“….”
Ezekiel quietly swallowed a dry gulp.
“Arcne, first, listen to me.”
She didn’t.
Looking into her eyes made it clear. While she had a vivid goal of repaying her debt to Ezekiel, her own desires were also strong.
“…You’ll probably be surprised when you feel it, right?”
Arcne said with a smile.
Squish.
Arcne’s spider silk tightened around Ezekiel’s body. Inside the dead silent office, sticky breaths began to spread.
Finally, when their noses were close enough to touch…
Bang!
With a loud noise, the office door burst open. It was more accurate to say it was demolished than just opened.
Arcne’s head jerked around.
In that moment of silence, a tall woman was burning with golden eyes across from her.
The Empire’s 1st Princess, Ether.
“….”
Her lofty gaze looked coldly down at Arcne.
…
…
Ezekiel and Arcne were helplessly dragged into the princesses’ meeting room. Naturally, it was led by Ether.
Ether frowned, looking down at Arcne with crossed arms, and only opened her mouth after a while.
“This is why I despise demons.”
Ether’s lips twitched.
“You do not know your place.”
Her silver hair resembled a wolf’s mane.
Even just standing there with her arms crossed, she exuded a sense of danger that made one feel uneasy; truly a strong woman.
Arcne gazed at Ether without backing down.
Her eyes showed a resolute determination not to retreat.
Any ordinary person would feel their knees buckle just by facing Ether’s gaze, yet Arcne looked back as if her opponent were insignificant.
Thanks to that, a sharp tension flowed in the air. It felt like a fight could break out at any moment if someone moved carelessly.
‘This is dangerous.’
Ezekiel thought to himself.
Convincing the princesses regarding Arcne’s treatment was something he would have to do eventually.
But the timing was not good. How could he explain the situation where Arcne seemed ready to pounce on him as Ether walked in?
“Why do you have to ruin the mood? So annoying…”
Arcne muttered just loud enough for Ezekiel to hear. She had every right to be angry after having her important moment interrupted. Ezekiel was the one who was stuck in the middle of this mess.
Just as Ezekiel was about to step in and mediate…
An unexpected event occurred.
“It’s an honor. I meet the 1st Princess of the Empire.”
Thud.
One of Arcne’s knees touched the ground.
Surprisingly, Arcne showed a great deal of respect towards Ether, the 1st Princess.
This was unexpected for both Ezekiel and Ether. Honestly, it wouldn’t have been strange if they had started fighting right then and there.
“I’ve heard so much about you from Ezekiel. So many praises that I was curious about what kind of person you are.”
“….”
The 1st Princess slowly narrowed her eyes.
She looked strangely at Arcne, who suddenly started praising her. After a moment, she spoke.
“…What are you trying to say?”
“I’ve heard that the 1st Princess holds Ezekiel in very high regard. However, I expected some decent treatment given that he saved my life directly…”
“So, you want to be held in high regard too?”
“I don’t expect extravagant treatment. But, I would be very happy if I could be given a small opportunity.”
The 1st Princess continued to narrow her eyes even further.
“I’m curious about what kind of opportunity you’re talking about.”
“Please give me the chance to repay Ezekiel’s kindness. If I become a burden, I’ll surely die at your hands, 1st Princess.”
“Ridiculous. I saw what you did.”
The 1st Princess scoffed.
“Tying the teacher up with spider silk and calling it kindness?”
“Spiders speak through their webs, you know.”
Arcne’s manner remained exceedingly proper, to the point where even Ezekiel was taken aback.
The 1st Princess slowly tilted her head.
“You’re not just any demon; you’ve risen to the rank of a demon from the Demon Realm. Who knows when you might betray us?”
“The Demon Lord made a hole in my body, so I’m nothing from the Demon Realm anymore. My only duty now is to serve my husband.”
“Don’t use that name. You’ll regret it.”
“…You tell me not to call him that. Hmm.”
Arcne purred, as if to indicate she wasn’t going to back down.
This was certainly not the reaction one would expect in the current situation, especially not against the 1st Princess. The atmosphere once again grew tense.
It was then Ezekiel decided to speak up.
“First, you both need to calm down.”
“Teachers should wait for a moment.”
“Just stay still, husband.”
