❤❤❤
ALICE returned thirty minutes later, dragging Hatta’s borderline lifeless body behind her.
“Forgive me… Forgive me…” he kept repeating. He was, of course, unconscious.
Alice tossed Hatta into the luggage trunk. She then wiped off the mustache and fixed herself up.
“Permission to pass?”
“Granted. Also, there’s something I should tell you. One of the Demon Lord’s direct servants, Cheshire, assumes the appearance of a cute young boy. If you happen to meet him, turn around and run. Run till the cows come home! Cheshire can manipulate dimensions at will, and once he pulls you in, he never lets go.”
“Sounds fun. But I’m afraid I must bid you adieu now.”
And so, they were back on the road. The Dodo’s minions went quiet, allowing them to progress peacefully. For now, at least.
Alice indulged in some black tea in celebration of their most recent victory and everything going according to plan—minus Hatta’s life-threatening injuries, of course.
✦ ✦ ✦
❤❤❤
MEANWHILE…
“Put me down, please. I won’t run away again, I promise,” Jean pleaded from the Demon Lord’s arms.
“My cute little princess is blushing again. How precious.”
“I’m not a princess!”
“Rest assured, so long as I walk this earth, no human will lay so much as a finger on you.”
“Eh?” Jean’s heart skipped a beat, followed by immediate self-hatred.
Eventually, the Demon Lord lowered him down. On a coach, surrounded by minions, sitting next to the Demon Lord himself. Escape was not an option.
Unable to do anything, Jean looked up at the Demon Lord.
Is the wind too strong? His beautiful, straight gray hair is a mess. What a waste.
“Hold still.”
“Why are you touching my hair? Stop it.”
“I’m fixing it for you. Relax.”
Jean’s face got awfully close to his, causing the Demon Lord’s heart rate to spike.
Why is my heart trying to escape from my chest?! I’m a Demon Lord. I won’t fall for some human. I only kidnapped her to secure offspring. That’s all there is to it.
“Much better. Take better care of yourself; it matters.”
“Am I less of an embarrassment to you now?”
“Eh?” The surprised look on Jean’s adorable, innocent face cut deeper than any sword.
The Demon Lord averted his gaze, desperately trying to collect himself, unaware that what he was feeling was none other than love.