Shekina swallowed dryly.
The atmosphere around Lucart was unusual.
‘Why?’
She had only been talking to the twins—not necessarily having fun, but engaging in conversation. Sure, they had been oddly furious, but that was their problem, not hers.
But then why was Lucart reacting this way?
What had irritated him enough to make him frown like that?
Shekina fidgeted with her hands as she followed closely behind Lucart.
“Go inside.”
Lucart stopped in front of a door and pushed it open, speaking in a low voice. Shekina tilted her head, unsure where they were, but obeyed his words anyway.
The moment she stepped inside, she saw a spacious room with a massive dining table that took up nearly half the space.
“What is this?”
“Sit down.”
He didn’t answer her question. Shekina hesitated but sat as instructed, watching Lucart carefully.
As soon as she settled in, several people entered, each carrying trays filled with delicious-looking food.
“Uh… what’s going on?”
Shekina tilted her head in confusion.
Given Lucart’ earlier expression, she had expected to be scolded, but this…
‘Is this… a meal?’
It seemed like she had been brought here just to eat.
Or was he planning to scold her while she ate? That would definitely ruin her appetite.
As Shekina’s thoughts spun in confusion, Lucart spoke again.
“Eat.”
Shekina hesitated, picking up a knife in one hand and a fork in the other, glancing at Lucart cautiously.
“You seriously brought me here just to eat?”
Lucart didn’t answer immediately but stared at her intently.
After all, demons couldn’t eat this kind of food. It was obvious that all of this had been prepared for her. So why was she even asking?
“Yes. I brought you here to eat.”
After answering, Lucart gestured toward the table.
“Eat a lot. Eat everything.”
Shekina looked at the overwhelming amount of food on the table. If she ate all of this, her stomach might explode…
“Well, okay then. I’ll eat.”
“Good.”
As she cut into a piece of meat and took a bite, she felt her tension slowly ease. Judging from the atmosphere, she wasn’t going to be scolded, so she could relax a little.
“But why are you suddenly feeding me?”
“You’re too thin.”
“I’m not! I’m chubby!”
“You look like skin and bones. If someone saw you, they’d think you were undead.”
“…You really have no filter, do you?”
Shekina stared at Lucart while chewing on a garnish.
“So, are you feeding me because you’re worried about me?”
“No.”
Lucart replied firmly.
“It’s just that when you head to the capital, I won’t be around.”
He watched Shekina’s puffed-out cheeks as she chewed and continued speaking.
“We won’t be seeing each other for a long time. So, I just wanted to make sure you’re healthy before then.”
“…That’s literally called worrying about me.”
“No, it’s not.”
Shekina finally relaxed completely and let out a soft laugh.
The worry that she might be scolded disappeared entirely. She simply accepted Lucart’ kindness for what it was.
“Boss.”
Shekina twirled a forkful of pasta and asked,
“Why are you so nice to me?”
This was a question she had been curious about both before and after the “skip.”
Thinking back to when she first met Lucart, he was a great Demon King, and she was nothing more than a small human child. The sheer force of his presence had made her feel like she would be crushed.
At first, Lucart had doubted her multiple times, wondering if she would harm the demons or if she had some hidden agenda. She had even felt pressure from him.
But now, Lucart…
At some point, he had changed.
He no longer doubted her—he simply watched over her. He stayed by her side. He even worried about her, just like now.
That’s why Shekina was curious.
What exactly was he thinking when he treated her this way? What was on his mind when he looked after her?
Shekina held her fork, her heart pounding, as she waited for his response.
“That’s a strange question.”
Contrary to her nervous anticipation, Lucart responded in a completely indifferent tone.
“You are my child.”
He met her gaze directly.
His eyes didn’t waver.
There was no falsehood.
“That’s why I treat you this way. It’s only natural.”
“…….…”
And with that, Shekina’s emotions became a tangled mess.
***
The carriage rattled as it moved.
“Ah, Lady Shekina! Are you alright?”
Arthur quickly reached out to check on her, but Shekina simply waved her hand without responding. Instead, she rested her face against the carriage window, staring blankly outside.
