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

(There's some soup left, would you like me to heat it up?)

(Um...no, not now. It wouldn't be good to wake Fa'er.)

Seeing that Fa'er was sleeping soundly on her lap, Sagan couldn't bear to make her get up to get soup for her, so she decided to heat it up herself later.

Neferpitou covered her mouth, amused by something. Although her expression remained unchanged, the slight tremor in her ears suggested that she was enjoying herself.

(After that, Fa'er worked very hard. All the books she brought back today were moved into Mr. Sagan's stacks by her.)

(Aren't there quite a few books like those?)

(Yes. But she said it was because she also wanted to read those books as soon as possible, so she hoped that Mr. Sagan would have books to read as soon as he returned.)

Imagining the little girl bustling about in and out of the library made Sagan smile and let out a sigh of relief.

Is this what family feels like...?

He almost forgot that he was playing the villain, a magician.

Then, Nefi's azure eyes looked over.

(Mr. Sagan, did something happen between you and Fael today?)

(Huh? Nothing special should happen, right?)

Although Fael was not very good at expressing her emotions, Sagan had no recollection of doing anything to upset or sadden her.

But just as Sagan was wondering, Nefert looked lovingly at Far's sleeping face.

(Far seems especially happy today. Mr. Sagan, you must have done something to make her happy, but I just don't remember.)

What made Fael happy—Sagan didn't know what she meant, so he recalled what he had talked about with Fael that day.

After thinking for a while, he remembered that Fa'er had indeed been particularly happy for a moment today.

(Oh, it's probably that thing?)

(Did anything come to mind?)

(It's not a big deal. I'm just saying—if we live together for a thousand years, she should be able to understand us just by looking at each other's faces.)

Neferpitou blinked blankly, then chuckled softly.

(Since you've said that, anyone would be full of enthusiasm.)

(Why?)

Sagan didn't understand the meaning behind her words. Neferi gently leaned on his shoulder.

(What I really want to make Fa'er happy is your statement about "spending a thousand years together." Since dragons live much longer than humans, and you said that this would allow us to be in perfect harmony...)

After she brought it up, Sagan finally understood.

As mythical creatures, dragons could easily live for ten thousand years. Given the normal lifespan of humans, it would be impossible for them to accompany a young dragon through its early stages.

For people like them, having a partner with whom they can spend a long time is a rare and precious thing.

Perhaps that's why she harbored such deep hatred for the man who killed her father.

If she were not a young dragon, but had already entered the adult stage, then things might be different.

But for a young dragon that still needs its kin, the grief of losing its loved one should be the same as, or even greater than, that felt by a human.

—It seems things are going to get very complicated if we don't deal with Raphael soon.

If Fale were to meet that man, the worst-case scenario would be a full-scale war with the Church. If things were to develop to that point, allowing Neferpitou to live in the open would be a huge step backward.

Just as Sagan was deep in thought, Nefertir said with a touch of melancholy:

(If only I could have that kind of lifespan to be with her...)

This statement made Sagan's eyes widen.

(Neffi, what are you saying? Of course you should stay with us too.)

Although elves are not as numerous as dragons, they are still a long-lived race. With the addition of magic, living for a thousand years should be a piece of cake.

When it comes to longevity, it is actually Sagan himself who should put the most effort into it.

Nefi's azure pupils flickered slightly, then he nodded vigorously.

(Yes! I will always be with you, Mr. Sagan.)

Just then, Sagan was startled.

It turned out that the two of them had gotten so close that their noses were almost touching.

Wow... Neferpitou's eyelashes are so long! And for some reason, they smell so nice!

Now that I think about it, since she changed into her pajamas, it meant she had already taken a shower, so the scent must be from soap. Strands of her hair brushed against the back of her hand, still slightly damp, cool and soft.

Neferpitou only realized how close the two of them were now, and the tips of his ears turned bright red.

(Nefertari...)

Sagan called her name, and she returned the same tender gaze.

His gaze seemed to be drawn into her rosy lips. Sagan gently touched her cheek.

(ah……)

His panting breaths made his face even hotter.

Perhaps, given the current atmosphere, she will be willing to accept herself.

He didn't just touch her fair skin, but even went to the next stage.

Just as their lips were about to meet.

"Hey, Sagan! Something terrible has happened!"

A magic circle shone from the center of the room, and my friend, completely oblivious to the atmosphere, started shouting from within.

Sagan shuddered in fright and quickly distanced himself from Nefi.

Just then, Barbaross's face peeked out from the magic circle.

"Hey, at least give me an answer. This is something you... uh, eh?"

Sagan slowly rose and approached Barbaros, his eyes devoid of any compassion.

"Barbaros, come outside with me. I'm going to grind you into mincemeat."

What are you angry about?

Sagan was serious about going on a killing spree until he saw Barbaross pick up "another person" from the magic circle, which made him change his mind.

"Shestia?"

"Wasn't it you who told me to check on her condition...?"

Barbaross was holding the paladin girl. Unlike the one he had seen at noon, she was now clad in baptismal armor and carrying a holy sword on her back.

She was pale and breathing rapidly. Although there were no visible external injuries, her body was clearly in an abnormal state.

Sagan placed his hand on Shesty's neck and forehead to check her health.

—My heart is beating very fast, but my body temperature is abnormally low.

Sagan quickly realized what was wrong with her body.

"Was she poisoned?"

"Probably. It looks like it was put in the drink."

Sagan turned to look at Nefertari.

"Nefi, I need to heal this guy, come and help me."

"Okay, okay."

Although completely confused, Neferi nodded, put Fal down, and got up.

As soon as she was put down, Fa'er woke up.

"...Sagan, so noisy."

"Sorry. You can go back to sleep."

Far rubbed her eyes and mumbled something incoherently, while Sagan replied casually.

But then, Fa'er sniffed.

"Huh...? This 'smell'..."

Farah's gaze fell upon the holy sword behind Shessty.

Oh no!

By the time Sagan realized something was wrong, a murderous aura had already ignited in Far's golden eyes.

"Paladin!"

Fa'er's arm transformed into the shape of a dragon.

Although she is a young dragon, her claws are still strong enough to tear through steel. If she were to wield them with the power of a magician, their destructive power would be comparable to that of Sagan's fist.

"Huh? Ah, hey, Sagan!"

As Barbaros cried out in panic, Fael's claws had already swung down.

"Stop, Fa'er!"

But at the crucial moment, Sagan grabbed her arm, his vicious claws stopping just short of touching Shesty's brow.

Farah glared fiercely at Sagan.

"Why are you stopping me?"

"This woman is my guest; I can't let you kill her without my permission."

These words immediately made Fa'er look dejected.

"Is that so..."

That was the expression of someone who had been betrayed.

The expression on the little girl's face as she waited for him to come home late into the night touched Sagan's heart.