AIWA 13

Chapter 13

[No. I have no intention of ever returning to the Demon Kingdom. It’s starving over there.]

Enpadu clenched his fist and knelt before Lucienne.

[My Lady, please take me in.]

[Huh?]

[I, Enpadu, wish to become your subordinate and serve you with all my loyalty.]

[…]

[You valued my abilities over my lowly status.]

Enpadu looked down at himself and grinned.

[I may look a little different from humans, but if I disguise myself, I should be able to blend in.]

Lucienne understood Enpadu’s intention.

He was proposing a deal to Lucienne because he wanted to safely enter the human world.

What Lucienne had to give him was social standing.

‘And in return, I’d be getting a bodyguard this strong.’

It was a decent offer. Besides, bringing a demon along would make Paello even more wary of her.

“What did he say to make you react like that?”

In response to Paello’s question, Lucienne smiled brightly.

“He says he’s my subordinate starting today.”

“Huh?”

“He says he’ll give me his loyalty, so please take him in.”

Jod’s jaw dropped.

“Ehh?”

“……”

Paello was silent for a moment, then, as if organizing his thoughts, asked cautiously.

“What do you think, Madam?”

“Well, I have no reason to refuse. So I can take him with us, right?”

Jod quickly put on a serious expression.

“Y-Your Grace the Grand Duchess! I understand you feel friendly toward your kin, but he is extremely dangerous! We must send him back to the Demon Kingdom.”

“What if Enpadu goes back to the Demon Kingdom and joins the army?”

“……”

“Wouldn’t it be better if I kept him with me?”

—

* * *

—

Dawn broke.

Paello, Lucienne, and Jod mounted their horses.

“Oh, what a shame. To think you’re leaving like this.”

Raiyan looked genuinely disappointed. Having changed his clothes, he looked much neater than he had the night before. But his cheeks were even more swollen than yesterday.

The Viscount’s household had been in an uproar overnight, and upon hearing of her son’s return, Raiyan’s mother had rushed over.

After hearing everything that had happened, she wept and unhesitatingly slapped her son’s cheeks.

Since everyone could see that Raiyan was largely at fault, they all averted their eyes. Having all witnessed his mother tearfully pleading with the Viscount, Raiyan getting off with just a few slaps was actually lenient. At least she hadn’t picked up a club.

Perhaps that was why Raiyan only said he was sorry for worrying his mother.

It ended in a tearful embrace.

“You really should have rested a while longer, but we are truly grateful that you took the time to inspect and resolve the territory’s issues. I don’t know how to express my thanks.”

The Viscount bowed his head. His complexion was pale, but there was also a hint of relief in his eyes. He glanced at Lucienne and bowed even deeper.

“Th-then, please look around as you leave.”

That was not an unreasonable reaction.

After all, standing beside Lucienne were Enpadu and the wolf, Sikppang.

[I follow my master. You, human, grow stronger and join us under my master’s command.]

The title had changed from ‘Lady’ to ‘master’. Lucienne felt a little awkward translating it directly.

“He says to grow strong.”

Raiyan’s eyes widened, then shone brightly.

“Yes! Master!”

Raiyan vigorously raised both hands with his middle fingers extended, showed them to Enpadu, then clasped his fists and knelt on one knee.

Thanks to Lucienne explaining on the way back the difference in gestures between demons and humans.

Enpadu, pleased with the sight, bared his teeth in a grin.

[Be healthy, human.]

Then he spoke the only human words he knew.

“Ssi-ppang.”

Raiyan wiped the tears that welled up with the back of his hand.

“Yes. Sikppang. I’ll miss you.”

Moved by Raiyan’s display, Jod sniffled.

“Since Enpadu has sworn loyalty to Her Grace the Grand Duchess, if he joins the Ronater territory’s knight order, you’ll be able to see him again.”

“Yes! I’ll head straight to the North, take the entrance exam, and see my master too!”

At Raiyan’s resounding reply, Jod looked at Lucienne with warm, sentimental eyes.

Though, as the Grand Duke’s spouse, he didn’t show his emotions openly, Jod had actually disliked Lucienne very much.

She was half-demon and had been a wicked woman.

She pretended to be kind and frail in front of Paello. But Jod knew very well that the reality was different.

