All Celia wanted was to make tasty sandwiches for a friend's baby shower. When her cooking endeavors summon a demon in her kitchen, Celia thinks sending him back to his home will be the end of their story and that she'll be able to return to her mun...
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When I awoke it was to a pillow in my arms and a few blankets draped over me. The scent if hyacinths filled my senses, reminding me where I was. Celia's house. I cautiously sat up and looked around but the woman in question was nowhere to be found. A disappointed sigh escaped me.
I carefully stood, grimacing. Sleeping on the floor wasn't the best idea I'd had in the past century or two. Looking around, I found a sheet of paper lying on the coffee table.
Tsukiyo,
You seemed exhausted, so I thought I'd let you sleep. I hope you don't mind. I had to go to work, but I left some breakfast in the kitchen for you if you want it. I'm not a very good cook though so I understand if you don't.
Um... Thanks for taking me out last night. I enjoyed dinner, and I'm sorry I made it awkward.
"You're awake now?" Mayar trotted in.
"Why aren't you with Celia?" I gave him sharp look. "She's to be protected at all times, understand?"
"Your sister is watching her." Mayar glanced toward the kitchen. "If you won't eat your breakfast, I will."
"...it's MINE," I growled, stalking toward the kitchen. Sure enough, Celia had plated breakfast and left it in the refrigerator for me. She had even put a little note on it with my name. "I want to destroy the Nightingale Family."
"That's nothing new." Mayar tilted his head.
"I can't forgive them for their treatment of my people and the other Underrealm races." I shook my head and placed the plate in the microwave. "But...breaking even their offspring? I will never understand why powerful humans fail to cherish their families."
"And before you know it, Celia will be gone like all the rest," Mayar pointed out, sending a spike of pain through my heart. "Even if her family doesn't kill her, humans don't live long. Or do you intend to do something about that when you hardly know her?"
"I..." I fell silent as Celia's delicate features, deep rose gold hair, and pale blue eyes flashed through my mind. What would it take to make her smile? The moment even a small one began to form in her lips, she always chased it away.
"You are hopeless." Mayar sighed. "I'm going to take myself out for a walk."
I shook my head and settled in for breakfast, choosing to make myself some tea to accompany it. Though she claimed to be an awful cook, the sandwich she had shared with me before, and now the breakfast she had left me, were both fantastic. The depth of flavors, the complementary undertones, even the plating were all wonderful. I had to wonder if her family was to blame for her lack of confidence, or if perhaps it was Emily's 'friends' who were at fault. Celia's insistence that she was an atrocious cook had to stem from something.
Once finished, I cleaned my dishes and put them away before striding through the human's house. There was a glimmer of magic somewhere inside, pulling at me. Though it didn't seem malicious, I found it strange that the 'powerless' woman had something truly magical lurking in her house. I hesitated outside her bedroom door for a split second before opening it and striding in. Plain at first glance, the room's walls were a deep blue as was the velvet upholstery. I saw no artwork, and there were only a few important pieces of furniture in her room—a bed, a nightstand, and a dresser. There wasn't room for much else.
