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Edgar looked steadily at Carroll and said calmly, "I can save your daughter."
"But in return, the Star Rabbit clan must submit to me."
Carroll froze for a moment, then dropped to his knees without hesitation.
"My lord, as long as you can save my daughter, I will agree to any condition you set."
"Even if you demand my true name, I will not refuse."
In this world, a demi-human's true name was everything. To know it was to hold their life and death in your hands.
For Carroll to say such words was proof enough of his sincerity.
"I don't need that sort of thing," Edgar said, shaking his head. "Take me to her first."
Why would I want an old man anyway. His daughter is the real deal.
"Yes, my lord."
Carroll immediately rose to his feet and led the way, even upgrading his form of address on the spot. Before leaving, he instructed the servants to properly attend to Eve and the others.
It wasn't long before Edgar saw a large, isolated bedroom ahead.
A stench hit him head-on, a nauseating mix of medicine and decay that made one's stomach churn.
"My lord," Carroll said quietly, sorrow flickering in his eyes, "because of my daughter's illness, the smell in her room is unpleasant. I hope you'll forgive us."
"Don't worry. I won't mind something like that."
Edgar smiled faintly and walked forward without slowing.
Creak.
The door to the bedroom opened, and Edgar finally saw the Star Rabbit princess.
She lay weakly on the bed, crimson eyes dull and unfocused. Her entire body was wrapped in bandages, darkened blood seeping through in places. A pair of white rabbit ears drooped limply over her silver hair, as if they'd lost all vitality.
"Father… you're here."
Sensing someone enter, Lapis spoke in a hoarse voice. When she noticed Edgar, she paused slightly.
"And this is…?"
As Edgar looked at her, realization flashed through his eyes.
This wasn't an illness at all.
She had been poisoned.
It seemed Carroll had been played for a fool by the Demon King all along.
"Come, Lapis," Carroll said, forcing a smile through his grief. "Let me introduce you. This is Lord Edgar. He can cure you."
"R-really?"
Lapis's eyes widened as she looked at Edgar.
"Yes," Edgar said gently, stepping closer and placing his hand on her head. "I can heal you."
Her eyelashes trembled.
How long had it been?
Since falling ill, no one had treated her so gently. Her body smelled awful. Even her father sometimes covered his nose with a handkerchief.
"Mmm…"
Feeling the warmth of Edgar's hand, Lapis's eyes grew moist.
So it's true. Lord Edgar really is a kind person.
Someone like him could be trusted.
Her heart, long sunk into despair, saw light again.
Would she really be saved?
"Lord Edgar," Carroll asked anxiously, "my daughter's illness… can it truly be cured?"
"Relax. There's no problem at all."
Edgar answered casually, took out a drop of Phoenix Tears, and let it fall onto Lapis's body.
Buzz.
A soft glow spread across her, light shimmering over her skin. The swollen wounds began to writhe, healing at a visible pace.
"I… I can see clearly again."
"And… my voice…"
Lapis's face lit up with joy as large tears slid silently down her cheeks.
"It's healed. It's really healed."
After the shock wore off, she broke down into sobs, all the pain and torment she had endured for so long finally pouring out at once.
"Lapis, l-look… look at your wounds," Carroll said urgently.
"Mm."
She nodded and pulled away the bandages, revealing skin as white and smooth as fine jade. Her delicate face was now flushed with healthy color, radiant and full of life.
"It's gone. Everything's gone."
Looking into the mirror, she cried and laughed at the same time.
"This is… this is wonderful."
Carroll collapsed to the floor, tears streaming down his face as well.
"Lapis… you're finally better."
After the overwhelming joy came deep relief.
Thank goodness Lord Edgar was this powerful.
Otherwise, wouldn't he have crushed the only hope of saving his daughter with his own hands?
On the other side, Lapis, her vision fully restored, finally saw Edgar clearly.
Black, tousled hair. Black eyes. A noble presence impossible to put into words.
So… so handsome.
As she looked at him, gratitude in her eyes overflowed into something she couldn't hide.
"Lord Edgar, thank you for saving me. Lapis is willing to give everything to repay this kindness."
Her soft, pale hand gently clasped his.
She really knows what she's doing.
This just got a lot easier.
Holding her hand, Edgar said meaningfully, "Actually, there is something I'd like to discuss with you."
"Ah…"
Feeling his touch, Lapis's ears burned red. Gratitude for saving her life mixed with love at first sight, making her heart race wildly.
Carroll: "..."
What's going on here?
I'm still standing right here. Surely my well-behaved daughter hasn't forgotten that?
Watching the way their eyes met, he had the distinct feeling that his precious cabbage was about to be taken.
No… it wasn't just a feeling.
But he quickly calmed down.
Wait.
This is actually a good thing.
He had already pledged the Star Rabbit clan's submission. If his daughter became Edgar's wife, then everything would truly be secure.
"Ahem… cough, cough."
Carroll cleared his throat. "Lord Edgar, I've just remembered there are some matters I need to attend to. I'll take my leave."
With that, he turned and left, closing the door behind him.
"…Huh."
That move caught even Edgar off guard.
This future bargain-bin father-in-law was way too perceptive.
Originally, with Carroll present, Edgar had planned to slow things down. Doing this in front of her father felt a bit improper.
But now?
Turns out he'd worried for nothing.
Edgar's gaze flickered slightly as he spoke. "Lapis, would you like to become my retainer?"
"Eh?"
She froze. "What does 'retainer' mean?"
"To put it simply," Edgar explained, "it means becoming one of my people."
Keeping her identity as a Star Rabbit, but becoming part of the demon race?
Lapis thought about it quietly.
Yet her heart felt no resistance at all.
Compared to the grace of saving her life, this was nothing.
Still, she hesitated a little. "After becoming a demon… my appearance won't change, right?"
She didn't want to change.
She wanted to give her very best to Lord Edgar.
"Don't worry. You won't change at all."
Hearing that, Lapis nodded without hesitation. "Okay. I want to become a demon."
"Think carefully," Edgar reminded her. "Once you become my retainer, your body, your mind, and your soul will exist only for me."
"Lord Edgar," Lapis said with a gentle smile and a nod, "that's already true for me."
From the moment he saved her…
She had already made her decision.
From now on, she belonged to Lord Edgar.
"..."
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