# Chapter 67
“The Crown Prince?”
Who could that be?
‘Crown Prince… Crown Prince…’
Bernie tilted her head, trying to recall.
Having only thought of him as "the future human leader," it took her a moment to remember the image of shining golden hair.
Her eyes widened as recognition dawned.
“Bernie, how about we get married when we grow up?”
“What’s ‘married’?”
“It means you and I stay close and happy together forever.
We don’t fight, we sleep in the same bed, hold hands, and talk about things together.”
“F-Forever no fighting and hand-holding?!”
The future human leader!
Bernie’s subordinate if married to Bernie!
Bernie’s property!
Finally piecing it all together, Bernie’s face lit up with a beaming smile.
“Leader!”
“Pardon?”
“I’m married to the future leader!”
“Excuse me?”
“What?!”
Bernie’s radiant smile accompanied the unexpected declaration, slicing through the air like a clap of thunder, leaving an awkward silence to follow.
***
“Hello, Bernie.”
“Hiya— Oh!
Hello, Noel!”
As Bernie entered the sitting room under Levon’s guidance, Roel walked briskly to her, his warm smile matched by his firm grasp of her hands.
“Why are you here?”
“I heard that all the direct members of House Eudia have gone on an expedition… It felt like today might be my only chance.”
Every time Roel tried to visit before, the messages never made it to Bernie.
Kiriel Eudia had intercepted every single one.
He suspected it was because of how recklessly he had blurted out talk of marriage during their last encounter.
‘I should’ve been more careful…’
Since then, he hadn’t been able to visit even once.
As soon as he heard about today’s opportunity, he hadn’t bothered with formalities and had rushed straight from the capital after a quick meal.
“I missed you.”
At his words, Bernie tilted her head.
Missed her?
Why?
Her eyes narrowed.
Noel was the future human leader who knew Bernie’s secret.
That meant she needed to be cautious.
“Why?”
“Because I like you, Bernie.”
“You like Bernie?”
“Yes.”
“You feel all soft and mushy about Bernie?”
“Soft and mushy…?
Hmm, maybe I do.”
Roel wasn’t entirely sure what she meant by “soft and mushy,” but he smiled beautifully, figuring it must be her way of asking if he liked her a lot.
He was right.
Bernie puffed out her chest proudly.
“Do you like chocolate?
I brought some famous chocolate from the Imperial Capital.”
Roel offered her a beautifully wrapped box.
Bernie’s eyes widened as she pointed to it.
“That’s ‘Bang Bang Choco’!”
“Oh?
Yes, that’s its name.
You know it?”
“Yeah!
Bernie already bought it the day it came out and ate it all up.”
“I see…”
Roel clicked his tongue regretfully.
Hearing her proud proclamation, he felt his effort had been in vain.
‘What a waste of time.’
He gestured lightly with his fingers, signaling his attendant to take the chocolate box away.
“Throw it out.”
“What?
Why throw it?
Bang Bang Choco is tasty.”
“Is it?
But if Bernie won’t eat it, there’s no point.
I don’t really like sweet things.”
With a casual air, Roel held Bernie’s hand and guided her to sit on the sofa.
He took the seat beside her, his hand still holding hers.
“By the way, is there anything you want?
Any wishes?
I heard it was your birthday recently, and I’d like to give you a gift.”
‘Bernie wants the human realm.’
But if she said that, her identity as the dreaded Demon King would be exposed.
That wouldn’t do.
After thinking for a moment, Bernie shook her head firmly.
Truthfully, there wasn’t much she wanted.
She missed Luriel, her mom, and her dad, but she understood those wishes were impossible.
As a remarkably mature and growing Bernie, she knew better than to dwell on unattainable desires.
She glanced at Roel, who sat beside her, smiling warmly while holding her hand.
“Then why did you come?”
“I told you—I missed you!
Didn’t you miss me?”
“Umm… Nope.”
The future human leader holding her weakness?
She hadn’t really wanted to see him.
Thud!
Roel’s expression froze in shock at Bernie’s blunt response.
His entire life had been filled with admiration and praise.
Ever since he had fully recovered from his illness, people flocked to him, eager to gain his favor.
