The Incubus System Chapter 911. Do You Hate Her?

The Incubus System Chapter 911. Do You Hate Her?

I went down the stairs with light steps, feeling a subtle bounce in my mood. Messing around with Ruby after her little escapade had lifted some of the annoyance that had lingered earlier. Her sour expression when I suggested she tidy up my room was almost comical, and despite my efforts to maintain a stern demeanor, I couldn't help but find it amusing.

I couldn't shake off the lingering image of Ruby's pouting face. Despite her mischievous tendencies and occasional boundary-crossing behavior, there was something undeniably endearing about her. Maybe it was her fiery spirit or her refusal to conform to societal norms. Whatever it was, I found myself unable to stay mad at her for long.

Reflecting on the situation, I couldn't help but acknowledge that being groped without consent wasn't a new experience for me.

'I wonder if I was too hard on her?' I thought as my feet continued to move. The question nagged at me. Reflecting on my interaction with Ruby, I couldn't shake off a twinge of guilt. Sure, she had crossed a line by sneaking into my room and playing her little games, but had I overreacted?

Foxy's bold BJ wake-up call and the hazy recollection of moments with Celia when I was only half-conscious reminded me that I wasn't always so strict. Maybe I had been too harsh on Ruby.

'I'll just give her a reward after she's finished,' I thought, trying to appease my guilt. The idea of making it up to her with a small gesture of kindness seemed fair, a way to balance out my reaction. After all, despite her quirks and intrusive behavior, Ruby's intentions were rooted in a deep affection for me. Or perhaps it was something more akin to obsession, a twisted form of love that both intrigued and unnerved me.

Her twisted affection made me feel a tightness in my chest, a sensation akin to being ensnared in the Demon Hunter's Mana Chain. Ruby's fervent devotion and the suffocating intensity of her affections often left me feeling trapped, unable to fully embrace or reciprocate her feelings.

'Let's concentrate on breakfast first,' I decided, pushing aside my conflicting emotions. Dwelling on my relationship with Ruby would only dampen my appetite, and Celia had likely prepared a delicious meal that deserved my full attention.

With a determined shake of my head, I banished the lingering doubts and focused on the present moment. Whatever complexities lay in my relationship with Ruby could wait until later.

I arrived down the stairs, the soft creak of each step beneath my feet echoing through the foyer. Celia was lounging on the couch, her attention glued to her phone screen, while Foxy was engrossed in a playful game with my pets. They both glanced up as I made my way toward the kitchen counter, where the aroma of freshly grilled cheese sandwiches greeted me.

"Where's Ruby?" Celia's voice cut through the air, her tone laced with curiosity and a hint of concern as she furrowed her brow.

I settled into a chair at the dining table, sandwich in hand, and shrugged casually. “She's cleaning up my room,” I replied between bites, the cheesy goodness of the sandwich satisfying my hunger.

Celia's reaction was immediate. Her eyebrows shot up in disbelief, her eyes narrowing slightly as she processed my words. I could practically see the skepticism written all over her face, silently questioning the validity of my statement.

"She's cleaning your room?" Celia repeated incredulously, her disbelief palpable.

I nodded, unfazed by her reaction. “Yep,” I confirmed, a nonchalant grin playing on my lips. “Why not? She barged in, so I figured she might as well put that energy to good use,” I explained, punctuating my words with another hearty bite of my sandwich. It was hard to argue with the logic of turning an unexpected visit into a productive task.

Celia's eyes narrowed at my response, her expression a mix of skepticism and mild irritation. "Why don't you do it yourself? You have Telekinesis skill," she retorted, her voice tinged with annoyance.

I took another bite of my sandwich, chewing thoughtfully before responding. "Yeah, I do," I agreed, nodding slightly. "But the issue here isn't about who can do it. It's about respecting boundaries," I explained, my tone firm but not confrontational. “Besides, someone has given her permission to enter my room without my consent.”

Celia pressed her lips together, her brows furrowing as she considered my words. "She's your servant. And I see no problem with that," she argued, her voice a touch defensive.

I sighed inwardly, shaking my head slightly. "She is my servant, that's true," I conceded. "But you know her," I continued, my voice trailing off as I searched for the right words to express my concerns.

Ruby's unpredictable behavior had always been a source of tension within our dynamic. While she was undeniably devoted to me, her methods often left much to be desired. From her impulsive actions to her blatant disregard for personal boundaries, dealing with Ruby was like navigating a minefield at times.

"I just don't want to encourage that kind of behavior," I admitted, my voice softening slightly as I glanced down at my sandwich. Despite my frustrations with Ruby's antics, I didn't want to alienate her or make her feel like she was less valued than the others in my harem.

My statement made us all speechless. The air seemed to grow heavy with unspoken tension as I took another bite of my sandwich, trying to maintain a facade of nonchalance. Celia's gaze bore into me with a mixture of confusion and concern, her eyes betraying the emotions swirling within her.

There was a brief moment of silence before Celia finally found her voice, her tone laced with uncertainty. "Brother… Do you hate her?" she asked, her words hanging in the air like a weight.

I met her gaze, recognizing the sadness and pain reflected in her eyes. She seemed genuinely troubled by the possibility that I harbored animosity towards Ruby.

My chewing slowed as I contemplated her question, grappling with my own emotions. Did I hate Ruby? The answer wasn't as simple as it seemed. Despite her unpredictable behavior and penchant for crossing boundaries, there was a part of me that couldn't help but feel a sense of affection towards her. After all, she had been by my side through thick and thin, demonstrating unwavering loyalty and devotion.

I swallowed the last bite of my sandwich and set it down on the plate, the clinking of cutlery against ceramic breaking the silence that had settled over us. Turning to face Celia, I spoke in a soft voice, hoping to convey the complexity of my feelings.

"If I hated her, Celia, I wouldn't have made her my servant," I began, my tone earnest. "I would have erased her memories and manipulated her mind, sparing myself the inconvenience of dealing with her antics," I explained.