Riestallia Academy’s Ancient Library.

Located at the heart of the main campus building, it was frequented by many students with research papers to complete. While skimming through books to find information rarely had anything to do with students of the enforcer course, it wasn’t the same for other faculties.

Today, Sequence and Evelyn were in the library. Using a private space exclusive to royalty, the two of them buried themselves in their book.

It had been an hour since they came here.

Evelyn needed to search for materials on the pathology of certain bodily diseases and the operational methods of treatment. She had a paper she needed to complete.

Meanwhile, Sequencee had multiple books about magic formulas and spells laid before him. Yet, he had touched none of them. In secret, those were just decorations, and he was reading a book about managing a harem under the table.

On the surface, they came to the library with their individual agendas they needed to complete. However, both of them were aware that being together here– just the two of them alone– meant that they were on a date.

A library date.

Evelyn adjusted her glasses. Strands of hair fell loose from her shoulder and dangled over the table. Sequencee, shifted his focus from maintaining the multiscript to her.

Smooth flowing white hair, slanted amethyst eyes. Thin-framed, gold-rim glasses, the compliment of both gave a subtly intelligent look. The crease upon her eyebrows denoted her struggle to comprehend what she was reading. Her small hands were busy scribbling notes.

It had been two days since the engagement declaration party, and news regarding Sequencee’s identity as a demon had spread everywhere. Despite this, the people on campus didn't seem to treat him any worse. On the contrary, he was a curious to many.

“Sequencee.”

“Yes?”

“What are you reading?”

“Magic books..”

“I know that.”

“Um.. ” He slid the small marital book a little deeper underneath the table, doubling the thickness of the illusion haze over it.

She leaned forward until her whole upper body rested on the table. With both arms flat outwards, she raised her eyes to look at him.

“What?” Sequencee was certain he had taken every precaution to hide the fact that he was reading a 'family book’. So how did she find out..

“Just.. a little bored.”

‘Oh...’

“Are you done with your research?”

“Un,” Evelyn nodded, looking sleepy.

“Well.. there’s still some time,” Sequencee looked at the clock. “Shall we go somewhere else?

“It would be nice for a change of pace,” she nodded.

They returned the books to the sorting shelf. Pulling down the hood overhead to hide their faces, the two of them left the library together.

“Where to next?” Evelyn asked.

“How about the park?”

“Which one?”

“The one we had snacks the other day.”

“Where was that again..?”

It wouldn’t be weird to say that they were having an arranged date.

First of all, both Leticia and Schwii insisted that the two of them enjoy their time together now, because they won’t be seeing each other for the remainder of the semester holiday. Two, despite the political intentions behind their engagement, they were in fact, quite fond of each other.

“Evelyn, regarding Leticia..”

“That issue?” She sighed. “I don’t have an absolute solution. While I do hold some authority in regard to the jurisdiction of the organizations, I don’t have much influence against someone like the vice president of this academy. Seeing how adamant he was with this irrational decision, I don’t see how my words would penetrate him unless I resort to threatening measures.”

“Really..”

In fact, Evelyn had gone to meet Vice President Cabural with Aaron to discuss this matter. He remained firm with his decision.

Just before the unofficial engagement party two days ago, Leticia had been sent a letter informing her that her sponsorship had been terminated. No additional fees are to be paid, but she had to move out of the campus before the semester holiday ended.

“I don’t wish to antagonize a division of the campus any further than I already have,” Evelyn quipped.

“Then the solution to this is.. putting her in another faculty?”

“Otherwise, depending on her options, she may remain on campus even without taking part in any course. I can arrange a new student ID and a private tutor for her with the administration office. This, I’ll discuss with her later.”

A park overlooking the beautiful, lotus patch lake. A red pagoda located in the center island, the surrounding campus buildings served as a picturesque backdrop.

Ripples spread across the water as fishes bubble to the surface to nibble on the roots of lily pads.

With a corndog in hand, the two took a seat on the park bench.

“I’ll be returning to the capital for a while. I’m sorry I won't be able to join you and the rest for the trip, Aaron too,” Evelyn said.

“I don’t think there’s any need to apologize.. make sure you take care of yourself.”

Sequencee could guess why she needed to return.

The emperor had agreed to their engagement, not knowing that it was one between a demon and a princess. As unprecedented as it was to marry a demon, what if that demon was actually a prince? The meaning behind their ties would now have a much greater implication moving forward. This wasn’t something that the royal family could just overlook.

Moreover, there was that letter from The Sovereign that Evelyn needed to pass to her father the emperor.

“You too.. I don’t know what Shiro has planned but the beastkins aren’t a race to fool around with.”

“I think it should be fine.. after all, we have Iona in case anything happens. And also, Reese and.. Matilda..”

“Speaking of that, who exactly is Iona? I know she serves Schwii.. but what kind of demon is she?”

“Iona? She’s actually a succubus. In fact, I think she’s one of the demon generals of the demon empire.”

“O-Oh..”

The two of them continued a casual back-and-forth banter. Neither of them mentioned anything serious, simply conversations that filled in the gaps of their curiosity about each other’s lives which they had never thought to ask in the past.

“I’ll miss you,” Evelyn whispered under her breath.

“Come again?”

“Nothing. The corn dogs are nice,” she turned to him and smiled.

[Unique Skill: Colours of Favorability]

A twinge of pink could be seen amidst the colour of gold enveloping him.

