DSB 162
“Why?”
Even though Lebel was not in Yutis’s memory, he must have unconsciously missed him. He could not bring himself to harm him, who had appeared in the form of a demon. He had even tried to hold him back as he was about to leave.
“Even ordinary humans cannot adapt to the Demon Realm; did you think you, reborn as an angel, could? Besides, don’t you dread changing your form? If you go to the Demon Realm now, you won’t be able to maintain that form. Your vessel in the Celestial Realm…”
“That is all old talk. And if my wife is by my side, what does that matter…”
He had told him that even that form was lovely.
“Even if my vessel is the problem, preventing me from seeing my wife for a hundred years is a completely different matter.”
Michael looked at Yutis without saying a word.
“You were reincarnated as an angel. You have lived in the Celestial Realm for a hundred years. Life here isn’t bad…”
“There is no reason for me to be here without my wife.”
“Even if the way you remember him and what he is now are completely different?”
“Nothing has changed.”
It certainly wasn’t the appearance Yutis knew. There was a reason Lebel had been so confident when he had said his human shell was different from when he had been a demon. Even so, the Lebel he loved hadn’t changed. As proof of that…
“He is still lovely and beautiful.”
Yutis whispered softly as he recalled the Lebel from moments ago. He didn’t even notice Michael frowning slightly. Then, he raised his head to face Michael.
“Please tell me how to get to the Demon Realm. If you don’t, I will go find a way on my own.”
“Lord Michael, do you understand what Yutis is saying right now? A wife?”
The angels who were close to Yutis looked back and forth between the two with wide eyes. They were unable to interrupt the conversation with Michael, but when the Demon Realm was mentioned, they couldn’t help but ask.
“I have to go to the Demon Realm, to my wife’s side.”
“D-Demon Realm?”
As long as Lebel was a demon, even if he himself was an angel, he had to go to the Demon Realm to live with him. Just as Lebel had once come to the North, now it was simply his turn to go to the Demon Realm.
“If you know how to get to the Demon Realm, I wish you would tell me.”
“Wait. I promised to take you to him the moment your memories returned. I have confirmed that neither you nor he have changed their minds…”
Michael was regretful, but Yutis’s expression brightened.
Michael wanted him to stay in the Celestial Realm. However, now that he had regained his memories, he could not stop him from going to Lebel.
“Thank you for taking care of me all this time when I knew nothing. Though I cannot understand why you didn’t tell me about my memories.”
Michael let out a hollow laugh, but that was his human side. He was only gentle in front of Lebel; he was not someone who bowed his head before other beings.
“You don’t know where Lebel is. Follow me.”
Yutis ignored the murmuring coming from behind him. He could meet him. He would go to meet him. A warm, fuzzy feeling spread through his body, and a bright light wrapped around him. When he opened his eyes, he found himself standing in a place resembling a castle.
A world where a dark, red moon existed, the exact opposite of the Celestial Realm. Instead of the white, glittering palace, it was a castle reeking of an eerie atmosphere.
More importantly, he could feel the presence of Lebel.
Just then, a figure approached to block Yutis’s path.
“What? How dare an angel enter Lord Lebel’s territory? Where did you come from? I didn’t sense anything until just now.”
The figure held a massive axe in one hand. He breathed roughly, like an angry bull.
“I have come to see… Lord Lebel.”
“Hmph, you’ve got guts. How dare you call his name?!”
The giant axe sliced through the air and aimed at Yutis. He needed to quickly meet his wife and tell him that he remembered, that he was sorry, and that he still loved him, but the figure blocking his path exuded a menacing aura.
“Could you step aside?”
“An angel giving orders to a demon? I only obey Lord Lebel’s commands!”
Although he knew that this was a demon serving Lebel, there was no time to persuade the being before him right now. Yutis, watching the axe blade that looked ready to strike at any moment, prepared to raise his sword.
Just as Lebel had suffered hardships upon arriving in the North, he thought this was a hardship he had to overcome himself.
“Wait!!”
At that moment, a man rushed out of the castle in a panic.
“What are you trying to do!”
“…Huh? I was trying to deal with an intruder…”
“Are you insane? Have you lost your mind?!”
