How on earth does that coal plan to share love with me?

And who was the one who deceived me?

‘I want to sue for fraud.’

Unaware of my inner thoughts, the coal was busy sharing its impressions of the mortal world.

“Is this your room? The spirits told me it’s rude to enter a single woman’s room without permission.”

“Oh, really?”

“I must not make mistakes with my mate. Embarrassingly, I studied human customs and civilization before coming to the surface.”

“Oh, really?”

“But the surface I see with my own eyes is more complex and fascinating than I imagined. Humans imagine hell to be noisy and chaotic, but the real hell is desolate and monotonous.”

“Oh, really?”

I now understood the lyrics of an old song that says you can cry even while you’re laughing.

“When the Sun God appointed you as my mate, understanding my loneliness and ennui, I was very happy. I know my appearance is humble. Nonetheless, you accepted me as your mate. I am grateful for that.”

The coal said shyly.

“Oh, really?”

I repeated the same words soullessly.

‘So, the Sun God was the culprit. He’s just giving the disease but also the cure.’

Or maybe in this case, giving the cure and then the disease.

Anyway, from what it said, it really seemed like this coal was indeed Shahar, the king of the underworld.

If that’s the case, he’s a strong being comparable to Enril…

‘But what part of him is beautiful?’

Maybe the Sun God was blinded by his own radiance.

It was quite a reasonable suspicion.

I absentmindedly picked up the coal and rubbed it. Luckily, it didn’t leave any soot on my hands.

Once I started rubbing it, I couldn’t stop.

The cold, smooth texture was oddly pleasing.

‘It feels good to touch when I’m bored.’

“My mate. Though my form mimics a piece of the earth, it doesn’t mean I can’t feel sensations.”

“Oh, really?”

I ignored his words and continued rubbing the coal.

Then a good idea struck me.

“Can you create bumps? It would be great to use you as a massage ball.”

“Massage ball? What’s that?”

“It’s something used to relieve tense muscles. With bumps, it can also provide acupressure.”

“If that’s what my mate wants.”

Small bumps appeared on the coal.

“Is this okay?”

“Perfect.”

I used the coal to massage my stiff neck and shoulders.

At that moment, my eyes, which had been dull like a dead fish, suddenly brightened.

“This feels amazing!”

I exclaimed and diligently massaged the other side too.

“I’m glad my mate is happy.”

Maybe he came to the surface to be my mate massage ball?

Anyway, the coal was far more useful than the Crown Prince, who had never been of any help.

That was a small comfort to my weary heart.

***

The coal was very interested in the human world. Left in my room, he asked about everything all day long.

Tired of answering, I decided to show it directly.

I tucked the coal under my arm like a clutch and headed to the bustling marketplace full of shops.

‘Let’s consider it similar to walking a pet.’

“Should I also sniff around? And what about marking?”

“I don’t know why you’re asking, but there’s no need to sniff. And what is marking? Sometimes you use incomprehensible words, my mate. It’s regrettable that I can’t understand.”

“Oh, really? Then let’s keep going.”

But soon after, I regretted bringing the coal out.

Throughout the walk, it didn’t stop talking for even a second.

“What are those iron pillars lined up along the road? It’s amazing how humans process iron and glass like that.”

“Those are streetlights. And please, speak more quietly. Before people think I’m a crazy woman talking to myself.”

“I will be careful.”

After walking for a long time, my legs hurt.

I entered a nearby restaurant to grab a bite.

I chose a seat in the corner and placed the coal on the table. Since the coal didn’t need to eat, I decided to order only for myself.

‘Having a mate stone is economically advantageous.’

I found another advantage and felt proud.

“What should I order?”

While I was pondering, a long shadow fell over the menu.

Thinking it was the waiter, I didn’t look up and asked.

“What’s the most delicious dish here?”

“It’s Leon, ma’am.”

“Then I’ll have one of those, uh?”

I quickly looked up.

Iscallion was sitting across from me, grinning, then he snatched the menu from my hand.

I stared dumbly at his handsome face. He appeared and disappeared like Hong Gil-dong¹Hong Gil-dong was a Korean outlaw from the Joseon period.

