What Is Love? | My Inner Demons x Reader

Chapter 32: I'll Try... For You {Leif's Route}

~(Y/n)'s PoV~

It took didn't take too long before I decided to leave the pool and go back to my bedroom. Pierce was sweet enough to offer if I wanted to be escorted back to the apartment, but I turned him down. "No, but thank you, Pierce. Have a good night. Take care of Ava."

Pierce nods back to me. "Yes." He says simply.

"Thank you." I hum, going to pick up my clothes from the side before walking back in the direction of the apartment. I try to walk slowly through the palace, admiring the scenery and ambiance that the foyer has. It would be nice to spend more time in here, the Daemos' palace looks like it was made to be appreciated. But I wouldn't want to intrude on them, I feel like I should be setting an example; maybe if we give them their privacy, they'll give us ours? Probably just wishful thinking...

I wander off to the side to look at one of the fountains that they placed in the corners, just to admire the way the water glitters under the candlelight. I trail my fingers over the surface, watching the water ripple upon contact. I inhale, glad to have a moment of peace. But that seemed to be wishful thinking as well, as I lingered maybe too long until I felt something press against my back.

I would have screamed if I didn't end up seeing a familiar face in the water. "L-Leif, what the heck is your problem?!" I gasp out, trying to turn around to look at him.

The white-haired Daemos chuckles, one of his arms looping around my waist to keep me in place. "You're never on guard, it's just too easy." He teases with a sly smirk.

"Wh-Whatever..." I huff, trying to squirm out of his grip. "J-Just let me go, I wanna go to bed..."

Leif rests his chin on my shoulder and the sight of it in the water's reflection makes me blush. "What, you wanna leave already? I just got here...~" His hands gently trail over my waist, his fingers grazing my skin. Oh my god, he's actually evil-

I frown and sigh. "Please? I-I haven't gotten sleep in days, Leif, I'm exhausted..." I whine.

He hesitates for a moment before stepping away. "Fine, fine..." He mutters. "I'll walk you back to your chambers. And you can consider letting me stay~"

"Yeah, sure..." I mumble, sarcastically, though there's a ghost of a smile on my lips. "And th-thanks..."

"Anytime, Prime (Y/n)." He purrs, wrapping an arm back around my shoulders so I'm stuck walking at his side. "I never would've expected that you were a royal."

I raise an eyebrow. "What's that supposed to mean...?"

Leif looks at me. "You're too nice. Every royal I've ever met has been some stuck-up, snobby, son of a-"

"I-I think I get the picture." I cut him off. "You even think that about Asch?"

"Oh, he's the worst..." Leif chuckles. "He likes to act like he's superior to us just because he was born a prince. The rest of us had to work hard to get to where we rank now..."

I nod. "I-I see..." I say, softly. "That must be... frustrating."

"Eh, I deal with it." Leif shrugs off his own complaints. "Plus, now we have you. And you treat us nice."

"I try..." I hum with a small smile. He seems weirdly calm at the moment which is a pleasant change of pace. He's surprisingly sweet when he wants to be.

Leif smirks. "Glad Ava could take him down a peg." He laughs, recounting the evening. "He really got what was coming to him!"

I think back to Ava splashing Asch and giggle to myself. The look on his face was priceless, plus it was nice to hear the guys laugh for a change. Leif's laugh was actually kinda cute, even if the context wasn't necessarily ideal. "I like you laugh..." I admit, not meeting his eye. "I-I just wish it was... less mocking."