Chapter 64: New Year

“What’s wrong?”

Noticing something unusual about Lias, Leon asked with some concern.

“Leon.” Lias looked up, hesitating a little. “Can I… not drink it?”

“Why?”

Leon was taken aback.

“It’s just…”

Lias pulled Leon to sit beside her and explained in a soft voice, “Last time I slept for so long, and when I woke up you had turned into that.”

As she spoke, the young succubus put her hands on her hips, a little angry. “I feel like I might sleep even longer this time. If I’m not here, can you take care of yourself?”

Her reason was simple—she was worried about whether Leon could manage on his own.

He smiled. “Come on, I’m a grown man. I can at least handle looking after myself.”

“But I still worry. Besides…” Lias brushed a strand of hair behind her ear and whispered, “You haven’t married me yet.”

Leon looked at Lias, feeling complicated, but in the end it was as if he finally made up his mind.

He didn’t want to interfere with Lias’s choice, so he nodded. “Alright, then you keep the potion for now.”

Since she didn’t want to drink it, then she wouldn’t.

After making this decision, Leon felt as if a weight was lifted from him.

“So… when are we getting married?”

Lias’s eyes were full of longing, as if she was already imagining the scenes of the future.

“When the time comes, let’s go back and live in Eternal Frost City. We’ll buy a new house, just one is enough, otherwise cleaning every day will be a pain.”

She chattered away to Leon, describing her plans for their house, her delicate face full of hope for the days to come.

She was slowly piecing together your shared future.

Leon sat quietly next to Lias, listening to her ramble on.

Unknowingly, the end of the year gradually approached.

Last time, Leon hadn’t managed to spend the New Year in the capital with Lias. This year, there seemed to be no surprises.

The capital was becoming busy. Compared to the cold, empty halls of Leon’s mansion in the past, his identity had already changed a lot. Now, one after another, many nobles sent people to bring gifts.

They all wanted to befriend Leon, the master of potions.

The task of receiving these guests naturally fell to Lias, and her behavior indeed carried a touch of the lady of the house—everything was arranged clearly and properly.

As for the visitors, they were all turned away as per Leon’s wishes.

On this day, Lias was at home, awkwardly trying to sew clothes. Though she would often prick her finger by mistake, thanks to her demon blood, she would heal quickly.

Seeing this scene, Leon felt helpless. Earlier, he had inadvertently told Lias about some of the human customs for welcoming the New Year, including wearing new clothes.

He had originally planned to buy a few pieces from a shop, but when Lias saw the old lady next door making her own clothes, she wanted to learn and make one herself.

But the little cat succubus clearly wasn’t very skilled, pricking her finger often enough to make Leon’s heart ache.

“Lias, I think the clothes in the shops are quite nice, too.”

Leon watched as Lias pricked her finger again and a bead of blood appeared.

“No way!” The young succubus puffed out her cheeks and insisted, “I’m definitely going to make you a nice outfit myself!”

“Alright, alright.”

Leon had no choice but to nod, then gently reminded her.

“But, weren’t you simmering soup in the kitchen earlier?”

“Oh no!”

Lias immediately tossed the fabric aside and rushed to the kitchen.

Leon could only sigh helplessly.

In the kitchen, Lias closed the door. Seeing that Leon hadn’t followed, she picked up a knife and sliced a small cut on her palm.

Blood welled from the wound, but it healed almost instantly.

Lias made another cut, repeating the process until she felt the magic in her body drop noticeably, then she stopped.

After washing off the blood, Lias felt her previously foggy mind suddenly become much clearer.

“Lias, you mustn’t sleep now.”

She murmured to herself.

“Leon, what are we going to see?”

“Come with me, you’ll know soon enough.”

Leon took Lias by the hand and led her out of the house, heading toward the street.

The streets were bustling with people, all out for a stroll.

Tonight, the streets looked different. Perpetual Light Lanterns floated overhead, their soft golden glow blending with the snow, while the air was filled with the scent of dried fruit and roasted meat.

According to imperial custom, all the food on the streets tonight was free.

Hand in hand, Leon led Lias through the crowd, lingering at the endless rows of stalls.

Lias’s eyes sparkled with childlike wonder and excitement as she glanced all around.

Only when both of them grew tired did they return home together.

“So this is what a human New Year is like?”

Lias savored the feeling. This was her first time experiencing such a festival—among demons, such things didn’t even exist.

“Yeah, it’s my first time too,” Leon replied softly, holding her hand.

In the past, Leon had either slept through the New Year in his room or spent it working at the Potion Association, never paying much attention to what happened outside.

Lias brought the dishes from the kitchen to the table, but since they had both eaten a lot outside, their dinner was just a simple affair.

It was lively outside, with the faint laughter of children drifting in.

After eating, the two of them nestled together on the swing in the yard, gazing at the sky.

Snowflakes drifted down from the heavens, visible under the glow of the Perpetual Light Lanterns.

“Leon, what are those lanterns?”

Lias, lying in Leon’s arms, curiously pointed at the floating lights in the sky.

“Those are Perpetual Light Lanterns—a kind of magic device. They only float in the air when you infuse them with mana.”

“Ohh…”

Lias nodded as if she half-understood, then turned to Leon with concern. “Are you cold? Should we go back inside?”

“It is a little cold,” Leon replied seriously, “but we can’t go in just yet.”

“Why not?”

Lias was confused.

Leon pointed up at the sky and whispered, “When midnight comes, there will be fireworks—really beautiful ones. I don’t want you to miss them.”

“Alright, then.”

Lias lowered her head, looked at Leon’s arms wrapped around her, and placed her own hand over his.

It felt a little chilly.

She blinked and thought of a great solution. Lifting her shirt, she placed Leon’s hand directly against her belly.

“Hmm?”

The warmth and softness beneath his palm made Leon pause.

He instinctively moved his fingers. The sensation was like sinking into a warm, creamy pudding.

The little cat succubus nestled against him, pressing his hand through her clothes and complaining, “Don’t move around, it tickles.”

But the little cat succubus didn’t understand a man’s heart—the more you tell him not to move, the more he wants to.

A mischievous urge rose in Leon’s heart, and he gave her soft belly a gentle squeeze.

Lias sighed but didn’t stop him, only letting him do as he pleased with indulgent affection.

Just as Leon was having his fun, the distant sound of church bells pierced the night sky, echoing throughout the capital.

“Dong—dong—dong—”

Twelve times in all, announcing the arrival of the New Year.

Leon rested his chin on Lias’s shoulder, rubbed his cheek against her cool face, and whispered, “Happy New Year.”

Lias blinked, then repeated after him, “Happy New Year?”

As her words fell, streaks of light shot across the sky and exploded with a pop. Magical colors burst in the night, blossoming like splendid flowers.

Lias held her breath, her eyes lighting up with the splendor above, filled with dazzling sparks.

“Is it beautiful?”

Leon held the girl in his arms, looking up as well.

Lias nodded instinctively.

“It’s beautiful.”