After Work, I Brought Home a Devilish Beauty - Chapter 71

After Lucifer left, only Chiba and Alice remained in the room.

This was, in fact, the first time the two of them had ever been alone together.

Alice was visibly nervous, but after taking a deep breath, she finally gathered the courage to speak.

“First of all… please allow me to thank you for what happened today.”

As soon as she finished speaking, Alice bowed deeply before Chiba.

Chiba was caught off guard.

She raised her head and stared at Alice intently.

At first, Chiba assumed Alice was plotting something again. But when she looked into the girl’s eyes, she found nothing but sincerity. There was no trace of deception in her expression.

This only made Chiba more confused.

Didn’t she hate me?

After all, Alice had always believed that Chiba was responsible for what happened to her family.

So why was she suddenly treating her like this?

…Never mind.

It didn’t really matter.

“It’s nothing,” Chiba replied indifferently. “I simply dislike those people. You don’t need to thank me.”

However, Alice refused to let the matter go.

“Even so, you still saved my life.”

What a stubborn girl.

Chiba sighed impatiently.

“If you came here only to thank me, then you can leave now.”

But Alice had no intention of wasting this opportunity.

In her desperation, she suddenly remembered what Yuichi had asked her before she left.

“No. There’s something else I need to tell you.”

Chiba remained silent.

“It’s something Yuichi specifically asked me to ask you.”

The moment Yuichi’s name was mentioned, Chiba’s expression changed slightly.

“…Yuichi?”

Alice nodded.

“Yes. He asked me why you haven’t returned after being gone for so long.”

She hesitated briefly before continuing.

“Is it because… you hate him?”

“No.”

Chiba answered immediately.

Alice tilted her head.

“Then why haven’t you gone back?”

Chiba turned her face away, looking somewhat helpless.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t explain everything.”

She paused.

“In short… I can’t return right now.”

“What do you mean?”

Chiba glanced around the room.

“As you can see, I’m being locked in here.”

Alice’s eyes widened.

“I want to return, but I can’t leave. Only Lucifer and my father have the key to this room. Without their permission, there’s no way for me to get out.”

Alice fell silent.

“I see…”

She began thinking carefully.

Of course, she wanted to help Chiba.

After everything Chiba had done for her, Alice wanted to repay her kindness. But helping her escape was extremely dangerous.

If Lucifer discovered them, he might become furious.

No…

The consequences could be even worse.

He might kill her.

On one hand, Alice could simply ignore the situation, leave this place, and return to her ordinary life.

On the other hand, she could help Chiba—but risk losing her life in the process.

For most people, the choice would have been obvious.

But Alice wasn’t like most people.

After thinking for a long time, she finally made her decision.

“I understand.”

Alice raised her head.

“Then let me help you.”

“…Are you serious?”

Chiba stared at Alice in disbelief.

For a moment, she even wondered whether the Church of Assis had somehow driven Alice insane.

The girl had been acting strangely ever since arriving here.

“…Why are you asking me that?” Alice asked in confusion. “Don’t you trust me?”

Chiba sighed deeply.

This girl’s simplicity is truly unbelievable.

How had someone like her managed to survive for so long?

Chiba didn’t answer immediately.

Instead, she quietly climbed down from the bed and walked toward the door. She looked through the small opening, checking whether anyone was nearby.

Only then did she speak.

“It’s not that I don’t trust you.”

Her voice became serious.

“Do you understand what will happen if we’re caught?”

Alice remained silent.

“If our escape fails, you could be executed. And even I might not be able to protect you.”

“Of course I understand.”

Alice answered calmly.

“Lucifer already warned me.”

“Then why would you still—”

“Because I want to repay your kindness.”

Chiba stopped.

For some reason, she didn’t know whether to feel annoyed or amused.

“So… you’re not planning to take revenge on me anymore?”

“Of course I still want revenge.”

Alice’s answer came immediately.

Chiba narrowed her eyes.

“But not against you.”

Alice lowered her head.

“I think… the person responsible for what happened to my family may have been someone else.”

Chiba stared at her.

“And that’s it?”

Alice looked confused.

“What do you mean?”

“You’re risking your life to help me escape. Is repaying my kindness the only reason?”

Alice nodded honestly.

“Yes.”

“……”

Chiba was speechless.

She stared at Alice for several seconds before finally shaking her head.

“Alice…”

She sighed.

“You’re a complete idiot.”

“Lucifer, you can come in now.”

After their discussion was finished, Chiba called for Lucifer.

When he entered the room, he immediately noticed something different about her.

The Chiba from earlier had been gloomy and irritated.

But now…

There was a faint happiness in her expression.

Lucifer had no idea what Alice had said to his master, but seeing Chiba in a better mood still brought him some relief.

“Have you finished talking?”

“Mm.”

Chiba nodded before looking at him.

“Can Alice stay here with me for a little longer?”

Lucifer hesitated.

He glanced at Alice before shaking his head helplessly.

“I’m sorry, but Lord Ander will be returning soon, so—”

“But he hasn’t returned yet!”

Chiba interrupted him.

“Please. Just keep watch for us until he comes back.”

Lucifer opened his mouth, intending to refuse.

But when he saw the sincere expression on Chiba’s face, he fell silent.

He couldn’t bring himself to reject her.

Besides…

It wasn’t an unreasonable request.

After a moment of hesitation, Lucifer sighed.

“…Fine.”

He then turned toward Alice.

“But if you get caught, don’t blame me.”

Alice nodded.

“Of course.”

Then she suddenly added:

“But before that, could you lend me your coat?”

Lucifer frowned.

“Why?”

“Because I need it to escape.”

Alice smiled slightly.

“Don’t worry. If we ever meet again, I’ll return it to you.”

“There’s no need.”

Lucifer began removing his coat.

But before he could finish, Alice suddenly stepped forward.

“Let me help you!”

Lucifer blinked in surprise.

He had no idea why Alice had suddenly become so enthusiastic.

Still, he didn’t stop her.

Alice happily helped him remove the coat and quickly took possession of it.

Once she had what she wanted, Chiba’s expression immediately returned to its usual cold and indifferent state.

She looked toward Lucifer.

“You can leave now.”