The two women simultaneously rejected Ezekiel, insisting they wanted to settle this matter.
‘This is difficult.’
Sweat dripped down Ezekiel’s back. It was true that he had married Arcne.
The fact that he married Arcne would reach Ether’s ears, and the knowledge of having united with Ether would also get to Arcne’s ears…
…Either scenario was catastrophic. It was truly dangerous.
As Ezekiel’s head started spinning with these thoughts…
“I’m a cursed being who can’t be welcomed in either the Demon Realm or the continent… I hope to at least repay a kindness here. Please understand my intention.”
Arcne spoke again.
Her voice had entirely shed any hint of rebellion. Only a deep longing and some desire remained.
Still kneeling with one knee down while looking up at Ether, she appeared pitiful like a deer. It was the first time Ezekiel saw Arcne make such an expression.
But then…
A sharp voice cut in.
“Don’t be deceived. Those are crocodile tears.”
With an exalted voice, another princess entered. It felt as if a black dragon had descended.
Standing next to Arcne, who still kneeled, was the 2nd Princess, Hedera, radiating the power of Dragon’s Blood.
The intent behind her energy was clear. The moment Arcne made any funny move, she would unleash her full strength to tear her limbs apart.
“You lie without blinking an eye.”
Hedera said with contempt.
The Empire’s 2nd Princess and the Tower Master of the Imperial Magic Tower.
Even if she were to execute Arcne on the spot, there would be no issue. The Emperor was absent from the Imperial Palace, and the princess was the one in the highest rank.
Moreover, the Emperor had never instructed to spare Arcne’s life. Quite the opposite; he probably wished for her death.
“I heard rumors. You were saved from the brink of death, and in just one day, you tried to kill the inspector?”
“Trying to kill? What are you talking about?”
Arcne replied, sounding genuinely confused.
“I was actually intending to make you happy.”
“….”
Though Arcne was sincere, it seemed that Hedera and Ether interpreted it merely as a provocation. And that was understandable. After all, she had just bound Ezekiel with spider silk.
Ether and Hedera were radiating terrifying energy. The princesses spoke with overwhelming presence. Without Ezekiel, Arcne would have been dead in an instant.
Ezekiel held his throbbing head.
Before he could even persuade the 1st Princess, the 2nd Princess arrived far sooner than he expected.
In the meantime, the 1st Princess spoke once more.
“Repaying kindness is something that can only be said when it’s useful. I don’t know at all what use you might bring.”
“My use? I have plenty. If not, I’ll create it just to prove it. If I could just stay next to my husband.”
“….”
Though her tone was exceedingly polite, both Hedera and Ether’s expressions crumpled at her words.
The cause was undoubtedly the title.
Just the term ‘husband’ alone was enough to turn the princesses’ stomachs upside down.
“Scoundrel, I told you not to use that expression…”
“I got it. Just don’t use it.”
Arcne pouted.
Did she even take the princesses’ warnings to heart?
“Yes, I mean if I could remain as a dedicated concubine to Ezekiel, I could do anything.”
“….”
“Um, it might be hard to understand the significance on the continent. There’s also a term ‘dedicated toilet.’ Choose whatever you like from what the princess desires. I’ll cater to your tastes.”
“……”
At that moment, veins were visible on the princesses’ foreheads. Ezekiel had no choice but to speak up urgently.
“Everyone, wait, this is…”
“The inspector should be quiet.”
“I told you to wait.”
But they acted as if they hadn’t heard. Completely enraged by Arcne’s pure provocation, Ezekiel was treated as if he didn’t exist.
“…Now I understand your intentions behind acting polite. You were looking to ridicule us.”
Ether grasped the Light Arrow sword in her hand.
The blade looked sharper than ever; even Ezekiel would likely struggle to survive if hit by that.
In the end…
Fwoosh—!
Ezekiel unleashed a tremendous chill all at once, freezing everyone’s ankles in place and grabbing their attention.
“Enough, everyone calm down first.”
Finally, all eyes turned to Ezekiel.
“…Let’s have a conversation. Arcne is the Imperial 0th Princess.”
He never expected to reveal it this way, but he had no choice to stop the catastrophe.
But in the next moment…
The responses he received were unexpected.
“Why is that?”
“What is that?”
“Why is that?”
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