Those same people, who had once ignored him entirely, now showered him with attention.
“I… I see.”
Roel replied awkwardly, though he wasn’t ready to give up.
Still, hearing outright that she didn’t want to see him stung more than he had anticipated.
“Oh!
Now that I think about it, isn’t Kiriel’s birthday coming up?
Have you decided on a gift?” Roel asked casually.
“Birthday?
The day Daddy was born?” Bernie tilted her head, her wide pink eyes shimmering with curiosity.
Roel chuckled at the innocent question and nodded.
“That’s right.
Although, I’ve never heard of Kiriel celebrating his birthday.
He’ll probably just let it pass like always.”
Bernie tilted her head further, thinking deeply.
“No tasty food?”
“Probably not.”
“Why?”
“Well… Kiriel’s mother passed away on the day he was born.
I don’t know if I should tell a child this, though,” Roel muttered quietly, glancing at Bernie.
“I’m not a baby,” Bernie said, puffing out her cheeks indignantly.
Roel paused but quickly nodded.
“You’re right, Bernie.
You’re not a baby.
Anyway, that’s why he doesn’t celebrate his birthday.
He’s never really liked the day.”
“Not even when he was a baby?” Bernie asked, her eyes shining with curiosity.
Roel hesitated, his gaze darting around.
Meeting Bernie’s expectant eyes, he coughed lightly before answering.
“I’m not sure… I wasn’t around back then.
But probably not.”
Bernie blinked, her small lips forming a pout.
“When babies are little, they should get lots of celebrations…”
The idea of someone never being celebrated, even as a baby, felt terribly sad to her.
Determined, Bernie clenched her fists tightly.
“Then this time, Bernie will celebrate him!”
Her face lit up with resolve.
If she prepared an amazing, extraordinary gift, surely Daddy would start liking his birthday again.
“Tasty choco makes everyone happy…” she thought aloud.
Then her expression shifted.
“But I can’t buy that choco anymore.”
She also wasn’t sure if Daddy even liked chocolate.
In that case…
“Bernie decided!” she declared, springing to her feet and standing tall on the sofa.
Roel’s eyes widened at her sudden announcement.
“Decided what?”
“Bernie will celebrate Daddy’s birthday!
Tomorrow, Bernie will secretly go buy a surprise gift!”
With her chest puffed out, Bernie looked proud and confident.
After all, as a top-ranked Bernie, she now had plenty of money.
***
Roel’s interest was piqued.
“A secret gift shopping trip tomorrow?
Where will you go?
The Imperial Capital has some great stores.
Want me to show you around?”
Bernie crossed her arms and looked at Roel.
She recalled Kiriel’s stern advice:
“Whenever you go out, don’t go alone.
Always take someone with you.
If a stranger talks to you, ignore them.”
“You’re a special child chosen by a special phoenix.
Bad people might try to kidnap you if you’re alone.”
“If they catch you, they’ll lock you up forever in a tiny prison, feeding you only hard bread while exploiting your phoenix.
No choco, no choco cookies.
Just a smelly room and endless work.”
Bernie smiled proudly.
‘Bernie, a good kid who listens to Daddy’s advice.’
With that in mind, she nodded firmly.
“Alright.
Let’s go tomorrow!”
Roel’s face lit up with joy.
He had finally secured some alone time with Bernie.
“Then I’ll come pick you up tomorrow, okay?” he said eagerly.
“Yup!
It’s a secret, so shhh,” Bernie whispered, holding a finger to her lips.
“Got it.
I’ll come here, and we’ll sneak out together,” Roel whispered back, mirroring her gesture.
Bernie gave him a thumbs-up, delighted by their mutual understanding.
“Bernie will find out what Daddy likes!”
Her small fists clenched with determination as she grinned.
Unbeknownst to her, when Kiriel said “take someone with you,” he had meant an adult.
‘Bernie will surprise Daddy with a gift and earn lots of points!
Daddy won’t dislike Bernie anymore.’
Meanwhile, Roel thought, ‘This is my chance to impress Bernie.
I’ll earn her favor for sure.’
And so, on that day, two children, averaging seven years old, began their secretive, yet very different, plans.