DGDITMIAE 08

Chapter 08

“Why?”

“What if His Highness returns to the capital someday? You know, saying something like they’re going to work beside His Majesty the Emperor.”

At Oliver’s words, Philip’s face crumpled into a pout.

He didn’t even want to imagine living in hunger again.

Beth let out a deep sigh at Oliver’s remark and retorted.

“Then what are we supposed to do? Just stay still?”

“No, we should actually spread the rumors even more!”

Oliver chuckled, his eyes sparkling.

Oliver, who was exceptionally clever with tricks, began whispering in a small voice, and soon all the servants glanced around before gathering around him.

“Let’s spread the rumors far and wide. Rather than rumors that His Highness is handling things competently and the North is reviving, if rumors of the ‘Demon Grand Duke’ spread, won’t the capital leave His Highness alone?”

“But you just saw it yourself. His Highness seems to care more about those rumors than we thought…”

“Well, as long as they don’t reach His Highness’s ears from now on!”

“In short, we inflate the rumors to raise His Highness’s notoriety and make the imperial palace stop seeking His Highness out?”

“Exactly!”

“…Well, His Highness’s rumors have never been good to begin with. What was it again? That they’re extravagant and a pretty delinquent?”

The maid Mary replied with a bored expression.

Of course, Mary herself had resolved not to believe the rumors about Terestia that had come from the capital after actually meeting Terestia in person.

Regardless, at Mary’s careless words, Ben was startled and slapped her on the back to shut her up.

“Are you crazy? No matter what, this is the Grand Ducal residence. Keep it down!”

“Ouch, that hurts! You brat, can’t you control your strength?”

As Mary glared at Ben as if she was about to grab him by the hair any second, Beth, who had been quietly listening, quickly intervened.

“Both of you, stop it.”

“Well, anyway, so wouldn’t it be fine to add one more nasty rumor? That Her Highness the Grand Duchess is cruelly extorting even in the North, bathing in the blood of those who can’t pay taxes every day. A truly vicious, demon-like rumor!”

“…We might get severely punished if we’re caught.”

Philip swallowed hard and said.

But still.

How much had changed since Terestia came to the North?

Just being able to dream of a better future without worrying about food every single day was enough for the territory’s people not to want to lose Terestia.

*Our Grand Duke!*

The servants who had been whispering soon clamped their mouths shut and nodded.

Their faces, letting out small giggles as they schemed, all looked as wicked as followers of the demon from the rumors.

Argo overheard the servants whispering and sighed, pressing his forehead.

Terestia seemed completely unaware of it herself, but she was truly careless.

Saying something as innocent as clearing her throat and announcing, ‘Ahem, this Grand Duke is not a demon.’

But well, that transparency was also her charm.

The way she fidgeted anxiously, afraid her true nature of not being human would be discovered, was also endearing.

Every time the adorable Terestia, cute enough to want to gobble her up in one bite, showed her bright face to others, it made Argo’s mouth water again.

Naturally, Argo had no hobby of showing off and sharing such delectable and intriguing beings with others.

The origin of Argo’s existence was nothingness, and the source of his power was greed.

Argo, who had dreamed of the deepest desires among the primordial demons, had let even that desire fall into a long slumber, as long as his own age which he had forgotten over the eons.

But that luscious blonde hair, rosy skin, and captivating scent.

And on the other hand, the pure smiles and innocent behavior that only newborn things possess.

Terestia was the one who awakened Argo’s greed after a very long time.

As Terestia entered the bedroom to change clothes, Argo dismissed all the servants nearby.

“I have matters to discuss with the Grand Duke for a moment, so please excuse us.”

At his low voice, the maids blushed and quietly withdrew.

Once everyone was gone, Terestia tilted her head and asked Argo.

“Why? Is there something to report?”

Terestia’s face was filled with confidence that her threats had firmly taken hold of everyone, and she looked pleased.

Argo thought about where to start, but quickly gave up.

Terestia doesn’t know what is considered ‘strange’ by human standards.

She also doesn’t know what constitutes unhuman-like behavior.

