The Boldness of Youth
Indeed, they're something else... the young ones.
The performance had begun, and beautiful singing filled the theater. Yet in that moment, Ilios's gaze was not on the stage before her, but on Shamyuel and Hector seated beside her. Shamyuel leaned against Hector with a blissful ●_● expression, while Hector gently stroked her horns, a serene smile on his face. Though their eyes remained fixed on the stage ahead, Ilios could clearly sense that their attention was entirely on each other—on the quiet expression of their love.
‘…How enviable. To be so unrestrained even in front of others… Is that simply the privilege of youth?’
With that thought, Ilios glanced sideways at Samson. Arms crossed, his expression as stern as ever, he sat beside her. A faint, almost childish desire stirred within her—a subtle sense of rivalry toward the younger pair.
‘…Would it be too shameless? But… I really am a little envious…’
At her age, Ilios was unaccustomed to displaying affection openly. Even so, she knew what she wanted in this moment. What had begun as a simple way to ease her loneliness had, at some point, become genuine love. She longed to express that love, to deepen their bond—and today was another step in that direction.
‘A-alright. Why not? Since we've come this far, I might as well take one more step.’
With that resolve, Ilios slowly leaned her body against the man beside her. She felt the heat and solid strength of his muscular frame, then quietly closed her eyes.
‘This feels… better than I expected…’
A touch of embarrassment accompanied the sensation. It was less softness and more unyielding firmness, yet it brought her a pleasant feeling all the same.
At that moment—
“Ah…”
Samson carefully placed a hand on her shoulder. Sensing the slight tremor in his touch, Ilios felt a smile naturally form on her lips.
‘He has his cute side after all… Unexpectedly…’
Samson usually felt like an immovable boulder—solid and imposing. But the tension she felt through his hand on her shoulder revealed a different side of him, one that made it clear he held genuine affection for her.
‘This might not be so bad… Better than I thought.’
Thus, what had begun as a sudden impulse brought her unexpected pleasure, and Ilios smiled softly.
Just then—
“Haaah… haa… haa…”
“…”
“…”
The next moment, passionate sounds from the two younger demons reached her ears. Far beyond simple skinship, they were engaged in something far more intimate—something Ilios and Samson could never bring themselves to imitate. Both of them froze, their bodies going rigid.
“…Indeed, they're something else… the young ones…”
“…U-um…”
Realizing once again just how old they had become, the two of them desperately tried to focus on the performance ahead, as if fleeing from the moment.
*
“That was delicious. As expected, it never disappoints.”
“Mmm…”
We had finished our meal at a quiet snack shop rather than the high-end restaurant I had prepared. Afterward, the Demon King walked down the street with a visibly happy expression, while I could only feel a deep sense of regret.
‘I had planned to have drinks at the restaurant, share sweet words, and build the mood… but now all of that has gone to waste.’
Honestly, choosing that place had been about making today more meaningful, but more than anything, it was meant to be the first step toward the next stage. In that kind of atmosphere, whispering words of love would naturally lead to something more intimate. Though I wasn't particularly experienced in these matters, I had studied various books and come up with what I thought was a decent plan. Unfortunately, Elisa's sudden intrusion had completely derailed it.
‘Nothing I can do about it now… I'll just have to wait for the next opportunity…’
It was already quite late, and our stomachs were full. The mood, however, felt more like two friends leaving a snack shop than anything romantic between lovers. No matter how I looked at it, suggesting we go somewhere more intimate right now would feel completely out of place.
With that lingering regret, I decided to call it a night and spoke to the Demon King.
“Well then… shall we head back? It's getting late…”
But—
“No… I am feeling rather tired.”
“…Pardon?”
The Demon King answered in a calm voice, her tone composed. Then, looking directly at me with slightly flushed cheeks, she continued.
“I wish to rest… somewhere other than the royal castle…”
“!”
Her words carried a serious, heavy tension. I instinctively understood what she meant…
“If you know of a suitable place, would you take me there…?”
She averted her gaze, embarrassed, yet delivered the finishing blow.
“W-well… there is… such a place. Understood, Your Majesty. Then… I shall escort you.”
“G-good. I leave it… to you.”
Her shy expression was unbearably adorable. Holding her hand tightly, I led her toward the place I had prepared in advance, my posture stiff with tension.
The destination was a rather grand inn within the Demon King's castle grounds—luxurious enough to be called a hotel by modern standards. After receiving the room key, we stepped inside.
“What a coincidence… To think there would still be a room available on a day like today…”
“Y-yes… It truly is… a strange coincidence.”
Of course, it was no coincidence—we had reserved the room well in advance—but neither of us mentioned that as we climbed the stairs hand in hand. With every step, the tension between us grew palpable, our palms damp with sweat, yet we held on tightly, feeling the warmth and nervousness in each other's grip.
A short while later, we finally reached the room. The sight that greeted us made the heat already rising within me flare even hotter.
‘This is… They really went all out with the concept, didn't they…’
A bed with crimson sheets, a carpet bathed in a reddish glow, and various ornaments scattered about that practically screamed sensuality. I couldn't help but feel a bit stiff at how blatantly suggestive it all was.
Just then—
“Let us go, Hero.”
“H-huh? Ah… yes.”
Following the Demon King's “command,” I stepped inside. We sat on the bed, avoiding each other's eyes and instead staring at the golden ornaments around us—clearly shaped to depict intimate acts between men and women. A heavy silence fell over us as we sat there, hands still clasped, unable to speak.
‘W-well, we've made it this far according to plan… but what now? Starting just like this feels… awkward…’
Back in my old world, I had seen enough videos to understand the act itself. The problem was the beginning. I knew the middle and the end, but starting things off was another matter entirely. Feeling stuck, I glanced sideways at the Demon King.
At that moment—
“…Haa… Very well. Let us begin, then.”
“H-huh?”
With those words, she slowly lay down on the bed. Looking up at me with utmost seriousness, she spoke.
“Making a child, that is. Come, begin.”
“!”