The demon at the neighboring table soon drew their gaze. Aside from Lady Tia, who was still hanging her head and weeping, the other demons all looked toward this gentle-mannered white demon.
His movements were unhurried, composed and completely at ease as he stood upon the wooden deck of the terrace.
"Loving that cherished someone as much as you love yourself... is a wonderful thing."
He strolled over, his voice gentle and his demeanor as relaxed as ever. In his hand, he held a glass of fresh grape juice.
"Yet when you are prepared to sacrifice yourself, you are also bound to sacrifice the other person without even realizing it."
The white demon raised his glass slightly, as though toasting them.
"Then what should I do?"
Lady Tia had no idea why, but she instinctively answered this unfamiliar demon gentleman from the neighboring table.
Perhaps it was because the moment their eyes had met, she had seen an understanding, tolerant smile that felt remarkably sincere. Such a smile was rare indeed—it gave the impression that out of all the living beings under heaven, you alone had earned his profound respect.
His attitude made it clear that he understood you completely, that he believed in you without a shadow of doubt, and that his view of you was precisely the impression you wished to leave upon others.
He stood quietly, his eyes mirroring the vast silver starlight overhead.
Only at that moment did they realize that what he held was not wine, but deep crimson fruit juice. Chilled by ice cubes, wisps of cool vapor rose from the goblet, and bead after bead of condensation wept along the glass. Compared to the rest of them, who had had a few drinks, he seemed perpetually clear-headed.
"Why not consider being a little selfish when appropriate? Perhaps it would be the better choice for both of you."
As he drew nearer, he naturally settled onto the sofa at their table. Before them sat nothing less than a courteous gentleman, speaking with polite grace, carrying the air of an instructor who taught aristocratic etiquette.
"..."
Lady Tia fell silent for a moment.
"I... I wouldn't dare..."
Her voice grew fainter still as she clenched her palms tight.
"There are far too many lonely souls in this world who are terrified of taking the first step," the white demon gently reasoned. "Perhaps your cousin, the Thunder Lord, has been waiting for you all along. He may be just as lost, needing only a single word from you to anchor his heart."
Though he appeared quite young, his carefully chosen words clearly belonged to a much older, wiser demon—as though he had read countless stories throughout the demon race's history.
The terrace's faint aroma of incense and the soft lighting gradually brought peace to Tia's tear-filled eyes.
The white demon smiled faintly, his gaze brimming with welcome and understanding. Sitting upright yet leaning slightly forward, his posture conveyed that he was wholeheartedly listening to what the other demons had to say.
When he spoke, his pace was measured and remarkably clear, as if every word had been thoroughly considered. His voice was soft and magnetic. When explaining complex concepts, he employed simple, concrete metaphors to help them grasp his meaning.
Besides Tia, the other young demons at the table began asking him questions like eager students. From their own personal worries to the predicaments facing their families or the kingdom today, they looked to him for guidance.
The white demon's gaze remained attentive throughout, nodding frequently in understanding.
A look of comfort and encouragement regularly crossed his face, and whenever a demon found themselves at a loss, he offered constructive, practical advice.
"In truth, you are already doing splendidly. Be bold and do what you ought to do, rather than letting inner restlessness and anxiety ruin the precious passion and resolve in your heart."
Like a therapist, he smoothed away the rough, tumultuous agitation within every demon's heart.
Soon, despite having just met, they found themselves growing as familiar with him as if they were old classmates reuniting after years apart.
As though a knot had been undone in her heart, Lady Tia, too, became unconsciously captivated by this gentleman's words.
"Do not worry. If you run into any difficulties when communicating with the Thunder Lord from now on, you are welcome to come find me at any time. I will gladly offer advice."
"Thank you."
Lysandra had spent most of the time listening quietly from the side.
By the time she came to her senses, she was struck with wonder: Was this what a true high-society demon noble was like? In just a few minutes, he had already nurtured the seeds of friendship with the Thunder Lord's family.
At the very least, Lady Tia was now thoroughly eager to listen to him and seek his guidance.
Evidently, he lived nearby, as he was currently telling the table that he had ordered a water-yacht magic apparatus two days ago and planned to test it by crossing the sea to Naica Island across the bay. If they were interested, they could join him next time.
