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 8.2

Liliana picks up a ring nearby. …She can definitely feel the magic within it. She knew that magic tools were created by humans who weren’t skilled in magic, but she’s surprised by the number of them displayed in the shop.

“Well, it doesn’t really matter. But you also use these in battle, huh? That’s kind of unexpected.”

“No, I don’t need such things. …I don’t believe in gods or their blessings.”

Saying that, Asbel moves deeper into the shop. Liliana puts the ring back down and follows him.

“Meow.”

Then, a voice echoes, and she sees a black-furred kitten curled up on a chair, seemingly sleeping in the sunlight.

“This must be the cat you were talking about. …It does look weak.”

“Can you heal it?”

“Well, I won’t know unless I try. My healing magic isn’t for all purpose, you know.”

Liliana closed her eyes and concentrated. As a succubus, she had a strong ability to charm and stir people’s hearts. However, she wasn’t particularly skilled in magic.

She could heal cuts or simple colds, but anything more serious was difficult. If it were her friend Mimi, she could easily heal such a kitten, but she couldn’t rely on her in front of Asbel.

So, Liliana used all the power she could muster and whispered softly.

“…Vitalis”

In an instant, a faint blue light enveloped the cat’s body.

“Did it work?”

“I don’t know…How about it? Are you feeling a bit better?”

Liliana gently patted the cat’s head. The cat responded with a sleepy “meow” and walked off somewhere.

“It seems like it had an effect. Thank you.”

After watching the cat leave, Asbel bowed his head to Liliana. His expression was still the same as usual, but it felt like there were fewer thorns in his words.

“…It’s nothing. The fact that I could heal it means it wasn’t a serious illness in the first place.”

“Even so, I’ve seen many people die from what seemed like small ailments. So, thank you. You saved me.”

“…It’s fine. This really isn’t a big deal.”

Feeling a bit shy, Liliana tried to leave the shop, following the cat. She was used to receiving affection and even unwanted advances, but she wasn’t used to being thanked, and she didn’t know what to say.

“…”

A little flustered and feeling the aftermath of using unfamiliar power, Liliana stumbled over a small step and almost fell.

“Whoa…Are you okay?”

Just before Liliana could fall, Asbel caught her. His body was more toned than she expected. Without thinking, Liliana pushed him away.

“…I’m fine. I was just a bit dazed. Also, don’t touch me so casually. I’m not that cheap of a woman.”

She stepped back from Asbel. After creating some distance, she realized that if she pretended to be weaker and let him touch her, she might have startled him a little.

“Well, whatever.”

However, for some reason, she didn’t feel like doing that right now. Liliana took one last glance around the shop before stepping outside.

“Meow.”

The cat was curled up comfortably on the lap of an old woman sitting in front of the shop.

“Did you heal this child?” the old woman asked, looking at Liliana.

“I didn’t do much. The child just got better on its own.”

“…Still, thank you. Honestly, I thought it was hopeless and had given up. But thanks to you, I can see this child walking around happily again. …Really, thank you.”

The old woman lovingly patted the cat. Liliana felt something indescribable and looked away as if to escape.

“Rim, we’re done here, so we’ll be heading home. …It’s getting chilly at night. Don’t overdo it.”

After saying that, Asbel tried to leave. But the cat, which had been on the old woman’s lap, suddenly jumped at Asbel.

“Meow meow.”

“…Hey, you just got better, so don’t overexert yourself.”

Asbel’s expression remained expressionless. Still, seeing the cat licking his face made Liliana laugh.

“Miss, miss.”

The old woman, who had somehow returned to the shop, handed something to Liliana.

“…Is this a necklace? Can I have it?”

“Yeah, it’s a thank-you gift for making that child better.”

The necklace had a thin pink shining gemstone that Liliana didn’t know the name of. Compared to what she usually wore, it had a very simple design, like something a knight would wear in battle.

…To be honest, it wasn’t really her taste. Despite that, for some reason, Liliana smiled slightly and accepted the necklace.

“Thank you, it’s a nice design. I like it.”

“Oh, I’m glad to hear that. Thank you for taking care of that child.”

It had been a long time since someone had expressed such pure gratitude toward her. Liliana felt as if she was doing something wrong and tangled her beautiful blonde hair around her fingers.

“Boy, boy, this is for you.”

Then the old woman handed something else to Asbel, who was still being licked by the cat.

“What is this…a bracelet? I’m sorry, but I…”

“Just take it. You’ve always been a child who hesitates too much. …Come home once in a while. I’ll make a delicious dinner and wait for you.”

She forcibly handed him the bracelet and sat back down in her chair. The cat that had been licking Asbel returned to the old woman’s lap.

“That girl is a beauty, much too good for you. You should cherish her.”

With those last words, Asbel showed a rare expression of confusion. Liliana found Asbel’s face funny and forcefully crossed her arms, waving to the old woman.

“We’ll come again together, so look forward to it!”

This was merely a task to ensnare Asbel. Still, for some reason, Liliana felt happy for the first time in a while.