Dangerous Temptation of Midnight Whispers

The night was as cool as water, and Nolent Castle had fallen into absolute silence.

Only in the master bedroom of the Rose Courtyard was a dim magic lamp still lit.

Although the thrilling bishop's inspection crisis during the day had been bluffed away by Lynch using the excuse of ley line disturbances, and even that charlatan Lokina hiding in the closet had managed to escape unscathed.

However, Felsy's mood did not lighten much because of this.

At this moment, she was sitting at the vanity, mechanically combing her silver hair that cascaded down like moonlight. On the stunningly beautiful face reflected in the mirror, there hung an unconcealable trace of sorrow.

...

Through the mirror's reflection, Felsy stole a glance at Lynch, who was already lying in bed behind her.

The man was leaning against the headboard, holding a copy of the Northern Monster Compendium and reading it with great interest, seemingly completely unaffected by the day's events.

But... was he really?

Felsy bit her lower lip.

Although that Bishop Simon was a fool, the terrified look in his eyes before he left was unmistakable. That instinctive rejection of the dark aura, that hostility that almost made him draw his sword...

In that instant, Lynch was right there watching.

He was a smart man.

No matter how much he usually spoiled her, or how much he attributed those unreasonable phenomena to a weak constitution or alchemy side effects, could the murderous intent and magical pressure that erupted in that moment today really be explained away as waking up on the wrong side of the bed?

Could he already be suspicious?

Suspicious that I am not some distressed noble lady at all, but rather a... witch whose hands are stained with blood?

If he knew the truth... how would he look at me?

Would he be afraid? Disgusted? Or would he, like those so-called righteous heroes, raise his sword to kill me?

At the thought that Lynch might look at her with those cold, unfamiliar eyes, Felsy felt as if her heart was being ruthlessly squeezed by a giant, icy hand, hurting so much she couldn't breathe.

Honey?

Lynch's gentle voice came from behind.

Felsy trembled all over, almost dropping the comb on the floor.

Why aren't you sleeping yet? What are you spacing out for?

Lynch put down the book, patted the pillow beside him, and smiled. Were you scared by that rigid bishop today? Don't be afraid, your husband is here. Even if the sky falls, I'll hold it up for you.

Hearing this familiar, somewhat doting tone, Felsy's eyes suddenly grew hot.

She took a deep breath, put down the comb, and turned off the lamp.

The room plunged into darkness, with only the moonlight from outside spilling onto the foot of the bed.

Felsy slipped under the covers.

But this time, she didn't wait for Lynch to embrace her as usual. Instead, she took the initiative, with a hint of urgency, and tightly hugged Lynch's waist from behind.

Her face pressed against Lynch's broad back, listening to his steady heartbeat, trying to draw a shred of security from this warm body.

Lynch...

Her voice was very soft, muffled, and revealed a vulnerability rarely seen on normal days.

Hmm? What's wrong?

Lynch reached back and held her small hands around his waist, gently rubbing them. Still thinking about that bishop?

...Yes.

Felsy hesitated for a moment, but still asked the question that had been hovering in her mind all night.

Lynch, tell me... why did that bishop think I had a dark aura about me?

Even though he's an annoying old man, he is a clergyman after all... Does his sensing it mean... mean that I'm actually a bad person?

Or... that I'm actually connected to the demons?

When she asked this, Felsy's body tensed up tightly, not even daring to breathe loudly.

This was a probe.

And an almost masochistic confession.

She was waiting.

Waiting for Lynch's judgment.

However, Lynch did not show any surprise or fear.

He remained silent in the darkness for two seconds, then rolled over to face Felsy, looking into her slightly panicked purple eyes by the moonlight.

Connected to the demons?

Lynch suddenly laughed, reaching out to tap her nose. Silly, what's there to worry about?

Did you forget about your amnesia? We met in the snow, and back then you didn't even know who you were.

Lynch's voice was calm and rational, as if analyzing an academic problem. Since you lost your memory, it means your past is a blank slate. Who can guarantee that your ancestors didn't have some special bloodline?

In the North, many people actually have thin traces of non-human blood. It's very normal.

But...

Felsy bit her lip, her eyes flickering. But those are demons... the mortal enemies of humanity. Legends say they are cruel, bloodthirsty, and ruthless...

If... if I really am connected to the demons, would you... would you hate me?

She finally asked it.

Felsy felt her palms covered in sweat.

