Devour Me Passionately - Chapter 13 (pt.2)

Once the intense pain passed, a voice as tender and warm as Narcissus’s soothed her troubled heart.

The woman’s voice, melodious like a song, was something she had never heard before in her life, yet it repeatedly called Arcana’s name like she was the most precious treasure in the world.

That’s why she could find peace. She could avoid collapsing from sadness, refuse to give up, and somehow keep moving forward.

‘Arcana, come back.’

‘Come back to everyone. That place isn’t where you belong.’

Suddenly, she thought she wanted to escape. She wanted to break free from this maze-like tunnel with no visible exit and return to that time that remained vivid in her memory—that clear early summer sky, the soft grass, and those moments that shone like sunlight.

Arcana continued moving forward, forward through the darkness that spread like the horizon. Toward the dawn that faintly glimmered in the distance.

* * *

“Your Majesty, how are you feeling?”

The answer was the same. Still, Etzel asked without fail. Even though the dead couldn’t return to life, the Emperor of Cabalon was always in that same place. Like he was wandering alone through disconnected time.

Narcissus had been guarding the dead woman’s side for days without properly eating or sleeping. How could he not be worried?

Etzel approached the altar placed before the Tree of Life, rubbing his own darkly sunken eyes that were no better than Narcissus’s.

The purification work had been completed two days ago. When discovered, Arcana’s corpse had been so severely damaged it seemed irreparable. The High Priest’s body that had tightly embraced her was even more horribly mutilated, unrecognizable in form.

Narcissus had desperately clung to the ritual from the first day until now. Etzel had no way of knowing what he had heard from Eodiphia’s Princess. He could only silently watch and help his lord.

“I understand Your Majesty’s feelings, but doing this won’t bring the dead back to life.”

Etzel sighed. It was Narcissus who had poured healing power into the broken and torn body day and night, restoring the woman to exactly how she looked in life.

Until then, he had thought it was done to send off a former lover in proper form. Connecting scattered bones, repairing ruptured organs, and mending torn flesh was tantamount to shortening the life of whoever cast such holy power.

Narcissus didn’t care and ultimately restored Arcana’s body.

“I heard that before the Ahriman continent split into nine pieces, this place was called Lifre Forest where spirits dwelled.”

At the voice, Etzel fell silent. He looked with complicated eyes at another woman lying neatly beside Arcana. They resembled each other remarkably.

“The source of immortality. I know that eternally circulating life force is one of the abilities possessed by Lifre’s spirits. But…”

…even they cannot immediately revive once they’ve crossed death’s threshold. He forcibly swallowed the words stuck in his throat. One hundred years, two hundred years… or perhaps even longer might be needed.

There was no way Narcissus didn’t know what Etzel knew. Yet only one person in this place would know why he desperately clung to the ritual. Dark red eyes turned toward Narcissus.

Beelzebub, a demon who had survived the Hundred-Year War and remained in both mother and daughter’s memories, the only one connected to Vivian’s soul. He finally opened his lips.

“It was a predetermined ending from the start. It couldn’t have been hidden until the end.”

Narcissus slowly raised his head.

“What parent in this world would want to send their child away first?”

Of course, demons were an exception. That’s why he would never understand Vivian, who willingly sacrificed herself for her beloved child.

“I’ve already waited for Vivian for 100 years. The next 100 years will be easier than before.”

Bel’s voice slowly faded. Vivian’s face, which had bloomed with vibrant life force like she might wake up any moment, was withering like a flower whose season had changed. Bel couldn’t bear to look directly at Vivian as she sank back into time that couldn’t be promised.

Sacrifice. Even if that was her final choice.

* * *

Imperial Year 451.

Half a year had passed since the war with demon beasts ended. Momo squinted up at the dazzling sunlight streaming through the window, then took a deep breath and put down her fork.

Her healthy face, hands and feet with good color, lips pouting like she was displeased with something, and her belly that had become round from eating so much. Momo, facing a dessert table, threatened with a voice more lively than ever.

“Narcissus, I’m really, really full now. I can’t eat another bite.”

“You can’t leave here until you finish everything, so you better know that.”

“But my belly’s already gotten this chubby! Who would like such an unsightly bulging stomach!”

“I do. I like it. So eat all the food I brought without leaving anything.”

Momo made a tearful face and grumbled. Even so, she dutifully opened her mouth and received a spoonful of pudding that Narcissus brought to her lips, chewing like a baby bird.

Because she had become pitifully thin while he wasn’t watching, his attention these days was focused all day on ‘feeding, feeding, and feeding more’ to Momo.

On the table, neatly emptied dessert plates stacked up one by one. Momo hummed a tune while pulling over a plate containing high-sugar cake and pushing it toward Narcissus.

“In two years we’ll be able to see big brother Rictusa too, right?”

A large piece cut with the fork went into Narcissus’s mouth. He didn’t prefer sweet foods, but he quietly chewed and swallowed whatever Momo offered without complaint. If he didn’t, Momo would obviously throw a tantrum saying she wouldn’t eat either.

“Did you send the letter ahead?”

