Kidnapped Princess C53

Chapter 53

“Insane… They actually do that?”

I was alone in the library flipping through books, researching what Lilith had mentioned—how relationships between men worked.

I couldn’t bring myself to ask anyone, so here I was, sneaking around in the middle of the night.

The shame of being surrounded by shelves of knowledge yet reading this kind of book stung a little, but I forced myself to focus.

Explicit illustrations and strange terminology filled the pages, half of which I couldn’t even decipher, but I got the general idea of how such relationships happened.

By the dim glow of a single lantern, I sat frozen in a swamp of shock, unable to tear myself away.

As soon as I mentally substituted myself and Luminas into the scenes in the book, my head went light.

There was a reason Lilith said it hurt. She told me I’d be the one receiving. In other words—flat on my back. No matter how large Luminas’ was… the idea of something physically entering me alone already sounded painful.

“Hah… insane… Does Luminas know about this?”

Of course she did. Lilith knew Luminas was a man, so she obviously taught him the relevant things.

And knowing Lilith, her pride wouldn’t allow her student to be considered inexperienced, so she must have taught him extremely thoroughly.

Just then, a quiet shadow approached from behind. I startled and slammed the book shut.

Why else would I sneak into the library at this hour?
I couldn’t let anyone find out about this.

“Wh-Who’s there?!”

The figure was Nyx. Rubbing his sleepy eyes, he gave me a puzzled look.

“That’s my line. What are you doing here this late?”

I forgot he practically lives here.

“Uh… just. Couldn’t sleep.”

I fumbled for an excuse and casually hid the book behind me. As I hurried to leave, Nyx’s eyes lit up like he’d found a particularly amusing toy.

“You came here because you couldn’t sleep? Haven’t seen that in the last 300 years. So what’s that behind your back?”

“You don’t need to know. Just—go sleep. Aren’t you tired?”

“Thanks to someone, I’m wide awake now. So what is it?”

He looked determined to find out no matter what.

I tried to crab-walk away while keeping the book hidden behind me, but I’d stacked several books while “gathering information” and my foot caught one.

The pile collapsed loudly.
Nyx picked one up and read the title.

“‘What is Male-Male Intimacy?’ Huh. That’s… not talking about the color navy, is it?”

Cold sweat ran down my back.

When I met his questioning gaze, I froze like a mute fool. I swallowed hard and decided to act like I had dignity.

“I— I just got curious! So what?!”

Nyx chuckled.

“Ahh, that ‘princess’ you cherished turned out to be a man. So you looked this up. And later when you two—”

I immediately clamped my hands over my ears. I could already imagine what he would say next.
This was exactly why I didn’t want anyone to find me… My ears burned.

“Can’t you just pretend you saw nothing?”

“I can. But why are you researching it?”

I sighed and hurriedly gathered every incriminating book.

“Luminas said he still likes me even though I’m a man. So… well… I just got a little curious…”

Truthfully, I couldn’t explain it myself. The idea suddenly came to me, and before I knew it, I was researching.

Nyx stared at me quietly.

“You want Luminas to live in the human realm, right?”

“That’s right.”

“You realize that’s contradictory, don’t you?”

“What is?”

“Have you lived so long your romance brain cells died? If it were me, I’d tell him to get lost. Thought she was a girl but turns out he’s a guy? My feelings would die instantly.”

He shuddered dramatically. I felt offended.
Just because someone’s gender changed doesn’t mean affection dies. I’d already told Luminas the same.

“He’s still Luminas. And I’ve cherished him since he was young. My affection won’t disappear.”

“Sure. Let’s say parental affection remains. But tell me—what parent researches this kind of thing? If I were you, I’d have kicked him out calling him insane.”

He waved the book mockingly.

“One more question. If Luminas came to his senses and said he didn’t want to be your spouse, and instead brought home a lovely woman he loved—would you genuinely bless him?”

“If he truly loved her, then of course I’d congratulate— him…”

Nyx snorted loudly as my voice trailed off.

“Don’t lie to yourself. I bet you’d fail to bless him. Heck, you’d probably kidnap him again.”

His bluntness stunned me into silence.

