Betrayed, I Met The Demon Lord

Chapter 131 - SIDE: Ami

Ami is the daughter of a powerful queen from the Feline-Halfling Tribe, and the youngest of eleven siblings.

Roughly eight years ago, Van arrived at their homeland—not as a threat, but with an outrageous proposal to the queen. Amused by his boldness and intrigued by his skill, the queen spared him. He was allowed to stay.

Over time, Ami and her siblings bonded with him. Van became a part of their family—not by blood, but by time and fire.

But the peace didn't last.

The queen was overthrown and executed.

The royal children were scattered, exiled, hunted.

Ami fled to the Capital and worked as Galdo's Tavern's hand; posing as a human.

To this day, Ami doesn't know who survived... and who didn't.

Galdo's Tavern.

Ami moved swiftly between the tables, taking orders with meticulous care and delivering them just as efficiently. Smiling, always smiling, as if it came easy.

From the kitchen, Galdo watched her. Blankly. Quietly. She worked like that all day—until evening turned to night, and the tavern began to clear out.

"Brat. You're done for today," Galdo said, wiping his rough palms and folding a towel neatly on the counter. "Get some rest. I'll even throw in a little extra."

"What are you saying, Galdo?" she replied, smiling as she scrubbed a dish. "There's still more to wash."

"...Tomorrow's a day off," he said, quieter now.

"I know. But wouldn't it be nice if everything was clean? That way, you wouldn't have to wake up early to wash dishes on the weekend," she said, still smiling. "Besides... I love working here."

"Not this hard, you don't."

Her smile faltered.

"This is the third week in a row," he added, voice firmer. "I can see the bags under yer eyes. This is a direct order from your boss. Take the night off. And tomorrow too."

"I... alright. You're so persistent," she chuckled softly. "I have such a persistent boss."

She took a plate out of the water and—without thinking—tossed it in the trash.

...That doesn't go there, Galdo thought, walking over and retrieving it with quiet calm. He placed it back in the wash basin.

"Good night, Galdo!" she called, leaving her apron behind and heading for the door.

"...Brat."

The word froze her mid-step, though she didn't turn around.

"I was wrong about that guy, okay?" Galdo muttered. "It was my bad, badmouthing him like I did. Guess I'm getting senile—can't sense people like I used to."

She shivered.

"Van attacked you," she said quietly. Her voice cracked with a nervous laugh. "You weren't wrong. He didn't come back because he knows he's guilty. He's a bastard, like you said...!"

She clenched her fists.

"If that's what ya' think," Galdo sighed. "Better than blaming yourself. Which is what I was worried about."

She flinched again.

Three weeks ago. That last moment. The look she gave him as he let go of Galdo's throat.

Just for a flicker, she caught it—how deeply it shook Van to see fear in her eyes when she looked at him.

"If that's all," she said softly, hand on the door.