As the Demon King, I have married a slave elf. How should I express my love?

"It doesn't matter. This is the first time I've heard Neferi say so much."

Hearing this remark, which sounded like a rebuttal to his earlier statement, Nefi blushed again.

"Master, you're so mean..."

But then, the gaze fell on Sagan's hands.

Those were the hands that had just soothed Neferpitou's head.

"Master, does your hand no longer hurt?"

"Hmm? Come to think of it, that seems to be the case."

Without realizing it, the pain had already disappeared, but it wasn't numbness or complete loss of sensation either. Sagan didn't know what had happened either.

Just as he was wondering, Neferi took his hand.

"Master, I'm sorry."

After saying that, she began to unwrap the bandages she had painstakingly applied.

Unexpectedly, although there were still bloodstains on it, the wound from the spear had long since disappeared.

The unbelievable result left even Sagan speechless.

"Did you make this, Neferi?"

"I don't know, but... it should be."

The fact that she spoke so uncertainly must mean that she did it without even realizing it.

Besides, having been abused by her own kind since childhood, she certainly has never had any thought of healing others.

"That really startled me."

Magic might even surpass the power of a holy sword.

"Such powerful forces exist in the world."

"Is that so...?"

"Yes. Thank you, Neferpitou."

After sincerely expressing his gratitude, Neferpitou's eyes widened like saucers.

"What's wrong?"

"Master, this seems to be the first time you've thanked me like this."

Her words left Sagan herself in a state of distress.

—So it turns out I've never even said "thank you" before.

Neferpitou is so dedicated, racking her brains every day for her daily chores and meals.

"Uh... I'm sorry."

After Sagan finished speaking, Nefi's ear tips trembled slightly, seemingly pleased.

"I belong to my master."

The tone sounded like it carried a certain happiness; it couldn't be that Sagan was just being sentimental.

The emptiness that once filled my heart has now completely vanished.

◇

Night fell. In the past, Sagan would always be engrossed in her research at this time, but lately she had been going to bed when it was time. Neferi maintained a regular schedule, and Sagan cooperated with her, gradually developing the same habit herself.

As he leaned on his throne, preparing to fall asleep, there was a knock on the door.

"Nefi? What's wrong? Why are you here at this time?"

Normally, Neferpitou would have been asleep by now.

She was probably just thirsty, but this was the first time she had ever come down from the spire to the throne room so late at night.

Neferpitou entered wearing white pajamas, clearly having already gone to bed. The way she hugged a soft pillow was so adorable it was almost irresistible.

Neferpitou, still clutching the pillow, then said timidly:

"Um, Master..."

"Um?"

Seeing her serious and earnest demeanor, Sagan also sat up straight.

Soon, Neferpitou made up his mind and spoke:

"Could you please sleep with me?"

Not only her ears, but her face was also bright red, the girl said.

Sagan tensed up and his face tightened.

—I'm a man, and Neferpitou is a woman. The implication of two people sleeping in the same bed...!

A swallowing sound came from the throat.

Sagan, being a man, had wanted to kiss the tender skin of that beautiful young woman more than once or twice.

But if Sagan hurts Neferpitou for a moment's desire, he certainly won't be able to forgive himself.

Simply put, he has self-disciplinedly kept his distance and endured until now.

Who would have thought that Neferi would now be actively pursuing him!

But it was possible that she had misheard or misspoke, so Sagan calmed herself down and checked again.

"Neffi, do you know what you're saying?"

"……yes."

She seemed just as nervous, tears welling in her eyes as she continued:

"Because there's only one bed in this city."

Illustration p187

Sagan, who was almost cheering, suddenly became puzzled.

--Hmm? But that sounds a bit roundabout?

Indeed, the only usable bed in the city was the one Nefi was currently using; the others were either unusable or too dirty to sleep on. Nefi had gone to great lengths to clean them up.

Of course, if the two of them were to share a room, there would inevitably be physical intimacy, but it seems that she wasn't referring to that aspect.

After a few seconds of thought, Sagan realized that this was a problem her own mind couldn't solve, so she had no choice but to surrender and ask Nefertio in return.

"You...you mean...?"

As it turned out, Neferpitou seemed to realize that she hadn't expressed herself clearly, so she shyly covered her mouth with her hand and then spoke again.

"Master, you usually sit in a chair to rest."

"Yes, that's right."

"And if I could lie down and rest, I think I would be able to sleep better."

But even if you wanted to lie down and sleep, the only bed available in the city was Neferpitou's.

—So that means…wait, so what she said didn't mean I was allowed to touch her body?

Seeing Sagan's utterly bewildered expression, Neferi continued:

"So I thought to myself, if you don't mind, why don't you sleep with me...?"

Her face was so red it looked like it was on fire.

Sagan also knew that her face was probably similar to hers.

--Who's that innocent...?

Simply put, she didn't want a physical relationship; she just wanted to sleep with her master. But even that was a form of torture...

Sagan was caught in a dilemma: "Since the other party provoked me first, why not go with the flow?" and "I hope Neferi can continue to keep this pure heart."

After a fierce internal struggle, Sagan arrived at his answer.

"Nefi, I appreciate your kindness, but this room is the central hub of the barrier. If anyone were to intrude, this is the best place to respond immediately."

My heart is bleeding.

However, what he said was absolutely true—after all, the paladin had come to his door during the day. Actually, he wasn't usually too concerned about security, but at this sensitive time, he couldn't afford to be careless.

The enemy is very likely to launch a second wave of attack while we are relaxed after repelling the enemy. In order to be ready to respond at any time, he must stay in this room.

But to everyone's surprise, Nefert nodded as if he had expected this answer.

"I also thought that might be the case. So..."

Neferpitou sat down on the carpet and spread his arms.

"Master, please lie down on my lap."

--Leg pillow...?

This development was something he had never anticipated.

And seeing that she had even brought a pillow, it seemed she intended to serve him all night. Sagan began to worry that she might die of happiness or something.

Unable to refuse immediately, Nefi waved her outstretched arms again, as if embarrassed to repeat what she had just said, hoping he would come over soon.

—After she did that, who could possibly refuse…!

Sagan wanted to admire Neferi's current appearance a little longer, but soon seemed unable to resist rising from his throne.

"Hmm, well then, I'll have to trouble you."

He hesitated and lay back on the ground, resting his head on Nefi's thigh.

Although the carpet was usually trampled on by shoes, Nefi had washed it clean. It was softer and more comfortable than a regular blanket, and the warmth from her soft thighs brought a sense of tranquility that went far beyond lust.

Neferpitou stared at him intently.

"Is it okay if I lie down?"

"Not bad."