[71.7] A New Sister and a Happy Mother

[Author's note: This part of the chapter is back to Reika's POV]

I paced around anxiously in the courtyard, fiddling with the gloves covering my charred skin.

It's late.

It's too late.

He should have been back by now!!!

Did he get captured!?

Did that a**hole kidnap him again!?!?

WHAT IF HE'S DEAD!?

What will I do!!?!

Lene sniffed the air, "Did mother cook? I smell burning."

I glanced down at my gloves and noticed smoke pouring off of them. As the flames crawled up the fabric, I tossed it off and stomped on the gloves to destroy the flame before it could reach my dress and ruin it.

Atta watched me as if trying to understand my reaction.

I scratched my head and glanced at Lovi who was sleeping while leaning against the tree.

"Atta. Do you think you can watch the two girls while I go look for your older brother?"

She stared back at me, blinking innocently.

I pursued my lips, "Is that a yes or no!?"

Suddenly, I heard a voice call from behind, "Master! I'm back!"

"MY BOY!" I sprinted towards the entrance, tackling him into a hug. All my anxiety turned to relief as I smothered his cheeks and forehead in kisses, "I was so worried!!! Where have you been!?"

"I'm sorry, Master… I got distracted."

I followed his gaze and noticed a girl behind him.

She wore a flashy silk dress, accentuating her curves. She was a shocking beauty, with soft and youthful skin. However, I was horrified to see a girl so young being dressed as if she was 10 years older.

I immediately pulled off my cloak and put it over her, "Y-You must be cold!"

Who in the hell would let their young teenage daughter outside wearing THAT!? 

I don't care if children her age in this world can get married!

At that age in my world, I was wearing braces and thought watching cartoons past curfew made me a delinquent!

Lovi was awakened by the loud talking and rubbed her eyes, "Who is this?"

I frowned, too afraid to know the answer.

Asmonious suddenly straightened, "She is a demon just like us. Her horn was broken and she was kept like a pet."

The girl peered up at me with her sharp eyes, "You… You must be Moni's mother."

I had to hold my heart as I nearly received a heart attack from that statement.

I forced a smile, "What- uh- what makes you say that?"

"I can't read your desire just like him…"

My eyes widened slightly, "Uhhh… What do you mean?"

Did she just say… Desire?

Asmonious jumped in, "She can understand the desire of both humans and demons."

I gulped, "That-That means-"

She added shyly, "I know the intentions of the heart… The Madame called me a desire demon since I can manipulate the hearts of others."

Lovi weakly stood up, "Yeah right! You don't know what we desire!"

She nodded slowly then pointed to Lene, "She wants to play-"

Then she pointed at Atta, "-She only thinks about fighting…"

Then she finally pointed at Lovi, "And you want revenge for your mother."

Lovi's expression cracked, "Urk…"

I looked at Atta in disappointment, "Are you addicted to working out or something?"

The girl timidly glanced at me, "...Moni and you are the only two I can't read… I've never encountered it before."

Lovi put her hands on her hips intrigued by this, "Wooooow. So can you feel people's desires? Can you give them new ones?"

She played with the cloak, "O-Oh… Um… The Madame used to have me sing to men and use my snake breath to entrance them… So I guess I can?"

Lovi smirked, "Wicked cool."

Seeing her pitiful body, and her clear discomfort, I stopped the conversation. 

"Lovi, stop bothering her. She must be tired from walking all that way, so we should let her relax for a bit." I turned to look at her, "Is that alright?"

She looked down, too afraid to meet my eyes, "Oh… Um… I guess…"

I pulled my eyes away from her trembling body and glanced at the three girls, "Lovi, Lene, Atta… Can you show her to an empty room?"

They nodded obediently.

I turned to smile at her, "Feel free to rest all you'd like. I will have some food made for you shortly."

"Oh… Um… Thanks…"

While they walked, Lovi tilted her head up to look at her, "By the way, I don't JUST want revenge…"

Lene jumped in, "Lene doesn't want just to play! Lene also wants food!"

After they led her away, I nudged Asmonious, "I thought I would have a few more years until you brought home a girl."

He laughed, "Master… Don't tease me. It's not like that… I came across her while in town. When I saw what she was being forced to do… I had to help her."

I reached out to rub his head, "My sweet boy… You saved her, didn't you?"

He let out a sigh, "I had to. The Madame who had her was forcing her to pretend to be human and use her magic to manipulate men. I don't know to what degree, but judging from what I experienced… I can't say it was anything innocent."

My eyebrows pressed together in pity, "I see…"

He glanced at me with a pleading gaze, "You'll let her stay?"

I squeezed his soft cheek, "You don't even have to ask. I gave her a room, didn't I?"

"Oh thank you Master!!!" He paused for a moment and widened his eyes, "Oh! I almost forgot to introduce you two! How rude of me-"

I tried to hide the building sense of foreboding growing in my chest, "Let me guess… Her name is Rose?"

His eyes widened in shock, "M-Master! How did you know that!?"

My face twitched, "I didn't know… I don't know. Nope. I don't know anything."

He suddenly remembered something else as I fought with my emotions. He pulled out the gifts he bought in town, "That's right, Master. I almost forgot. I got this for you."

I turned to him surprised, "Huh? You got me gifts?"

"Well… Technically it was Lovi's idea… I didn't know what you would want, so I'm not sure if you will like it."

I took the first gift from him and unwrapped it to see a necklace with opals adorning it. I had to hold back tears as I stared at it, "Oh… I… I love it. Can you put it on me?"

He nodded and helped me with the clasp. I stared at the necklace around me with a soft smile.

For some reason… I feel so nostalgic looking at this.

"That's not all, Master."

"Hm?"

He handed me a box, which I opened. My eyes widened as I stared at that treat, "...Tarts?"

He scratched his head anxiously, "I'm not sure you'll like it… The baker said it is sour."

I put it into my mouth and as soon as the taste touched my tongue, the tears I tried to hold back came rushing out.

Isn't this…

A lemon tart?

I pulled him into a hug, tears crawling down my cheeks, "Asmonious… You really are the most perfect child I could ever have…"

As I felt him snuggle into my hug, I was overwhelmed by a strange emotion.

This boy…

How can anyone call him evil?

If anything-

He's not spoiled enough.