When Paello wasn’t looking, Lucienne would hurl abusive language at the servants, indulging in drinking, gambling, and extravagance. She had not a speck of interest in the territory’s affairs and treated people like insects.

The only saving grace was that she didn’t reveal her true power, pretending to be weak.

Since even as a half-breed, being a demon, she was clearly much stronger than the average knight, Jod had internally been on guard against her harming anyone.

Paello, being so expressionless, was hard to read, but he surely wasn’t unaware of the situation.

Jod assumed Paello felt the same way he did.

It was just that, since Lucienne never actually harmed anyone, Paello left her alone.

But over the past few months, Lucienne had changed a little.

Jod had been secretly wary, thinking she was up to some scheme, but as he watched, it was as if her very soul had been replaced.

‘She protects people using demon traits and even fosters harmony between demons and humans.’

It seemed the Grand Duchess had undergone some significant personal transformation.

‘Or perhaps she has finally adapted to the culture of the Holy Empire.’

Having thought that far, Jod was greatly flustered.

Looking back, her drinking and gambling seemed to have been her way of trying to mingle with as many diverse people as possible.

The nobles avoided Lucienne because she was a half-demon, but the people in taverns, gambling dens, and shops didn’t care who their customer was as long as they had money.

The more she spent, the more at ease others would become, and the more conversations she could have.

‘Good heavens.’

Why had he misunderstood that Lucienne had no interest in the territory?

Looking at it again, the Grand Duchess was more interested in the territory than anyone else.

That’s why, even if the places were taverns and gambling dens, she went where people would deal with her.

‘As for hurling abusive language and treating people like insects… that must have been because she felt wronged by those who wouldn’t open their hearts to her despite her efforts.’

A series of realizations filled Jod with guilt.

‘To think I’ve only now come to understand the Grand Duchess!’

And he was certain.

Paello’s recent subtle changes in expression must also be because he had realized this.

Jod felt terribly sorry toward Lucienne. But he couldn’t openly apologize, so he could only make a private resolution.

‘I’m sorry! Your Grace! From now on, I will truly serve you with all my loyalty!’

While Jod was wandering through his own imaginative world of misconceptions, Lucienne’s eyes were shaking mercilessly.

‘No, wait? I’m going to divorce him, so I won’t even be there by then?’

Raiyan was of age, so he could apply for the Ronater knight order’s entrance exam.

Whether he succeeded or failed.

By that time, Lucienne would have long since left the Grand Ducal castle. And she couldn’t just leave Enpadu behind.

But she couldn’t voice the words that were stuck in her throat, so Lucienne could only force the corners of her mouth upward.

“Well then.”

Paello nodded and started his horse forward. Lucienne, Jod, Enpadu, and Sikppang followed behind.

The view of the sea from the Imperial Palace garden was spectacular.

That was why the Imperial family often sat in the arched dome overgrown with climbing roses to enjoy tea on warm sunny afternoons.

The middle-aged Emperor with his short black hair swept back, Sidell Wevroton, was no exception.

Today, he was seated across from the Grand Empress Dowager, drinking cool black tea.

Throughout his tea, he carefully observed the Grand Empress Dowager’s mood.

The Grand Empress Dowager, who had elegantly pinned up her soft wheat-colored hair, was aged and wrinkled, yet she carried the innate dignity of the Imperial family.

Moreover, she usually wore a stiff expression, so the Imperial servants would always tense up and feel nervous in her presence.

But today was a little different.

The corners of the Grand Empress Dowager’s mouth were faintly turned up, and her eyes sparkled.

‘How strange.’

Sidell tilted his head inwardly and spoke warmly.

“Has something good happened?”

“What good fortune could an old woman like me possibly have?”

“You seem especially cheerful today.”

“Hehe, was it that obvious? Actually, this old woman’s birthday is just around the corner.”

The Grand Empress Dowager’s eyes crinkled into a smile.

“It’s barely three days away, you know? The new dress I ordered from Colt’s Atelier has already arrived. Just thinking about watching the boating and hunting competitions, and then celebrating my birthday at the banquet, fills me with such joy.”

“I see.”

At the same time, a feeling of unease crept over Sidell, and he forced a smile as he raised his teacup to his lips. Because to Sidell, it all sounded like utter nonsense.