They were growing closer but– there was no doubt that both of them had a long way to go.

===

When it comes to managing a harem, it’s important to give compliments to the girls involved to raise their self-image. This is especially important when the girls have a tendency to compare themselves to the other; it’s important to emphasize each of their own unique traits or charm so that they feel appreciated.

While packing his luggage, he snuck a few cursory glances in Schwii’s direction.

They had been living under the same roof for so long that he had been accustomed to her presence. So much so that he had taken for granted the peculiarities in her character.

‘I’ve been complacent in that way..’

How long had it been since Sequencee gave a compliment to Schwii?

“Schwii.”

“Yes?” she poked her head out from the wardrobe. Iona, who had been folding the dresses she picked out, paused to look.

Schwii’s brown hair which curled at the fringes had grown longer since their first meeting. Reaching the shoulders, some stray strands looping around her ears– it gave off an innocent, seductive vibe.

“Your hair, it’s longer now.”

“Mn? It appears so..” Schwii rubbed a tuff of it between her fingers.

“You look beautiful.”

“...”

“...”

Schwii narrowed her eyes at him suspiciously.

‘Crap, did I overdo it?’

“Did you do something wrong?”

“H-Huh? What do you mean?”

“You’re hiding something, aren’t you? Trying to flatter me like that.. just tell me what happened. I won’t get mad.”

“No, that’s not it..”

“Then? Why the compliment all of a sudden.”

“Because..”

‘Hell, I can’t just say I read it off a book right? It would be embarrassing.’

As Sequencee wracked his mind to come up with an answer, Schwii bent down and leaned in towards his face. He could feel her warm breath.

“Say it,” she commanded with a pout.

“...”

“Please?” she tucked her hair over her ear, eyes slanted with a pleading look.

His heart skipped a beat.

‘She really is beautiful..’

“Sequencee, tell me, please?” Schwii poked at him again.

“I’m doing what I can..” his voice came out uncertain.

“Doing what you can?”

Sequencee ran his fingers through his hair. “I mean.. look at this mess I got you into. We never intended to have multiple partners as part of the relationship.. that sort of thing, right?”

“And what has that got to do with your sweet words? It tickles my heart, you know?”

“I just.. want to do what I can..”

Schwii’s nose touched his. She was still unconvinced.

“Ah. Fine! I’ll tell you, I’ll tell you!”

Beans spilt, Sequencee told Schwii about the book he read in the library during his time with Evelyn. In fact, he didn’t go there with such a purpose. In the book about polygamous marriage, he came across serendipitously. It caught his eye, so he read it.

“Really?” Schwii’s eyes turned sharp.

“Really,” Sequencee replied with equal intensity.

“Really, really?”

“Really, really, really.”

Silence ruled between the two.

Until Schwii burst out laughing. Sequencee could feel blood rush to his head, he actually felt like dying. He didn’t want to hide anything from Schwii, he didn’t want her to doubt him– and the book also mentioned always being honest no matter how bitter or embarrassing things are.

In a polygamous marriage, trust is the most important ingredient.

“You read a book like that just for us hahaha– really you–” Schwii wiped the tears from her face.

Sequencee lowered his head. Smoke seemed to be coming out from his head.

“You can be so cute sometimes,” Schwii cupped both his cheeks with her hands and forced him to look at her.

She gazed longingly into him with amorous eyes.

She leaned in– and gave him a kiss.

The taste of her sweet lips knocked him silly, they parted with a string of saliva attached between them.

“Thank you Sequencee,” she said softly, “I’ll do my best too.”

Iona, observing from afar, shifted her focus back to folding Schwii’s dress. As her maid, she reaffirmed to herself that she also had the responsibility to satisfy their needs.

“Ro, Lilian, looks like we’ll have to part again,” Sequencee said, dragging his luggage along with him as he headed out of the room.

The pair who had been dallying around in the living room turned to them.

“Don’t worry about it. See you in a month,” Ro exaggerated a gesture, pointing both his hands folded as a gun while clicking his tongue.

“Be careful out there,” Lilian said.

When Schwii exited Seqencee’s room, she said, “You’re free to use the aphrodisiac in Iona’s room.”

“W-What?!” Lilian screamed, her face burning in red.

“I’m joking. There’s no way we’d leave such a dangerous item just lying around,” Schwii laughed.

“That’s not a nice joke, Schwii!” Lilian screamed, glaring. She had just exposed herself.

“Um..” Ro didn’t know if he should act dumb or question what he had just heard. “Lilian and I don’t have that kind of thing going on between us?”

“All the items have been prepared milady,” Iona said, carrying two big pieces of luggage.

“Alright, looks like we’ll be leaving now,” Sequencee reached the door.

“Take care!”

“Hold up–” Ro got up, slugged his arm around him and whispered. “You watch yourself Sequencee, make sure to give each of them equal attention, otherwise..”

“As if I don’t know,” Sequencee muttered. Just recalling what he had to go through just by complimenting Schwii earlier made him cringe.

“Let’s go. We shouldn’t be too late,” Schwii prodded.

Ro and Lilian bid them one last goodbye. When the door shut, they turned to each other, Ro asked.

“So, what should we eat for breakfast tomorrow?”

Lilian, saying nothing, got up and went into her room.

“Lilian..?”

She shut the door with a bang.

“...”