“Yeah. I already sent word that we’re living in a pretty log cabin in Lifre Forest, no longer in Eodiphia’s Imperial Palace or temple.”

Momo raised her head with satisfaction while carefully examining the mountain of work piled behind the cozily decorated living room.

“Aren’t you overworking yourself these days?”

“What are you talking about? Making colorful wooden crafts has been my long-time dream. Did you already forget?”

Six months since opening, Momo’s workshop had already gained word-of-mouth reputation and regular customers thanks to the owner’s excellent craftsmanship. Surrounded by fresh trees, grass, and flowers, Momo came alive day by day.

She was fundamentally a forest spirit, yet had spent her entire life shrinking in the suffocating Imperial Palace. Narcissus, who had been quietly watching Momo’s face soaked in happiness, suddenly launched a surprise attack. Her lips covered in white cream were softly sucked into his mouth.

Nom nom, when Momo smacked her lips at the sweetness in her mouth, Narcissus reluctantly pulled his lips away. His eyes narrowed as he scolded with rising heat.

“Are you going to keep doing this? You’ve been falling asleep like crazy every night lately saying you’re tired.”

“I can’t help it since there’s a lot of work.”

“Think about me too—I’ve been holding back for days.”

“Hmm.”

Pretending to ponder, Momo tilted her chin resting on her fist. Come to think of it, the nights had been passing quietly these past few days.

Even though Narcissus wasn’t someone to give up easily. She had fallen asleep because she was too tired to keep her eyes open, but Narcissus must have been fiercely battling his boiling desires beside her.

“Aren’t you tired from Imperial Palace work too?”

“…Never mind. Let’s drop it.”

Six months had passed since the war with demon beasts ended. Exactly that much time had passed since Momo was revived through a noble person’s sacrifice. Narcissus was still the virtuous Emperor of Cabalon, and the empire that had once fallen was gradually regaining its past status.

However, Momo didn’t follow him to become Empress and return to Cabalon’s palace. Palace life, which had been suffocating like a prison, only brought painful memories.

Of course, the situation would be very different from when she lived in Eodiphia, but she still wanted to remain here where perfect freedom was guaranteed. It was Momo’s will.

Princes Kedrick and Kenneth, who had constantly caused trouble, were stripped of all their positions and authority and confined to separate palaces. Thus, succession rights naturally passed to Princess Kesera. It had been six chaotic months that swept by like a storm.

“Did you get a reply from Bel?”

Momo, who had been carefully sorting through high-quality carrot seeds ordered from a merchant, dusted off her hands and asked. After ‘that incident,’ Beelzebub had vanished without a trace like smoke.

He used to visit her often before the seasons changed, but now there was no news at all. The last correspondence had been in late autumn.

She heard he was going around buying information from mages researching elixirs. Hmm. Momo stretched her stiff arms and shoulders and blinked drowsily.

Narcissus watched her and narrowed his eyes.

“Arcana.”

Swoosh, her small head turned. At the same time, she gulped dryly. There was only one situation when Narcissus didn’t call her Momo as usual but used her real name. It meant he was seriously planning something.

Momo’s shoulders were firmly grasped by large hands.

“Don’t avoid it this time and answer properly.”

She already knew what would come out of Narcissus’s mouth. Why wouldn’t she? It was something he had been bringing up consistently for a month.

“What you said about not wanting to return to Cabalon’s Imperial Palace—is that still unchanged?”

That wasn’t the main point. Momo nodded her head small but clearly.

“I want to stay here.”

“Yes, you can do whatever you want. But what I want to say is…”

He knows. The wedding ceremony. Hadn’t Narcissus already proposed to her several times?

The reason she hesitated was because he was Cabalon’s Emperor. She was concerned about spending the rest of her life in a palace as fierce as a battlefield, but she thought she could endure it if she was by Narcissus’s side.

However, she declined receiving a status beyond her station. She wasn’t someone suited for such a lofty position as Empress. Right now, she liked this small life where she could continue the daily routine she had dreamed of in this peaceful cabin.

“I know what you’re worried about.”

Narcissus pulled Momo’s small head into his embrace and patted her.

“But I told you. You can do whatever you want. You don’t need to worry about being Empress or whatever from the start. I’ll discuss that matter with Philia.”

A voice warmer than spring sunlight settled on her eyelids. The embracing touch couldn’t be more tender and warm. The body in his arms rustled and pressed tightly against his firm chest. Rolling her eyes around, Momo finally surrendered.

“I’m sorry for making you anxious. I should have expressed my feelings earlier.”

Momo timidly nodded her head.

“So, I’ll… accept your pro… proposal.”

Too embarrassed to say the word ‘proposal,’ Momo stammered while her white cheeks turned red.

Taking that as a signal, her chin was tilted back and lips intertwined with lips. Rich honey fragrance filled her mouth. Though it was a kiss she received daily, it felt especially sweet today.

“When I went to the garden, pretty freesia flowers were blooming everywhere, so I want to take those to mom’s grave too.”

Their lips naturally separated due to lack of breath. Momo touched the flesh wet with saliva with her fingers while picking up the wildflowers she had plucked to weave into a bouquet.