Maybe I didn’t just want him happy as a parent would. Something inside me kept screaming warnings.

“If Luminas wants to live peacefully among humans, I’d help him.”

“And if he says he loves the human world? I bet you’d panic trying to keep him from leaving.”

“I said no.”

Even if I couldn’t bless him… kidnapping him again? No way.

“Luminas should live among humans.”

Suddenly Nyx’s eyes widened. His lips parted as if he’d realized something crucial.

“You want to send him to the human world not for his happiness— but because you don’t want to get hurt. Luminas would die happy just being beside you, but you won’t. He can’t stay with you forever, but you can stay forever. And you can’t bear the thought of being left alone one day.”

My body froze like all functions shut down. His words stabbed through me like daggers.
He continued, unaware he’d hit a nerve.

“That’s why. You do care about him, but you’re terrified. No matter how close he stays, it won’t be forever— so you’d rather be the one to let go first.”

Every word carved itself into my mind.

“That’s not it.”

I didn’t know what kind of expression I was making. Nyx glanced at me once more, then lost interest and stepped away.

“Whatever. Not my problem. Figure it out yourself.”

“Luminas, shall we go to the human realm?”

“…What? Why all of a sudden?”

Luminas blinked in surprise at my sudden question.

“I asked before too. How would you like to visit the human world?”

“The human realm…”

I had never taken Luminas there. When he was small, the war with humans made it too dangerous. And whenever I mentioned the human world, young Luminas worried I’d abandon him, so I avoided bringing it up.

But now was different. Luminas had grown. I wanted his world to expand.

And if he met a good woman and built a happy life… there would be no greater joy for me.

Yes. If Luminas finds happiness, why wouldn’t I celebrate it?

“Humans live there. Since we’ll be going out, let’s buy clothes while we’re at it.”

He’d borrowed my clothes once, but then mysteriously returned to dresses—likely altering them himself. He’d grown a lot; he needed proper attire.

Luminas looked conflicted.

“If you don’t want to go, that’s fine. But I think there’s much you’d learn.”

“To seriously go to that wretched human realm? To breathe their filthy air? To look at such inferior creatures?”

“Elvin, Luminas is human. There are things demons can’t teach him. I want him to grow further. And they’re not inferior. Some have value. Also—the investigations.”

A demonized being was said to be lurking near the capital again. Something felt off. Priests still existed, yet demonic transformations were increasing. The cause was obvious.

“Investigation? So you’re going there for work?”

Hearing that my priority wasn’t him, Luminas’ expression fell. I scrambled to correct myself.

“No! I want to show you the human realm—truly! It’s just that there’s been suspicious activity there recently. And the hero’s movements are also concerning.”

“The hero… disgusting. Always stealing Your Majesty’s time. If only he’d hurry up and die.”

He smiled brightly while wishing for someone’s death. His nature was growing increasingly demonic…

“Anyway, what do you say? I won’t force you. But you’d learn a lot. Ah—do you have interest in the World Tree? It’s like the elves’ divine being.”

“The World Tree…?”

His eyes flickered. I pressed on.

“Interested? We could visit the elves’ village too. People say it’s unbelievably beautiful. Completely different from the Demon Realm.”

“Will Your Majesty be with me?”

“Of course.”

“If you’re with me, I don’t mind.”

I ruffled his hair, proud of the answer I wanted.

Once he sees the human world, his thoughts will change. He won’t have a reason to cling to me anymore.

But then, someone shattered the warm moment.

“You cannot go alone with the princess! I shall accompany you!”

Elvin shot up behind us. I squinted at him.

“You sure you can refrain from killing humans?”

“If they do not speak casually to Your Majesty, I shall ignore them!”

Translation: The moment a human greeted me, he’d kill them.

“Then no.”

“What?! As your aide, I must—!”

“Yes. As my aide, I trust only you to guard the Demon Castle in my absence. Protect it well.”

He froze, then pounded his chest with pride.

“I shall defend the castle with my life!”

For someone clever, he had blind spots.

“So, it’s decided. Since it’s a rare outing, let’s enjoy it.”

“…Yes.”

Yet despite going with me, Luminas’ expression was far from bright.