Our Accidental(?) Ruse

After Roxus put on her house dress and Lucifer put on the clothes that the maids prepared, the three of them returned to gather in the reception room near Roxus's room. As soon as Lucifer entered the room, he immediately approached Roxus and stretched out his hand.

Eoin looked at the two with annoyance and confusion, but remained silent, as Roxus stretched out her left hand.

"Why are you injuring yourself?" asked Lucifer softly.

"That's not a problem. As you can see, my wound has completely healed," Roxus said softly.

"Ahem," Eoin cut their conversation quickly.

There was silence again.

Slowly, Lucifer knelt in front of Eoin, making Eoin furrow his brows again. A young man with long straight brown hair who was now neatly dressed with a capable aura knelt before him. "My name is Lucius. I am an Outlander who entered the Kingdom of Bertia five years ago," said Lucifer.

Even though he and Roxus hadn't discussed his background information in detail, that didn't mean they had never faked his background information before. "It was my fault, breaking through the Croix Residence mindlessly in despair after being badly injured. The moment I felt I was on the threshold of death, Lady Croix's face popped into my mind and for some reason, my leg that wobbled unconsciously brought me here," said Lucifer seriously.

"Please don't blame Lady Croix. Of she just saved the life of an insignificant man like me. If anyone has to be punished then it must be me," said Lucifer.

"Of course," said Eoin, speaking firmly. "An anonymous man barged into Count Croix's only daughter's room. This will not be tolerated even if the situation is as you have explained," the man continued.

"Father, in despair, we can't control what we're going to do. Especially on the doorstep of death, what Master Luc was doing could easily be forgiven, right? As of me? Not. This is all my fault. If only last night I didn't panic and tried to help Master Luc alone and called Father so that Master Luc could be treated by a real doctor—"

"…how could Lady Croix say that? I really would have died if Lady Croix had not treated my wound last night. If Lady Croix called the doctor, I would be dead before the doctor arrived."

The maids and aides who were listening seemed dissatisfied with Eoin's decision. If Lucifer and Roxus told the truth, then no one should be punished.

Eoin sighed. "Are you two finished?" the man asked irritably. His beloved daughter and an unknown man are arguing to save each other in front of him.

"I will not impose any punishment," said Eoin quietly. "But an engaged woman like you shouldn't have a relationship with a young man other than your fiancé, Roxus," continued Eoin.

Roxus looked away, and Eoin quickly noticed the change in expression on her daughter's face. "Can we, Master Luc and I, talk together for a moment, Father? There is something I have to discuss with Master Luc before we let him go," Roxus said in a soft voice.

With doubt, Eoin sighed and waved his hand. "Go. Speak up."

The maids and guards followed Eoin out of the room. Lucifer stood up, looking at Roxus seriously. As soon as everyone left the room, Roxus looked back at Lucifer.

"Is this because of your power?" Roxus asked.

"Looks like it's true," replied Lucifer.

Roxus nodded. "The contract between us," Roxus smiled softly and took Lucifer's hand. "Looks like it's finished," said Roxus.

"We still don't know what happened, but you decided on something like that?" asked Lucifer. "It is true that now, you have returned to a time where you and your brother, and your entire family are still happy. Moreover, now I have also returned to being a human. If we talk about contracts, then it is true that all the objectives of our contract have been achieved."

"So you don't know what happened?" Roxus asked.

Lucifer shook his head. "Time repeating itself is indeed the result of my power, but turning back time is an exclusive contract. Even for the gods, that have to be paid for with thousands of souls, including the contractor's soul. But you, my contractor, are not dead. So this is not possible," explained Lucifer.

"Then, aren't you back as a human now? Didn't you sacrifice your identity as a devil, Lucifer?" Roxus asked.

"I don't even know if it can be done. The Human-Demon contract is a strict contract with clear rules. Nothing like this had happened before—considering that I am one of the Archdemons who makes rules related to contracts."

The two of them stared at each other once again.

"Could this have something to do with 'that woman'?" asked Lucifer.

"Right. That woman has continued to mess up my life without realizing what she was doing. And right after we killed her, time was turned back," Roxus muttered.

"Time is playing back... did the Gods interfere?" muttered Lucifer.

Roxus furrowed her brows. "Why did the Gods interfere with our contract?" she asked.

Lucifer smiled. "The gods are always looking for ways to interfere with human life, through their loved ones, and through the 'miracle' they give after a human has proven themselves to them," the man smiled with irritated veins popping up his neck, and spoke in a very quiet tone.

"So, what date is it, Lucifer?" Roxus asked.

