The Silly Father

Inside the tent, time seemed to freeze for several seconds.

Lucia stood rigid as if struck by a bolt of Holy Light.

Her captivating eyes widened to perfect circles, staring fixedly at the tiny bundle in Vivian’s arms—who slept soundly, lips unconsciously pursing in little mumbles.

Her mouth hung slightly open, as if to speak, but no sound emerged—only a faint, choking gasp from her throat.

“M-my… daughter???”

Lucia repeated the words with difficulty, as if they were foreign. She even raised a hand to rub her eyes, suspecting some grave illusion. The gesture looked absurdly comical on an “angel.”

The gentle glow enveloping Lucia flickered erratically with her emotions, like a faulty bulb.

“What else?”

Vivian watched Lucia completely dumbfounded, her mischievous satisfaction nearly overflowing. Even the pent-up gloom of recent days dissipated.

She spoke deliberately lightly, with a teasing edge: “By timing, when she was conceived, we were both very much alive. Or has the great Lady Lucia forgotten even the key parts of such… intimate contact?”

She emphasized “intimate contact,” a playful smirk on her lips.

“N-no! I-I just…”

Lucia’s cheeks flushed visibly—subtle, but her flustered, helpless demeanor betrayed her completely.

She waved her hands frantically, eyes darting, utterly lacking the composure and confidence from discussing her power earlier. More like a little girl caught red-handed.

“I… no! How is this possible… I remember! But those times were just… playing around, right?”

Lucia looked utterly confused.

In her fragmented memories, her relationship with Vivian during the castle captivity had been complicated, tangled in ways hard to define. But jumping straight to “having a child”—the leap was too vast for her brain to process.

“Just playing around?”

Vivian snorted, adjusting her hold to make Luna more comfortable. “So you don’t believe me? Or do you think I, the grand Demon Lord of Evernight, would randomly claim a daughter for fun?”

She glanced down at Luna, her gaze softening unconsciously. “Besides, look at her eyes, her hair color… Doesn’t she resemble you?”

As if confirming her mother’s words, little Luna in her sleep sensed a familiar, comforting presence. She drowsily opened her eyes.

Blinking warm, pure amethyst-like orbs, first in confusion, then curiously at the distant “large light source” radiating warmth.

“Eee… ya?”

Luna let out a muffled syllable. Far from showing fear or discomfort like other demon young upon sensing light, she reached out chubby hands toward Lucia, a sweet, toothless smile blooming on her face.

This scene was the final straw, shattering Lucia’s psychological defenses.

That wondrous blood-bound connection, those beautiful, clear eyes identical to her own, the child’s instinctive closeness without rejection… All of it left no room for doubt.

“She… she really…”

Lucia instinctively stepped forward, movements stiff yet careful.

She reached out, wanting to touch Luna.

But just before brushing the tender cheek, she yanked back as if scalded, fearing her light might harm the child.

“It’s fine.”

Vivian saw her concern, her tone softening. “Didn’t you find your own light? Your ‘new light’ is gentle. Luna doesn’t reject it—and… she’s our child. Some special resistance is normal.”

She said it matter-of-factly, urging Lucia to look properly at their daughter.

With “permission,” the former strongest Hero gathered courage, fingertips brushing Luna’s little hand with extreme gentleness.

Far from pulling away, Luna giggled, grasping Lucia’s finger tightly with her tiny hand.

Lucia stiffened. An indescribable warmth surged through her entire body.

Looking at Luna’s innocent smile, the little hand clutching her finger, all doubt, shock, and confusion melted into a surging, unfamiliar emotion—inescapable love born of blood.

Only now did Lucia truly accept that the child before her was hers, hers and Vivian’s daughter.

“She… her name is Luna?”

Lucia’s voice was a soft whisper, eyes glued to her daughter, unwilling to look away for a moment.

“Yes, Luna.”

Vivian nodded, watching Lucia completely “captured” by their daughter—silly dad, or rather, another silly mom. She felt both amused and exasperated.

Who would’ve thought the Hero of Light, who once made demons flee at the sight of her sword, had this side?

“Beautiful name…”

Lucia murmured. She tried gently stroking Luna with her other hand, that light blending Vivian and Lucia enveloping mother and child in her unique gentleness.