"Miss Lysandra, if you work at the royal palace, how about I give you a ride tomorrow morning? It will save you from taking such a long detour."
As the music and entertainment inside the grand hall paused, the Glow Demon gentleman turned toward Lysandra, asking with a smile.
"At what time, exactly?"
Lysandra's first instinct had been to decline.
Yet the thought of shaving off the commute and getting an extra hour of sleep...
After a night of drinking and staying up late, it was a temptation she simply could not refuse.
"Whenever it is convenient for you. I will wait for you," he replied amiably.
"Thank you so much!" Lysandra said gratefully.
Just as she was about to ask for his name so she could properly thank him, he offered a slight smile.
"Have you had a pleasant time relaxing?" the Glow Demon asked.
"Yes, it has been a truly wonderful day," Lysandra answered, turning to look at her new friend. "This banquet is quite special to me. Even now, I haven't met the host. I live just over there..."
Lysandra pointed toward the fence fading into the darkness of the night.
"Tonight, McCarthy sent his steward to invite me," she finally confessed.
At this point, none of the other nobles found anything amiss with her presence at the restaurant; instead, they were astonished that she had actually received an invitation from McCarthy himself.
"..."
The Glow Demon looked at Lysandra, an expression of natural bewilderment appearing on his face.
"Is something wrong?"
For a moment, Lysandra did not know what to make of his reaction, feeling as though she had done something wrong.
Then, a question suddenly dawned on her.
How had this Glow Demon gentleman...
Known for certain just now that her commute tomorrow would take her from this very area across the bay to the royal palace?
"I am McCarthy," the Glow Demon said with a helpless smile.
"Huh?!"
Lysandra gasped, clamping a hand over her mouth in shock.
"I-I'm so sorry! I talked with you for so long without recognizing who you were!" she quickly added.
Not only her, but the other demons at the table were left completely dumbfounded.
That mysterious demon who had practically become a living legend had been sitting here chatting with them like an old friend for so long.
"It is quite all right. I assumed you had seen me when I first moved in. It seems I haven't been attentive enough as the restaurant's host," Lanqi said with a laugh, formally introducing himself to everyone.
After shaking hands one by one with the dazed young demons, they had only chatted for a few more moments when Lanqi's steward hurried over, saying that a minister wished to speak with him in private.
"Pardon me, then; I must take my leave. Miss Lysandra, until tomorrow."
He stood to bid farewell, offering a slight bow to Lysandra and the other demons, before picking up the small, slumbering figure from the adjacent sofa.
After he had walked far off, Lady Tia murmured from the sofa as though waking from a dream, "He is... Rocky McCarthy?"
Throughout their conversation, they had envisioned and speculated about all sorts of images of McCarthy, but never had they imagined he would be such an approachable demon.
In a Demon Realm overflowing with material greed, he seemed to have preserved a sanctuary of purity in his heart, bearing none of the typical traits of an elite demon who had clawed his way to high rank.
Yet thinking back on their conversation, it all seemed to make sense; he truly possessed an extraordinary charisma.
"Ah, what a pity he isn't a great demon. Otherwise, I feel that if it were him marrying the princess, perhaps that unfortunate princess might actually find happiness," Tia sighed, feeling relieved.
Although Mr. McCarthy had promised to help her pursue her romance, she knew full well he had said it merely as a jest to comfort her.
"I wish I could indulge in that fantasy too. More than anyone, I want the princess to be happy, and a demon like Mr. McCarthy would be a wonderful match for her," Lysandra murmured, gazing up at the starry sky.
Yet McCarthy clearly was not the type of demon adept at fighting; anyone could sense that.
Regardless, she would at least have some novel stories to share with the princess tomorrow.
Due to the Blood Clan special investigator matter, the princess had suffered a splitting headache all afternoon, and she likely wouldn't be able to sleep at all tonight.
Yet, for some reason, Lysandra had overheard the princess praying strange things like, "Please don't deduct my virtue points," "Let me handle this peacefully on my own," and "She can do this."
The princess had to be under far too much psychological pressure.
Lysandra could only pray for the princess that the Blood Clan detective wouldn't actually apprehend a demon culprit in the Demon King's Castle tomorrow.
Chapter 568