Home/Precious Little Hell-spawn, Evilyn/ch 6

Chapter 6

“Evelyn.”

“Kyaa!”

Damn it! Thanks to the oblivious intrusion of a Confucian girl who should have answered promptly when an adult called, I had no choice but to meet Lucifer’s eyes.

“You were awake.”

Lucifer tilted his head, as if caught off guard, and looked down at me.

What are you staring at?

In that instant, Lucifer’s eyes flashed bright red.

No, what… are you looking at, sir?

I awkwardly turned my head to avoid his gaze. But he used a single finger to turn my chin back, forcing our eyes to meet—and I couldn’t help but surrender to instinct.

“Hwaaaaaaah!!”

Those eyes, glowing vividly crimson in the darkness—

were terribly harmful to a child. My whole body trembled involuntarily, and a sob burst out of me before I could stop it.

At the wail that was almost a scream, Lucifer picked up the pacifier lying beside the crib and stuck it into my mouth.

“I heard you’ve been eating on time, but it seems you’re hungry.”

It’s not hunger, it’s because of you, you demon!

Just as he was turning around, ready to summon someone at any moment, I spat out the pacifier with a loud ptui.

“Mmmah!” (I’m not hungry!)

At my words, Lucifer slowly turned back to face me.

Oops. I should have just let him leave!

But his expression was strangely off. It felt almost… tender. Like he was looking at me with affection.

A demon being affectionate? What nonsense!

I let out a dry, incredulous laugh. Ah, they say if you laugh after crying, you’ll grow hair on your butt.

“Kiyu.” (That’s hilarious. Truly. What an absurd load of crap.)

“Say that again.”

What are you talking about?

I tilted my head in confusion, and Lucifer reached out toward me. Lifting my tiny body with ease, he cradled me in his arms and asked again.

“You just said ‘Mama.’ Say it once more.”

They say baby babble sounds like whatever you want to hear—so I guess that rule applies even in Hell. Even the Demon King is powerless before fatherhood, huh.

But then, something struck me as odd. I wasn't some hurricane-born Venus—wait, no. I was just a reincarnated soul in Hell with a complicated backstory. So… ‘Mama’? I didn’t even have a mother in my past life—why would I have one here?

As I shook my head while nestled in Lucifer’s arms, he looked deeply disappointed and rubbed my cheek with his hand. The touch was surprisingly gentle and cautious.

He carried me slowly toward the curtained window. With a soft motion, he drew the curtain aside, opened the door, and stepped out onto the balcony where Leviathan stood guard.

“Many demons visited the castle again today. All because of that light.”

At his whispered words, I twisted my head slightly to look outside.

Though it was the dead of night, it was as bright as noon. I’d never seen one myself, but I wondered if this was what they called a white night.

Cradled in Lucifer’s arms, I gazed up at the luminous sky. There must have been a sun beyond that light, but it was far too dazzling to make out clearly.

“Everyone tries to hide their true feelings, but they all think it’s because of you.”

At that, I felt a pang in my chest. Because I’d heard something similar before.

“Is this phenomenon because of Her Highness?”

“His Majesty will figure something out. Let’s wait a little longer. If not, then…”

Wait—was that the solution? Coming to me in the middle of the night and tossing me to Leviathan as a meal?!

I grabbed Lucifer’s collar with all my might.

I will not die alone! Oh God, I’ll take this bastard and go straight to Heaven!

Just as I was desperately plotting his assassination, Lucifer quietly looked down at me and spoke again.

“But I don’t care.”

“Nyuu?” (Huh?)

For some reason, his words made me feel oddly self-conscious.

Let’s hear him out—in Korean or in Hellish, I’ll listen to the end.

I loosened my grip, and feeling embarrassed about the crumpled collar, I patted it gently with my tiny hand. A faint smile curved at the corner of his mouth.

“No matter what anyone says, you are my daughter.”

“Hiiing.” (If you’re going to say that, just leave.)

“I knew it the moment I first saw you.”

Lucifer stroked my hair, which was surprisingly thick for a baby. The gentle caress felt awkward.

At the orphanage, the nuns had taken good care of us children. But there were never enough hands, and too many souls craving affection.

It wasn’t easy to embrace them all, so if you wanted affection, you had to step forward and reach out first. As a shy child, I had always been left behind.