The gatekeeper froze. Though he didn’t understand the reason, he obediently slammed the axe down when the man scolded him. Yutis, who had been staring at the man, shifted his gaze toward his head and lower back. As he looked at his twitching ears and luscious tail, he felt as though he was about to remember something.
“Karon?”
Upon hearing Yutis’s words, the man turned his head around. His fierce glare only made Yutis more certain. He looked at Yutis from head to toe.
“So you are an angel now.”
With a face full of annoyance, he even clicked his tongue in disapproval.
“Have you finally regained your memory?”
Yutis nodded silently and, declaring there was no time to waste, began to move. As he watched Yutis confidently attempt to enter the castle, Karon let out a hollow laugh and shouted.
“Hey! Do you know where Lord Lebel is before you go?”
“Because I can sense his demonic energy thanks to becoming an angel.”
He just had to follow the demonic energy that exuded the most dangerous aura in this castle. The terrifying aura that had felt so menacing was only a reflection of sorrow.
“Do you know how long Lord Lebel has been waiting for you? You insisted on coming to find him yourself, yet you didn’t even remember! That is why Lord Lebel…”
“I know. I know everything. That is why I am on my way to see my wife.”
Yutis’s pace quickened. In an instant, he stood before a room. Karon also stood tall beside Yutis.
Yutis took a deep breath in front of the door where Lebel was certain to be. He recalled Lebel having arrived with such high spirits only to be heartlessly rejected. And yet, he had come back shamelessly after only just remembering.
Just then, Karon opened the door and kicked Yutis inside.
“Get in already! Go in and comfort Lord Lebel!”
Yutis was flustered, but his heart ached when he saw the desolate bedroom. It showed the years he had spent alone. And a small mountain of blankets rose up on the spacious bed. The air in the room was heavy with gloom.
“Karon, I told you not to come into the room…”
“My wife.”
The blankets were thrown back as soon as he heard those words. Lebel revealed himself. His disheveled hair and bloodshot eyes were visible. He had acted as if nothing had happened when they parted, but his expression showed he was hurt.
Was he crying alone?
Yutis took a short breath and walked toward the bed. Each step felt heavy. Even as Lebel watched Yutis, he couldn’t believe his eyes.
“Yutis, why are you….”
“Why won’t you call me ‘My dear’?”
“You… your memory….”
“Yes, I remember. I am truly sorry….”
Before he could finish his sentence, Lebel jumped out of the bed and hugged Yutis tightly. Tight enough to suffocate him.
Yutis also hugged him back and smiled softly. It was a familiar yet different feeling. Lebel’s voice grew menacing when he noticed the reaction.
“…Don’t tell me you don’t like this body?”
Yutis recalled that when Lebel appeared before him, he had been concerned about his appearance.
“Haha, of course not. No matter what you look like, you are still my wife. That is why my memories must have come back to me after seeing you.”
Lebel let out a chuckle.
“Did you remember everything?”
“Yes. I am truly sorry. You came to see me, and I…”
“It is fine now that you remember everything.”
“But…”
Yutis wrapped his trembling hand around Lebel’s neck. He could not forgive his own arm for having pointed his sword toward him, even though it had been ab unsuccessful attempt.
“I almost hurt you.”
“…Hmm? When?”
Lebel tilted his head, claiming he had absolutely no memory of it. To Lebel, who had regained his demon body, Yutis’s warning couldn’t have been considered a threat.
“As long as you’re fine, that’s enough. Of course, I cannot forgive myself…”
“Since I have forgiven you, that is enough. Will you stay by my side now?”
“Of course.”
As if to say it was all done, Lebel smiled. It made Yutis smile even more because he looked no different than before.
“You were right. Your form as a demon is dignified and manly. Most of all, you look healthy.”
“I told you. How many times have I said that…”
“You look handsome, my wife.”
Just as Lebel had once kissed Yutis while telling him he looked handsome, Yutis gently kissed Lebel’s lips. And as he was about to pull away, it was Lebel who grabbed him.
“Let’s do more. I’ve been starving for a hundred years.”
At those words, Yutis laughed and hugged Lebel tightly.
“I love you.”
“I know.”
< End of Side Story >
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