Pink Spring. (1)
"Demon King-nim, do you know that sex is good for prenatal care?"
I returned to my room and lay down on the bed, when suddenly Hallibel said something like that.
What on earth is that supposed to mean?
I kept my mouth shut, feeling like something harsh might come out, so she started to explain in a flustered manner, as if trying to clarify.
"The feeling of happiness a pregnant woman experiences during sex is conveyed to the baby in her womb, giving it various positive effects!"
"...Lies."
"Have I ever lied to Demon King-nim? It's true. Just believe me once!"
Really?
Really.
I blinked blankly, then subtly glanced at Arthur, who was polishing his Holy Sword.
Outwardly, it doesn't seem very big, but...
'When it gets big, it's really...'
Would you believe me if I said it felt like it could beat someone to death with its dick?
But what was even more surprising was the fact that its enormous size could fit entirely inside me.
This, too, must surely be the realm of fiction.
"Arthur."
"Yes, Ariel."
When our eyes met, I felt myself flush again for no reason.
Just remembering yesterday's sex was fatal.
It was as if this body was constantly reminding me that it already belonged to Arthur.
Completely, I was no different from a mere female.
"...Come here, for a moment."
It would be a lie to say I wasn't tempted by Hallibel's words.
To think that sex could also benefit the baby, what could be better than that?
But you see.
'If I let him put that in, the baby in my womb will surely be harmed.'
I could never allow such a thing to happen.
"Help me a little."
If feeling good could help the baby, there were other ways besides sex.
I firmly grasped Arthur's arm as he approached me and gently pulled him closer.
My large chest was crushed against Arthur's forearm, losing its shape.
"Ah, Ariel? What's with the sudden—"
"If I feel good, it's good for the baby too, they say."
When I whispered softly, Arthur's face flushed red.
He's embarrassed.
Even though we've already seen everything there is to see about each other.
"So, yeah. You understand, right?"
After that, well, I enjoyed it immensely until Arthur's fingers were all wrinkled.
***
If there ever comes a moment when the pain of childbirth becomes familiar, wouldn't I no longer be myself?
I gripped Arthur's hand with all my might and grimaced.
I want to cry.
I want to cry my eyes out like a child who fell down on the street.
"...Don't go anywhere."
"There's no way I'd leave you."
He talks a good game, really. Even though he never listens for shit.
Still, I guess it's not bad, having him by my side.
As I broke out in a cold sweat from the growing pain, Arthur carefully brushed away the hair stuck to my face.
"Ugh, hu-aaaah..."
It's coming out.
I knew it instinctively.
The baby sleeping in my womb was squirming, trying to come out into the world.
"Tell me it's okay."
"It's okay, everything will be fine. It's okay, Ariel."
"...I'll trust you."
With those words, I pushed hard with my abdomen.
Please, just come out easily.
Despite it being the simple act of giving birth, my body screamed wildly, just like the first time.
It felt as if my insides would twist if I relaxed even a little.
"Hit, hik, heu... Hoot, heu..."
What would it feel like to witness the moment of childbirth firsthand?
Arthur's serious expression made my tension instantly dissipate.
The pain was still there, but it didn't feel like something terrible was going to happen.
I chuckled for no reason, and Arthur stroked my hair.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm okay."
After a brief lull, I pushed the baby out once more.
I pushed with the thought of finally seeing the end this time, and with a sensation like my pelvis opening, the baby's head popped out.
"Just a little, just a little more push."
"Hoot, euh... Hu-aaaaah..."
Is it really true that I can give birth to a million people?
With a sensation like one of my internal organs being pulled out, the baby appeared in the world.
"..."
"..."
"Uwaaang, uwaaang, uwaaaaaaang!!!!"
The baby cried sorrowfully.
Even though it clearly couldn't open its eyes properly, it seemed to be afraid of me.
No, it must be afraid of me.
"Ariel."
"It's okay. Really, it's okay."
Hair that was a reddish color, close to pink. And faint eyes of the same color.
Since the gender was also female, it must have been the person Arthur and I were thinking of.
Emily Dichefeigl.
The one who tormented me to death, committed an unfilial act by not recognizing her own Master-nim, and died by Arthur's and my hands.
"Aga."
"Heu, hu-aaaaaaang!!!!"
Unable to even hold its neck properly, the baby was struggling desperately to escape from my arms.