“Should I come with you?”

“I’ll go alone today. You just came home briefly for meal time, right? Don’t you have to return to the Imperial Palace?”

The thought that he couldn’t be with beloved Momo every moment weighed heavily on Narcissus’s heart. As she said, he had made time during lunch to visit her, but he had to return to work before it got late.

At best, he could return to Momo’s space, which was like their newlywed home, immediately after leaving the palace and stay together until the early morning palace entry time.

Sometimes he made time for lunch or showed his face in the late afternoon, but it wasn’t stable time. That’s why Narcissus couldn’t shake off his somehow anxious feelings.

‘He’ll definitely come visit again today while I’m away.’

When the midday sun began to wane, that boy knocked on the door without fail. He would spend the entire afternoon with Momo, then quickly disappear when Narcissus returned. On unlucky days, he had to share dinner with the guy.

Though it grated on him to have his precious time with Momo interrupted, he couldn’t drive him away. Momo was probably busy with her own work, but he didn’t like leaving her to spend time alone in the house without him. In the midst of this, that boy appeared to spend time with her.

Momo didn’t seem to dislike it either, so what right did he have to block the uninvited guest?

Feeling stubborn, Narcissus firmly held his ground even though it was past time to return to the palace.

Knock knock.

The cheerful knocking sound came without fail. Momo, who had been lying upside down on the plush couch tasting a savory tart, jumped up. Her expression brightened in an instant.

“Yes, I’m coming!”

She shouted and approached the entrance with quick steps. Soon, the door opened and a boy with an extremely handsome appearance entered.

“Today it’s meringue cookies!”

The boy holding bribery to captivate Momo in one hand and a wooden doll he had diligently carved and polished while sitting beside Momo in the other, shouted in a cheerful voice.

“Arcana just finished eating desserts I bought her plenty of, so she’s full.”

Narcissus, who had positioned himself squarely between the two, responded with a stiffly hardened face.

“Unfortunately, we don’t need the meringue you brought.”

“That’s for big sister to decide, why are you butting in, mister?”

“What, mister?”

At the sudden confrontation, Momo frowned and poked Narcissus’s side with her elbow.

“Why are you being like that to a ten-year-old? Wow, it looks delicious! Thank you so much, Iris! I’ll eat it well.”

The little kid’s face brightened triumphantly after receiving Momo’s support. In the end, Narcissus had no choice but to close his mouth with a face full of betrayal.

The neighborhood boy Iris, who had proudly won the battle for Momo, quickly jumped onto the couch.

“Big sister, that guy asked me to tell you again today. Here!”

What Iris carefully placed on the side table was a single flower with a broken stem. The light green cross-section had a bluish tint spreading across it.

Momo’s expression instantly clouded as she received the flower. The same was true for Narcissus. Only Iris maintained the excited atmosphere from when he had just welcomed the visitor.

“Do you know that guy, big sister? He only asks me to deliver flowers every day, but he’s never come to see you directly. Isn’t he a stalker?”

Playfully pursing his lips, Iris shook the wooden doll he was holding.

“That guy is really a coward. Even though I told him you’d be happier if he delivered them directly, he seems to forget every time.”

Narcissus’s gaze turned toward the window frame. On the smooth wooden frame, flowers of various colors competed to bloom luxuriantly in glass bottles filled with water. Each had different sizes, types, and colors. Some were blooming modestly in flower vases Momo had made herself.

“If that child, Lucifer, is crying… tell him not to cry anymore.”

Momo, who had been touching lily-of-the-valley petals with her fingertips, whispered softly. Hoping her sincerity would reach that child if he wasn’t hiding in the shadows he cast, she repeated the same words without fail today as well.

“Why would a grown adult cry?”

The child pouted his lips.

“‘I want to see the end.’ Right?”

Shrugging his shoulders, Iris imitated Momo’s way of speaking. At that, she couldn’t help but burst into laughter. When a smile finally bloomed on Momo’s face, Iris nodded vigorously while puffing out his chest like an adult who had let out a sigh of relief.

“Alright. I’ll definitely deliver it to that guy this time too, so just leave it to Iris.”

Narcissus’s gaze still remained on the windowsill. But this time it was directed a little further than before, toward somewhere beyond.

His smoothly extended eyes slightly distorted in the sunlight streaming inside. A form that scattered like snowflakes through the transparent light rays caught his attention.

Though it was quite a distance, he could clearly see it. Behind the dark tree shade, white cloak edges fluttered in the wind.

A boy who was a coward like the little kid said, only delivering flowers each time. A boy who resembled a night sea full of stars. That was certainty.

“Arcana.”

A gaze filled with warm warmth turned toward Momo. Feeling the gaze, Momo perked up her ears and tilted her head to look at Narcissus once, then at the sunlit window once. She didn’t seem to know yet.

“A longed-for guest might come today.”

Narcissus only gave that prediction.

fin.

Adeline’s Final Note:

Thank you so much for reading and supporting this novel! Side Stories won’t be posted unless there is a specific request for it.