****
The Demon was lying on an iron bench under a tree near the river. Sunlight peeked through the leaves, falling on her face and body.
Panic and restlessness were clearly visible on Himanshu’s face. Three or four girls and a couple of guys were standing around them. They all had the exact same expression on their faces.
Himanshu quickly took some water from his bottle and splashed it on the Demon’s face. When she didn’t move, his hands trembled as he took more water and splashed it again.
This time, there was some movement in the Demon’s eyes.
A few seconds later, the Demon quickly sat straight up. Like she had just seen some terrifying nightmare.
Her breathing suddenly became heavy.
Seeing such a big crowd around her, she clenched her fists tightly. It was like she was surrounded by the people of her own world, and all of them were desperate to kill her.
But right then, Himanshu’s words made the Demon’s anger completely disappear.
"Are you okay?"
"You fainted on the footpath."
Seeing Himanshu like this, the Demon was shocked for a moment.
Without answering, she looked at the faces of the people standing around. Their kind expressions and the wave of relief on their faces were making her even more restless.
After a while, Himanshu bowed his head, thanking everyone and asking them to leave.
"Thank you so much, girls."
"It’s okay, but take better care of your girlfriend. She looked really scared... and then there’s you, you weren’t even touching your own girlfriend when she fainted. We had to carry her all the way to this bench." Saying this, the girls walked away.
Sitting on the bench, the Demon was listening to all this very carefully.
The cool breeze coming from the river brushed against her face. Looking at her face, it felt like this was just a dream that could break at any second. The Demon kept staring at the people until they disappeared from her sight. Right then, Himanshu offered her the water bottle.
The Demon looked at him, and a second later, she started taking sips of water.
Himanshu tried to ask again.
"What happened to you?"
"There is no doubt anymore that you really are a massive idiot. You just let such a perfect chance to get rid of me slip right out of your hands."
Veloria said this while staring straight ahead at the people, completely expressionless, just like always.
Hearing this, Himanshu didn’t say anything for a second.
"Yeah... that was my first thought. But my mind said no. It’s not right to leave you alone in this condition."
A laugh escaped the Demon’s mouth when she heard that. She tried to control herself, but the laughter was getting out of hand.
Himanshu couldn’t understand her laugh at all, like what did that even mean?
He kept forgetting that he wasn’t sitting in front of a human. So laughing like a maniac was pretty natural for her. Yeah, but that didn’t mean Himanshu had to forget how to act like a normal human being too.
"Why are you laughing so much?"
"Did you hit your head or something?"
Hearing this, the Demon started laughing even harder.
"You humans are so crazy. Why would anyone just help someone for no reason?"
Saying this, the Demon’s face slowly turned dead serious.
"Before I do something terrible to you... tell me the truth, what’s your scheme?"
The Demon stood up and started walking toward Himanshu.
"Do you want to sell me alive? Or do you want to kill me and sell my parts? Tell me!"
If anyone else heard this, they would just say...
’She seriously hit her head.’ Himanshu thought to himself.
"Wha... what are you even saying? Why... why would I do that?" Himanshu stammered.
All he could see was pure anger in the Demon’s eyes.
Seeing Himanshu’s sweat and his racing heartbeat, the Demon stopped. She looked into his eyes for a moment. Like she was trying to catch him in a lie. But apart from sweat and fear, the Demon didn’t see anything else.
Himanshu took a long breath.
"It would’ve been better if I just left you there."
The Demon sat back down on the iron bench.
Himanshu’s words and the attitude of the people around them were starting to frustrate her again.
In her 8000 years, she had only seen and learned one thing—nobody helps anyone for no reason, especially in a situation where you only stand to lose.
This thought frustrated her so much that she grabbed Himanshu by the collar again to demand an answer. But this time, her hand was trembling slightly. She wasn’t angry because Himanshu helped her; she was angry because his help made her feel ’weak’ on the inside. And in her dark world, the weak get killed.
"Tell me, why did you help me?"
"Tell me!"
The Demon shook him completely.
"Why would anyone help someone for no reason? You should have just left me there and run away."
"You... you’re stuck here because of me. It’s my responsibility to send you back." Choking in the Demon’s grip, Himanshu couldn’t even say the words properly.
Hearing this, the Demon let go of his collar. She totally didn’t expect to hear an answer like this from a loser’s mouth.
’She is actually crazy! Who treats the guy helping them like this? I don’t even know when I’ll get rid of her.’ Frustrated with the Demon’s antics, Himanshu said in his mind.
*****
The evening sun rays were starting to prickle against the skin.
But Himanshu’s entire focus was on his wallet. Counting the dollars, his depressed face clearly showed that his two months of pocket money—which he had saved up dollar by dollar for upcoming manga—was about to fly away in a single day.
After a long time, he stepped into a girls’ clothing store. The moment they entered, a really weird and funny contrast was created. A terrifying, red-eyed Demon Queen... surrounded by pink lights, playing soft music, and colorful floral designer clothes. The last time he came here was probably with his mom when he was 8 years old.
He was absolutely sure that the Demon wouldn’t like a single piece of clothing in here. Obviously, why would a Queen like the clothes of commoners?
But Himanshu’s eyes went wide when he saw the changing expressions on the Demon’s face.
Her glowing eyes clearly showed that the clothing designs of this world were nothing less than some new magic power for her.
Whenever she liked a dress, her face would automatically show it. And whenever she didn’t, her eyebrows would just tense up on their own.
But even after liking so many clothes, the Demon didn’t say ’yes’ to a single dress.
While her face was giving everything away, her arms remained crossed over her chest the entire time... dead set on playing the full role of a ’Queen’.
Poor Himanshu was just following behind the Demon. He didn’t even remember how many rounds of the shop he had made by now.
And right then... the Demon’s footsteps stopped looking at the clothes on a dummy brought out by the staff.
A deep, blood-red, long, body-hugging gown. Its thin shoulder straps and straight square neckline gave it a simple yet incredibly attractive look. It was completely fitted from the waist to the knees, while the part below the knees flared out slightly, creating a mermaid style shape. Made of soft, smooth fabric, this dress was totally plain without any embroidery, prints, or designs. Its real beauty was just shining through its clean cutting and perfect fitting.
Seeing it, the Demon’s...
Arms uncrossing in slow-motion, her mouth wide open, and her eyes blown wide.
For a moment, she completely forgot herself.
’Did she just uncross her arms? I can’t even believe it!’
Himanshu was practically begging in his head, ’Please say yes... just say yes. I can’t walk anymore.’
Well, aside from being a Demon Queen, she was a girl after all. So this reaction was pretty obvious.
But a few seconds later...
Looking around, she tightly crossed both her arms over her chest again. And walked forward without saying a word.
Exhausted, Himanshu clenched both his fists tight and stomped one foot on the ground in pure frustration.
Glaring at the Demon’s back as she walked ahead, only one thought was running through his mind— ’Oh God, if I don’t get her this dress, she’s going to make me walk around this store all night! My manga money is already gone, now I just need to save my life.’
"Veloria!"
Himanshu’s voice suddenly called out from behind.