Floleen sat alone in the parlor, twirling her platinum hair as she leafed through a history book of Olenxia.
She had no idea when Charlotte would return, but if Charlotte made a promise, he would always keep it.
So Floleen just waited here.
Although she was not quite used to days without maids bringing her tea, she had gradually come to love this sense of seclusion—and it would be even better if Charlotte were by her side.
Charlotte… truly was someone she dreamed of, night and day.
He was the pillar of both the Weiss Family and the Mistmoon Family, and also her great Hero.
But to her, Charlotte was more like a juicy, delicious tomato—one bite and the juice would burst forth.
Thinking of this, Floleen unconsciously licked her lips. Mm…
Oh no, she really was becoming more and more like a Vampire. Coincidentally, she had just flipped to a chapter about Vampires.
Although her ancestors had been Vampires, by racial classification, Floleen should count as an Elf. Hmm… Blood Fairy?
After all, according to the history books, Vampires were such fragile beings that they simply couldn’t survive nowadays.
They needed to drink blood to live, but feared sunlight, silverware, and Saintlight Magic; with fangs and claws, dead white skin, and always acting at night—such obvious traits had probably been slaughtered by the Holy Church ten thousand times over.
But how could an Elf fall for a Vampire?
Did Elves really have such strange tastes?
Still, she owed the Vampires a bit of respect, since she was, after all, one of their descendants. At least, her mother had always told her so.
As she was daydreaming, a sudden breeze rose in the courtyard, bringing a cool gust to the sultry summer night, making the flowers rustle.
Floleen knew—Charlotte was back. Instantly, a smile bloomed across her face.
As the saying goes, a short separation is sweeter than a new marriage. But Charlotte hadn’t even left her for long—Floleen was already like this.
If he really did go away for a while, Charlotte probably wouldn’t be able to get out of bed after returning.
Floleen trotted to the door. “Charlotte! Welcome back. Would you like dinner first, or a bath, or perhaps…”
Seeing Floleen running toward him with a bright smile, Charlotte couldn’t help but smile too. Coming home to such a virtuous wife was indeed a blessing.
“Would you rather have me first?” Floleen squeezed into Charlotte’s embrace, tilting her head as she whispered those words.
Charlotte kissed Floleen and asked, “What would you like me to do?”
“I think this is a multiple-choice question.”
Floleen returned the kiss with affection, then stuck out her tongue and stirred up trouble.
It looked like Charlotte would have no time for dinner or a bath. The main course, it was, then.
As Charlotte and Floleen walked back to the bedroom hand in hand, Charlotte gave Floleen’s soft little hand a squeeze.
Charlotte still needed to talk to Floleen about his decision to firmly support Kresia Kalishi.
Floleen had said she would follow his lead in important matters, but Charlotte wasn’t a dictatorial person—he thought it best to let his woman know about these things too.
If Floleen had an opinion, she could discuss it with him.
“I just went to see the Princess.”
Charlotte brought up the matter lightly.
But in Floleen’s eyes, Charlotte seemed a bit guilty—after all, he never showed much expression. You couldn’t expect to read anything from his face.
“Ah? You already got her?”
“No…” Charlotte was helpless. Aifel called him a philanderer, and he could let others misunderstand, but even Floleen was suspicious now? “What do you take me for?”
“It’s not that I want to. But look at how long you’ve been sweet with me—now you’re good with Bella too. Even if I didn’t believe the rumors out there, I’d have to now.”
Floleen pouted, clearly sulking.
Charlotte was helpless. Those rumors had started with her, which was just absurd, but he didn’t bother to argue. Actions spoke louder than words when it came to Floleen.
“I think we should support her for now. If she can’t hold on, we can reconsider.”
Floleen suddenly realized something, and with a mischievous smile, said to Charlotte, “Oh my, Charlotte, are you actually discussing this with me?”
“That’s right. Floleen, do you have any thoughts?”
“I disagree.”
“And the reason?”
“I can’t make one up. Anyway, Charlotte, you should still try to persuade me.”
Charlotte and Floleen always seemed to have some unspoken understanding in strange places.
For instance, Charlotte wanted to discuss this with Floleen now—but as for when and where, that was up to Floleen.
It was the same when they were children—willful Floleen, and Charlotte half-accepting, half-protesting.
But now, Charlotte could use his own methods—to move her with reason and feeling.
……
As soon as the two returned to the room, Charlotte grabbed both of Floleen’s wrists, pressed her back against the door, and pinned her there, raising her arms above her head.
“Ah…” Floleen was startled by Charlotte’s sudden, rough side.
But she had no chance to regret or resist. When it came to strength, she couldn’t compare to Charlotte.
Without any hesitation, Charlotte told Floleen, “Floleen, now—spread your wings.”
Floleen obediently complied. From her lower back, a pair of Blood Bat Wings instantly unfurled, but they drooped lifelessly to the ground, as their owner was currently quite flustered and dazed.
Even though they had experienced this before, Floleen’s heart still raced, her breathing quickened.
Naturally, Charlotte wouldn’t allow such an adorable Floleen to stand before him with a shred of reason left. Without hesitation, he kissed her—direct and passionate.
“Charlotte… mm… chu… right here… love me…”
Raw and honest, utterly unrestrained.
But Charlotte was the first to stop, halting both his hand on Floleen’s waist and his lips.
“Floleen, you’re a little too bold.”
Charlotte slipped his arm behind Floleen’s knees, lifted her, and gently placed her on the bed.
Floleen pouted, paying no mind to the sweat beginning to bead on her platinum bangs, and started unfastening her already rumpled clothes.
