My Wives are Beautiful Demons - Chapter 253

Chapter 253: Finally, you’re starting to get it.
Vergil set his phone aside, leaving Ada’s last message unanswered. Instead, he simply sat there, observing Raphaeline with a more attentive, more… present gaze.

She continued savoring her ramen, lost in the simple pleasure of enjoying her meal. The steam rose gently from the bowl, and her eyes—usually sharp and naturally commanding—seemed a little softer now. It was almost as if she were reliving something… something distant.

He didn’t say anything. He just picked up his chopsticks and resumed eating, but without taking his eyes off her.

The silence between them wasn’t uncomfortable. In fact, it was a peaceful pause, something rare in the chaotic lives they led.

Raphaeline, however, noticed before long. She chewed her noodles slowly and, without lifting her head, cast a sidelong glance at him.

“You’re staring at me too much.” Her voice was light, almost playful, but tinged with curiosity.

Vergil didn’t look away. He simply took a sip of the broth and rested his elbow on the table, propping his chin on his hand. “Am I?”

“Yes.” She set her chopsticks down and crossed her arms on the table, leaning forward slightly. Her lilac eyes met his with an inquisitive glimmer. “What is it? Do I have something on my face?”

Vergil smirked slightly but didn’t respond right away.

“If you don’t tell me, I’ll start thinking I’m drooling broth or something.” Raphaeline frowned.

He let out a short, quiet chuckle, a sound so rare that her eyes widened slightly in surprise.

Vergil simply shrugged. “It’s nothing. I’m just… enjoying the view.”

Raphaeline blinked a few times, clearly caught off guard. Then, slowly, a soft blush crept up her face.

She averted her gaze, picking up the glass of water beside her and taking a sip to mask her reaction.

Vergil noticed and found it amusing that, despite her dominant presence and ever-poised demeanor, she could still be so easily flustered.

“Hmph.” She cleared her throat and picked up her chopsticks again, murmuring, “If you wanted to compliment me, you could’ve done it in a less direct way…”

“I didn’t compliment you,” he remarked.

She froze mid-movement, chopsticks still in the air. Then, she turned to him with a slightly indignant expression. “What do you mean you didn’t?”

“I said I was enjoying the view. You interpreted it however you wanted.”

Raphaeline stared at him in silence for a moment, as if trying to decipher whether he was joking or not.

Finally, she scoffed, a small smile forming. “Tsk… you really enjoy provoking me, don’t you?” she said.

“You didn’t even look back. What a shame.” Vergil smirked and resumed eating.

She then turned around… the so-called ‘view’… didn’t exist. After all, they were in a private, enclosed room. Sure, the walls were nice, but… he wouldn’t be staring at them and calling it a view… right?

‘He…’ she started to think but chose not to follow that thought any further. She simply observed for another moment before returning to her meal.

But this time, her smile didn’t fade so quickly.

Maybe this date wasn’t such a bad idea after all.

After finishing their ramen, Raphaeline stretched her arms with a satisfied sigh, a slight gleam of joy in her eyes.

“Alright! Now that we’ve eaten well, let’s continue our walk!” She stood up and extended her hand to Vergil, who raised an eyebrow.

“You’re way too excited,” Vergil said with a smirk.

“And you’re not excited enough.” She insisted, grabbing his hand and pulling him along, intertwining their fingers.

Vergil didn’t resist. Not because he was being dragged by force, but because, strangely, he saw no reason to refuse.

Tokyo at night was vibrant. Neon lights painted the city in shades of blue, purple, and red, reflecting off the glass buildings and the asphalt dampened by the humidity. The steady movement of people wasn’t irritating; instead, it gave off an oddly welcoming sensation.

Raphaeline led him through the streets as if she already had a destination in mind. They passed by flashy storefronts, electronics shops, themed cafés, and even a few stalls selling traditional sweets.

“Hm, should I buy something for Ada?” she murmured to herself, eyeing a display filled with anime character keychains.

‘She’s thinking about Ada… that’s new… very new…’ Vergil thought, watching how differently she was acting. When he first met her, Raphaeline had been far too arrogant. Now… she seemed like just a peaceful, happy, and balanced woman.

So, for her sake—and for Ada’s—he would do whatever it took to keep this version of Raphaeline.

“You want me to carry it?” Vergil asked, crossing his arms.

“Hah, you’re really embracing the boyfriend role now, huh?” She teased with a mischievous smile, as if she had finally won something.

He didn’t reply, simply looking to the side.

Raphaeline laughed, but then something caught her attention. “Ohhh! Look at that!”

Vergil followed her gaze and saw a gachapon machine—the kind that dispensed random capsule toys.

