After learning the origin of Har's purchase of the golden horn fish soup, Kelsey felt a step closer to her parents. Her mother explained that she had once had a daughter, but she died at the hands of another demon. The child had been born special—blessed with a pure core that allowed her to continue evolving. If she had lived, Har and his wife were confident she would've broken through the barrier and ascended to a mid-rank demon, even a higher rank.
Unfortunately, a mid-rank demon discovered the truth about their daughter's core and killed her to consume it and increase his own power.
When they found Kelsey lying helplessly, years after their daughter's death, it felt like déjà vu—like watching their child perish again. So, they decided to save her at all costs. When they learned Kelsey had no memories aside from her name, they adopted her as their daughter.
Since moving in with the boar couple, Kelsey had been reading history books about the inhabitants of this realm. Of all the books she read, none depicted human kindness. They all described how humans would kill demons on sight, without even asking why they had entered Human Land.
She had once thought all demons were good and all humans were evil—until she found a discarded book in the trash. She wasn't disgusted by it; instead, she picked it up, almost as if compelled to read it. To her shock, the book revealed that a high-ranking demon's favourite fare was a fresh newborn human baby.
Humans killing demons on sight was cruel, yes—but perhaps it had a reason. Human hatred for demons had built up over centuries, and the war between the two races had never truly been resolved.
If she hadn't found that book, she might have continued to look down on humans. Strangely, that single book had turned everything she knew upside down. Suddenly, demons seemed like the evil ones, while humans were merely defending themselves.
Not all demons were evil, of course—but there was still a lingering sense of fear and distrust surrounding them. That was why Kelsey never dared to leave Boar Village. She chose to stay with the boar couple—because they had saved her life.
Still, Kelsey couldn't fully open her heart to her adoptive family. They were demons, after all. But now, after spending three years with them—and learning about the other side of the friendly Demon King—Kelsey had come to realize something: like humans, demons had both good and bad among them.
If she had once doubted that demons were capable of sincerity, she no longer did. Her adoptive parents' genuine kindness and decision to take her in were proof enough. And as for the Demon King—he never once threatened her or tried to force her into anything. If that wasn't sincerity, what was?
Since Iom and his family's arrival, Luca had been visiting Boar Village at least twice a week. But his visits never lasted more than an hour or two before he had to return to the Capital. Although Kelsey wanted more time with him, she couldn't stop him from leaving.
Even so, Kelsey had become more talkative, laughed more, and generally looked happier. Most of the time, her conversations with her mother were about her time with Luca.
"Kelsey, my child," her mother asked one day, "do you like Luca that much?"
"Eh?" Kelsey blinked, surprised by the question. "I do like him—as a friend. He's my real demon friend, after all."
"I don't mean it like that. To me, you look like a girl who has just experienced love."
"Lo—Love?" One could almost see steam rising from her head. "Mother! What are you talking about?! I love Luca? That's impossible!!"
"Then why do you only talk about Luca?"
"That's because I don't have any other friends! If I did, I'd probably talk about them too!"
Her mother couldn't help but smile at her daughter's blushing face. "Then let me ask you something. When you close your eyes, who's the first person that comes to mind?"
"…"
"You don't have to answer. Just think about it. Who makes your heart beat faster? Who makes you laugh freely? And… if you imagine your future, who's the person standing by your side until the end?"
Kelsey lowered her head. In her heart, there was only one answer to all of those questions.
"If the answers are the same person," her mother said gently, "then I don't know what else to call it—except love."
"I… I fell in love?" With that Demon King?
"My sweet child. Since you came to live with us, we've never seen you laugh like this. Even when you smiled before, it always felt hollow—like smiling was your duty. Your eyes held no ambition, no desire."
"They did?"
"But now you've changed. Since meeting Luca, your eyes have become livelier. You laugh more. And what makes your father and me happiest… is that you've started opening up to us. We feel like you finally see us as your parents."
"Mother…" Kelsey's vision blurred with tears. "I know I've never said this before, but… I love you."
"I know. And I love you more."
Kelsey sniffled. "So… do you think I love him?"
Her mother smiled gently. "Do you think you do?"
Kelsey felt like she was falling into her mother's trap—but this time, she didn't want to deny it anymore. "I do. I believe I do. But…"
"I know—you're human, and he's a demon. And even though humans and demons have hated each other for centuries, that doesn't mean there aren't couples like you."
"What?"
"You wouldn't know, because they keep their relationships a secret and live in hiding—far from both lands." Her mother patted the back of her hand. "If anyone opposes your relationship, I'll help you get to Paradise Island. It's a sanctuary for couples like you. No humans or demons dare to go there—it's protected by a goddess."
A goddess? Kelsey wanted to ask more, but she suddenly heard familiar footsteps approaching. Instantly forgetting her emotional conversation with her mother, she turned and ran toward the door.
"Luca!!" she cried, flinging the door open and running straight into his arms.
"What's this? It's the first time you've greeted me like this."
Kelsey buried her face deeper into his chest, listening to the sound of his rapid heartbeat. "I missed you."