I Just Wanted A Soft Life, Not A Demon Husband

Chapter 80: Haircuts, Hierarchies, and a Succubus With No Boundaries

Elyn’s POV

I realized something very important after the imprint.

Very, very important.

Azerion’s hair was still sweeping the floor.

I stared at it as he moved around my office with my snack box.

I had collected it from him numerous times, but every time, he found the opportunity to get it back... I don’t even know how. I’m going to just have to ask Kethra to help me create another one that would be strictly for me while he took the current one as his own. Hopefully, that would work.

Azerion walked around the office, long blue-black strands dragging behind him like a living shadow, collecting dust, crumbs, and whatever it was that was on the floor. Every time he turned, I felt my eye twitch just a little harder.

This could not continue. I was getting irritated by seeing his hair sweep the floor. It gave me the ick.

"Azerion," I said carefully.

He stopped immediately and looked up at me, eyes bright and attentive as he licked his fingers. "Yes?"

I gestured vaguely toward his hair. "Does that... not bother you?"

He blinked, then glanced down at it. He lifted a handful, watching it spill through his fingers. "It grows."

"That’s not what I asked."

He tilted his head. "I like it."

Of course he did. I wasn’t even surprised that he did.

I pinched the bridge of my nose and turned toward Rin, Vaelory, and Morthen, who had returned sometime after Zorathys vanished into his very deserved slumber.

They were cautious and made sure to ask for permission before entering, like I was going to kill them and make them disappear if they didn’t ask for it.

"Is there," I began, choosing my words carefully, "any possibility that he could get a haircut?"

Morthen adjusted his glasses immediately, antennae twitching in thought. "Yes, my lady. That is possible."

Relief flooded me. "Thank you."

"And appropriate clothing as well," I added quickly. "Something that doesn’t look like it might trip him into another realm or that he raided someone’s laundry."

"That is also possible," Morthen said, nodding. Then he paused.

I held my breath because the pause meant there was something more coming, something he was going to say.

"Just get on with it, Morthen," I told him.

"Right," he said as he adjusted his glasses. "It’s just that we are supposed to be preparing for the introductory ball. You need to learn more about the demon realm—their hierarchies, their manners, who is who, the noble families, things like that—and we have no time to waste."

I stared at him.

"The ball?" I repeated weakly.

"Yes," he said cheerfully. "The introductory ball."

I felt my soul attempting to exit my body. To be honest, I kind of forgot about the ball. I don’t know what demon possessed me to even suggest that I introduce myself to the demon nobles so I could get on with my work.

"So... what you are saying is you can’t take care of Azerion and neither can I because I need to be here and learn about the demon realm?" I asked him.

He swallowed but nodded.

"How about I do it?" Rin asked me. "I can take care of him, make him get a haircut, and even change his clothes into something appropriate."

Azerion immediately shook his head. "No."

Rin blinked. "No?"

"I stay with the queen," he said firmly, moving closer to my side. "I’m staying with you," he told me.

I crouched slightly and looked at him. "Rin isn’t going to hurt you," I said gently. "She’s just going to help you look... presentable."

He frowned. "Why?"

"So you look good," I added, smiling faintly, "standing right next to me."

That got his attention.

He considered this deeply, lips pursed, eyes narrowed in intense thought. Then he pouted—actually pouted—before finally nodding.

"...Okay."

Rin smiled triumphantly. "Excellent."

She held out her hand. Azerion hesitated, then took it.

Before leaving, he looked back at me. "I’ll come back. Wait for me, okay?"

I gave him a look. He was speaking like he was a lover going away.

"I’ll wait for you," I told him.

Satisfied, he allowed Rin to lead him out of the office.

The door shut behind them, and silence followed.

Then Morthen adjusted his glasses.

"Well, let’s continue the lecture from where we ended last time," he said politely.

I laughed despite myself. "Morthen, I didn’t even learn anything the first time. You’ll have to start from the beginning."

His antennae twitched violently.

"The beginning?" he gasped.

"Yes."

He stared at me like I had just asked him to rewrite the laws of magic.

Then, solemnly, he nodded. "Very well, my lady."

He picked up the same massive scroll from seemingly nowhere and unfurled it.

And unfurled it.

And unfurled it.

The scroll rolled across the floor, bumped into the door, and kept going.

Morthen cleared his throat.

"Demon hierarchy is divided into—"

His voice became smooth. Rhythmic. Almost hypnotic.

Something about ancient bloodlines... infernal governance... noble classifications...

My eyes grew heavy.

My head tilted.

I fought it. I really did.

But within seconds, my vision blurred.

"—lesser demons form the foundational—"

I blinked slowly.

"...structure of the realm..."

My chin dipped.

Then—

"Sleep."

The voice was soft and warm, but it also sounded close—too close—like the words were whispered right next to my ear.

"Place your head on my lap, sweetie..."

My eyes flew open immediately. I jerked upright in the chair I had been sleeping in with a gasp.

Morthen jumped, adjusting his glasses frantically. "My lady? Why did you—"

He froze.

I followed his gaze.

Someone else was in the office. I already knew who it was—Seraphielle, the succubus demon who always creeped me out.

Morthen immediately bowed in greeting.

She ignored him completely.

Her eyes were on me.

She smiled slowly. "Why are you so far from me?" she cooed. "You’re hurting my feelings."

I stared at her. "What are you doing in my office?"

She pushed her breasts upward deliberately, leaning forward as she smiled—slow, low, and entirely unsettling. Her gaze traced over me, unashamed.

She licked her lips.

"I’m here because of you," she said softly. "I couldn’t stop thinking about you since yesterday, Your Highness."