“I meant, don’t dawdle. The time I get to spend with you is already short—let me enjoy it properly, won’t you?”
Charlotte shook his head. “I just want you to enjoy it more. What I mean is, a life that never changes does get dull. Why not try something different?”
“Something different?”
“For example… act out a little scene?” Charlotte whispered into Floleen’s ear. Clearly, he’d had a lot of fun playing roles with Bella. “With this look, aren’t you just like a Demon King from the novels? I’ll be the Hero, then.”
Floleen’s excitement spiked at once. Her bloody wings fluttered, and she paused from unbuttoning her clothes, covering her face as she giggled. “Charlotte, when did you become so wicked?”
“My lovely Floleen, judging by your expression, you’re not innocent either. You’re just a beast without reason.”
“Heh, I just read in the history book today. When Vampires can’t get blood, they really do become mindless beasts.”
Charlotte hadn’t expected Floleen to respond like that—she wasn’t a Vampire…
“My dear Hero, let me see if you have what it takes to make this Demon King yield.” For some reason, Floleen unleashed a surge of strength, pinning Charlotte to the bed. Her platinum hair fell beside Charlotte’s lips.
“You’re that confident, Demon King?” Charlotte’s cold face squeezed into a smile, as if facing a child picking a fight with him.
Floleen accepted the challenge and bit down on Charlotte’s pale shoulder.
Charlotte stroked the back of Floleen’s head—he’d let her have the upper hand for ten minutes…
What came next, Charlotte was more than experienced with.
The Hero battles the Demon King—usually the Demon King is confident, feeling utterly dominant, riding on the Hero and striking down, until after an exchange of blows, suddenly something shifts, the Hero gets a flashback, shouts about protecting humanity’s hope, charges forward, suppresses the Demon King, and pins her with the Moonblade so she can’t move.
An hour later.
“H-Hero… I was wrong… spare me…” The once-mighty Demon King Floleen began to tremble. Her mana was utterly drained; she couldn’t even lift her hands. She collapsed on the Throne of the Demon King, hair in disarray against her flushed cheeks, completely reduced to Charlotte’s “trophy.”
Our once-arrogant Demon King Miss was now bathed in fragrant sweat, utterly exhausted, thoroughly ravaged by the Hero—a total defeat CG.
“Do you still dare to be arrogant, my Demon King?” Charlotte did not stop, his fingertips caressing the delicate patterns on her wing membranes, his touch as gentle as soothing a kitten after it’s been tamed. “I told you, I’d pin you to the Throne of the Demon King.”
Hero Charlotte was clearly not about to let the Demon King off.
But the Demon King still refused to yield, barely hanging on under the Hero’s relentless assault.
“Despicable… You took advantage of my weakness! That’s not a fair victory!” Floleen still struggled weakly, her voice trembling with tears but still stubborn. “If you dare… wait till I recover my mana, and we’ll have a real duel! You’d better not force me!”
“Oh? Does the Demon King still have a trump card?” Charlotte chuckled. “Well, that makes sense. You are the Demon King. Wouldn’t be a surprise if you had some tricks left.”
Floleen’s dazed gaze suddenly sharpened.
She stared blankly at the smile spreading at the corner of Charlotte’s lips—a gentle curve so unlike his coldness in battle or usual composure, making her forget to struggle.
She was transfixed by Charlotte’s smiling face at this very moment.
Charlotte noticed her distraction and stopped what he was doing. “What’s wrong? Did I hurt you?”
“No…” Floleen stretched out her feeble hand, fingertips lightly brushing his cheek, her voice tinged with a trace of sigh. “It’s just… this is the first time I’ve seen you smile like this.”
“Did I just smile?”
“Mhm.” She nodded, wet lashes still glistening.
For some reason, a warm current surged through her heart.
Floleen suddenly felt that to see this man’s expression, to be cherished like this, and to have her body loved by Charlotte—this truly was happiness.
“Maybe it’s because I saw you blush, Floleen. The way you get shy really makes it hard for me to look away. How could there be such a beautiful creature in this world… who just happens to be my wife?”
Charlotte pressed his forehead to Floleen’s and said softly, “I’ve long been bewitched by you. From now on, I just want to hold you like this and feel this solid happiness. You are the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen—bar none.”
“R-Really?” Floleen’s cheeks burned hotter, her heart feeling soft and fluffy, as if packed with cotton.
Floleen felt herself floating from Charlotte’s sweet words.
His mouth was dangerously persuasive—no matter that you knew he was being deliberately sweet, there wasn’t a trace of flattery in his eyes.
His gaze and tone were filled with sincerity.
“Of course it’s true, Floleen. I think you’re at your most beautiful when you’re shy… In my heart, you’ll always be the purest, most flawless maiden.”
“Ugh—”
Floleen didn’t want to resist anymore; her final defenses completely collapsed.
Floleen stopped struggling, letting herself sink into his tenderness.
Ah, she might as well give herself entirely to this man—everything… not leaving a single part behind. He would love her for a lifetime.
Mm… just do it: accept his proposal, hold a wedding, build a family, bear his children, tend to the home, grow old with him…
Under Charlotte’s honeyed words, Floleen truly no longer wanted to resist.
She just wanted to enjoy being loved by Charlotte. She felt that her life was now complete.
And Charlotte—though he took advantage of Floleen’s feelings for him—was telling the truth.
He only wished to have Floleen cooperate with him more.
This game of “conquest and surrender” had always been a little intimacy unique to the two of them.