Chapter 11
Chapter 11
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 11
Chapter Title: Serve Me!
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I felt a chill run down my spine at the Young Cult Leader's indifferent remark.
"This guy really says he'll kill someone without batting an eye?"
It suddenly hit me skin-deep that I was in the Heavenly Demon Cult.
Maybe it was a miracle I was still alive, standing in the Secret King's way...
Thinking back to my past self boldly charging into the Heavenly Demon Cult made my mouth go dry.
"With the Heavenly Demon absent, the Young Cult Leader already has so much on his plate, and adding this child... "
The Secret King sounded genuinely worried, but the Young Cult Leader gazed at me with eyes still as a serene lake and replied.
"One more thing on top of all that won't make much difference. Besides, I just happened to need someone to attend me."
"Attend you?"
I widened my eyes at the unexpected role, and the Young Cult Leader furrowed one brow.
"The Heavenly Demon Cult doesn't let idlers stick around."
"It sounds like he's saying he'll kill me on the spot if I don't attend him?"
"To get caught by the Young Cult Leader of all people... She won't make it out alive."
"Poor kid, still so young."
Just from the disciples' reactions, it seemed I had no choice here from the start.
"But why does everyone act like my death is a foregone conclusion? My prophecy will prove true in the end!"
The problem was, I was the only one who knew that right now.
"Fine, I'll give you a choice."
My frustration must have shown, because the Young Cult Leader offered me options.
The Young Cult Leader was more flexible than he looked?
I perked up my ears expectantly toward him.
"Will you attend me? Or leave the Heavenly Demon Cult right now?"
His eyes turned murderous at the question of leaving the cult.
If I said I'd leave, he'd sever my head instantly—that was the vibe.
This wasn't a choice; it was a threat.
No helping it. For now, surviving in the Heavenly Demon Cult until I could reveal my prophecy as truth came first.
"I'll attend the Young Cult Leader."
"...Not a wise choice."
The Young Cult Leader turned away from me, sounding genuinely disappointed.
"Then why not just kill me and get it over with?"
I glared blatantly at the back of his head with triangular eyes, when he suddenly turned back.
I hastily schooled my expression and looked up at him with innocent eyes, playing dumb.
"Let's go."
Luckily, his eyes passed over me harmlessly.
"Where to?"
I asked, secretly sighing in relief, and he carelessly pointed his chin toward somewhere.
"My quarters."
"I thought you'd brought a servant, but it looks like you brought a snail instead."
It was my first time entering a peer's room—let alone a bedroom—so I hesitated at the door, and his mocking voice rang out.
A snail!
Sure, my legs were a bit shorter than my peers', but I took after Daddy and was lightning-fast on my feet!
Daddy always said I was like a cute little bunny, scampering everywhere.
So, the snail comparison didn't sit well with me at all.
"I hear 'bunny' a lot."
"I distinctly said snail."
So what?
Just because you say snail means I have to be one?
I wanted to argue, but he was the brutal Young Cult Leader who supposedly killed without hesitation (just my guess).
"No point picking a fight with a seven-year-old who just makes prophecies."
Pretending not to hear, I strode boldly into his quarters.
Then the Young Cult Leader began unfastening his outer robe.
What?
Why's he suddenly undressing?
Flustered, I whipped my gaze away.
"Ah..."
He made a sound like belated realization and refastened a fresh outer robe.
"Oh, he was just changing robes! I overreacted."
"The maids prepare meals in the building next door."
The Young Cult Leader tucked a wooden flute into his robe.
Come to think of it, he'd had that flute when we first met?
He must treasure it a lot.
But the Young Cult Leader playing it demurely?
"Nah, doesn't suit him."
I couldn't imagine the guy who casually talked of killing playing the flute all soulfully.
A sword suited the brutal Young Cult Leader far better than a flute.
"What are you thinking?"
"Huh?"
"That expression... It rubs me the wrong way."
"He sure picks up on insults like a ghost."
"N-Nothing in particular?"
I hastily played it off.
"Then get moving."
His face said truth didn't matter; he ordered me anyway.
"Huh?"
"I said the maids prepare meals next door."
"...And?"
I asked back, and he stated the obvious.
"Go fetch my meal."
"Me?"
"Who else is here besides you?"
"Even Daddy the Heavenly Demon fetches his own food..."
I had a lot to say, but since I'd agreed to serve him, I swallowed my complaints and clamped my mouth shut.
"I'll be back."
"Yeah."
Leaving the irritatingly polite send-off, I headed to the next building for his meal.
"Huff... Hah..."
Soon after, I staggered down the corridor, carrying a massive tray as big as me, piled high with delicacies.
"I've come for the Young Cult Leader's meal."
"You came alone?"
I didn't know why the maid asked if I'd come alone.
Not until she handed me this behemoth!
"This thing's insanely heavy!"
The Young Cult Leader made me carry this by myself?
This was straight-up child abuse!
And I couldn't even report it.
Just stepping into his quarters marked the start, but my attendant life already felt far from smooth.