Lynch looked at the anxious little woman in front of him, his heart softening into a complete mess.

In his view, this was just his wife experiencing self-doubt because of that charlatan bishop's nonsense.

Demons?

As a transmigrator, Lynch's understanding of this word was completely different from that of the natives.

In his mind, what did demons mean?

It meant big succubus sisters! It meant dragon maids! It meant cute creatures with animal ears and tails! It meant powerful, mysterious, and full of exotic charm!

Hate?

Are you kidding me! That's a fetish, okay!

Hate you?

Lynch acted as if he had heard a joke and couldn't help but laugh out loud. Honey, what on earth is going on in that little head of yours?

He reached out, pulled Felsy into his arms, rested his chin on her forehead, and his tone became exceptionally serious:

Listen closely, Felsy.

First of all, the so-called good and evil are defined by those people in the Church. In my eyes, there are only people who are good to me and people who are bad to me.

Secondly...

Lynch paused, a hint of a frivolous smile creeping into his tone:

To be honest, if I had to choose between a stiff and boring human nun and a mysterious and noble demon lady...

I would definitely choose the latter!

Felsy was stunned: Eh?

This... this wasn't how the script was supposed to go, was it?

Shouldn't a normal human say, Those who are not of our kin must have different hearts?

Why? she asked instinctively.

Because it's exciting!

Lynch said righteously, Think about it, demons are so cool! They usually look great, are super strong, and their personalities are definitely much more interesting than those yes-men human nobles.

Besides, the books say that demons value love and loyalty, and once they choose a partner, they are devoted until death. Isn't that much better than those human marriages full of political calculations?

And having spent so much time with you, it's not like I don't know you. How could you possibly be the kind of person who slaughters innocents! Haven't we been living perfectly fine in the village these past few months?

"No matter what your past was like, at least right now, you are my beloved wife, my kind-hearted wife."

"So..."

Lynch lowered his head and looked deeply into her eyes.

"You are my wife. That is a fact no one can change."

Boom.

Felsy felt as if fireworks had exploded in her mind.

All her worries and all her fears were completely washed away by these words in an instant.

He didn't care.

He really didn't care!

In fact... it seemed like he actually kind of liked it?

An overwhelming wave of joy and sweetness surged into her heart, instantly making Felsy's eyes well up with tears. She buried her face in Lynch's chest, greedily breathing in his scent, not wanting him to see her looking so weak and emotional right now.

"Idiot..."

She mumbled with a sob in her voice. "You're the one who likes demons... your whole family likes demons..."

"Hehe, isn't my whole family just the two of us?"

Lynch chuckled, patting her back and coaxing her as if she were a child.

Just as the atmosphere turned warm and romantic, with both of them immersed in this sweet mood.

Lynch suddenly changed the subject.

"But speaking of which..."

His tone shifted, sounding somewhat like a detective making deductions. "The bishop's reaction today is indeed quite intriguing."

"Hmm?" Felsy's heart tightened, the anxiety she had just let go of rising up once again.

"Look at it this way,"

Lynch analyzed, stroking his chin. "Since he could sense a 'dark aura' on you, and you've lost your memories... this means my theory is very likely correct."

"Who knows... you might actually have some hidden demon bloodline."

The more Lynch spoke, the more he felt like a genius. "Like some 'long-lost demon princess,' or a 'noble bearing an ancient curse'... These are all classic tropes in novels!"

Felsy was speechless.

In a way, you guessed ninety percent right.

"So?" Felsy asked cautiously. "What are you trying to say?"

"What I want to say is..."

Lynch suddenly leaned in close to her, his black eyes flashing with a light called "thirst for knowledge" (which was actually just him being a dirty old man).

"Wifey, since you might have demon blood..."

"Could you... have some demonic features on your body?"

"Features?" Felsy was dumbfounded. "What features?"

"You know..."

Lynch reached out and traced a shape in the air. "Like... little fangs? Or... the kind hidden under a skirt..."

His gaze shifted downwards with ill intent, landing on a certain raised spot under the blanket.

"A tail?"

Buzz!!!

The moment those words came out, Felsy instantly stiffened into a stone.

A blush spread at a visible speed from the base of her neck to the tips of her ears, until her entire face was so red it looked like it might bleed.

A tail!

How did he know?!

As a high-level demon, a direct descendant of the Demon King, of course Felsy had a tail!