A quiet child who listened well and didn’t need much attention. I didn’t mind that. But having grown up unaccustomed to others’ touch, I was vulnerable to any show of affection or care—just like right now.

The ticklish sensation of fingers running through my hair was far too unfamiliar. So I turned my head slightly, avoiding his hand, and grabbed it.

Gotcha, you bastard!

“Buu.” (No unpermitted physical contact!)

Showing strong refusal, I gripped Lucifer’s large hand with my tiny fingers and glared at him with wide eyes.

Oh? Oh, what’s this? Lucifer’s acting weird again?

He quietly stared at my small fingers holding his hand.

Surely he wasn’t going to throw me away just for daring to grab the Demon King’s arm? Following my lightning-fast survival instincts, I used my other hand to clutch his collar.

But my expectations were completely wrong.

Lucifer drew my hand up to his lips and pressed them against it. I was shocked by his sudden gesture, but thankfully, his eyes were closed, so he didn’t see my expression.

What the heck? This is so sentimental and ticklish.

I couldn’t understand why the Demon King—of all people—would kiss my tiny hand, barely the size of his lips.

Then he opened his eyes and stared intently at my fingers still holding his.

Should I… let go?

In that unfamiliar and uncomfortable moment, what kept me from pulling away was the look in his eyes. For some reason, I didn’t want to ignore that deeply moved gaze.

See, Demon King? This is the kind of person I am. Couldn’t you just let me off easy, considering my humanity?

With a resigned sigh, I kept holding his hand and rested my head on his shoulder.

For today, since the mood was good, I’d let it slide.

Lucifer, I’m not doing this because I’m sleepy.

I’m sacrificing myself for your sake. Remember that, okay? If the day ever comes when you feel like throwing me away, don’t forget today!

I babbled inwardly and closed my eyes. A warm glow settled over my closed lids—whether from the bright night or something else, it was soft and gentle.

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“Let me do it.”

“Waaaaaah!”

After that day, Lucifer began visiting at all hours, day or night, without warning. Right now, he was interrupting my peaceful mealtime.

“Open up.”

Shoving a spoon at me recklessly, his aggressive torment made me thrash my entire body in protest.

“Hweeeeh!” (Lilith, take the spoon from him!)

“Your Majesty, instead of that, try it like this—like a demon flapping its wings for the first time. Yes, yes! That’s it! Make a whooshing sound. Vroom-vroom—exactly!”

Lilith, who had been watching from the side, carefully taught Lucifer her baby-feeding technique. His large hand, gripping the tiny spoon, traced a graceful arc through the air.

“Here you go, Princess. Try it. You’re doing great, Your Majesty! Now! Right now!”

“Kyahaha!” (Oh, this is hilarious. He’s actually doing it!)

With a stern face, Lucifer followed Lilith’s coaching intently, making a vroom sound as he brought the spoon forward.

The Demon King himself, using the airplane method to feed a baby—I wanted to laugh at him mercilessly. But sometimes my body didn’t quite obey my will.

My eyes followed the motion of his spoon, and when it came near, I instinctively opened my mouth and took the bite. Damn it!

“She eats well. Excellent work, Lilith.”

“I merely follow your orders.”

After the meal—which felt more like torture—I slumped limply in my chair, exhausted.

Ah, I’m so tired. My belly was full, but my mind was drained.

“Pyaa.” (Now go do some work already. Is Hell that quiet?)

“It’s entertaining being with you.”

“Abu.” (I’d be surprised if you’re not bored. Just go already.)

Looking at Lucifer, who clearly understood nothing, I babbled on happily.

Oh Demon King of Hell, taste the terror of my mighty babbling mouth!

“Shall we pat our Princess on the back now?”

Humming a little tune, Lilith lifted me from the chair and pulled me into her arms. Though I was well past the newborn stage, she still patted my back out of habit after every meal.

By now, I’d grown used to Lilith’s embrace—though I still couldn’t quite accept her eight legs.

I sucked my thumb and leaned against her shoulder.

From a step away, Lucifer stood watching quietly. I looked at him and playfully popped my thumb in and out of my mouth, making pop-pop sounds.

Hah! Take that, you wicked ruler of Hell!

Just then, Lucifer abruptly rose from his seat. And strode toward me.

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