“Is… is she usually good? What does she like to eat? Does she… hate light?”

She began asking a string of trivial yet caring questions, like a true parent.

Vivian patiently answered.

“Mostly good, just cries when hungry or wet. Can eat soft foods now—maybe due to demon blood, she grows fast.”

“Not too averse to light, quite interested in shiny things.”

Vivian spoke while observing Lucia’s reactions.

The new “mom” listened intently, nodding occasionally, eyes filled with wonder and near-reverent focus.

However, overflowing maternal love soon brought the first practical issue.

“Um… Vivian.”

Lucia suddenly spoke awkwardly, eyes shifting.

“Is she… due for a diaper change?”

She keenly sensed the little one squirming uncomfortably.

Vivian: ……

She looked down—sure enough, Luna’s tiny brows furrowed slightly, signaling trouble.

“You’re quite observant.”

Vivian raised a brow, teasing. “What, is our great Hero planning to handle diaper duty personally?”

Vivian was naturally experienced, but this was Lucia’s first time.

Thus, a small scheme stirred in Vivian’s heart.

At Vivian’s words, Lucia blushed deeper, but her eyes were resolute: “I… I can learn! Tell me how!”

She looked gravely prepared for a life-defining challenge—as if facing a Demon Lord.

Thus, a bizarre scene unfolded in the tent.

The Demon Lord of Evernight, Vivian, like a seasoned parenting mentor, directed a haloed “angel” with radiant wings—flustered and fumbling—to change a baby’s diaper.

“No! Not like that! Support her waist and bottom first!”

“Hey! The strap doesn’t go there!”

“Gentler! You tying a prisoner?”

Lucia was so nervous she’d sweat—if angels could.

Those hands once rock-steady, wielding peerless swordsmanship and Holy Light, now clumsy as sticks. It took Vivian’s exasperated guidance and demonstration to barely complete the “arduous task.”

Lucia exhaled long, a relieved yet accomplished silly grin on her face.

In this moment, she felt more exhausted than winning a fierce battle, toppling a Demon Lord—yet far more fulfilled.

“Turns out being a mom is harder than being a Hero.”

She wiped nonexistent sweat, sighing sincerely.

Vivian couldn’t help rolling her eyes: “Nonsense. You think raising a child is playing house?”

The following time became Lucia’s “New Mom Crash Course.”

Vivian, with a mix of “enjoying the show” and “she must experience parenting hardship,” began teaching various child-rearing skills: proper holding to avoid discomfort, discerning hunger from sleepiness, even humming demon-specific lullabies with eerie yet hypnotic rhythms.

Lucia learned diligently, like the most studious pupil, but occasionally asked questions that left Vivian torn between laughter and tears:

“Vivian, she just blew bubbles at me—is that happiness? Or a sign of magical talent?”

“She grabbed my hair! Should I release a bit of Holy Light to make her let go?”

“This lullaby tune… hmm, unique. Kinda like the start of our Church’s low-tier demon exorcism chant…”

“Vivian… just shut up!”

The atmosphere between them, through interactions centered on Luna, unknowingly softened greatly.

The former enmity, schemes, hatred between demon and human seemed diluted by this tiny life.

Of course, Vivian didn’t forget to maintain her “dominant” stance.

“Remember, Lucia.”

After Luna was lulled back to sleep, Vivian crossed her arms, striking a Demon Lord pose. “Here, I am Luna’s mother.”

“Then… what about me?”

Lucia pointed at her own cheek, curious.

“You… at best a ‘special advisor’ or ‘honorary parent.’”

Vivian huffed. “Primary child-rearing is my job. You learn, assist, and… provide necessary ‘security’ when needed, plus watch her when I’m too busy. Got it?”

“Hey~ fine.”

Lucia watched Vivian’s expression—clearly enjoying bossing her around yet pretending seriousness—and couldn’t help chuckling softly.

She nodded, gazing tenderly at their daughter in the cradle, then at Vivian, sincerely saying: “But anyway, thank you, Vivian… thank you for taking such good care of her.”

This thanks caught Vivian off guard. She turned away uncomfortably: “Hmph, no need for your thanks. She’s my daughter; of course I’ll care for her.”