Home/Precious Little Hell-spawn, Evilyn/ch 8

Chapter 8

Under the gaze of all, Lucifer slowly stepped forward. Every time the demons lining the road looked up at me with wicked glints in their eyes, he would smile with delight and lift his chin high, as if proudly displaying the prey clutched in his hand. That smug attitude made my blood boil.

Oh, really? I'm the one getting all the attention, so why are you enjoying it so much? You have no idea how my insides are burning up!

Times must be tough in Hell these days. Hey, demons, how about giving the Devil some attention? It's because you won't look at him that he's taking it out on me! Focus on the Devil! Forget what I look like today! Red Sun!

I wanted to cover my face, but as always, my stubby little hands could barely reach my cheeks. Still, I had to do something—what other choice did I have?

I pressed my hands against my cheeks and ducked my head forward, trying my best to hide my face. In doing so, I inadvertently ended up resting my chin on top of Lucifer's head, but that was the least of my concerns.

I buried my head as deep as I could into his hair, desperate to avoid becoming a target. Suddenly, the crowd around us grew even noisier.

"Hah, truly, the Princess is so adorable one could just eat her up!"

"Already using such wicked tricks to bewitch us. Truly a worthy heir to our future!"

What are you demons even saying? Get a grip!

Just then, Lucifer raised his hand and hoisted me up without warning. Suddenly lifted from his shoulder, I could only blink, my cheeks still cupped in my hands, as he made an unexpected move.

"To dare act so coquettishly on top of my head."

Lucifer pulled me into his arms, hugging me tight as if to hide me away, forcing my face squarely against his chest. All around, sighs of disappointment echoed.

"Kyaa." (I can't breathe.)

"Even if you are the people of Hell, this is as far as you are permitted. Everyone, return to your posts."

His solemn command rang out, and I heard the sound of the demons who had been crowding in without a moment's pause scattering away.

"Phwoo!" (I said I can't breathe!)

Pressed against Lucifer's firm, broad chest, I couldn't take it anymore and began to struggle. He looked down at me, our eyes meeting.

"Evelyn."

Why, why are you calling my name so fiercely?

"Even the merciful ruler of Hell has things that must be shown and things that must not."

His grave voice and stern expression left me bewildered.

No matter how I thought about it, you were the only one having fun with me!

I pouted my lips and tilted my head in confusion. Lucifer's crimson eyes flashed once more.

"Yes, show this side only to me. Remember this well—all of this, you must permit only to me."

With his blazing red eyes fixed on me, he pressed me repeatedly as if demanding an oath. I had no choice but to nod meekly. What else could I do? My soul was trapped in this fragile infant's body.

Only then did Lucifer, looking satisfied, resume his steady stride.

Keeping the Devil happy sure isn't easy.

Still, being held in his arms was far better than being paraded on his shoulder under everyone's stares. For reasons I couldn't understand, Lucifer supported me with one hand while using the other to diligently shield my face.

Demons were impossible to figure out. One moment he displayed me like a trophy atop his head, the next he was busy hiding me away. Such fickleness knew no bounds.

Well, not that I minded—it was far more stable and comfortable this way.

After walking for some time, Lucifer's path brought us before a towering spire.

As we entered the Magic Tower, a deafening barrage of screams erupted. Amidst the noise, a demon who had been frantically waving his arms in the air spotted us and came running over.

"Oh, Lord Lucifer! What brings you here... Oh my! You've brought the Princess along as well. What an honor."

The white-haired demon, dressed in a tailcoat, bowed with the utmost courtesy.

"I greet the heir of Hell. I am Fenex, Master of the Magic Tower and Conductor of Wails."

That's quite a grand name.

Still, his appearance was surprisingly decent compared to the other demons I had seen so far. His face was tolerable enough that the usual terror inspired by demonic looks was somewhat lessened.

And indeed, clothes make the man. His neatly slicked-back hair, well-fitted tailcoat, and gentlemanly demeanor—so different from the demons I'd encountered before—somehow made me feel favorably inclined toward him.

"Chaa." (You, pass.)

At my babbling, Fenex placed a hand over his heart, gasping in rapture.

