Harem Startup : The Demon Billionaire is on Vacation-Chapter 536: I Feel Better

Chapter 536 – I Feel Better

06.21 AM

Lux blinked.

His eyes adjusted to the soft, gold-threaded canopy above him, the silky fabric rustling just faintly in the breeze of the ventilation rune above. Warm sunlight filtered through the enchanted curtains, just enough to paint lazy rays over the bed but not enough to wake anyone else up.

Weird.

He felt... good?

Like not just physically not-dead good. But emotionally... fine?

He shifted slightly.

Naomi was still there, curled against his side, half-wrapped in the rumpled sheets. Her hair spilled over his chest, one leg draped possessively over his thigh, her breathing even and warm. There was a faint red mark on her neck from last night. His. Oops.

Lux frowned.

Then blinked again.

Then frowned harder.

"...Wait," he whispered to no one. "The sex worked?"

He stared at the ceiling like it owed him an explanation.

"I feel better?" he mumbled, almost offended. "Like... actually better?"

He sat up slightly, propping himself on one elbow. His body ached in that pleasant, used way, muscles stretched, tension released, soul slightly less cracked. But his mind? No fog. No dread chewing the back of his skull. No weight pressing on his spine like a vault of unpaid interest. Just... a calm hum.

Okay, what the fck.

He tried to remember his dream. Something about a hallway. Maybe a classroom. Sira? No, Lullaby? Or both? The details blurred the harder he tried. All he knew was, he felt lighter. Like someone scrubbed the rot off the inside of his heart and replaced it with warm bathwater and a cookie.

He stared at Naomi.

Still asleep.

Still warm.

Still real.

He kissed her forehead without thinking. Slow. Gentle. Like a thank-you in skin contact form.

She stirred slightly, murmuring something unintelligible and tucked herself tighter into the pillow. Lux smiled faintly.

Then slipped out of bed.

The floor was cold under his feet, but he didn’t care. The tiles felt smooth. Real. His body didn’t lag. No exhaustion dragged him down. He even whistled, soft and off-key, as he walked to the bath.

Yes. Whistled.

’What the hell is happening to me?’

Steam billowed from the tub. He dipped into the warm water, eyes closing as it hugged his skin. The scent of sandalwood and a hint of demon-lavender clung to his hair. When he stepped out ten minutes later, towel slung around his hips, he actually felt human.

Or, well... close enough.

The mansion was quiet when he emerged. Soft hums from the kitchen. Footsteps from distant maids. Nobody else awake. That suited him fine.

He walked into the living room with damp hair, dressed in his usual loose black shirt and slacks. The fireplace flickered low in standby mode.

"Good morning, My Lord," Lyra said with a bow, appearing by the column with his cup of preferred black roast, spiced with a touch of cinnamon.

Lux took it, inhaled deeply, and said, "Thank you."

She blinked.

"...You’re welcome," she said, blinking again like she expected him to bite her head off or flirt with her mother. But no. He just sat down on the large velvet couch and sipped quietly.

That was weird.

He actually felt grateful.

No one was awake yet. Or at least he thought.

Because a moment later, something moved at the edge of the hall.

A tiny shuffle.

Then a plushie.

Then the softest voice known to Hell.

"Lux..."

He turned just in time to see Lullaby, barefoot, hair a fuzzy halo of chaos, dragging her oversized sleeves behind her like a sleepy ghost. Her bunny plushie dangled from one hand. Her eyes were only half-open, blinking like reality was a suggestion.

Lux blinked back.

"...Morning," he said slowly. "Lullaby. You’re up early."

She stared at him. Blinked again.

Then smiled.

Soft. Pure.

"I’m glad you’re fine," she said, voice quiet but steady.

Lux blinked once.

Then again.

"...Huh?"

She shook her head and walked forward without explaining. Her plushie flopped dramatically onto the couch. She followed, and without hesitation, settled down beside him, then promptly flopped over and made his lap her pillow like she owned the right.

"...You’re going to sleep here?" Lux asked, glancing down at her as her cheek pressed against his thigh.

She nodded sleepily, not even opening her eyes. "I used my power on you. So now you have to pay me."

"...Power?"

"Mhm."

She reached up with one hand, lightly booped his nose with her fingertip.

"Emotional dream intervention. Very high-tier," she mumbled. "Sloth magic. Custom comfort. Support package. Two-pillow deluxe."

Lux stared at her. "You’re joking."

She opened one eye. "Am I?"

He hesitated.

Okay, she was the daughter of the Sloth Lord. Her dream-based magic was legendary. And... wait.

He rubbed his temple.

"...So it was you in the dream," he muttered.

"Told you," she mumbled smugly. "You called me. Like a bunny beacon."

"I did not call you."

"You did," she said. "With your sadness. It was very loud. Almost like screaming. But emotional. Like a hug-scream."

Lux groaned softly and took another sip of his coffee. "Holy Hell... this is what I get for opening up emotionally."

She didn’t move.

Didn’t budge.

Just curled more into his lap like a kitten who claimed him in the name of nap.

"You feel better now?" she asked, voice muffled.

"...Yeah. I do."

"See?" she murmured, nudging his side with her knuckles. "I’m good at my job. You’re lucky I like you."

Lux raised an eyebrow. "So what’s the payment?"

Lullaby yawned and nuzzled his hip like a cat. "This. Let me nap here."

"...That’s it?"

"Well..." she looked up, lashes fluttering, eyes still half-shut. "Maybe some headpats. And snacks later. And don’t let anyone bully me when I fall asleep in the spa again."

Lux chuckled, brushing a hand through her soft, fluffy hair.

"Done," he said quietly.

She sighed in contentment. "Mmm. You smell nice."

"Yeah, I just bathed."

"I know," she said. "Smells like... demon wood and expensive loneliness."

He blinked. "That’s not a scent."

She shrugged. "It is now."

Lux sat there for a moment, watching her chest rise and fall slowly, her breath warm against his thigh. His fingers kept petting her without even thinking.