With such a violent reaction, I couldn't help but know, even if I wanted to ignore it.
'She already has her memories.'
Perhaps it's for the best.
Or is this just one of the countless misfortunes that have befallen me?
When I reached out to stroke her cheek, her body convulsed wildly, like someone having an epileptic fit.
She was certainly the target of my revenge, but I couldn't bring myself to lay a hand on the baby.
"Arthur."
"...I understand."
I stopped Arthur, who had silently gripped the hilt of his Holy Sword.
I looked down at Emily in my arms with sad eyes, then sighed and hugged her close.
She was a bit heavy to hold with one arm, but not so heavy that I couldn't hold her, so I managed to keep her close.
"Are you afraid of me?"
"..."
I glanced at Arthur's retreating back as he made way, then spoke to the baby.
Her round, pink eyes, which had somehow opened, stared intently at me.
An emotion composed solely of fear.
To have a baby that came from my own womb look at me with such eyes, it was, well...
"It's sad."
It would be a lie to say I had forgotten.
What she, the being named Emily, had done to me could never be justified.
It was painful, terrifying, and hateful.
When I killed her with my own hands, I swore that the moment she was reborn, I would kill her again, and again.
No, that thought hasn't changed even now.
"Demon King-nim, killing isn't always the greatest revenge."
Hallibel's tail poked the baby's cheek.
If Demon King-nim were to kill this damned human, she would be reborn using Demon King-nim as her mother.
And if that happened, Demon King-nim would experience the pain of childbirth again.
"Not killing her is the greatest revenge. Especially since Rin, that little kid, is also here."
"...I know."
I gently stroked the now quiet baby's head.
They say babies sleep a lot, but seeing her nodding off while still tense made me wonder if this was really the bitch I knew, the one I wanted to tear apart and kill.
Well, they do say any creature is cute when it's a baby.
"As for revenge, let's take our time with that later."
Looking at the baby, who looked like she was about to cry, I subtly curled the corners of my lips into a smile.
***
Emily Dichefeigl.
Reborn by borrowing the Demon King's body, she lived each day trembling with anxiety.
She might kill me at any moment.
Perhaps she'll do the same thing to me that I did to Master-nim.
She would burst into tears if her voice rose even a little, and she would scream if her eyes met the Demon King's.
No. Don't look at me with those eyes.
Those eyes, filled with contradictory emotions of hatred, rage, and love, were terrifying.
"Emily."
"...Why are you calling me?"
"...Emily."
"I said, why are you calling me?!"
Around the time she started walking and talking, she would always call my name.
As if she were something of mine.
Even when I trembled in fear and snapped back instinctively, the Demon King's words didn't change.
"Emily."
Just three letters.
She would simply call my name softly.
At first, I wondered what kind of madness this was, but it didn't take long to realize the answer.
"...Yes."
"And?"
"...Mommy."
"Good job."
I felt a touch on the top of my head.
On that spot where only Master-nim's touch had ever reached, the Demon King's hand was now resting.
Annoying. I hate it. I want to swat it away.
But I couldn't.
Terrified by the thick emotions in her eyes, I ended up doing whatever she wanted.
"Are you trying to act like my mother?"
"Emily."
"...Yo."
"Just adding 'yo' doesn't make it polite speech, dear."
With a slight tug, my cheek was stretched out.
What could be the reason for this being, who once said she would kill me, to treat me so kindly?
Is it to give me greater despair when I'm feeling safe?
Or is it to make me realize that someone like me can only be swayed by her will?
"Rather, rather, tell Arthur to kill me."
That would be better than prolonging my life in such a way.
The sin I committed against Master-nim, and the affection I receive from the being I so hated and was hated by.
If I had my way, I would have chosen suicide once more, but with the Demon King constantly by my side, I couldn't.
"I will never do that, Aga."
"..."
"Because this is the greatest revenge I can exact upon you."
To become the child of the Demon King I so detested, and to call that Demon King 'Mother'.
To speak politely, sleep in the same bed, eat the same food, and receive love.
For one who desired death, death was merely granting their wish.
That's why she chose this form of revenge.
"Yes, that's right. Let's make a contract, Aga."
The Demon King's voice resonated in my heart.
At her gaze, which seemed to leave no room for doubt, Emily could only swallow dryly.
It was a perfect checkmate.