I Got a Job as the Demon King's Plaything - Chapter 64
“Could you tell me about your parents? How they met, if they’re still doing well… things like that.”
The unexpected question caused Rento’s eyes to widen in surprise, but then he let out a small, bitter smile.
“That’s quite a personal question. Why do you ask?”
Bonita blushed, feeling awkward. She wasn’t sure how Rento would react if she explained her reasons honestly. He might be willing to help her, or he could choose to ignore her. The worst-case scenario, of course, was if he reported this conversation to Teshiel.
“Could you… not ask me why?”
“I’m not sure what kind of answer you’re expecting, but I doubt it’ll help you. My mother was raped, and when she saw the horns on my head after I was born, she took her own life.”
Bonita’s hands flew to her mouth, her eyes welling up with tears.
“I’m so sorry… I’m really, truly sorry… I shouldn’t have asked.”
She hung her head low in shame, but Rento’s voice remained calm as he responded.
“It’s fine. I never met either of them. I don’t even know my father’s name. They were both strangers to me, so you have no reason to feel sorry.”
“…Still…”
“So, will you tell me why you asked such a question? I’ve shared this much with you, after all.”
Despite his claim that there was nothing to apologize for, Rento wielded his story like a weapon, knowing it would weigh on her. And it worked—Bonita’s heart softened.
“If you promise to keep whatever I say a secret from Lord Teshiel…”
Rento’s pale blue eyes narrowed slightly.
“Hmm… fine. I promise.”
Blushing furiously, Bonita finally spoke.
“I was hoping… to find a way to stay by Lord Teshiel’s side after this December. I thought maybe your story could help somehow.”
Rento’s eyes widened in disbelief.
“Are you serious?”
Without saying a word, Bonita nodded, feeling embarrassed and vulnerable. Over the past few months, there had been only one thing between her and Teshiel, and she was sure it made her look shameless in Rento’s eyes.
But what could she do? She wanted to stay with Teshiel. She liked it, craved it.
It was better to try and fail than to regret doing nothing when time ran out. The thought of sitting idly by was far worse.
Rento let out a short, incredulous laugh.
“You really are something else, Miss Bonita…”
Bonita pressed her flushed cheeks with her hands, unsure of how to respond, but she didn’t deny that she was being sincere. Rento, meanwhile, thought about the many women who had come and gone before her. None of them had lasted more than a week.
Even if Bonita hadn’t received much divine blessing, the fact that she had endured Teshiel for several months was impressive. And, on top of that, she seemed to be enjoying it. Was there really another woman like her in the world?
“My parents’ story won’t help you, but you came to the right person nonetheless.”
Bonita’s head shot up, her wide, hopeful brown eyes gleaming. Rento sighed, shaking his head slightly as he continued.
“There are two possible ways to stay by Lord Teshiel’s side.”
“What are they?”
“The first is pregnancy.”
Bonita’s already flushed face turned a deeper shade of red.
“If you were to become pregnant, the demon child growing inside you would gradually start affecting your body as well. The theology behind it is complicated, but the result is that your body would be intertwined with demonic blessings, allowing you to remain in a similar state for a very long time. There are other effects too… but I don’t know the details. It’s such a rare occurrence. Maybe a high priest from an ancient temple would know more.”
Bonita bit her lower lip. Pregnancy… That wasn’t something she could control. She couldn’t just ask Teshiel to impregnate her. He might become angry or dismiss her entirely, possibly even drive her away. Worse, he might mock her desire and continue to use her until the end of the year, only to cast her out when the time came.
“And the other way?” Bonita asked, her voice laced with anxiety.
