A Demon's Den

-----Fabian's POV

After Ilfa finished helping with the dishes, we both left the kitchen as I give a small wave to Alenia and the others. It's safe to say that all of them were still confused as to why Ilfa has been acting strange.

Ilfa: "Well that was a pleasant experience, fufu."

Fabian: "You liked washing the dishes?"

Ilfa: "Of course. It's something I haven't done before, and I found it quite enjoyable. Was fun to see all the food just glide off of the plates. Oh! And the hard pieces stuck at the bottom was satisfying to scrape off."

I wonder if that will be the same in a few months? Although I did hear that some of my family's maids prefer some jobs over others. Like some prefer washing clothes, and some prefer washing the dishes. So maybe Ilfa is a dishes type of person.

Ilfa: "Ah, this way."

We make our way down the 5 steps, but instead of going straight to the room, we turn left before entering a large open hall. The hall has doorways on either side, with a staircase far off in the direction we're facing that spirals up through the ceiling.

As well walked, I prayed that Ilfa's room would be through one of the 6 doors, but of course, we were steadily approaching the stairs. My ankles have pretty much fully healed, but it's still cumbersome to an extent.

Ilfa: "My room's just up these stairs."

Fabian: "I figured, haha."

Ilfa: "Hmm?"

Fabian: "Oh, nothing."

And soon enough, we began ascending the stairs as cobblestone soon surrounded us as every 15 or so steps had a window showing the outside as the sunlight illuminated the stairs. But after around 30 steps, I could already feel my ankles begin to give in.

Ilfa: "Something wrong?"

Fabian: "No, I'm fine."

Ilfa: "You're clearly not. You're slowing down by quite a lot."

Fabian: "Just haven't gotten this much exercise in a while, haha."

I don't want Ilfa to see me as a weakling. I can already feel my face getting hot just from struggling like this as sweat accumulates in my eyebrows.

Ilfa: "It's your ankles."

Fabian: "..."

Ilfa: "You don't need to push yourself. I'm the one that did that to you to begin with, so-"

Suddenly, she hoisted my up, carrying me in both her arms in a bridal carry. The warmth from her body quickly warms me up, but now I can feel my face burning up not from the stairs, but from being in this humiliating position. Shouldn't the guy be doing this for a girl? Why the hell am I the one being carried?

Ilfa: "You shouldn't need to push yourself. You're my responsibility, I don't want you to injure yourself."

I'm her responsibility? I get that she did rip those shackles off my ankles and I can still recall that pain even now, but that felt like ages ago now.

Fabian: "...I don't think you need to go out of your way for me like this."

Ilfa: "Fufu. Don't be silly. This much is nothing."

True to her word, she does seem to be dealing with little to no effort as she continues to carry me up these stairs as if I weight nothing to her.

And after some time, we finally come to an opening as the stairs finally stop as Ilfa carries me into yet another hallway. Two doors are on either side of us, but there's also a larger door at the end of the hallway. I can only assume that door is the one that leads into Ilfa's room.

Ilfa: "And here we are~"

She drops me down onto my feet in a gentle manner before opening the large door. I thought the room I was in before was large, even thinking it was the king's chambers one time. But this...

The room was enormous, having four large windows on both sides. But my eyes quickly glued themselves to the massive bed that too the center stage. The mattress was pure white that looked to be able to hold six people easily, with the frame decorated in gold engravings. The bed also has some sort of curtains at the top towards the ceiling that are currently tied up. I guess the previous king would untie those drapes to block out the sunlight from entering the room? Or... Maybe for some added privacy?

Ilfa: "You can use this bed for the time being."

Fabian: "Uh-huh."

I'm not even going to deny it, I'm really curious how this bed feels, but Ilfa's words just now makes me think that she won't be using it.

Ilfa: "Then go on. Lay down on it. See how it feels."

I take her up on her offer as I slowly make my way to the right side of the bed. I take a moment to feel the mattress with my hands as I can already feel how soft it is. It does remind me of the bed I've been sleeping on all this time, but I can tell that this is of a higher quality. Even now, my hand is being pulled into it's softness.

Ilfa: "Not like that. Like this!"

Suddenly, Ilfa collapses on the left side of the bed, laying down on her back as the bed shakes from the sudden impact. Seeing her enthusiasm, I end up doing the same, jumping onto the bed as my back immediately becomes absorbed into the bed with my head sinking softly into the pillow. My god...

Fabian: "I think I can stay like this forever."

Ilfa: "It's good, right?"

Fabian: "More like "too" good. I didn't know a bed could feel like this. I'm a bit jealous that you've been sleeping in this the whole time."

Ilfa: "Mmm. I don't know. I think I prefer the bed we were using before."

Fabian: "You're kidding. This is way better than that bed, haha."

Ilfa: "Maybe... But the size of this bed is what bothers me. It reminds me a bit of my past."

Huh? What does she mean by that? But before I could reply, she continues.

Ilfa: "...Remember when I said that my sister Tarifa is actually a part of me?"

