Satel walked out of the room. As she stepped outside the house, she found the demons setting up chairs and decorating.
Satel waltzed through the busy crowd in confusion. She weaved her way through until she finally saw her father talking to some other demons.
She walked towards him. When she reached him, she hid behind him and tugged on his shirt.
The chief turned around and looked down at his daughter.
"Well hello, sweetheart. What's this about?" the chief asked as he lifted her off her feet and placed her on his shoulders.
He walked around with her as they oversaw the decorations.
"I was going to ask you that same question," Satel said as she marveled at how beautiful everything looked.
The chief smiled as a demon hung a banner that read Welcome Home Satel on the house in front of them.
Satel gasped in shock. The chief smiled warmly.
"Well, you spent three full years without coming home, so I thought we should give you a proper welcome," the chief said as he set her down.
Satel hugged her father and squealed with joy.
---
Night fell.
The feast began. Shin finally woke up and joined the celebration. Demons rejoiced as they drank wine.
They feasted, they stomped, they danced and laughed, enjoying the night. Satel and Bael got into a drinking contest.
"If you out-drink me, Bael, I'll fulfill one of your requests," Satel said, already half drunk.
"You're on," Bael replied.
The two began chugging drink after drink after drink. Shin stood with the chief, shocked by Satel and Bael's recklessness.
"Hey Shin, follow me," the chief ordered.
Shin followed as they went far from the houses into an open plain. The chief stood facing away from him.
Shin stood a few feet behind until the chief turned around, his expression unreadable.
"What is it that you want?" the chief asked.
Shin paused for a moment, gathering his thoughts.
What do I want?
Finally, he responded, "To pay off my debt to your daughter and live a peaceful life."
The chief paused, observing Shin with a piercing gaze.
"Only a selfish king lives a peaceful life. Tell me, Shin, are you selfish?" the chief asked as he stepped closer.
He stopped right beside Shin.
"I never expected it to be fully peaceful. I just want a normal life surrounded by people who care for me," Shin answered.
The chief smiled and placed a hand on Shin's shoulder before walking off. Shin followed behind.
"People who care for you, eh? How about my daughter?" the chief asked.
"What about her?" Shin asked, his cheeks turning red.
The chief smiled. "Nothing, nothing at all."
The two returned to the celebration. Shin walked over to Satel and Bael, who were completely wasted.
Shin lifted Satel up and carried her to her room. He laid her on the bed, but she refused to let go.
Satel pulled Shin onto the bed and wrapped herself around him. Shin blushed as he tried to pry her off, but it was no use.
Reluctantly, he gave up and fell asleep, cuddling her.
Outside, the feast continued.