Chapter 26:
Bunny Kid shorts 8
The Bunny Kid Who Wants To Become The Strongest: vol 2 noya
Their reactions were immediate — a chorus of shy glances and pink faces.Some giggled. Some whispered. A few just froze in place, clutching their baskets of laundry like shields.
Iron sighed deeply. “Every single morning,” he muttered, brushing a strand of silver hair from his face. “You’d think they’ve never seen a knight before.”
He adjusted his cape and continued walking, stopping in front of a large double door carved with demonic runes. Raising a brow, he gently pushed it open.
Inside, the room was bathed in soft crimson light from the enchanted curtains. The scent of lavender and something faintly sweet filled the air.
On a king-sized bed covered in silky black sheets lay Princess Lilith, her long, spaded tail lazily swaying back and forth. She wore a white, sleeveless dress with thin straps that hugged her figure just enough to make her look both regal and mischievous. She lay on her stomach, propped on her elbows, a thick book in her hands.
Her legs were bent upward at the knees, feet playfully swaying in the air behind her. Next to her, on a pillow, rested a carrot wrapped neatly in a tiny ink-drawn ribbon — almost like a little gift.
Iron cleared his throat. “Excuse me, Princess Lilith.”
Lilith jumped, eyes wide, and immediately hurled the nearest pillow straight at him.
POOF!
It hit Iron square in the chest, then bounced harmlessly to the floor. He didn’t even flinch.
Lilith’s face turned bright red. “Oh—Iron! Sorry! I—I didn’t hear you come in.”
“It’s fine, Princess,” Iron said calmly, brushing the pillow away. “Now… what do you have there?”
He stepped closer, peering curiously. Lilith’s tail froze mid-sway. She snatched up the book and the carrot in one quick motion, clutching them to her chest like treasure.
“N-Nothing, Iron! Just—uh, very important work. Studies! Yes. Royal studies!”
Iron gave her a flat look. “Uh-huh. The kind of studies that require carrots and secrecy?”
Her cheeks turned a deeper shade of pink. “Can you please just leave my room? I’m very, very busy.”
Iron smirked slightly. “Come on, Princess. I promise I won’t tell anyone. You have my word as your knight.”He raised his right hand solemnly.
Lilith sighed in defeat, lowering her shoulders. “Okay, fine.”
But then she glared at him, her voice suddenly dropping into a deep, demonic register. Her eyes turned pitch black, glowing purple symbols swirling inside them.
“If you tell anyone, I swear on the entire Demon World, I will—”
“I understand,” Iron interrupted calmly, still unfazed. “Now, can I see?”
Her dark aura faded, her normal red eyes returning. She looked at him, then at the book, and finally down at her own feet, clearly mortified. Slowly, she stepped closer and handed it over.
Iron took the book, glancing at the title.He blinked once. Then a grin crept across his face.
“How to Get a Boyfriend, huh?” he said, suppressing a laugh. “Oh, oh, oh—the princess has a crush.”
Lilith’s face turned crimson. “S-shut up!”
Iron’s tone softened. “And why do you have a carrot? And is it… black? With a ribbon?”
Lilith hesitated, looking away. “E-Eleo gave it to me after the ball.”
Iron raised a brow. “Ah, Eleo. The Bunny Kid. I remember him. A very interesting one.”
Lilith quickly covered her face with her hands, whispering under her breath, “A hot bunny boy…”
Her mind drifted instantly into fantasy—
She imagined Eleo smiling confidently, twirling her across the ballroom floor. The other girls in the room swooned, clapping in admiration—except Imma, who was glaring daggers in pure jealousy.Then the spotlight hit them, golden and warm.
Eleo leaned in, his voice smooth and teasing. “Lilith… kiss me.”
Lilith gasped. “H-Huh? Eleo, that’s… wow… In front of everyone?”
He smirked, eyes glinting. “Yes, Lilith. In front of everyone.”
Lilith’s heart raced. “Oh… Eleo…”
As he gently lowered her from the dance, their faces drew closer, breath mingling, eyes half-lidded.
And just as their lips were about to touch—
“Princess Lilith.”
The voice snapped her out of the fantasy. Everything faded, replaced by Iron standing far too close, his hand raised slightly near her face.
Lilith blinked rapidly. “H-Huh?”
Iron gave her a curious look. “Princess Lilith. You were… staring into space. For quite a while.”
Her eyes widened, realization striking like lightning. “Ah! Oh! Sorry, Iron! I was just—just daydreaming!”
Iron chuckled, shaking his head. “I’ll pretend I didn’t see that, Your Highness.”
Lilith pouted, her tail flicking wildly. “You better.”
Iron turned to leave, hiding a small smile under his breath. “Hot bunny boy, huh?” he muttered softly as he exited.
Lilith froze, her entire face going red again. “IRON! I HEARD THAT!”
His laughter echoed down the hallway as the door closed.
Iron knelt down beside her, his armor faintly creaking as he lowered himself to her side. His normally calm eyes softened as he looked at her bandaged hands.
“How are your hands, Princess?” he asked quietly.
Lilith exhaled, her shoulders drooping. “It hurts like hell,” she muttered, forcing a shaky smile, “but… it’s starting to heal.”
Iron nodded slowly. “I’m sorry your father burned your hand.”
The words hit her like a dagger. Her smile faded. Her gaze dropped to the floor. Just thinking about that night made her stomach twist into knots.
Her fingers trembled slightly, memories clawing their way back in.
---
Flashback
It was a dark hall deep within the demon castle. The stone walls were cracked and ancient, dripping with condensation. The air was heavy, suffocating—smelling of ash and smoke. Dozens of torches burned along the corridor, their violet flames flickering against the blackened stone.
Lilith’s cries echoed weakly through the hall.