“You’re really interested in that?” he asked, unable to hide his mild surprise. ‘And there goes the thousand-year-old demon queen…’ he thought, watching the excitement in the woman—or rather, the girl.

“Of course! These machines are addictive!” She approached enthusiastically and started checking out the available prizes.

Vergil glanced at the side of the machine. The theme was from an anime he definitely recognized—the one with the Honored One he often compared to his mother… who, well, got split in two, so maybe that comparison wasn’t valid anymore. A lineup of characters was displayed, along with their rarity descriptions.

Raphaeline pulled out some coins and inserted them into the machine.

“I want that one!” She pointed at a specific character with white hair and blue eyes.

We all know him from another medium that, honestly, I’d rather not get sued over.

“You do realize this is random, right?” Vergil questioned. He was never really a fan of gacha.

“Yes, but I’m lucky,” she said excitedly.

Vergil crossed his arms, skeptical.

She turned the crank, and a capsule dropped. Anxiously, she opened it quickly, but as soon as she saw the contents, she pouted.

“Hah… I got a common character,” she said, looking at a boy with white hair and a salmon drawing beside him.

Vergil took the miniature from her hand and examined it. “I don’t see any difference between this one and the other you wanted,” he said, trying not to give it too much importance. After all, he had no intention of suddenly getting into an anime discussion. So, he remained a good man of no culture… or at least, he tried.

“That’s because you don’t understand the significance of this!” She sighed dramatically.

Vergil raised an eyebrow. “Then try again.”

“I will!” She huffed.

She inserted more coins and turned the crank again. The capsule dropped, she opened it… and once again, it wasn’t what she wanted.

“No!” she exclaimed.

“Your luck isn’t that great after all.” Vergil let out a low chuckle.

She glanced at him sideways, suspicious.

“You think you can do better?” she challenged.

“It’s just a machine. Anyone can turn it,” he shrugged.

“Then prove it,” she said.

She crossed her arms, challenging him.

Vergil sighed but grabbed some coins and put them into the machine. He turned the crank calmly.

The capsule dropped. He picked it up and opened it.

The moment she saw what was inside, Raphaeline’s eyes widened.

“…No way… The Honored One…” she muttered, almost in disbelief.

He had gotten exactly the character she wanted.

Vergil looked at the miniature and then at her. “This is good, right?”

“Are you kidding me?! I spent so many coins, and you got it on your first try?!”

He handed the miniature to her. “Here.”

She took it, still shocked, but then smiled and held the tiny figure with exaggerated affection.

“Hah! Now I have him!”

Vergil watched the way she celebrated and shook his head. It was a little childish… but at the same time, kind of adorable.

“So, what now?” he asked.

Raphaeline clutched the miniature to her chest and smiled at him.

“How about we continue our date and see where the night takes us?”

He took a deep breath and, without realizing it, ended up giving a small smile.

“Hm… I guess I have no choice.”

She laughed and grabbed his arm, pulling him toward their next destination.

Hours passed, and Vergil found himself caught up in everything they had been doing. But then… where was he?

Vergil blinked slowly, analyzing his surroundings. The lights were soft and warm, the air carried a subtle floral scent, and the decor… well, it definitely didn’t look like an ordinary hotel.

He narrowed his eyes.

“…Raphaeline.”

The woman beside him, who had been distractedly playing with the small gacha keychain he had won for her, looked up innocently. “Yes, dear?”

“…Where exactly are we?”

“A motel, of course.” She smiled.

The silence that followed was almost comical. Vergil just stared at her, blinking a few times as he tried to process her shamelessly direct answer.

He ran a hand over his face, sighing. “I should’ve realized it sooner.”

Raphaeline tilted her head, still smiling.

“What are you talking about? I just thought that after such a wonderful date, it would be a waste not to enjoy the night.” She teased.

He crossed his arms.

“You blackmailed me into a date, dragged me around the city, made me play a gacha machine… and now you brought me to a motel.” He listed off each point.

“Exactly!” She confirmed cheerfully.

Vergil glanced at the spacious bed in the center of the room, then at the strategically romantic lighting, and finally, at the jacuzzi in the corner. “You planned this from the beginning, didn’t you?”

She placed a hand over her chest, feigning indignation.

“How could you think that of me? I am a lady!” She tried to defend herself, but she was already blushing too much to be taken seriously.

“Raphaeline.” Vergil called her name.

She laughed, finally giving up the act. “Alright, alright. Maybe I had a goal from the start…”

Vergil sighed again, but there was something in his expression that suggested he wasn’t exactly bothered by it.

He looked at her, and she now gazed back at him intently, her eyes shining with a mix of anticipation and… something more.

“Well… since we’re already here.” He murmured.

“Finally, you’re starting to get it.” Raphaeline smiled, triumphant.