CHAPTER 443: ROSE WITH THORNS (4)

Eight lives left.

That’s what Loki reminded himself as he stepped out of the dark portal and into the golden light of the human world.

His tall frame cast a long shadow across the quiet rooftop. Tousled black hair brushed against his cheekbones, and his golden-brown eyes flicked lazily over the skyline—gleaming like a predator half-awake from a luxurious nap.

He looked devastatingly handsome, even as he yawned.

"Finally," he muttered, stretching his arms overhead with feline ease. "Earth. It’s been too long."

Years ago, he had been dragged—kicking and scratching—back to Hell after sacrificing one of his nine lives to save a human. That human? A teenage girl named Rose.

Or as he fondly remembered her: that ridiculous pheasant of a human who kept smuggling fish into her schoolbag to feed him under the desk.

She had no idea he was a demon prince back then.

And she still didn’t.

After that incident, his parents—the rulers of the Demon Cat realm locked him in a luxury hell-palace and forced him to train day and night.

"You’ll be king one day, Loki!" they said.

"Not until you can shape-shift without looking like a scruffy alley cat!" they said.

And now?

Now he was the strongest, most dangerously lazy demon lord to ever wear leather pants.

And he was here for one reason: Elder Sister Lilith had a baby.

He pulled out a sleek phone, stolen from someone, and tapped the screen. As expected, he still remembered her number.

It rang once.

Twice.

"Hello?" came Lilith’s elegant voice.

Loki smirked. "Loki speaking."

"Loki?" she sounded surprised. "You’re back?"

"I want to see your baby," he announced.

There was a pause. "We’re not in the country right now."

He frowned. "So you left me behind and took the baby?"

"You didn’t tell anyone you were coming."

Loki sighed.

"We’ll be back soon. But if you want, you can stay at our place. I’ll send the address."

Loki blinked. "...You’re welcome, by the way."

"For what?"

"For blessing your house with my presence."

Click.

He slipped the phone back into his pocket and stared out over the city with a long sigh.

Suddenly, a cat brushed past his leg and meowed.

"Shoo," he said without looking down. "I’m not your leader anymore. I’m retired."

Another cat purred nearby.

Then another.

Within minutes, dozens of neighborhood strays surrounded him, gazing up at him like he was their moon and sun.

"Tch. You still remember me, huh?"

A fat orange tabby proudly dropped a half-eaten pigeon at his feet.

"...Charming," Loki muttered, stepping over it with disgust.

He didn’t want offerings.

He wanted a soft bed, a decent nap and a look at elder sister baby.

With another sigh, he turned and headed toward the address Lilith had sent him.

***

After that mysterious man had left Rose, Mia arrived shortly after. Without saying a word, she pulled Rose into a hug and whispered a quiet apology, her arms trembling slightly.

"I’m sorry, Rosie... I should’ve never left you alone," she murmured.

She made sure Rose got home safely, staying by her side until they reached the apartment.

Rose didn’t say anything.

She simply shook her head, quietly accepting the apology without a trace of anger. Rose wasn’t the type to hold grudges but tonight had shaken her more than she cared to admit. After walking Mia to the door and gently reminding her to be careful, she closed it behind her and returned to the stillness of her apartment.

Her apartment was a cozy two-bedroom, just the way she liked it. The lights were soft, and the colors around her were calm and peaceful. Small potted plants sat on the windowsills, and sketchbooks were scattered across the desk. In the corner, her favorite bookshelf stood proudly. Every item in this space belonged to her. It was her quiet, safe little world.

And yet... she couldn’t sleep.

Rose curled up on the edge of her bed, wearing her oversized hoodie. Her legs were bare, her hair messy from tossing in sleep. Her cheeks were warm from crying.

She hadn’t even said thank you.

To the man who saved her.

Her breath hitched at the thought.

Why did he feel so... familiar?

Before she could think further, the sound of the doorbell echoed through the apartment.

Ding-dong.

Rose jumped. Her heart slammed against her ribs.

Her building was known for tight security. No one could just show up here. She held her breath as she stepped silently toward the door, her bare feet cold against the wooden floor.

She peeked through the peephole.

Her eyes widened.

It was him.

The man from earlier.

Still dressed in black, tall and lean, that same lazy, dangerous aura wrapped around him like a cloak. His hair was slightly tousled, his sharp golden-brown eyes half-lidded, almost bored.

Rose hesitated for a moment, then slowly opened the door.

A gust of cold night air brushed against her legs. She stood there, hoodie hanging loosely over her frame, eyes still swollen from crying but her gaze was steady.

"...You," she whispered.

Loki blinked. He tilted his head slightly, lips curving upward into a small smirk.

"So it was you," he said, voice low and smooth. "I thought the scent was familiar."

Rose blinked in confusion. "Scent?"

He ignored the question and casually leaned against the doorframe, arms folded. His gaze slowly roamed from her messy hair down to her bare legs. Not in a disrespectful way—just observant. Curious. Like a cat eyeing something he didn’t quite remember owning.

"You’ve grown up," he said simply.

Her brows furrowed. "Have we... met before?"

Loki’s smirk deepened, but he didn’t answer. Instead, he gave a dramatic sigh and straightened up.

"You didn’t say thank you," he said, like a child reporting injustice.

Rose blinked again, caught off guard.

"...Oh. Right. I-I’m sorry. Thank you for earlier. I didn’t get the chance to—"

"Not good enough," he cut in, narrowing his eyes.

"What?" Rose asked, staring at the strange man in shock.

"Your apology didn’t feel sincere," he said, tilting his head like a lazy cat. "Try again, but this time with feelings."

Rose took a step back, now a little wary. "Wait a second—how do you know where I live? Why are you even here?" she asked, her voice rising in panic. Her fingers curled around the edge of the door.