TSMFTDG 07

Episode 7 

A small, secluded room, far from my own bedroom.

There, Rian lay fast asleep from exhaustion.

I’d wanted to keep him in the room next to mine, but my subordinates strongly opposed the idea.

Still, for such a tucked-away place, the room was warm and filled with gentle heat.

“When are you going to wake up?”

Rian had collapsed before even answering my confession yesterday. The backlash from using his skill had taken its toll.

“I didn’t know his skill consumed that much power.”

At first, I thought he was badly injured because of me and had fallen into a deep sleep—but the court physician said that wasn’t the case.

All his wounds had been healed; all that was left was for him to wake up.

I’d thought he was just tired. If I’d known he’d sleep this long, I never would’ve let him use his skill.

“I never meant to hurt you.”

“…And how am I supposed to believe that?”

“It’s true. If you don’t believe me, you can take my heart out and see for yourself—”

I was idly tapping his hand when he suddenly opened his eyes.

“Do you think I’m a monster that steals human hearts?”

“Monster or human, what does it matter?”

He sat up, glanced around, and immediately asked:

“Where’s my sword?”

“Why? So you can kill me with it?”

He fell silent. How could he act exactly the same as his in-game personality?

I barely held back a laugh and continued.

“I have your sword. I’ll give it back when the time comes.”

“You—!”

“Don’t be angry. For now, you should do as I say, shouldn’t you?”

“I haven’t agreed to anything you’ve proposed.”

His gaze turned cold. It had been warm when he first woke up, and I found myself missing that warmth.

“All the humans who trespassed into my castle were released unharmed. The female saint included.”

“…”

“I gave you a choice, but you didn’t take it. I’m not patient enough to wait forever, so I chose something you would’ve likely picked anyway.”

Rian didn’t argue. Even if I gave him another chance, the result would be the same.

A man who sacrifices himself for others, asking for nothing in return—that’s the hero humans dream of. And Rian embodied that dream perfectly.

“So what do you want me to do now?”

He adapted quickly to his situation.

“Didn’t I tell you? I’m going to have you.”

Our eyes met—his crimson pupils glimmering like jewels, the sight I had longed to see again.

“Let’s eat together.”

“…What?”

“Eat with me. You can do that much, even if you hate me, right?”

My gaze flicked to the “affection meter” above his head.

Affection: 0 / 100

No need to rush. I was the player who first maxed out Rian’s affection, even outside the game.

Days of sleepless grinding, showering him with gifts and rare items came back to me. If I did it once, I can do it again.

No one knows better than I do what he likes—and what he hates.

“Get changed.”

As the door shut behind him with a thud, I exhaled deeply.

“So this is what my life has come to.”

When he asked that earlier question, I almost answered,

‘Want to?’

—What the hell would that even mean? I buried my face in my hands, cursing myself.

That faint, unwanted desire—how quickly it grows, even without water.

❖ ❖ ❖

“Why is he taking so long?”

It had been a while, but Rian still hadn’t shown up. The lavish feast laid out before me felt tasteless without him.

Should I send someone? After some hesitation, I rose to my feet.

If he won’t come, I’ll just go get him myself.

Outside his room, the attendants were in a panic.

“What do we do? If he’s any later, the Demon Lord will get angry…”
“Please, sir! Let us help you dress!”

Ah, I see what’s going on. Rian must’ve refused their help.

“My Lord!”

The servants bowed the instant they noticed me.

“You may leave.”
“…Yes, my Lord.”

Honestly, I was relieved. If they had gone in, they would’ve seen his body before I did—and that would’ve been unacceptable.

I sighed and knocked on the door.

“It’s me.”

The door creaked open just enough for his hand to shoot out and yank me inside.

Thud. The door slammed shut behind me.

He cornered me instantly, one arm braced on either side.

“Where are my clothes?”
“I threw them away.”
“Why would you do that?”
“They were filthy.”

Well—more like, I saw that saint touch them, so there was no way I was keeping those.

“What, you don’t like the ones I gave you—”

The words died in my throat as I looked at him.

Was that even clothing? The scrap draped over his torso looked ready to fall off with a single gust of wind.

“What… is that?”
“That’s what I’d like to know.”

Rian sighed, his brow furrowing.

“Are you trying to seduce me?”
“Are you insane?”
“Then why are you wearing that?”

I was dead serious. My sanity was hanging by a thread as it was.

