Chapter 10
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 10
Chapter Title: Angel and Demon (1)
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The human world, set in an era when industry was just beginning to develop.
Bella, living in such times, recalled past events.
"No way! Why should I marry someone I don't even love?"
"Bella, this is for our family. Do you truly not understand your father's will?"
"I don't care. Even if it kills me, I won't marry that demon."
Quite some time had passed since she fled an arranged marriage and came to the human world.
Shwaaa—
Gray clouds that had settled since morning unleashed thick sheets of rain by afternoon.
"Does it always rain here no matter what...?"
Bella, working as a librarian at the city library, muttered as she brushed back her wet hair.
The old umbrella in her hand had long lost its function, its ribs snapped by strong winds.
"Ugh... Can't even spread my wings. What is this?"
Bella was a demon.
Though right now, thanks to a special drug, she couldn't use her innate demonic powers and appeared perfectly human.
"Shouldn't have left hell for nothing. No, if I'd stayed, I'd have spent my first night with that ugly pig."
Thinking of her arranged marriage partner made even this rain feel trivial.
"How do humans live in such fragile bodies? My bones are freezing. Ugh."
Bella quickened her steps, avoiding puddles.
But perhaps the rain-slicked marble floor was too smooth. She lost her balance and staggered backward.
'Ah.'
She squeezed her eyes shut.
The muddy puddle right in front of her was sure to splatter her face.
Fortunately, what Bella expected didn't happen.
Instead, someone's hand gently supported her waist.
'...What?'
In that instant, she felt a strange sensation from behind her.
Something incompatible with her demonic nature.
Frowning at the feeling her whole body rejected,
unable to contain her curiosity, she cautiously opened her eyes. There stood a man with a stern expression.
Rael looked down at the woman who had fallen into his arms.
Such a small, fragile body.
He barely felt her weight—did she even eat regularly?
"Are you alright?"
She just blinked her eyes, saying nothing.
"Anywhere hurt...?"
"No. Thank you for catching me."
She spoke without meeting his gaze.
It was odd, but Rael noticed her broken umbrella.
"Your umbrella's ruined. If you stay out here, you'll catch a cold. Come over here."
Without waiting for her reply, he tilted his large black umbrella over her head.
His own shoulder was instantly soaked, but he didn't seem to mind at all.
"Thank you."
He looked embarrassed at her tiny, ant-like voice of gratitude.
Rael had planned to head to his clinic, but he couldn't just leave a woman with a broken umbrella in this downpour.
"How about waiting out the rain at that cafe over there?"
He pointed to a cafe on the street.
Bella was glad the encounter might continue a bit longer, but she answered without showing it.
"Sure."
As they entered, the cafe bell rang, and a man who seemed to be the owner greeted them warmly.
"Welcome~"
Bella tilted her head.
As a regular, this was a new face.
"Um, where's the previous owner?"
He'd definitely been there yesterday.
So why was this man wearing the exact same apron?
Her curiosity was quickly resolved by the stranger's reply.
"Starting today, I'm the owner. Name's Luhan."
"Oh, you changed owners."
She felt a pang of regret; she'd built some rapport with the old one.
"Regulars, by any chance? You're my first customers on opening day, so coffee's free for you two from now on."
"Really?"
Rael and Bella both seemed pleased by the unexpected luck.
The new owner smiled kindly and ushered them to one table.
"Have a seat then. I'll whip up something special."
"Thank you."
Bella naturally sat across from Rael.
A grateful savior from a near-mud puddle disaster.
The strange sensation from touching him nagged a bit, but...
His face was her perfect ideal type, so it didn't matter.
"What's your name, by the way?"
She finally asked what she'd been dying to know.
"Rael. And yours, miss?"
'Rael...? Totally an angel name.'
It was literal. Rael was a name commonly used by angels.
"I'm Bella."
'A name demons would have. Obviously not, though.'
Hearing her name, Rael couldn't help thinking the same.
An awkward silence settled between them now that they knew each other's names.
That's when cafe owner Luhan approached with drinks.
"Drinks are here. Enjoy."
"Thanks for the meal."
"Thank you."
They sipped away without a word to each other.
The heavy silence dragged on, frustrating Luhan, who watched the pair.
Having recently witnessed the chatty pure love duo of princess and grand duke, this silence between man and woman was torture for him.
"Not heading home?"
"Waiting till the rain stops."
Rael answered, but this rain wouldn't stop today.
Luhan, the former owner, had conjured it artificially.
"Hmm... I think it'll keep raining all day."
His original plan was to trap them here longer.
But he hadn't expected such silence.
Time for plan B.
"Why not have the gentleman walk the lady home with the umbrella?"
Bella flinched at the owner's words.
"I don't mind, but it might inconvenience the lady."
"No! I'm fine with it. I'd love that."
"Is that so? Then shall we get going?"
Bella's heart fluttered at Rael's impassive words.
'Under that umbrella together... we'd have to stand so close...?'
Before they left, the owner held the door and saw them off.
"Come again~"
"Really free every day if we come?"
"Of course. Come anytime, no worries. Free for both."
At the cafe door, Rael opened his large umbrella.
"Shall we?"
"Yes."
They walked side by side under the umbrella down the rainy street.
Rael angled it to keep her dry, so their shoulders brushed with every step, making the tiny hairs on Bella's body stand on end.
She wished this time would last longer.
But her house was close to the cafe, and the brief companionship ended all too soon.
"Thank you."
In front of the rundown villa, she thanked him and darted inside like a shot.
Bella's mind was a flower garden from this dreamlike encounter.
She'd fallen head over heels for him at first sight.
She could forgive today's weather, which she'd cursed, for letting her meet him.
'Hope I see him again. Maybe at the cafe tomorrow.'
Her excited heart wouldn't settle, filled with thoughts of the man.
It seemed one-sided for now, but someday, she'd make him notice her.
"Have you found Bella?"
A man with a deep voice asked in an intimidating tone.
"N-not yet..."
Swish—
A sharp sound sliced through living flesh.
Spurt...
Blood fountained from one demon.
Wiping the bloodied sword with a handkerchief, the man called another demon.
"Yes, you called, Count?"
To the bowing demon awaiting orders, he spoke irritably.
"Go to the human world and bring back Bella."
"Understood."
His name, issuing commands from on high, was Asmos.
The count ruling hell's fourth domain.
And Bella's father.