The Possessed Evil Woman Wreaks Havoc - Chapter 58

After a short while, once we had calmed down, we returned to the original topic.

Belial fiddled with my face, muttering to himself, “How odd. ‘Lia Green’ is a fairly famous actress and has even been invited to noble gatherings.”

Belial poked my cheek with his fingers and continued, “She’s crossed paths with Isabella Dunkeld several times. Yet, why didn’t she leave any impression on me? There’s no way a face like this wouldn’t have caught my eye…”

Could it be because the soul has changed?

Belial murmured to himself, “If I’d known she looked like this, I would have—”

Not liking the implication, I chopped at Belial’s neck with my hand.

Even though he’s a demon, a surprise attack to the neck would still hurt if he wasn’t on guard.

“Ack! Bella, you’re still as fierce as ever.”

Belial rubbed his neck and grumbled.

Lowering my voice, I warned him sternly, “Don’t mess with the Dunkeld siblings. Got it?”

“Hmm? Well, I can’t touch Isabella since you’re in that body. And as for Gabriel… we’ve met before.”

For the first time, Belial’s expression darkened.

“What kind of human has such a terrible personality? I prefer gentle ones, so that’d never happen.”

Indeed.

Gabriel’s personality could repel even demons.

Amazing, Gabby!

I inwardly applauded Gabby back at the ducal estate.

Belial played with my hair and asked, “So, what brings our youngest to me? Did you miss me too much?”

“Not a chance.”

I revealed the purpose of my visit.

“Do you happen to know where the demon worshipers’ base is?”

At my question, Belial gave a mysterious smile.

“Demon worshipers? You’re looking for those idiots? Why?”

“You don’t need to know.”

“Our youngest is so charming when she asks for favors.”

Belial began tousling my hair wildly.

I swatted his hand away and frowned.

Belial chuckled and opened his mouth. “Of course, I know. But do you really think I’d tell you for free?”

So stingy.

I aimed another chop at Belial’s neck. This time, anticipating my move, he caught my wrist.

When I tried to strike him with my other hand, he grabbed that one too.

“Let go.”

I bared my teeth and growled.

“Bella, are you… fearless?” Belial tilted his head and continued, “You haven’t forgotten that you’re still a 600-year-old baby demon, have you? I’ve lived for several times that span.”

I knew Belial was around 20,000 years old. That made him roughly thirty times my age.

But so what?

“Do you think I’d respect an old man just because of his age?”

What would you expect from a demon?

I replied with a sullen expression.

“I don’t expect respect. But… let’s just say your temper seems to have defeated your survival instincts.”

Belial spoke with a strange smile and placed his hand on my head again. This time, he didn’t mess up my hair but pressed down firmly.

“Hmm. Lilith really spoiled you.”

Belial muttered things I couldn’t agree with.

Sure, before I could talk, I had spent most of my time in Lilith’s arms instead of walking on my own—but still!

Despite that, my childhood had been quite rough.

“Bella, hand! Wait for me, Bella!”

“Amon, Bella isn’t a beast. She seems upset. Stop it.”

“What are you talking about, Lilith? I’ve never treated Bella like an—OW! Bella bit me!”

…Yeah, it was tough.

Thinking back, I shuddered momentarily.

“Well, you’re still cute since you’re the youngest. Being cheeky is part of a youngest’s charm,” Belial said, patting my cheek.

I glared at him and asked again, “Tell me where the demon worshipers’ base is.”

“Ask politely. Maybe I’ll consider it.”

“Re—”

“Re?”

“It’s not a request; it’s a deal. Let’s make a trade.”

Belial chuckled and said, “Hmm. I can’t think of anything I want from you. Wait a moment.”

Belial paused briefly before looking back at me.

He fiddled with my hair a few times, and then a radiant smile bloomed on his face.

“I found something I want.”

For some reason, his voice sent a shiver down my spine the moment I heard it.

***

After concluding my negotiations with Belial, I was about to leave his dressing room. But just as I reached the door, Belial stopped me.

“Bella. Do you know who that person really is?”