“F-Father—why? What did I do wrong?” she sobbed, tears streaking down her cheeks.
Her father, King Akuma, towered over her, his crimson cloak dragging across the floor as he gripped her by the hair. His eyes glowed an ominous red, filled with cold fury.
“You were acting like a fool in front of Princess Imma,” he growled. “Embarrassing our royal blood.”
He yanked her forward. She stumbled, crying out as her knees scraped against the rough stone.
“But not only that,” he continued, voice rising, “I heard from someone you tried to escape.”
Lilith gasped, shaking her head desperately. “Father, please! I swear it won’t happen again! I just—” her voice cracked—“I just wanted to see the world…”
Akuma didn’t reply. He dragged her farther down the corridor until they stopped in front of an old, iron door. Its hinges were rusted black, and a strange heat pulsed from behind it.
Without a word, he threw the door open and hurled her inside.
She hit the floor hard, her palms scraping against the cold stone. The door slammed behind her with a thunderous CLANG. The room was dark—only one thing glowed: a brazier burning with unnatural flame. The fire wasn’t red. It shimmered with deep violet and black, crackling and twisting as if alive.
Lilith’s breath hitched. “F-Father, please… don’t beat me. I’m sorry! So, so sorry for disobeying you! I’ll never do it again! Please don’t—don’t beat me…”
From the other side of the door, Akuma’s voice came low, calm—too calm.
“No. I’m not going to beat you…”
Lilith froze. “What?”
A heavy lock turned. Then his shadow appeared through the thin window slit.
“But,” he said, “you will be punished.”
He pointed toward the violet flames.
Lilith’s eyes went wide in horror. “Th-that’s… that’s demon fire…”
Akuma’s tone was almost casual. “Not regular fire. It burns the soul, not the flesh. Now… put both hands inside.”
Lilith backed away, shaking her head wildly. “B-but my hands… they’ll burn!”
“I know.”
“Father, please!” she cried. “I’m sorry!”
He didn’t hesitate. “If you’re truly sorry, put both hands in that fire. Or we’ll do your usual punishment—where I beat you half to death.”
Her heart pounded so hard she thought it might burst. The heat from the demon fire made the room shimmer. The torches flared brighter, casting long shadows that danced like demons on the walls.
Akuma’s voice began counting.
“Fifteen…”
“Father, please…”
“Fourteen. Thirteen. Twelve. Eleven.”
“Father!” she sobbed, crawling backward.
“Ten. Nine. Eight.”
Tears streamed down her face. Her claws scraped against the stone as she tried to think, tried to breathe.
“Seven. Six. Five.”
“Please! I’ll do anything else!”
“Four. Three.”
Lilith screamed. Crawling forward, trembling all over, she stared at the flickering purple flame. For a heartbeat, she saw her reflection in it — small, terrified, broken.
“Two…”
Her body moved on its own.
“One.”
She thrust both hands into the fire.
The scream that tore from her throat echoed down the hall, mingling with the roar of the cursed flames.
As the flashback faded, Lilith’s breathing grew shallow. The memory of the violet fire lingered in her mind — she could still feel the burn, the smell of her own scorched skin.
Her vision blurred. The room spun.
“Princess!” Iron shouted, his armored boots scraping the marble floor as he rushed forward. He caught her just before she fell, his hands steady despite the panic in his voice.
Lilith leaned weakly against him, clutching her chest. “S-sorry…” she murmured, her voice trembling. “I just… I don’t ever want to think about it again…”
Iron’s expression softened. He helped her sit back on the bed. “I know. I know… I shouldn’t have brought it up,” he said, his tone heavy with guilt. “Forgive me, Princess.”
Lilith took a shaky breath and shook her head. “It’s alright, Iron. Really.” She tried to smile faintly, brushing away a tear that escaped before she could stop it. “Now… why are you in here, anyway?”
Iron sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. His usual stoic composure faltered. “Be honest with me, Lilith,” he said after a pause, crossing his arms. “Do you like the bunny boy?”
Lilith froze. Her face turned bright red, her tail flicking wildly behind her as she stammered, “I-Iron—!”
Iron’s deadpan stare didn’t budge. “Lilith.”
He leaned closer, voice stern but teasing.
“Do. You. Like. Him?”
Lilith groaned, pressing her palms to her burning cheeks. “You’re so cruel…”
“Answer the question.”
Lilith let out a long sigh and muttered, “Yes…” then, with a burst of frustration, she blurted louder, “YES, I LIKE HIM!”
Iron blinked, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.
Lilith continued, her words tumbling out faster as her fluster grew. “Every time I think about him my heart just—just won’t stop! It keeps pounding faster, and my brain turns to mush, and—ugh! He’s so stupid! He’s nice, and funny, and dumb, and—”
She buried her face in her hands. “Even if he doesn’t understand love… I’ll still love him. Forever. For saving me… and for treating me like a person, not a princess.”
Iron stared at her quietly for a few seconds, then sighed. “Yeah… well, that’s kinda bad for you then.”
Lilith peeked up from her hands, confused. “Why? What happened?”
Iron took a deep breath, his tone turning serious. “The reason I came in here was because your father and mother have asked me to bring you… to meet one of the princes.”
For a moment, silence filled the room.
Then Lilith’s eyes widened. Her tail froze mid-sway.
“Wha—WHAT!?” she screamed, her voice echoing through the halls. “Whaaaaaaat~!?!”
Iron winced, covering his ears. “Princess, please, my hearing—!”
Lilith jumped to her feet, pacing frantically. “They can’t just—marry me off like some object! Iron, I’m not even eighteen yet! And—what about—Eleo!?”
Iron just sighed again, muttering under his breath, “Yeah, that’s what I was afraid you’d say…”
Please sign in to leave a comment.