CHAPTER 5
After Ian completely turned my mind and heart upside down and left, it took me a few days before I could think rationally again. It was around then that I realized something else too—while Ian had been at the mansion, not a single demon had appeared, but the moment he left, they came swarming back.
“Ian definitely got rid of the demons.”
Just like that time in the carriage, when he snapped his fingers and they vanished like magic. But he’d said that magic couldn’t truly help me—that it was only a temporary fix.
If it’s just temporary, that’s a problem. I can’t go chasing after a magician every time a demon pops up, begging him to deal with it.
My head started to ache from thinking too much, so I stepped out of the bath and stood in front of the mirror. I gently touched the mark on my back that was visible with just a slight turn.
About the size of a baby’s fist, it was surrounded by sharp triangles—like a black sun.
Knock knock.
“My lady.”
Anna knocked on the door, probably sensing the aromatic oil’s effects had worn off.
“Come in.”
“You were in there so long, I thought you might’ve drowned~”
Anna, holding her nose with a clothespin, came in and quickly dried me off.
She always clipped her nose like this during bath time because the strong aroma oil, used to keep demons away, was practically being poured on me. It was her own method of surviving the scent.
“Sorry.”
“Of course you’re overwhelmed. It’s way too sudden. Tomorrow’s the day the Flower Magician arrives, after all.”
Yes. Despite all my efforts to push time away, ever since that day, it had flown by at lightning speed. Today marked the fourth day already.
In the meantime, Father and Natasha left on a trip to celebrate their third wedding anniversary. And my so-called brother? Not a single letter. Whether I’m alone in this house or not, he doesn’t care—he’s too busy playing at the palace.
While Anna dried my hair, I opened Demon Be Gone! Defeat the Demons! Demons, Be Gone! again, hoping to clear my mind.
After nine years of pouring my blood, sweat, and tears into this, how could I give up now? Just accept Ian’s offer? But then again, would that make all my past efforts meaningless?
One thing was clear—if Ian’s method was real, it might be my last hope.
“Then Miss Railey, you absolutely must learn this method. It’s the only, and perhaps the last, way to escape the exception.”
Ian’s confident, smug voice echoed in my mind.
I hated to admit it, but after exhausting every last possible solution, I couldn’t help but be drawn to his words about a final option.
But my thoughts kept circling back to the root question—
Can I trust Ian?
First of all, that face of his is suspicious. That annoyingly handsome face that might even beat Asmodeus—ranked number one in My Personal Demon Hotness Chart. I don’t think he’s a demon, but still—people who look better than demons are even scarier.
Still, could I afford to throw away a chance that might be my last?
“AAAGHHH!”
I grabbed the hair Anna had just carefully dried and yanked at it like I was about to tear it out.
Four days, and I’d reached zero conclusions. I wasn’t making progress—I was running in circles!
Anna calmly took my hands and smoothed my hair. Just two days ago, she would’ve screamed if I did this. Now she seemed unfazed.
Am I losing it? Going insane before I even become a demon? Maybe Ian’s revenge was actually to drive me mad? If so—well played.
“I’m going to erase this!!”
I shouted at the demon sitting across the desk from me, who was resting his chin on his hand and smiling like he was having the time of his life. I pointed at the mark on my back, purely on impulse.
“You see this?! I’m getting rid of it!!”
“You want me to remove your mark? If we make a deal, I could—”
“Shut up!!”
“Oh my, such harsh words don’t suit a young lady.”
So, half-crazy and half-out-of-my-mind (meaning I wasn’t fully sane at all), I spent the final day like that.
And on the promised day, the man who had thrown a verbal bomb at me returned.
“You look worse than before. Are you alright?”
Great. Now he thinks I’m really sick. He hovered above me like a cat toying with a mouse. What should I do with this guy?
Option 1. Trust his ridiculously beautiful face and agree to marry him.
Option 2. Threaten to curse him if he doesn’t tell me the method.
Option 3. Claim everything said in the carriage was drunken nonsense and tell him to forget it.
