Betrayed, I Met The Demon Lord

Chapter 73 - Magus Veil, Part 3

"So, you're into Lala, right?" Magus asked abruptly, draping an arm over Fohrd's shoulder.

Fohrd stiffened, his gaze darting away as a blush crept across his face. Sweat beaded at his temples. "I-I don't know what... you mean... I just... uh... like being around her, is all."

"Come on, come on!" Magus whispered playfully, giving him a friendly shake. "It's written all over your face, man. You don't even need to say it."

Fohrd looked down, his shoulders slumping under the weight of Magus's words. "What... What do you want, Magus?"

Magus tilted his head, studying him. 'Is he really that sensitive to teasing?' He thought, amused but curious.

"Relax, buddy," Magus reassured him with a light pat on the back. "I'm just gonna set you two up, that's all."

"W-what!?" Fohrd whipped his head toward him, excitement bubbling to the surface, quickly overshadowed by overwhelming anxiety. His voice cracked, his words spilling out in a tangled mess.

"Nononononono! It won't work! I-I mean, sure, the thought might've crossed my mind at some point, but... me and L-Lala as a c-couple!?" Fohrd visibly trembled, his imagination running wild—romantic walks, awkward dates, and... holding hands.

"Holding hands!" he gasped aloud, as if the mere thought was scandalous. "Noooooo, it'll never work out!" he wailed, shaking Magus off like a wet dog.

Magus chuckled, effortlessly catching him again. "Aww, come on! You'll be all lovey-dovey! Hand holding, sweet kisses—"

Fohrd's expression shifted mid-frolic. A flicker of something darker passed over his face, too quick for Magus to catch. "Besides..." he murmured, voice quiet and resigned.

Magus raised a curious eyebrow. "...?"

"Miss Brimmen... s-she..." Fohrd swallowed hard, his voice dropping to a near-whisper. "Doesn't she... like you?"

Magus exhaled, dragging a hand through his hair. 'Ah, I guess she does hug me a lot... but seriously, friends hug each other. He sighed inwardly. Man, what a pain it must be to be a virgin, worrying about every little thing like this.'

"I'll admit," Magus began, releasing his hold on Fohrd and stepping back, meeting his hesitant gaze. "I know I've got some... influence on girls. Surely, you've noticed that too?" he muttered, watching as Fohrd flinched slightly at the words.

"But," Magus exhaled, "It's on me to decide how to use that... talent. And I never, not once, saw Lala that way. It's not like I need another doll or..."

"A... doll?" Fohrd repeated, confusion sharpening his voice. "What do you mean by that?"

"A-ah, forget it. Just a figure of speech." Magus raised his hand between them, brushing the comment aside with practiced ease. "Anyway," he continued, recovering quickly, "as far as Lala goes, I know girls, and I know she doesn't think of me like that. Honestly, I feel more like her older brother than anything else. So, don't worry—leave it all to me. You don't even have to lift a finger!" Magus grinned, his tone light.

'It's true. I'm THAT charming—she'll listen to me. I'll persuade her to be with him. And besides, Lala isn't like all the others. We're friends. Friends work differently.' He rationalized.

"I... don't have to do anything?" Fohrd repeated slowly, unease creeping into his voice. "I don't know, Magus... This doesn't feel right."

"Why?" Magus snapped, sharper than intended, "This is the least I can do for a friend. Sure, I might be all-powerful and irresistible," he added with a smug grin, "but it's not like I'm heartless. Just trust me—sit tight, and she'll come running to you," Magus assured, waving dismissively as he turned on his heel to leave.