intervened, so Ilias could no longer scold Mimi harshly, though her position was still weak.

Even so, this summons filled Mimi with dread, but she couldn’t refuse and went to Ilias’s office.

“You don’t need to be so tense. I don’t intend to scold you any longer.”

Seeing the shrinking Mimi, Ilias smiled, an unnatural kindness in her expression.

“Then, why have you summoned me, Lady Ilias?”

“I want you to go to the human kingdom.”

“…!”

Mimi felt a shock run through her body.

“Do you mean…to bring Lady Liliana back?”

“Bringing her back would be impossible…I never expected her to escape with that ring. Apparently, she helped a human man and then vanished…She’s living the same way as the succubi of old, driven by desire. She’s disgracing our kind just by existing.”

“Then, what do you want me to do?”

In response to Mimi’s question, Ilias smiled. The smile bore a slight resemblance to Liliana’s, causing Mimi to avert her gaze.

“I want you to create an opportunity.”

“An opportunity…?”

“Yes. A chance to bring the divine soul into her body.”

“…! If you do that, Lady Liliana will…!”

Despite Mimi’s distress, Ilias spoke calmly.

“True, her soul would vanish. Perhaps it would even destroy the human kingdom. But this is necessary. We can’t allow Keydrec or humans to gain any more power. Liliana must be sacrificed for the future of the succubi.”

Ilias slowly approached Mimi. For some reason, Mimi felt her body grow heavy, unable to look away or move.

…Almost as if she were being enchanted.

“She abandoned you. The one who’s followed her loyally, she left you to be with some filthy human. Are you okay with that?”

“That’s…”

“By now, the Liliana you admired has surely fallen under that human’s control. You’ll be the one to free her soul.”

“To…free Lady Liliana’s soul…”

“Yes. Only you can do it. I’m counting on you, Mimi.”

Ilias handed her a small key.

“Point this at her and recite the divine chant. Her soul will be able to journey to a pure, untainted place. Understand? You will save Liliana, Mimi.”

“I…will save Lady Liliana…”

“In a few days, arrangements will be made for you to enter the human kingdom. Just fulfill your role. Do you understand, Mimi?”

“Yes. I understand, Lady Ilias. I will free Lady Liliana…from that despicable human.”

Mimi’s eyes were vacant, reflecting nothing as she gave her reply.