Fabian: "Yeah?"

Ilfa: "Well, before then, I was alone... For most of my life, I felt content with that, feasting off of others and just enjoying life. But that grew old at some point."

Her voice is so mellow right now that I feel myself becoming completely absorbed by her words. But Ilfa was alone? For how long? I have questions circling around my head, but I'll stay quiet for now.

Ilfa: "At some point, I started to experiment in ways to create someone, although I didn't expect to make another version of me. I wouldn't say I'm unhappy with bringing Tarifa into existence, but it was an accident. Nonetheless, she did give me someone to talk to, even if it was just me talking into a mirror."

I can feel my chest tightening up by this story of hers. I find it incredibly sweet and pure that she just wanted someone to talk to, even going as far as trying to make a friend herself, only to have it backfire and end up cloning herself. As for myself, I've had friends in school and in the academy, but there was always that "distance" I got from being someone of a higher status. It didn't bug me as much, but I can empathize with Ilfa like this.

Ilfa: "Eventually I did find friends. The dark elves. I found myself gradually growing happier by the day... So, that's why this bed is painful."

Fabian: "You're talking about how empty it is?"

Ilfa: "Mm. It reminds me of how lonely I was back then."

Yeah. Even with both of us lying down, there's still room to fit even more people. I can only imagine how it would feel being all alone in such a huge bed. I think even I'd struggle a little.

Fabian: "...Then, why don't we both sleep here?"

Ilfa: "Huh? No, no. This is your bed. I can find something else."

Strange. The Ilfa I knew would take what I said as some sort of invitation. But for her to turn my idea down that quickly... I know Ilfa has changed, but I didn't expect this.

Fabian: "Don't be ridiculous. This is your bed. I don't want to be the one kicking you off of it."

Ilfa: "I-I can't!"

Is this the perfect time to ask why? Why has she changed?

Fabian: "Then why can't you?"

Ilfa: "..."

She ends up eating her words at my question. I thought it would be simple to answer, but it looks like she's in pain as she turns her head away from me. And just then, a sharp sting assaults my chest.

Ilfa: "...Because it hurts."

She says in a mumbled tone, but I manage to pick up what she said.

Fabian: "What hurts?"

Ilfa: "Whenever I think of you, I get this pain in my chest-"

What?!

Ilfa: "I didn't know what it was at first, or why this pain was happening. But I soon figured out that it's because of you... Oh! But don't worry! It's nothing physical, like there's no wound or anything. But even so, it's quite unpleasant."

I couldn't help but smile at her trying to clarify that it's not a physical wound. Of course it's not. How would thinking of someone do something like that to you?

Ilfa: "So... That's why I can't sleep with you."

I really don't want to jump to conclusions here as I could just be misunderstanding it. Demon minds could work differently than a humans so there could be a possibility that something happened between us. But if it is what I think it is, then I don't think I can contain myself.

Fabian: "Do you know why though?"

Ilfa: "If I knew it then I would've told you! This is something I haven't experienced before, so I'm trying to figure all of this out."

Maybe I shouldn't have pushed for more answers. I feel bad having her raise her voice like that, but I just couldn't help myself. And as an apology, I reach my hand out as I pat her head, causing her eyes to lock back onto mine.

Fabian: "Sorry."

Ilfa: "D-don't be. I know you're just being considerate of me."

I'm glad that it came across that way.

Fabian: "We've known each other for a while now. So seeing you in pain like this, of course I'd want to find out what's the problem."

Ilfa: "...Well... The pain went away when you touch my head just now."

Fabian: "Oh?"

I also notice that the pain in my own chest has pretty much dissipated. I guess even my body hurts when she's also in pain.

Ilfa: "So. Can you continue?"

Fabian: "Mm. Sure thing."

Oh my god! I'm trying to remain composed, but I cannot contain how happy I am right now. Ilfa is asking me to pat her head? I didn't know Ilfa could be this cute!

Ilfa: "Thanks."

I wonder if I should try something more then? Maybe if I hug her right now, maybe that would be more soothing for her? Thinking so, I shuffle closer to her as Ilfa immediately took notice.

Ilfa: "What are you-"

Fabian: "Don't worry."

I end up bringing her close with both my arms as I continue petting her head with one hand, using the other arm to bring her into a soft embrace. I know I did this for her, but I can't help but enjoy this as well. This is a whole new side of Ilfa I'm seeing right now, and I'm loving every second of it.

Ilfa: "This is-"

Fabian: "Is this no good?"

Ilfa: "No... I like this."

It was her turn now to wrap her arms around me, bringing her head against my chest as I continue to stroke her head.

Fabian: "Then you think you can sleep like this"

Ilfa: "Mmmm. Yeah."

Her voice becomes even softer as she refuses to let go of me. She was so stubborn with not wanting to sleep together, but now look at her. I feel the corners of my mouth rise up more as I begin to comb her hair with my fingers. The tightness in my chest has long since vanished as I find myself completely at home like this.