But since those are things that can’t be easily or definitively stated, he would just have to stay by her side and watch over her like this, as he was doing now.

Having organized his thoughts, Argo shook his head and spoke.

“You were injured while hunting monsters.”

“I’m perfectly fine.”

“I wish to check the wound.”

At Argo’s firm words, Terestia’s face sulked.

Argo quickly stopped Terestia, who was languidly trying to lie down on the sofa with an air of annoyance, and lightly lifted her up.

Terestia obediently let herself be held, wrapping her arms around Argo’s neck, but still scolded him.

“I told you, there’s no wound! Go get me some cocoa!”

“Yes, I’ll bring it after I’ve confirmed.”

Argo said this as he walked toward the bathroom.

Glancing down at the slender legs sticking out and flailing from his embrace, Argo let out a silent chuckle.

Terestia, unaware of what Argo was thinking, glared at him with upturned eyes and shouted.

“Two cups of cocoa! No, three!”

“I believe I’ve told you before that three cups will definitely rot your teeth.”

“And I told you earlier! The Grand Duke *is* the nation!”

Argo didn’t reply further and obediently lowered Terestia carefully onto the bathroom floor.

Looking down at her with a pang of regret as the warm body that had been wriggling in his arms left him, she, on the other hand, looked up at him with a confident face.

“Hurry up and check.”

Argo slowly knelt on one knee and took her wrist.

As he pushed up her sleeve, the wound that had clearly been long yesterday had disappeared.

She had certainly been injured by a monster with venomous claws. Terestia’s body was as pristine as if she had never been wounded.

As Argo looked up at her, Terestia widened her violet eyes and grinned.

“See, no wound.”

“…Indeed.”

There had definitely been a ‘scar.’ Argo knew Terestia was different from humans, but he furrowed his brow at the healing speed, which was faster than expected.

“You must always be careful not to get hurt.”

“It heals quickly, though… Okay, stop staring at me like that, as if you’re my master or something.”

“I am merely concerned for Your Highness.”

Argo looked up at Terestia’s sullen face and continued calmly.

“Ordinary humans do not possess such remarkable healing abilities. Therefore, you must not get hurt, and you must not show yourself getting hurt in front of others.”

At Argo’s words, Terestia rolled her eyes.

Perhaps because of the rumors about being a demon, Terestia seemed more sensitive than usual.

She went around saying cute things like ‘I’m not a demon’ to humans, yet didn’t even seem to realize that was odd.

Judging by her just rolling her eyes silently, she seemed to be warily sizing up Argo, mulling over various thoughts and worries alone.

It was absurdly transparent, but Argo decided to pretend not to notice and gently soothe Terestia.

If he kept pressing her, she would only get scared and clam up in front of him.

“Of course, even among humans, there are rare individuals as remarkable as Your Highness.”

“Right?”

As expected, she eagerly took the bait Argo had thrown.

Seeing her smile as her suspicions melted away, Argo was certain that Terestia had instantly forgotten his earlier admonition.

In the end, Argo resigned himself and straightened her sleeve, saying,

“Since there are no wounds, I will send in the maids to assist you with your bath.”

“Cocoa.”

“…”

At the utterly out-of-the-blue request for cocoa, Argo let out a defeated, soft laugh.

The cold-faced man gently curved his eyes towards the woman.

Terestia, who quite liked Argo’s smiling face, raised the corners of her mouth in response.

“Two cups, right.”

“Three… Fine, two cups.”

“You should also eat a meal. How about having one cup after you eat?”

“That’s not a bad idea.”

Argo nodded at her words, checked the temperature of the pre-prepared water, and left the room.

Once Argo was gone, Terestia carefully undressed herself and slipped into the large bathtub.

The enjoyable things she had realized after devouring the human body weren’t things like alcohol or pleasure, but ultimately these simple things.

Soaking in warm water, sweet food, the faces of humans cheering for her, dogs chasing after her wagging their tails, and seeing the smiling face of that handsome guy who followed her around constantly.

Why hadn’t Terestia enjoyed things like this before?

It was this much fun.