TDATD

XlV

☆ ★ ✮ ★𖡼𖤣𖥧𖡼𓋼𖤣𖥧𓋼𓍊☆ ★ ✮ ★

The bird spotted Judith and cried out to the point her ears turned red. From the sound, Derrick turned his head to her. His eyes became gentle as though he wasn’t a merciless man who swooped down and ravaged her last night.

“You’re awake? Come here.”

Judith walked to him, putting a hand over her sore waist. A small letter was in Derrick’s hand, and he merely folded it and placed it down on the desk without much thought. Derrick’s gaze reached her waist.

“Does it hurt that much?”

“That is right. Even though I am standing properly, it is killing me.”

“Really? Then should I embrace you?”

Judith was dumbfounded from his mischievous words and glared at him. Suddenly, Derrick reached out and placed his hands on her waist. Not being able to tell his intentions, Judith felt hesitant in the uncomfortable position. Right from his palm, a dark yet beautifully radiant light flowed out and permeated through her waist.

“What did you do? Just now…?”

Despite her confusion, Judith’s eyes widened upon realizing that the throbbing pain on her waist disappeared immediately.

“Does it still hurt now?”

Perched on the windowsill, he asked her with his arms crossed, grinning mischievously as though he was certain. At last, Judith realized that he had used his magic on her.

Surprised by his magical powers, she turned to the continuous flapping of wings she felt beside her, causing her to be startled. It was because the color of the black bird’s eyes was scarlet as if they were made from hardened blood. Looking at them, she was reminded of how Derrick’s irises had the same colour all night long.

“By any chance… does this bird have something to do with what you said about ‘devils’?”

“That’s correct. It’s a magical beast that I have summoned.”

The bird flapped its wings once more to remind them of its existence before rubbing its head against Derrick’s large hand. It was a charming gesture like it was recognizing its master. Judith didn’t feel any fear despite the words ‘magical beasts’ being mentioned and was even a little relaxed with the scene right in front of her, as if the creature was nothing more than a typical bird. Her former fear transformed into a faint curiosity. Judith gulped and asked.

“… May I touch it?”

Derrick nodded without hesitation.

TN: after last night, you wanna make her your wife officially now, do you?

PR: grrr bark bark arf arf

Encouraged by his permission, Judith stretched out her hand towards the bird. She was worried that it might peck her hand with its beak at any moment due to its large build and scarlet eyes. Contrary to her worries, the bird gently accepted Judith’s hand. It also rubbed its head against her slender fingers like it did to Derrick.

“You’re a picky chap, but you seem to like her.”

Derrick, who was watching the scene, said, chuckling.

Judith, who was carefully caressing the bird, was surprised and ducked her head like a turtle as a hand suddenly wrapped around her waist. Something rubbed on the nape of her neck before she could straighten her faltering body. It was after a little while when she realized that it was Derek’s nose.