No, I had to endure.
Once I exposed the Sichuan Tang Clan as the culprits behind the attack, this suffering would end!
Steeling myself, I grunted and set the meal before the Young Cult Leader.
"Meal... brought it. Huff..."
He watched me panting, then shifted his gaze to the food.
Only then did the colorful array of dishes catch my eye naturally.
"What a feast!"
I'd been so focused on getting to the Heavenly Demon Cult that I skipped breakfast.
Now my stomach growled, and the aromas made my mouth water.
I couldn't tear my eyes from the lavish spread that could break a table leg.
"Especially that potato stew smelling all nutty—it's fluffy, perfectly caramelized, soft-looking, like it'd melt in my mouth. And those rainbow-colored sweets for dessert look evenly cooked and crunchy to bite into. So yummy!"
Swallowing saliva in front of this feast was torture!
Should I ask? Or not?
I agonized over voicing the question filling my head.
As I hesitated, the Young Cult Leader picked up his chopsticks.
Darn it!
Live to eat, right!
"Young Cult Leader!"
I called out boldly.
He looked at me, chopsticks poised, face asking why.
"When do I get my meal?"
At my spirited question, he let out a short laugh.
"I figured even his laugh would be menacing with how rough he is..."
But it was surprisingly pure?
As I stared, mesmerized by the smile, he tapped the laden tray with his hand while looking at me.
"What? I asked about my food, why tap the tray?"
I stared questioningly, and he reluctantly spoke.
"Sit here."
He meant sit before the tray, so I smacked my lips and plopped down.
Then he placed his chopsticks and spoon in my hand.
"Eat."
He meant for me to eat this?
My eyes lit up at the offer, but something nagged.
"What about you, Young Cult Leader?"
"I have too much work to watch over. The food gets thrown out if I don't eat it anyway. Don't worry, eat up."
In that moment, I saw a familiar face in him.
Daddy.
Daddy skipped meals for work too.
He got better after I started fetching for him.
Did everyone in the Heavenly Demon Cult lack appetite?
Come to think of it, the Young Cult Leader's face was bloodlessly pale like Daddy's.
"Daddy must've worked like this in the Heavenly Demon Cult, skipping meals too."
All to grow stronger and protect me.
The thought made my nose tingle.
"Young Cult Leader."
He looked up from his scroll at my call.
"Ah! Here!"
"What... are you doing right now?"
He asked blankly, seeing me offering him a dumpling.
"Breakfast! Skipping meals gets you sick. My daddy got chronic illnesses from skipping for work. So unless you want the same, eat up!"
I thrust the chopsticks with the dumpling right to his mouth.
"Here, ahh!"
"...I get why Heavenly Demon became such a doting dad."
"Eat already! That's how you power through work! Ahh!"
After some inscrutable mutter, he seemed to give up and meekly ate the dumpling I offered.
Daddy and the Young Cult Leader both.
The Heavenly Demon Cult was full of high-maintenance folks.
"Here, another!"
"I'm good..."
"Nope... Ahh!"
He refused verbally but took every dumpling without fail.
Eats fine but plays hard to get!
Only then could I finally enjoy my meal in peace.
"Your room is the one right next door on the right."
After the meal, the Young Cult Leader told me where I'd stay.
Honestly, I expected a servant's closet-like room...
But it was luxurious, as grand as his own?
The heated floor and thick quilt would keep me warm even at night.
Maybe the Young Cult Leader wasn't so bad—he shared his meal and gave me a nice room!
I washed up simply and slipped under the covers, feeling refreshed.
After battling all day, my body ached everywhere.
"I'm tired, but sleep won't come."
Used to sleeping with Daddy, the wide bed alone felt empty and lonely.
"I miss Daddy."
"Feeling sleepy, Cheon-seong?"
"Yeah, sleepy."
I'd rub my drowsy eyes, and Daddy would sense bedtime like a ghost.
"Shall we sleep then?"
"Yeah!"
"Come to Daddy."
Daddy would lie in bed first, lift the covers, and pat the spot beside him. I'd snuggle right into his arms without hesitation.
"So cozy! Daddy's embrace is like a warm stove."
Feeling my body relax in the warmth, I'd nuzzle his chest.
Seeing his pleased smile, I'd curve my lips up, and his gentle hand would playfully poke my cheek.
"Want me to read a story?"
"No, sing a lullaby."
"Didn't you say Daddy has no singing talent recently?"
"Still, your voice is nice."
"Because it's you, really."
"If Cheon-seong says so... Goodnight. Birds sing in our front yard..."
Daddy's singing was still awkward as ever, but it soothed my heart.
"Glad I didn't inherit the tone-deafness."
Grateful for these little joys, I'd blink heavy eyelids, and as always, Daddy would stroke my back with his big, soft hand until I fell asleep.
"Thinking of Daddy makes me lonelier."
The thoughts brought a prickling heat to my eyes.
That was when it happened.
Bam! Bam! Bam!