Harem Startup : The Demon Billionaire is on Vacation-Chapter 164: I Came to Redeem Myself [Part 3]

Chapter 164 – I Came to Redeem Myself [Part 3]

Lux leaned a little on her desk, pretending to admire a floating sculpture of moral balance that kept trying to weigh his existence and giving up.

"But," Celestaria continued, "I’ll be analyzing it myself first. And if necessary, I’ll assign someone to help you. I need to make sure everything stays under control."

He arched a brow. "I don’t reject the help."

"Good," she said curtly. "Because I wasn’t asking."

Her tone was sharp, but he caught the edge of concern under it. The same way she always did—wrapped in glass, hidden behind reports and formalities. Not affection, not exactly.

But something close enough to smell.

She turned slightly, one hand still flicking through screens as she added, "That’s all you wanted to discuss, right?"

Her eyes didn’t meet his. Just the glow of her displays washing across her cheekbones like the morning sun that never fully belonged to him.

"You can go back now."

Lux tilted his head.

Something about that felt off. Cold. Not like her usual, neatly-packaged scolding. This was... dismissal.

But not cruel. Just tired.

His voice dropped.

"Do you not like me?"

Her attention didn’t flicker. She stayed focused on her screens, analyzing threads of celestial finance and soul chain requests as if he hadn’t said anything at all.

But her wings twitched.

Just once.

Like a breath she didn’t mean to take.

She answered without turning. "Like I said... this is off-clock."

"I’m not asking as your client."

"Then I really don’t owe you a response."

"I’m not looking for a romantic confession," Lux said softly, pushing off the desk. "I’m just asking a question."

"Because you don’t like not being liked?"

"Because I like clarity."

He didn’t move toward the door.

He moved toward her.

One step.

Then another.

He didn’t stalk or strut. Just walked—casual, confident, but quieter than he should’ve been.

Close enough now that the glow from her screens lit the edges of his face. His presence shifted the air. Made it heavier, warmer. Like gravity decided to play favorites.

Celestaria finally noticed the proximity.

She turned to glance at him—ready to deliver some remark about boundaries or protocol—but stopped.

He was close.

Too close.

And she wasn’t used to being caught off guard.

She didn’t step back.

She didn’t say anything.

But the flush that crept into her cheeks wasn’t divine light. It was real. Pink. Soft. Treacherous.

Lux’s voice dropped to something near a whisper.

"I need more therapy vouchers."

She blinked.

"What?"

"To come here," he said, smiling faintly. "To see you. To talk. We need to settle this. You know I can’t just come up here whenever I want—your realm doesn’t exactly hand out welcome passes to demons like me."

His tone was gentle, but there was something heavier beneath it. Not guilt. Just truth. The kind of truth that slipped through the cracks when even sarcasm had to pause for breath.

"That’s not—" she started, flustered. "That’s not what the vouchers are for. They are for—"

"To compensate me, right?" Lux cut in smoothly. "Since the creatures of your realm attacked me. I get it. A token of goodwill. A celestial apology in coupon form."

"Lux—"

"You don’t have to give me an answer right now," he said, voice dropping just enough to make the air between them feel heavier. "Just give me access."

"I can’t keep giving you access to this realm."

"Then give me access to you."

That caught her.

And he saw it.

The slight widening of her eyes. The parting of her lips like she wanted to tell him off, but the words got stuck behind her teeth and pride.

He leaned a little closer, not touching her, just enough that she could see the sincerity under the usual smirk.

"This isn’t me flirting," he said quietly. "Okay—it’s slightly me flirting. But I’m serious."

"You never stop performing," she murmured, voice suddenly soft. "Even when you’re wounded."

"I’m not wounded."

"You just got out of a pocket dimension ambush. You’re covered in political targets. You’re hunted and exhausted."

He smirked. "I like to stay on brand."

She rolled her eyes and turned slightly, her back to him now—but she didn’t move away.

"Fine," she said at last, voice a bit steadier. "I’ll issue another voucher. One more. For follow-up discussion."

Lux leaned back just a bit, victory curling in his chest like warm coffee.

"And?"

"And that’s it."

"For now," he added, helpfully.

She exhaled. Loud. Annoyed. But her voice betrayed the smallest, traitorous smile.

"I swear, the angels that worked on your file must’ve had migraines."

"And they still work on my file," Lux said.

She finally looked up at him.

The moment held.

Silent. Glowing. A little too long for the comfort of saints.

He stepped back first.

Let her breathe.

Let the mood settle before he ruined it with something smug and hot.

She adjusted one of her screens with more force than necessary. "Now go. I have to trace the source of your bounty and reassign a third of my clerical security."

Lux gave a mock salute. "As requested, Lady Celestaria."

And as he turned to go—

"Oh, and Lux?"

He paused.

Glanced back over his shoulder.

"Yes?"

Her eyes flicked to his robe. "Next time... maybe pick something less sarcastic."

He tilted his head, a slow grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. "You mean the robe? Or me?"

"The robe," she said too quickly—too firmly. But her eyes betrayed her. She didn’t mean the fabric.

She meant him.

Lux chuckled. "Then next time, send me one that says ’Therapy Changed Me.’"

"I’ll send your vouchers later. To your email."

Lux placed a hand over his heart with mock sincerity. "Very well. Thank you."

And with that, he turned, robe fluttering behind him like it knew the exit was supposed to feel dramatic.

The door slid open.

He stepped through it.

And for once—Celestaria didn’t roll her eyes.

She just watched him go.

And somewhere in her drawer, a new voucher began to print.