"7th day of the 3rd month, 341st year of the Rotund Empire. Earlier when the maids helped me get dressed, they said that you are 21 years old now. Hmm, let's say that I'm several years older than you?" asked Lucifer.

"So, this is the day I find out that my fiancé, Hamlet Ariaster has a relationship with that woman behind me," Roxus smiled.

"I understand. If that woman also returns to the past like the two of us, then your current situation is better than her situation," continued Lucifer.

The two of them returned their eyes at each other.

"Thanks for everything, Lucifer," said Roxus. "I will order John to give you some money. Now that you are a human, it would be better if you immediately found a job."

"Yes. Goodbye,"

The two of them shook hands.

The door opened quickly.

"I can't leave the two of you any longer," Eoin said breathlessly. He saw Roxus and Lucifer who were shaking hands formally.

"I'll call John and give you some money. Thank you for the important information you have given me, Master Luc," Roxus said softly.

"Nice to do business with you, Lady Croix," Lucifer smiled back at Roxus in the same manner.

Eoin cleared his throat.

Lucifer bowed towards Eoin. "Thank you for your understanding, Lord Croix," said the man.

But when he was about to leave, his sleeves were caught by Roxus' fingers. "Master Luc," she called softly.

"Yes, My Lady?" Lucifer's response.

"Come to the Croix Household if you need help or anything. We will try our best to help you," said Roxus.

Lucifer and Eoin froze. Roxus did not look like a woman so beautiful that everyone would stop to watch her as she walked. She is also 'not good' at make-up and has innocent narrow eyes. At first glance, her face was not as beautiful as her mother's—so much more like her father's. But today, for some reason Roxus looks so fresh and charming. Her eyelids fell at the right moment, and as soon as she blinked, her innocent and shaded eyes sparkled beautifully towards Lucifer.

"Be careful wherever you go, Master Luc. I hope we can meet again."

Lucifer smiled. His bond with the contractor has indeed been honed over the years. With a young woman who summoned him, a Demon Lord to fulfil both of their wishes. "It would be best if we didn't meet again, Lady Croix. What will the world say if a lady like you befriends a human who lives in the shadows like me?"

"But Master Luc, after meeting with me and my father, you can leave your dangerous job and we can find a job for you that is more suitable for someone with a good heart like you. Don't you want to reconsider my offer?" Roxus asked.

Lucifer raised an eyebrow. It seems, this smart contractor thought of another way out for the two of them. And now, in front of Eoin, he couldn't speak freely considering that he had to play a role to maintain their status quo. He always felt satisfied working with Roxus because this woman always knew the way out of every situation.

When Roxus summoned him in the Demon-Human contract ritual, Roxus did the same thing—trick him into getting what she wanted. Currently, Luc has become a human. It could be said that Roxus, who had succeeded in tricking him, who was still a demon, is now in a more favourable situation than he is now.

Eoin saw the two young people in front of him. Never before had he seen his always level-headed daughter act like this. It was as if Roxus was experiencing an event once in her lifetimes called falling in love.

It wasn't just Eoin who saw the situation in the same way. The maids, butlers, and aides who witnessed also suspected the same thing. Lucifer and Roxus' gestures look like those of two lovebirds who are in love with each other, but know that their love will never be possible.

"Lady Croix..." Lucifer spoke as if he was trying to restrain himself.

"Roxus is right. Croix Household hasn't raised an Honorable Knight for the past 7 years. Master Lucius, if you feel that your abilities are sufficient, please come to the Croix County's Knight Captain to be selected as the new Honorable Knight," said Eoin.

Hearing that, a dazzling aura emitted from Roxus's figure. The young woman seemed to agree with Eoin's words with all her soul. "Ah, but," Roxus tilted her face with a disappointed smile. "We can't force Master Luc."

Roxus removed her fingers from Lucifer's sleeve. Lucifer, who noticed the change in Roxus's expression wasn't just acting alone, unconsciously sighed. He is a demon older than this world. How could he be fooled by a human girl like Roxus?

So he decided to lead Roxus to a minefield.

"In that case, is Lady Croix willing to cancel the engagement and accept my feelings?"

It's quiet. This time, the silence that occurred because of a question was shocking.

"Lady Croix, we promised not to let this drag on. Lady Croix said that you loved Lord Ariaster, so why does Lady keep stopping me from going?" asked Lucifer coldly.

"Wha—?" even Eoin was at a loss for words.

It's just that, as soon as Lucifer saw the thin, sly smile on Roxus' seducing lips, Lucifer realized that it's not Roxus who is now in the minefield, but himself.

.