“What will you eat?”

“Anything, anything is fine.”

I answered absentmindedly, and Iscallion called the waiter and ordered the most expensive dishes for both of us.

As soon as the waiter left, I urgently asked him.

“Count Philippe, why are you here? Didn’t you return to your homeland?”

“Are you still calling me that?”

“……”

“Isn’t Leon a nice name?”

Iscallion leaned towards me and smiled bashfully.

All the other male leads were handsome too (excluding the coal), but only he had that unique, fresh charm of a young boy.

“I’ll think about it.”

“What’s there to think about? You’re an older sister anyway. It’s all good.”

Iscallion tapped my fingernail with his index finger, urging me for an answer.

Although I knew that fingernails don’t have nerves, it felt like all the sensations in my body were concentrated in that tiny fingernail.

“Hm? Lou.”

I felt this before, but he really had a natural talent for flirting with women.

His untamed impulsiveness somehow triggered my maternal instincts. He probably had never experienced love, having fought fiercely to survive since he was young.

‘Well, it’s just a name…’

I easily surrendered.

“Alright, Leon.”

As I stammered out my answer, Iscallion’s smile grew even wider.

“Then when shall we get married?”

“S–”

I almost said ‘soon.’

Realizing I was completely under his influence, I barely regained my composure.

‘Is it okay for a minor to be this provocative?’

He had been like this before, but today Iscallion was unusually assertive.

By now, he must have known that I broke off my engagement with the Crown Prince and became the protagonist of the oracle.

With the obstacles gone, he seemed to think there was nothing to hold him back.

I tried to put on the most mature and solemn expression I could.

‘I am Gined right now. I won’t fall for a minor’s temptation.’

I kept reminding myself.

“What are you talking about? It’s been less than three days since I broke off my engagement.”

“Why does time matter? It’s stranger to nitpick about such things. Hm? Come with me.”

“Unfortunately, I can’t. In case you didn’t know, I’m the protagonist of the oracle. It’s hard for me to leave the country for a while.”

Moreover, I couldn’t trust anything about him yet.

Iscallion, who had briefly looked dejected, soon brightened up.

“Then when circumstances improve, you’re willing to accept me as your husband, right?”

Once again, I almost nodded.

Of course, if I could marry him, I would be grateful.

But only if my safety was guaranteed.

At that moment, the coal, which had been silent until then, strongly objected.

“I can’t listen to this anymore. You will never be her husband, boy. She is my mate.”

“What, what?”

Iscallion looked around, bewildered.

His reaction was not much different from the Crown Prince or Gined.

I decided to introduce the coal to Iscallion as well.

I pointed to the coal on the table.

“This is my mate stone. I got it recently. Isn’t it cute? It can even talk.”

Iscallion frowned deeply and stared at the coal.

“It’s not cute at all.”

“I know your ancestors, descendant of the wolf. The stench of the sins you and your kin committed still lingers.”

For a moment, Iscallion’s eyes flared up fiercely. Meanwhile, the surrounding air grew cold. It was the same chill I had felt the day I first met him.

Now I knew that this sensation was not just a shiver. It was probably his true nature.

“…That’s an interesting thing to say.”

Iscallion muttered darkly.

Suddenly, the atmosphere became tense and sharp, and I was terribly flustered.

‘If I had known it would come to this, I would have brought the necklace or something.’

“Hey, Leon. Don’t mind what the stone says. Sometimes it talks nonsense.”

I pulled the coal towards me, trying to soothe him, fearing he might break it.

“Your food is here.”

The waiter arrived with the food just in time.

“P-please enjoy your meal.”

Sensing the tense atmosphere, the waiter quickly set down the food and hurried away.

I picked up the utensils, pretending everything was fine.

“L-looks delicious. Let’s eat.”

But even then, Iscallion continued to glare menacingly at the coal.

I called him sternly, putting on a brave front.

“Leon.”

I lightly tapped the table with my palm.

Iscallion’s gaze shifted to me.

“The food is here. Don’t frown in front of the food.”

“……”

“Aren’t you going to listen to your sister?”

“Sister?”

Iscallion frowned and tilted his head.