Option 2’s out—I don’t know how to curse anyone, and it could backfire.
Option 3’s no good either—I’m way too curious about that method.
So that leaves…
“I’ll marry you.”
It might sound like I reached that conclusion easily, but not even close.
I woke up this morning pretending to be refreshed, but no matter how hard I thought it over, it always came down to one thing—I had no choice but to trust him. I had already fallen right into the trap he set.
“But I’ll only go through with the marriage once I’m completely free. For now, let’s just make a public announcement that we’re dating.”
“A public announcement?”
“Even in arranged marriages, couples get time to know each other beforehand. And we’re not even doing this for politics or love—it’s just a contract. And it feels way too one-sided right now.”
I’d rehearsed everything I wanted to say, so the words came out smoothly. The power of preparation!
“Hm.”
Ian crossed his arms. He fell into thought for a moment, then nodded deeply and gave me his signature dazzling—scratch that, just a smile.
“Fair point. Let’s do that.”
“Wait. Before we go further, I have a question.”
I needed to clear up any lingering doubts before he swept me away with more clever words.
“Ask anything.”
“The mark. Even the demons didn’t know what it was. How did you know?”
Those guys only ever tried to make deals with me to remove it—clearly they had no idea what it really was.
“Because I’m the greaaat~ Grand Magician?”
That tone—he’s mocking me! That’s exactly what I said in the carriage!
“Even so, how did you know the mark was on my back in the first place?”
“I saw it at the banquet. Specifically, when you were gagging and I patted your back. Your dress was… bold, to say the least.”
“That’s because it wasn’t tailored! It was too big, that’s why!”
“Well, if that’s what helps you sleep at night.”
“Okay, then how did you know it wasn’t just a birthmark but a mark?”
“I knew the moment I saw it. Anyone who thinks that’s just a mole is either blind or an idiot.”
…Wait. So if I ask any more questions about the mark, I’ll look like an idiot? That’s how you’re getting out of this?!
“I see.”
Right. Let me just walk right into that trap. Not.
“Then… why do I even have this mark?”
“…Miss Railey, you seem far too eager to rely on me. You need to cultivate the habit of discovering things for yourself.”
What the—?! Who do you think did all the hard work for nine years?! You don’t know either, do you?! That’s why you’re dodging!
“Well then, I suppose it’s time I speak.”
Ian pulled his chair in closer, sitting down like he was about to give a serious lecture.
“Let’s say we’re engaged. A dating announcement feels too lacking on my end.”
…He acted so serious, I thought he was about to say something world-shattering.
“Look, I don’t get it. Did you fall in love with me at first sight or something?”
“Is it so hard to believe I’m interested in you, Miss Railey?”
“You’re weird.”
“Special.”
Sure. Whatever helps you sleep at night.
“Then let’s make it official with a contract.”
“A… contract?!”
I immediately regretted blurting that out. I’m way too jumpy about that word—darn demons are always going on about contracts.
“Yes. Here’s the contract.”
Snap. With one flick of his finger, a contract floated right up to my face.
“Give me time to read it.”
They always say never sign anything blindly. You have to read the fine print.
Ian just shrugged like it was no big deal and picked up a newspaper. Where does this guy get his confidence? Then again, he probably has nothing to worry about in life.
“A dating announcement is just not enough for me.”
Why did that line pop into my head again?! I wasn’t even thinking about it! Go away, go away. Focus on the contract.
“……”
Thankfully, nothing looked shady. Just like we discussed—Ian will help me become free from the demons and tell me how. In return, we start with an engagement and, if successful, end in marriage.
“I’ll sign it.”
“No need. A magical contract doesn’t require a signature…”
“If it’s not a signature, then—don’t tell me!”
“Don’t tell you what?”
“It—it’s sealed with a kiss or something, right?!”
I quickly slapped my hands over my mouth. I think I read it in a book somewhere…
This evil magician! You really were planning something sketchy!
“…You just need to press your thumbprint here. But if you’d prefer a kiss, I’d be happy to—”
“I DID IT! I put my print right here!”
