Sephine woke up.
When she found herself lying naked beside Vi, her first thought was that she had been transported through dimensions again.
But after thinking carefully, this place seemed to be her room.
How exactly did this woman get in here?
Vi stared at her pitifully, like a cat that had done something wrong, and said, “What are we now?”
“Great… I don’t remember anything…”
She had come home, greeted the children, gone into the bedroom, changed clothes, read a book, opened the door… everything after that was gone.
But she vaguely felt that she had had a dream, a dream she couldn’t recall but that had been very pleasant.
“You dragged me into the room by force… and then… sob sob…”
The Demon King began her acting.
But Sephine refused to believe such words.
She had dragged the Demon King up to the second-floor bedroom?
And pushed her over?
Which world line was this?
Did she even have the ability?
“Sob sob… you always call me a pervert… but Sephine was so rough…”
The Demon King kept acting.
In reality, the one who had held the upper hand the whole time was the Demon King.
She had just taken a brief rest during a “shift change.”
Sephine’s hair was a mess, and her thoughts were just as tangled.
She couldn’t believe everything the Demon King said.
If it had really happened as she claimed, the Demon King’s reaction now wouldn’t be like this.
“Let’s get dressed first.”
Sephine hadn’t noticed the time when she came back, so she had no idea how long had passed.
Looking out the window, it seemed almost dark outside, but when she returned, the sun had still been high overhead.
This was just terrible.
It felt like she owed the Demon King a favor now.
After all, it had happened in her house.
And the one who had been insisting on staying away from her was Sephine.
She didn’t need money or anything like that; she could summon the wind and rain with ease.
“What compensation do you want? If it’s money, we can discuss it later.”
Sephine was playing dumb.
There was no way she didn’t know what the Demon King meant.
“Hmm~ I’m a very understanding person.”
“Miss Sephine is very busy every day. Having to take care of the children and work, it’s really tough.”
“Right, right. So let’s just forget about it…”
“On Bathing Light Festival, you must play the role of my wife. Together, we will light the lamps at the ceremony.”
Although saying this made the Demon King feel a bit uncomfortable inside, for now, she had no other way to express it.
Sephine was already her wife—what did she mean by “play the role”?
Even saying the words made her feel stifled.
“This… I remember having to do it in front of the whole city…”
“Alright.”
Sephine still remembered that last year, only Vi had spoken on the altar, and it had been quite awkward, because previous Demon Kings always had a partner, but she didn’t.
“Miss Sephine, remember to be proactive. If I’m happy, I might forget today’s miserable experience.”
“Mm.”
But Sephine felt very thirsty, as if she had lost a lot of fluids, though she had no proof.
For now, she had to agree to this small request.
She could treat it like a part-time acting job.
Sephine remembered there would be many delicious desserts on the festival day, and the children wouldn’t have to worry—at least Karin wouldn’t be a problem.
“So, are you really going to make that wish at the festival?”
“Others don’t know what I wished for. Don’t worry.”
“What if it fails?”
“You’ve asked that many times. What, can’t bear to part with me? I’m not going to die.”
The Demon King was still cracking jokes.
At least now, in front of Sephine, she could be a lot tougher.
“I don’t want you to become like that again.”
“Even if you hate me, even if you throw a tantrum, I want it to be your own choice.”
“I want to become myself, not your appendage.”
The Demon King froze for a moment, then smiled.
“I only want you to be yourself. Like my wish, not controlled by some other power.”
“Don’t worry. I won’t disappear before I win your heart.”
“Stop saying such cheesy things!”
Sephine tapped Vi on the head and got up to find her clothes.
It had been a long time since she had such friendly interaction with Vi.
A rare visit, and it felt like they had both resolved something of their inner loneliness.
“I can let bygones be bygones. If you really want to win my heart, go ahead and try. Maybe I’ll end up choosing the Witch lady.”
“I don’t believe it.”
“Why?”
“I’m prettier than her, you little pervert.”
The ceremony was on the third day.
The first two days were for enjoying the joy of the festival.
Before leaving, Vi even gave her a kiss on the cheek.
“Tomorrow is the opening ceremony of the festival. The prayer ceremony will be held that day. Remember to buy yourself some nice clothes as well.”
The Demon King put on her clothes.
The outfit was the same as usual, except for an extra hat with fresh flowers.
It was a flower her father had blessed for her.
After Vi left, Aglis happened to return with the children.
The timing was perfect.
Aglis couldn’t help but marvel at her own time management.
She had first taken Karin to buy desserts, then taken Fala to the bookstore, and finally wandered back slowly, playing along the way, arriving just in time for the parents’ “business” to be done.
“Thank you for taking the trouble to watch the children for me.”
“Karin, Fala, say thank you to Sister Aglis.”
“Thank you.”
Karin was busy eating and couldn’t even be bothered to say thanks.
She thought everything was a “tribute” from Aglis.