The morning sunlight filtered weakly through the cottage windows, cutting through the smoke and dust of last night's chaos. Liora had barely slept.
She was now painfully aware of the demon prince lying on her floor. Wide awake. Watching. Judging.
"…You really don't get tired?" she muttered, carefully chopping herbs.
He raised his head slightly, black hair falling across his pale face. Crimson eyes glowed faintly as he fixed his gaze on her.
"I don't tire," he said smoothly. "Humans do."
"Great. You're a monster and an asshole," she muttered, pretending not to notice the shiver that ran down her spine at the intensity of his stare.
He tilted his head. "Do you always talk to the monsters in your garden this way?"
Liora froze mid-chop. "…You mean demons?"
"Exactly." He sat up slowly, testing his wounds, letting her see the perfect poise in his movements. Every motion radiated control. Power. Danger.
"…You're really something," she muttered under her breath, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
He caught it. "What was that?"
"…Nothing," she said, but her voice faltered.
Crimson eyes narrowed, piercing through her. "…You're hiding more than you realize."
Liora's stomach clenched. "…I'm tired. Go back to being unconscious."
He chuckled, a sound that made the hairs on her arms stand on end. "…You're strange. Very strange."
Before she could respond, a loud crash outside made her freeze.
The sound of armored boots on the wooden path. The Church knights.
"They found me," she whispered, panic rising.
The demon prince stood immediately, pain forgotten. Crimson eyes blazing. "…You're in danger."
"Yeah, no kidding," Liora snapped, grabbing a small wand-like stick to defend herself. "I'm aware of that!"
Cairis watched her with a faint smile, almost amused. "…Do you always handle danger like this?"
"Do I look like I have a choice?" she hissed.
The door slammed open. Three knights in silver armor stormed in, eyes scanning the room. One paused, staring directly at her.
"Stop right there," he said. "You… magic. Reveal yourself."
Liora's heart skipped a beat. "…No. Not yet."
The knights advanced, drawing their swords.
Cairis stepped forward, limping slightly, but still radiating power. He raised a hand, crimson aura swirling faintly around him.
"Leave her," he said, low, commanding. The air around him thickened. "Or you die."
The knights hesitated. A bead of sweat rolled down one of their faces. "…Sir—"
"Now," Cairis snapped.
The walls seemed to hum, shadows twisting unnaturally. The knights froze, as if an invisible force held them.
Liora's eyes widened. The barrier she had set around the house—a secret magical protection—reacted to Cairis's presence. It shimmered, glowing faintly, almost like it had a heartbeat of its own.
"…Impossible," one knight muttered.
Cairis's crimson eyes glowed brighter. "…So the rumors were true." His gaze flicked to Liora, lingering far too long. "…The last witch… is here."
Liora swallowed hard. "…I… I don't know what you mean," she stammered, trying to act normal.
He stepped closer, voice low and dangerous. "…You're hiding. I can see it. And I like it."
The knights, terrified, stumbled back. Finally, they bolted from the house, leaving only silence behind.
Liora exhaled shakily. "…That was… close."
Cairis's red eyes held hers, unwavering. "Close?" he repeated softly. "No. That was revealing."
Her stomach twisted. "…Revealing what?"
He smiled, dark and unreadable. "…That I will enjoy watching you panic."
Liora felt a chill run through her. "…You're insane."
"I'm a demon prince," he reminded her. "And you're the last witch. You saved me. That makes you… mine."
Her heart skipped. "…What do you mean 'mine'?"
He leaned just slightly closer, the faintest of smirks playing on his lips. "…Everything about you… belongs to me now."
Liora swallowed, mind racing. "…This is insane."
"Insane?" he murmured, crimson eyes glowing dangerously. "…Or exactly how it's supposed to be."
And in that moment, Liora realized—her quiet, peaceful life was gone. Completely gone.
A shadow moved outside the window. Another knight—or worse.
Cairis tensed beside her, crimson eyes flashing.
"Someone else is coming," he said.
"…And I don't plan to let them touch you."