Betrayed, I Knocked Demon Lord's Door - Chapter 31: Chapter 31

Back home, Leon was rubbing his bright red ear, sulking as he stared mournfully at Caitlyn.
He thought, 'Man, she really didn't hold back...'
Caitlyn sat with a frosty expression, not even sparing him a glance.
This was the first time in her life anyone had dared to drag her through campus holding hands—then throw her on a scooter that practically launched into orbit like some wannabe speed freak.
"I'm pretty sure you actually made my ear swell!" Leon cried, holding up his phone and using the front camera like a mirror, his eyes wide with exaggerated horror.
Only then did Caitlyn glance over. His right ear did look a bit redder than the left. A little puffier too. Slightly lopsided.
Her lips twitched before she gave a smug little hum. "Serves you right. You were acting like a total maniac today."
Leon, clearly not amused, marched over, turned his head, and stuck his ear right in front of her face. "Look! It's swollen!"
"...And?" she said flatly. "The skin's not even broken. You—Leon, the guy who took on half the Hall of Heroes with half your ribs shattered—this is what gets you worked up?"
She pushed his face away like he was an annoying cat.
Leon huffed. "But you twisted it!"
"Yeah? I've blasted you with cannons before. You've tried to chop me in half. Didn't see you throwing a tantrum then."
"I don't care. You need to fix it! How am I supposed to show my face outside like this?"
"It'll be fine by the time you go to bed. What's the rush?"
"I don't care! I want it fixed now!" he whined like a kid digging in his heels.
Caitlyn raised an eyebrow, thinking, 'Is he for real?'
"And if I don't?"
"Then I'm officially ghosting you. Say goodbye to your money—I'm never paying you back!" Leon declared, arms crossed, defiant as ever.
Caitlyn rolled her eyes so hard it was a miracle she didn't sprain something.
"Will you move?"
"Nope! Not until you fix it!"
"How am I supposed to get the ointment if you're standing in the way?" Her voice dropped a few degrees, cold and sharp.
Leon flinched but held his ground, giving a dramatic little snort before finally stepping aside.
Caitlyn got up with a scowl and shot him a final glare.
'He's the one who started this,' she thought irritably. 'And now I have to fix it? Still… his ear does look a little swollen. I don't think I twisted that hard...'
She gave him another quick glance, sighed, and went to grab the first aid kit.
Leon flopped down in her seat like an old man settling in for a nap, one leg crossed lazily over the other. Watching her walk away, he narrowed his eyes with satisfaction.
He thought, 'Childish? Maybe. But hey—mission accomplished.'
If he hadn't thrown a fit and played the fool, no one knew how long Caitlyn would've stayed mad. After the stunt he pulled today, she could've given him the silent treatment for days.
And now? She was already fetching ointment to treat his "injury."
He thought, 'That's called strategy. Psychological warfare 101.'
Of course, it was not like he was really being immature. No way.
He was a grown man. A seasoned hero who'd saved the world. This was all an act. Just playing his role.
Totally not indulging in childish antics for fun.
Fortunately, Germaine's old first aid kit was still fully stocked.
Caitlyn dug through it and quickly found a tube of ointment meant for bumps and bruises.
Expressionless, she walked back over and stood in front of him. "Lie down," she ordered, cold as ever.
'Honestly,' she thought, 'for someone that tall, he really has no concept of making things easier for others.'
Leon blinked. "Lie down… where exactly?"
As he spoke, his gaze flicked down to Caitlyn's legs, a mischievous glint dancing in his eyes.
Caitlyn clenched her fists, her lips pulling into a tight, dangerous smile. "Go ahead. Try it."
Leon cleared his throat. "Ahem... We're not married. I'm not that kind of guy."
He muttered the excuse under his breath, but his eyes couldn't help sneaking another quick look at her thighs.
He thought, 'Man… they look so soft. I bet they'd make a great pillow... Then again, if I dared to actually try it, she'd probably snap my neck on the spot.'
Still, he held himself back. The last thing he wanted was to make her even more uncomfortable around him. Better to play it safe.
'One day,' he thought, 'I'll be able to lie all over her without a care in the world. Just not today.'
He glanced at the couch. It wasn't exactly spacious. With Caitlyn sitting on one side, he wondered, 'Where am I even supposed to lie?'
"So… seriously. Where do you expect me to lie?"
Without saying a word, Caitlyn stood up.
Leon immediately flopped onto the couch, head landing right where she'd just been sitting. The seat was still warm—soft, cozy, with just the faintest trace of her scent.
He thought, 'Jackpot.'
Instinctively, he rubbed his cheek against the cushion with a contented sigh—only to freeze a second later as realization hit.
He thought, 'Oh no. She's still standing right in front of me.'
He stiffened like a corpse, then slowly looked up at her, forcing a nervous grin. "I-It was a reflex. Totally not on purpose. You believe me, right?"
Caitlyn let out a cold, dry laugh. The look she gave him could've frozen lava—pure disdain.
Leon averted his eyes and sighed in defeat. He thought, 'Well. I'm done for.'
But before he could even process the fallout, Caitlyn suddenly reached out and pressed a hand to his face. "Don't. Move. Or I'll rip your ear clean off," she said icily.
"…Got it."
Leon stared blankly at the table, completely unaware of what was happening behind him. The moment Caitlyn's hand touched his face, the frosty mask she wore cracked.
A soft flush bloomed across her cheeks, vivid as a sunset sky. Her fingers trembled slightly as she stared at the idiot lying in front of her.
She thought, 'This idiot...! Not only did he lie down where I was just sitting—but he rubbed his face on it! Like he was enjoying it! What kind of perv—?'
Though… deep down, when he'd sprawled out without hesitation, a tiny part of her had worried he might avoid the spot altogether. Maybe even wrinkle his nose in disgust.
But no. She had seriously underestimated his shamelessness—and maybe how much he actually liked being close to her.
Caitlyn closed her eyes, took a slow, steady breath, and squeezed some ointment onto her fingers. Then she gently took hold of his ear and began applying it.
It was warm… soft… kind of nice, actually.
Leon shivered slightly, neck tucking in as he blushed faintly.
Caitlyn caught herself smiling and quickly bit her lip to hold it back. She thought, 'So he can get flustered. Cute.'
Once she finished, she let go of his face and immediately snapped back to her usual icy tone. "After your shower tonight, I'll change your bandages."
"…Okay," Leon mumbled, stealing a glance at her. She didn't look mad anymore… at least, not too mad.
He touched his cheek, where her hand had been. It still felt warm.
Then he glanced up at the clock on the wall.
He wondered, 'When's it gonna get dark already...?'