Belial gestured toward the door with a nod of his chin. Was he referring to Kayden, who was waiting outside?

I tilted my head, not understanding what Belial meant. He added more detail, carefully choosing his words as if uncertain.

“There’s something… unsettling about the aura I sense.”

“……”

Unlike me, whose powers were mostly sealed, Belial seemed able to detect something unusual about Kayden. I carefully chose my own words to ask a question.

“Are you saying he’s not human?”

“No, he is human. Definitely human, but…”

Belial trailed off, unable to complete his thought.

“That man is a prince of this country. He recently returned to the capital.”

“Ah, that prince? Was his name Kayden?”

I nodded to confirm.

“I’ve heard that one of the princes is affiliated with the temple, but I didn’t think it was him.”

“I heard he possesses such strong holy power that some even call him the reincarnation of the first emperor.”

Zachary’s power had been magical, not holy. Could Belial’s reaction have something to do with the holy power Kayden possessed?

When I asked, Belial shook his head.

“It’s not the holy power… it’s his soul. There’s something different about it. It’s… alien, not like a normal human’s.”

Belial shrugged his shoulders and added, “I’m not sure. Matters of the soul are more Lilith’s expertise than mine.”

I frowned at this unexpected revelation.

Something about my instincts whispered to me, but the feeling was elusive, hard to grasp.

“Hmm.”

After a moment of contemplation, I shrugged.

Well, why should I care about a mere human’s soul?

Having sorted my thoughts, I noticed Belial looking at me with a mischievous smile.

“What’s with that face?”

I asked, and Belial opened his mouth.

“Hearing about the first emperor reminded me of something. That man was our youngest’s first—”

I immediately swung my hand at Belial’s neck, striking him squarely this time.

“Ack—! Contractor! I was going to say contractor! Oh, what a temper you have.”

Who provoked whom first?

I turned sharply on my heel and left the room.

***

As soon as I returned to the Duke’s residence, Jessie greeted me with tearful wails.

“Waaah! Miss, you’re so mean!”

It seemed she was deeply upset that I had lied about taking a nap and secretly left the estate.

“How could you leave without me? From now on, take me with you!”

While her reason for being upset was odd, her feelings were genuine. After sniffing a few more times, Jessie spoke again.

“Thankfully, neither the Duke nor the Young Duke knows that you left. Prince Kayden covered for you. Still, miss! Nobody in this house is stopping you from going out, so please take an escort next time!”

Hmm. I frowned.

But having an escort was such a hassle. I’d have to sneak out again next time.

After her flurry of words, Jessie took a deep breath and asked, “So, miss, where did you go today?”

“I went to meet a friend.”

“A friend? Your friend?”

Jessie didn’t say it outright, but her entire body seemed to ask, ‘You have friends?’

Displeased by her reaction, I replied, “Do you know Lia Green?”

“Oh my goodness! You’re friends with Lia Green?”

We’re not exactly friends, but…. I nodded anyway.

Oh my!

Jessie clapped her hands over her mouth, letting out an odd exclamation.

“She’s the most popular actress in the empire right now! Not to mention, she’s famous as a femme fatale.”

Ack!

I suddenly choked. A femme fatale?

Oblivious to my coughing, Jessie continued, her eyes dreamy and her body squirming as she spoke.

“Do you know how many noble sons have proposed to Miss Green? And she’s a commoner! Love that transcends social class… isn’t that thrilling?”

No, Jessie. This isn’t about social class; it’s about crossing species. And, of course, it’s an impossible love.

I asked Jessie, “Jessie, do you dream of love that transcends social class too?”

Her earlier shy demeanor vanished as she replied seriously, “Ugh. Not at all. Love like that is only fun to watch when it’s someone else’s story. If it were my own, it’d be a headache.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. Love only lasts a few years anyway. Once it fades, who knows what’ll happen to me?”

“Hmm.”

“I just want to marry one of the servants here and live in this house, serving you for generations, miss.”

Such a practical maid.

“Fine. If you find someone you like among the servants, tell me. I’ll bring him to you.”

“Oh my, miss, you care that much about me? I’m touched.”

Jessie burst into laughter.