Chapter 29

A week had passed. Meline didn’t allow Kade to read the other scrolls; thus, there was no progress on that front. Kade knew that the spear wouldn’t wait for her, so he thought of sneaking the scrolls to him one way or the other. One method was to ask Tila.

It was late at night, in their home in Nordeux. Kade stood in front of the fence, looking out at the street. From this distance, Meline shouldn’t feel any pain. She shouldn’t be able to tell what he was doing.

A carriage appeared down the road, stopping right in front of them. This one didn't have any horses; instead, he could hear the rumble of an engine. It sounded pretty similar to engines back on Earth, but a bit quieter.

As a noble, Tila had some connections that provided her family with the early prototype of a magic engine, and they were testing it out for them.

Tila appeared from inside it, handing over a box full of scrolls. “Here you go.”

“Thank you.”

“Are you sure you’ll be alright?”

Meline should have noticed the scrolls’ magic, but she was asleep. It shouldn't bother her.

“It’s alright.”

“... Okay.” Tila returned to her carriage and left. Kade took the box and brought it inside. Standing in the living room was Meline, hands folded. She glared at Kade.

“... Whoops.”

“Don’t ‘whoops’ me. You’re definitely thinking about doing it.”

Meline had seen straight through him. She sighed.

“I know you’re concerned for me, but there’s no need to push yourself. No need, I tell you.”

“It isn’t just for you…” Kade set down the box of scrolls. “It’s for me as well.”

Who knows what the spear might be planning? If it, or whoever was in it, started a war, then he would be dragged into the mess as well. His peaceful life with Meline and the others would end. He didn’t want such a thing to happen, hence why he was willing to take the risk. Besides, he recovered before. He would just recover again.

“Kade,” Meline called, her expression serious. “We need to talk about that.”

They had been avoiding the topic for an entire week. Meline must have assumed that was the reason why he decided to go ahead. Kade gulped, waiting for her words.

“When are we getting married?”

It wasn’t a proposal. Both of them understood their feelings for each other. Both of them realized that such a future waited for them, and they weren’t unhappy with it. If anything, both of them wanted such a future to happen. A peaceful life, supporting each other as partners.

Kade took a deep breath and sat down, Meline sitting next to him. Even now, they looked like a married couple. A scenario where the wife came to console her troubled husband after he returned from work. Of course, the details differed, but Kade could see this scene in some romance drama.

“... Meline… I have something to tell you.”

If he wants to take the next step, then he must be honest with her. About his past, about the truth.

“I… I didn’t say this before because I didn't find the right time to bring it up.”

“... Yes?” Meline gazed into his eyes. Her crimson red eyes looked as stunning as when he first met her.

“I… Whether in this life or the last… I’m a nobody.” He didn’t come from a noble family. He didn’t have the riches others would envy, nor did he have skills that made him famous. He was a regular person, living a regular life, struggling with regular things. She, on the other hand, was a demon lord. Someone of the highest standing in Demon Lands. The demons answered to her every call.

“... the last?”

“About that… I didn’t come from this world.”

Meline silently gazed at him, then nodded. “I see… You’re a lost child, so that makes sense.”

Lost children, people without homes or families. Those who didn’t have anything when they started. Everything Kade achieved was because of her support. Without her, he didn’t have anything.

Meline gave him a soft smile. “But… you already know my answer, don’t you?”

“And that is?”

“I don’t care. I never cared about that stuff.” She reached out and hugged him from the side. “I love you because it’s you, not because you’re technically my master, not because you’re a lost child. Not because you used to be someone else, either. I don’t care about all that. I love you because it’s you, Kade.”

“Ah.” Kade felt heat coming from within him, then it broke. Something broke. He couldn’t tell what.

“Meline…”

Meline came closer and closed her eyes.

They kissed.

“Meline…”

“I love you, Kade. Will you be my partner for life?”

Kade nodded. “Yes.”

•••

There was no party held. The ritual was simple. Two signs on a single letter, containing their promise. Then, an exchange of rings. Linda, Tila, Kalou, and several other guests from Demon Lands were invited. The total number of attendees didn’t go above fifteen people. There was no fanfare, no large-scale celebrations. It was small, seen by those closest to the two of them.

And then it was over, and they officially shared a bed.

Thus, Meline, the demon lord, married Kade the human. The first of such a wedding.

May happiness follow them until the end of time.