It was the symbol of the succubus clan: a slender, flexible black tail with a heart-shaped tip.

Usually, to disguise herself as a human, she used high-level illusions and spatial folding magic to forcibly "store" her tail in an alternate dimensional fold at her lower back.

To be honest... it wasn't comfortable.

It was like stuffing your feet into shoes two sizes too small; over time, it would get sore, numb, and even cramp up.

Especially when relaxing at night for bed, she would occasionally sneak her tail out to let it breathe.

And just now...

Because Lynch's confession about "not hating demons" had moved her and relaxed her so much, she had subconsciously undone a portion of her disguise magic.

That tail, which had been cooped up all day, was right at this very moment...

Quietly poking out from the hem of her nightgown, comfortably coiled by her leg!

"W-what nonsense are you spouting!"

Felsy's voice instantly shot up an octave, laced with obvious panic and shame. "W-who has a tail! I am human! A normal human!"

"Really?"

Lynch clearly had no intention of letting her off the hook.

He had long felt that his wife's sleeping posture was sometimes weird; she always liked to sleep on her side, and her lower back was always especially sensitive, never letting him touch it.

Combined with today's deductions...

"I don't believe you."

Lynch smirked wickedly and reached his hand under the covers. "Not unless you let me check."

"Ah! No!"

Felsy cried out in alarm, pressing her hands firmly against the blanket. "Lynch! Y-you stop! This is sexual harassment!"

"How can checking your body be called sexual harassment? This is scientific exploration!"

Lynch's hand was like a nimble fish, swimming accurately toward that dangerous area under the covers.

"Let me touch it... just for a second. I heard demon tails feel amazing, all soft and cool..."

"Pervert! Lecher! Who's going to let you touch it!"

Felsy grew frantic.

That was her tail!

To demons, a tail wasn't just an organ; it was an extremely sensitive, private part! Except during courtship or battle, it absolutely could not be touched by outsiders!

Not to mention...

If she let him touch it, wouldn't her persona as a "frail human wife" completely collapse?

Even though he said he didn't hate demons, the demon lady couldn't quite accept this shameful play of directly "revealing her true form" just yet!

"I'm getting angry! Really angry!"

Felsy wriggled desperately under the blanket, trying to dodge that wicked, large hand.

Just as Lynch's fingers were about to brush against that fuzzy, warm object.

Smack!

Felsy suddenly rolled over and, using all her strength (though she didn't actually dare to use real force for fear of hurting him), kicked Lynch to the edge of the bed.

Then she quickly wrapped herself up like a silkworm cocoon, turning her back to Lynch and leaving him with only the back of her head, which practically screamed "rejection."

"Sleep! Right now! Immediately!"

She shouted in a muffled voice from inside the blanket. "If you dare move again... you're sleeping in the study tonight!"

"Okay, okay, I won't touch."

Lynch knew when to stop and lay back down, though a triumphant smile hung on his lips.

Even though he didn't manage to touch it.

He had clearly felt that, under the blanket, something had indeed brushed against the back of his hand.

That sensation...

Smooth, with just a hint of fine fuzz.

It was definitely not a leg.

"Hehe..."

Lynch rejoiced inwardly.

It seemed his wife's identity was even more interesting than he had imagined.

"Goodnight, my demon princess."

Lynch leaned over and kissed her hair through the blanket.

"...Hmph."

A soft snort came from inside the covers.

Although her tone was still tsundere, that trembling sense of shame and indignation had vanished.

Felsy huddled in the blanket, her cheeks burning hot.

The black tail that had almost been exposed just now was tightly coiled around her leg, the soreness and numbness after her tension making her slightly uncomfortable.

But in her heart... she felt an unprecedented sense of peace.

"This idiot..."

"He actually wanted to touch my tail..."

"Does he really think he's keeping a pet?"

Felsy bit her lip, but the corners of her eyes curved into little crescents.

"However..."

"If it's him..."

"Maybe in the future... letting him touch it just a little... wouldn't be completely out of the question."

"But definitely not right now! At the very least... at least I need time to mentally prepare myself!"

The moonlight outside the window remained as gentle as ever.

That night, the master bedroom of the Rose Courtyard was stripped of the dark haze of suspicion, replaced instead by a tacit, unspoken sweetness.

Even though secrets still lingered between them.

But within the cozy confines of those blankets, love had already triumphed over the boundaries of their races.