"Ah, that fantastical resonance!"

"Pepeut!" (One more service for you!)

"Truly, a voice of sheer ecstasy!"

These demons, as long as I'm with Lucifer, they'll flatter me nonstop. Such skilled sycophants.

Fenex clapped his hands in delight, and I couldn't help feeling a little smug.

Should I give him a little more babbling service? Just as I thought that, Fenex's eyes flashed bright.

My trusted instinct—my intuition—immediately perked up like a radar at that glint, sensing something amiss.

Usually, when demons' eyes light up, things don't end well...

Fenex slowly approached me. Reaching out his hands as if uncertain what to do, he murmured in an ecstatic daze.

"Would you please cry for me?"

What?

"Even your mere speech carries such deep resonance—what might your crying voice be like? Just imagining it sends shivers, does it not?"

Oh dear, this one's no ordinary madman either...!

Fenex pressed right up to my face, looking as if he'd strangle me on the spot just to wring out a scream. I wanted to escape, but trapped in Lucifer's arms, I couldn't move an inch. Desperately, I clutched at Lucifer's collar—my last line of defense.

"Pya!" (Do something!)

Just as Fenex's hand was about to reach me—

"Enough."

Did my desperate plea reach him?!

Fenex pleaded with Lucifer, his voice filled with anguish.

"My Lord! Please show me mercy! Just once—could you not let me hear but a single cry from the Princess!"

"Every sound Evelyn makes is mine."

"Ah, but the sharp, piercing screams that would create such splendid harmony here!"

Lucifer's bold claim of ownership over my voice left me stunned, but Fenex's reaction was even more absurd.

Like a tragic hero, he flung his head back, spun around, and ran dramatically toward the massive closed doors, throwing them wide open with an exaggerated gesture.

"Krrruuuuugh!"

"Spare... me! I was wrong! Kyaaaah!!"

From within the doors he had flung open, screams poured out like a chorus. So thunderous that just hearing them made my soul feel like it was about to leave my body.

"Do you hear it! The melody of agony carried from the River of Wailing!"

A fierce wind blew in from outside, making the swallowtail coattails of Fenex—his arms spread wide before the door—flutter dramatically.

Oh my, you absolute madman.

A familiar aura radiated from Fenex—much like the lunatics I often encountered on Subway Line 1 in broad daylight.

Finally, closing his eyes, he hummed a tune and waved his arms in the air as if conducting an orchestra. I shook my head in disbelief.

If I stayed here any longer, I'd lose both my soul and my sanity. Brazenly, I yanked hard on Lucifer's collar.

Fear is relative. Right now, I was more terrified of catching that madness than of the Devil himself.

"Jaa jaa!" (Let's go, that one's a no-go!)

"Shall we leave then?"

After a few days together, it seems he can actually read my babbling cues somewhat. 'If you can't avoid it, enjoy it,' as they say. I happily babbled back.

"Kkeua!" (On to the next stop!)

Once we left Fenex's Magic Tower, Lucifer strolled leisurely along the River of Wailing. By then, a bit of my fear had subsided.

No matter how frightening something is, you get used to it with time. People are all the same everywhere—demons aren't much different. A bit more brutal, maybe, but still.

All along the way, the deafening screams from inside the tower continued. Glancing to the side, I accidentally locked eyes with a sinner desperately swimming through a lava stream posing as a river—and flinched.

Wait, scratch what I just said!

I need a mental cleanse!

I turned my head and looked up at Lucifer's face. With my surroundings a minefield of horrors, I had no choice but to fix my gaze on him.

When your mind is troubled and pained, you should look upon something beautiful.

Yes, that's it. Lucifer might have the fatal flaw of being the Devil, but he was equally blessed with superb looks.

I, Seong Ju-yeon—no matter how much I'm a reluctant believer in Hell—am a sensible person who knows how to acknowledge good things when I see them.

Lucifer, displaying his refined jawline, seemed perfectly at ease and accustomed to all this. As the Devil, it was only natural, but still, I couldn't help feeling a twinge of regret.

If only the shell could come without the substance!

Holding me in his arms, he stood for a while by the bank of the lava-flowing river, gazing down at its currents.

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