His bare chest was half-exposed, and even the scowl on his face somehow made it worse.

“I gave you several outfits.”

Technically, I told the servants to bring something appropriate.

He gestured toward the wall. Hanging there were outfits no one would dare wear in daylight—mesh, lace, and that flimsy rag he currently had on.

“Is this the Demon Lord’s taste in clothing?”
“I do like it when you wear things like that, but I never told them to make you wear them.”
“…”

Apparently, the demons had assumed my “hero” was a sort of personal concubine. How else would such clothes show up?

“So you put that thing on instead?”
“I’d like to take it off. Right now.”
“Yeah… you probably should. It’s not exactly dinner attire.”

If anyone else saw him like that—no, absolutely not.

That rag wasn’t fully off, but it wasn’t really on, either.

If I could’ve locked him away all day, maybe I wouldn’t have stopped him. But I settled for one last, longing glance before he finally changed into normal clothes the servants brought.

“So even the Demon Lord eats human food, huh?”
“I’m an exception.”

Undead don’t eat. Vampires drink blood. Incubi steal life force.

Most demons feed in other ways. It’s not that they can’t eat human food—they just don’t need to.

But I’d been human once, so eating was still a necessity.

“Is it strange to see me eating human food?”
“…”

He said nothing, quietly taking a bite. I poked at my greens, then set down my fork.

Ever since I possessed this body, food hasn’t tasted like anything. I only eat out of obligation—to keep from collapsing.

Rian noticed.

“Why aren’t you eating?”
“Because what I want isn’t on the table.”
“Then ask for it.”
“It’s not ready yet. I’m waiting for it to be done.”

He didn’t press further.

“You’re not even curious what it is?”
“I’m not.”

Before I could stop him, he stood and walked off.

He wandered aimlessly through the castle, and I followed quietly behind.

After two full circuits of the halls, he finally turned around, clearly irritated.

“How long do you plan on following me?”
“It’s my castle. Am I not allowed to walk around it?”
“I’m not going to run away. Stop trailing me.”

His tone made it clear: Dinner’s enough. Don’t push your luck.

“Then come outside with me.”
“…”
“Come on. Staying cooped up in here must be suffocating.”

He didn’t answer, but followed me nonetheless. Maybe he felt the same.

Even outside, we remained within the barrier I had erected.

At the highest point of the castle, a cold wind brushed our faces. The mountains and the shimmering ice wall surrounding them were in full view.

“Did you make that?”
“Yeah. Can’t have humans wandering in like last time.”

No one without immense power could break through. Even a demon lord would have to work for it.

“Also, call me by my name. Stop with the ‘Demon Lord’ stuff.”
“I’d rather not—”
“That’s an order. You belong to me now, so you’ll obey me. Right?”

He frowned. Was saying my name really that hard? Fine. I’ll just say his instead.

“Rian.”
“…”
“Rian.”
“Stop saying it.”

Wow… Saying his name out loud is way more embarrassing than I thought. It felt easy when I was just typing “Our Rian♡” on a game screen. But now that he’s actually here, answering me—it’s different.

“What exactly do you plan to do with me?”

Now it’s “you,” huh? Not “Demon Lord.” Progress?

“You said you liked me. Isn’t it natural to keep close what you like?”
“Stop joking around.”
“I told you, I’m not joking.”

I let out a small sigh and looked at the ice barrier.

“I want peace.”
“You never cared about war before.”
“I didn’t. But ignoring it doesn’t make it go away. There are still people who want to drag me into it.”

I don’t want to see you die. That’s why I’ll move first.

But I didn’t tell him that.

“I’ll become the one and only ruler under the sky—and end these endless wars.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“I know it’s hard to trust me. No one builds faith overnight.”
“…”
“So stay with me. I’ll try to make you believe.”

Just then, the wind shifted, and I caught sight of someone beyond the barrier.

Even from that distance, her figure was clear—light blonde hair fluttering in the wind, and translucent golden eyes.

The saint, Eshia, holding Rian’s brooch in both hands, as if praying to return him.

“Looks like I’ll have to prove something first.”
“Prove what?”
“That what I feel for you isn’t a lie.”

I tugged his collar and kissed him.

Rian stiffened, startled by the sudden contact.

My gaze, however, flicked to the saint outside the barrier—her face twisted with shock and fury.

Why are you spying from there, anyway?

Rian’s not yours to take.

He’s mine now.