“…….…”
Inside the carriage heading toward the capital, Arthur, Yuriel, and Dehan exchanged uneasy glances as they observed Shekina.
Something seemed off about her.
Even when Lyat and Martin had spoken to her during their send-off, Shekina had only given half-hearted responses. And ever since they boarded the carriage, she had kept her mouth shut, gazing silently out the window. Even when spoken to, she only responded with nods.
What’s wrong with her?
Is something bothering her?
Everyone in the carriage fidgeted nervously, unsure of what to do.
But Shekina had no room in her mind to care about their concerns.
For the past few days, she had been unable to stop thinking about Lucart’ words.
When she had asked why he treated her so well, his answer had been:
– You are my child.
Child…
That word felt so unfamiliar to Shekina.
She had reincarnated countless times and had many different parents. But not once had any of them ever told her, “You are my child.”
At first, it had been unbearably sad and miserable.
But after experiencing multiple reincarnations, she had given up, accepting that this was just how the game’s settings worked. She had resigned herself to the idea that she was a character who was never meant to be loved.
But…
This life was different.
Her siblings cherished her, the demons protected her, and even the Demon King himself had called her family.
It should have been something to celebrate. She should have been overjoyed, jumping with happiness at finally experiencing love.
But Shekina couldn’t feel pure joy.
‘Because, in the end, I’m human.’
She wasn’t like Yurian, Didi, Nisha, or the twins—who were all homunculi. She was human.
Right now, she might be living among demons, but demons inherently despised humans.
What would happen if Shekina revealed the truth?
‘They’ll think I deceived them.’
They might even see it as a betrayal.
And all the love and affection she had received—everything she had grown to cherish—would vanish like an illusion.
‘Keeping it a secret forever…’
Shekina bit her lip hard.
Now that she had felt their love, continuing to hide the truth felt like nothing more than deception. And that weighed heavily on her. It made her restless and frustrated.
“Haa…”
Shekina tapped her forehead lightly, trying to suppress the unease swelling inside her.
The others in the carriage flinched at her sudden movement.
“Oh! That reminds me!”
Yuriel clapped his hands, raising his voice as if trying to change the heavy atmosphere.
“It just so happens that—w-we’re arriving in the capital right as the Imperial Festival starts!”
“The Imperial Festival? What’s that?”
“It’s, um, a festival! A celebration that lasts for three whole days and nights! I-I heard it’s really fun…! E-especially for kids.”
“Ohhh.”
Arthur immediately caught on to Yuriel’s intent.
“Lady Shekina, should we go? It sounds like fun.”
“Huh?”
Shekina finally snapped out of her thoughts and looked at them.
Seeing their anxious expressions and how they were carefully watching her made her feel guilty.
She forced a bright smile and nodded.
“Yes! Let’s go! It sounds fun!”
“That’s a relief.”
Arthur let out a breath and gently patted her head.
“We should reach the capital faster than last time since the northern roads have been cleared.”
“Y-yeah. That’s great.”
“I will protect you, Lady Shekina.”
Arthur, Yuriel, and Dehan all made the same promise.
Shekina silently looked at them.
She had always been with them, yet for some reason, today they felt unfamiliar.
Maybe it was because she was carrying guilt toward them.
She felt both sorry and grateful.
So, I have to do my best too.
Shekina smiled brightly.
“Yes! Let’s have fun together. And… huh?”
But before she could finish her sentence—
Ring!
[Sub Quest: Survive!]
There are far too many enemies targeting you and your group. Sigh… Why did you have to make so many enemies? This is all your own doing!
Regardless, you must defend yourself with the people you have right now.
I’m sure you can do it!
Reward: (Shouldn’t surviving be your priority right now?)
Failure Penalty: Death
“What the…”
Before she could finish cursing—
BOOM!
A massive impact struck the carriage.
“Lady Shekina!”
As the carriage flipped, Shekina’s body was thrown along with it.
Damn it.
Screw guilt or whatever—she had to survive first!
