Warmth

Luna has truly grown.

Not only has she mastered knowledge herself, but she has learned how to pass it on, and she does so with a heart that genuinely cares for her students.

That is far rarer and more precious than any mere increase in power.

“You’ve done very well.”

Vivian gave her sincere praise.

“The future of Evernight Academy needs more teachers like you—dedicated and inventive.”

“I’m truly glad you’ve found a calling you love and excel at.”

“Heehee.”

At Vivian’s compliment, Luna’s tail nearly shot skyward with joy.

But she quickly composed herself and answered earnestly.

“It’s all because you gave me the chance and trusted me, Lord Demon Lord!”

“If you hadn’t built the academy and let me try being a teacher, I might never have discovered I could do this…”

“So I will work even harder. I absolutely won’t let you down!”

Her eyes shone with determination, though she still couldned her lips in a tiny pout.

“It’s just… I still really want to stay by your side…”

At that moment, another knock sounded at the door.

Lucia entered with a thick stack of resource-allocation documents needing signatures.

“Yo, busy?”

“Not especially. Just the usual work.”

The frost banshee glanced at the two in the room and spoke.

Vivian answered with a light laugh.

Luna immediately stood up politely.

“I’ll let you work, Lord Demon Lord…”

“Shall I tidy your bookshelf?”

She pointed to the rather disorganized shelf piled high with scrolls and books.

“Mm, go ahead.”

Vivian nodded.

Luna darted over lightly and began sorting with care.

Her movements were gentle and meticulous.

She grouped scattered scrolls by category and straightened leaning books.

She was utterly focused, a faint smile on her lips, as if she were savoring every second.

Vivian skimmed and signed the documents quickly, yet the corner of her eye caught the busy little succubus.

Luna seemed completely immersed in the simple joy of doing something—anything—for her Demon Lord.

It reminded Vivian of the old days, when Luna would eagerly tidy the tent or run messages, expressing her devotion in clumsy but heartfelt ways.

A year had passed, yet some things never changed.

Once the urgent files were handled, Lucia saluted and left.

Only the two of them remained.

Luna had nearly finished the shelf.

She stood on tiptoe, stretching to slide a heavy tome into the top row.

“Need help?”

“No, no! I’ve got it!”

Luna reached higher, wobbling dangerously.

The thick book was about to fall.

Vivian shook her head in amusement.

With a flick of her fingers, a soft strand of shadow mana caught the book and guided it safely into place.

“Thank you, Lord Demon Lord!”

Luna let out a relieved breath, patting her chest, cheeks flushed from the effort.

She returned to the chair, propped her cheeks in her hands, and gazed at Vivian.

“Lord Demon Lord, do you ever get tired handling so many complicated things every day?”

Vivian paused to consider.

Few people asked her that.

Or rather, few dared ask so directly.

“Tired? Of course.”

She answered honestly, glancing at the mountain of scrolls.

“Running a territory—especially one you’re trying to steer onto an entirely new path—is never easy.”

“Every decision can affect thousands of lives. Every step demands careful thought.”

Then her tone softened.

“But never boring.”

“When you see barren land turned into fertile fields because of one policy…”

“When a new workshop rises because of one decision, giving people jobs and goods…”

“When lives once bound and despised gain dignity and hope because of your reforms…”

“That sense of achievement is irreplaceable.”

Her gaze settled warmly on Luna.

“It’s the same feeling you get when a student finally understands because of your teaching—just on a different scale.”

Luna nodded, half-comprehending, eyes filled with admiration.

“I think I get it…”

“You’re educating the entire Evernight Territory in an even grander way. That’s amazing…”

Vivian chuckled and shook her head.

“It’s not that noble. I’m only doing what I believe is right and necessary.”

She glanced at the bright, warm sunlight outside.

Closing the file she had just finished, she turned to Luna.

“Since you’re on holiday and don’t want to idle, how about keeping me company on a walk?”

“I need to inspect the mana-crystal workshop district anyway.”

“Really? Yes!”

Luna practically leapt from the chair, face lighting up with delight, tail wagging happily.

“I’m ready anytime!”

“Then let’s go.”

Vivian stood.

“Wait!”

Luna suddenly remembered something and dashed to the corner.

She picked up a small basket wrapped in a clean cloth—the one she had brought earlier.

“I baked cookies this morning!”

“You can try them on the way, Lord Demon Lord! If you get hungry, they’ll tide you over!”

She offered the basket like a treasure, eyes sparkling with expectation.

Vivian looked at the faintly milk-and-honey-scented cookies—slightly misshapen but clearly made with care—and at Luna’s eager “praise me!” expression.

She smiled softly.

Taking the basket, she unwrapped it and picked up a little bear-shaped cookie.

She bit into it.

Crisp, moderately sweet, with just the right buttery aroma.

Not professional-chef level, but genuinely tasty.

“Mm. Very good.”

Vivian nodded with honest approval.

“Heehee.”

That single sentence made Luna beam as if she’d won the greatest prize in the world, smile blooming like a flower in full sunlight.

“Let’s go, Lord Demon Lord!”

She bounded to the door, unable to wait.

Vivian opened it.

The two left the council hall.

Luna stayed half a step behind and to the side of Vivian—exactly as she always had.

She knew life was busy now.

But to her, even a short time like today at her Demon Lord’s side was the very best kind of holiday.

Vivian walked forward, mind already turning to matters at the workshop district.

Yet whenever her peripheral vision caught the joyful little figure beside her, the corner of her mouth unconsciously curved upward.

That evening, when Vivian returned to her office after the inspection, Luna had already left.

A neatly written note lay on the desk, weighted by a paperweight.

“Lord Demon Lord, thank you for letting me accompany you today! If you liked the cookies, I’ll bake more next time! I have early classes tomorrow, so I’m going back to prepare lessons! —Your ever-loyal Luna.”

Beside the words was a carefully drawn little heart.

Vivian picked up the note, looked at it for a moment, then slipped it into her daily memo book.

She sat back down and returned to the endless work.

Only now, the office still carried the faint sweetness of honey cookies and the unique, gentle warmth that belonged solely to a certain little succubus.