Free Web Novel“Left alone again...”
Jasmine sighed softly, lifting the heavy breakfast bag from the floor and placing it on the dining table on tiptoe.
“Mom didn’t even eat a single bun before leaving...”
She pulled one out, took a small bite, and stood there in silence, staring blankly.
The house was big and empty. The ticking of the clock echoed clearly, giving her the same illusion as when she had lived alone in the Demon King’s castle, in that cold, silent bedchamber.
Her days in the Demon King Castle had never been happy.
Even though she had wanted to do something for the subjects who still called her “Your Majesty,” the elders and the great demons had never trusted her. They never allowed her to intervene in any matter of the outside world.
“Powerless Demon King, you need only stay quietly in your chamber.”
“Being allowed to live here without worry for food or shelter is already a mercy for the sake of the previous Demon King. Just... don’t cause trouble for the rest of us.”
Holding her bun, Jasmine lowered her head.
Her memories of that place were vague—stern elders, strange demons, unchanging walls, food so awful she could barely swallow...
And her days sitting on the edge of that luxurious bed, staring out the window at the sun and moon.
The window sill had been too high—only an adult could look out from it.
Jasmine had to stand on the bed just to see a sliver of the world beyond.
The maid who delivered her meals each day was one of the very few living beings she could talk to besides the black cat.
But the maid rarely spoke. She was dutiful, leaving the food at the door before walking away.
Even when Jasmine lay in bed without touching the tray, the maid would only say the same thing when she came back the next day.
“Your Majesty, your body is far weaker than that of ordinary demons. You mustn’t skip meals...”
“I don’t like that food. Can’t I have something else tomorrow?” Jasmine had once asked. She remembered the wild fruits that Cat-sis had brought her, and the rumors of cookies and bread from the human cities.
The maid had only shaken her head.
“Your Majesty... this is the Demon King Castle. We don’t have such things here. And if it’s fruit, I’d need the elders’ permission. They must test it for poison before I can bring it in... I’ll try, but it’s not always possible to meet them.”
“...Okay then. Thank you...?”
Jasmine had been startled even then—she’d realized she didn’t even know the maid’s name.
She only remembered that the woman had horns, wings, and a tail—all black.
And all the demons she had seen had strange parts like that: tails, wings, claws, gills, scales...
Only she herself was plain—round human ears, red lips, white teeth. She looked exactly like a human girl.
Once upon a time, she had envied those demons with odd features, thinking that if she had them too, maybe others would acknowledge her.
Until... she met her mother and saw that she, too, looked entirely human.
“So full...”
After eating two buns, Jasmine couldn’t eat anymore. She tied up the bag and went back to sit on the sofa.
Her golden and red eyes stared quietly at the clock on the wall. Time passed, and the light within her gaze slowly dulled.
Like a delicate doll, she sat motionless on the sofa.
Tick—tock.
Noon came.
Mom still hadn’t returned.
Jasmine stood up, opened the door, and stepped into the flower-filled garden.
But she wasn’t interested in any of the flowers. She walked straight along the white stone path toward the heavy iron gate.
Staring up at the towering gate of black metal, a question crossed her mind—
Would Mom come back through this gate?
Probably not.
Her mother was too unpredictable—one moment energetic, the next dozing on the couch. So many mysteries surrounded her.
Jasmine went back inside, sat on the sofa again, and stared into space. Then, suddenly, something came to her.
Her eyes lit up, and she slowly walked toward the bedroom.
Click.
She turned the handle gently and tiptoed to the bed. Her heartbeat quickened as she saw the blue-and-white sleepwear her mother had carelessly tossed onto the sheets.
Carefully, she picked it up and pressed it tightly against her chest, sniffing softly. Then, like a guilty thief, she glanced around to make sure no one was watching. When she realized she was overreacting, she let out a small sigh of relief.
Thump!
Jasmine hugged the sleepwear and fell onto the bed, pulling the blanket over herself until she was completely wrapped up.
For once, in her mother’s absence, her fragile heart felt comforted.
Though she was holding nothing but a thin sleepwear, it felt as if she were holding the entire world.
Cocooned in the warmth of the blankets, she forgot the passing of time.
She didn’t know how long she’d been there when the door handle turned, the sound of gears clicking reaching her ears.
Then her mother’s voice came from the doorway.
“Jasmine? Where did you go? Didn’t I tell you not to wander off—hm?”
In that instant—
Jasmine’s heart pounded like a drum. Heat surged through her body, but her mind went completely cold.
“Jasmine?”
Vieya frowned at the lump under the blanket. Did she crawl back to bed after I left?
After a moment, Vieya sat down on the edge of the bed and patted the bulge gently.
Thump!
“Mom...” came Jasmine’s muffled voice from beneath the blanket.
“It’s time to {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} get up,” Vieya said softly. freēwebnovel.com
“Uuu...” Jasmine whimpered, poking her head out. Her pale-golden hair was a mess, her face showing a mix of shame and tears.
“...Did you wet the bed?” Vieya asked uncertainly.
“N-no, I didn’t...” Jasmine’s lips quivered as she suddenly flung herself into her mother’s arms, crying as if the world had ended.
“What’s wrong?”
Vieya froze, at a loss, holding her trembling daughter.
This was the first time she had ever seen Jasmine cry so hard—not even when she’d scraped her knees had she reacted like this!
“Were you scared... being home alone? It’s all right, don’t cry. Mommy’s here now...”
“Uuuh...”
Jasmine sobbed, pulling the blue-and-white sleepwear from under the blanket. “Mom... I dirtied your clothes... uuh...”
“...?”
Vieya’s face stiffened. “Is this... drool?”
“I... accidentally, while I was sleeping...” Jasmine mumbled, head down, ears bright red.
She’d lied! Lied—to her beloved mother!
Unforgivable. Absolutely unforgivable!
“It’s fine. It’ll wash off,” Vieya sighed, lifting Jasmine under one arm while holding the damp sleepwear in the other.
Looks like she’d have to ask Lilian to check the child’s health again—drooling this much in her sleep couldn’t be good.
Meanwhile, Jasmine exhaled in relief, though guilt burned inside her like swallowing fire.
I’m sorry, Mom. I never thought the first lie of my life would be to you.
“Mom... did you find Cat-sis?” Jasmine asked suddenly.
“No.” Vieya shook her head. “The Lord Mayor’s office has taken over the case. They may be a bit incompetent, but when it comes to searching for people, they’re better than I am.”
She set Jasmine on a chair and lowered her voice slightly.
“The last disturbance probably let some trouble slip into town. But once they find something, they’ll contact me. After all, for now... I’m technically that cat’s temporary master.”
