Chapter 11 - Volume 1 (1/2)

Volume 1, Chapter 11: I’ve Become a Four-Year-Old

After my snack, feeling a bit drunk, I followed Eleanor-sama’s scent to join up with her.

“… Over there, they’ve been doing something scary”

*beso beso* While crying, I hugged Eleanor-sama, Eleanor-sama let me purr on her lap,

“You know, we left lots of markers when we came here. Soon my husband and Folt-sama will be here to save us, let’s wait together.”

She said to me.

I must seem super sly for a three-year-old. Actually I’m not acting… I was just crying from being drunk.

I’m a bit [Inebriated] from having too much to drink while I was in cat form, my bad…

And then, in less than half a day, Father came to help along with hundreds of knights.

Kyaa, so cool. Where is Eleanor-sama’s husband? Dunno. Is Father a soldier? At last, the handsome Father I wanted to see has secured me. My breathing was constricted from being Squeeeezed by his hug; I completely missed what he said.

Once I calmed down, I gave thanks in my heart to the huge amount of people for saving me, sorry for making you worried.

Incidentally, when I woke up the next day… I had a hangover. No more food in the near future.

＊＊＊

In the surroundings of the Royal Capital an incident occurred: a mass kidnapping of children, high treason, and, worst of all, another demon summoning incident, with every suspect killed by the summoned demon.

Out of the kidnapped children, the locals and travelers that had been taken recently were identified and investigated, so most of them have been safely returned.

The ringleader, Marquis Brunnow was confirmed dead, after which his family fell into ruin. Several other noble families also disappeared from the Holy Kingdom.

A witnessed collaborator in the demon summoning, The Duchess of Koeru, Albertine, had also been confirmed dead. While not the head of the family, high treason was not a light crime. Inside information about the Duke, a leading figure of the nation, was withheld, but the Koeru Dukedom is considered de facto crushed.

At the same time, the second prince who had left the royal family, releasing his right to the throne, did not return to the Koeru ducal house. Instead he formed a new house. One which held the same name as the royal family: [Verusenia].

Together with his new wife… along with the still young [Princess].

＊＊＊

Two months from that incident, I finally became four years old.

Four years in this body… after all this time, my current life is comfortable. My demonic thoughts are back to some extent, but strangely my human part, my [Human Heart] is stronger.

On my birthday, I got lots of presents from everyone. Rick had a luxurious birthday, but my party just had my whole family: that style made me happier.

Shelly also came from the Royal Capital. The flower and herb seed set she gave made me happy. She had a matching set, too.

Rick also stopped by, for some reason.

Staring at my face, stroking my hair “…crap…” I say on my way back… Something in that child feels similar to [That Man].

Furthermore, from him I got a necklace with a blue stone. And, most likely… Bonbons.

From Father, I got a single-horse carriage like a lily flower, and a very nice tea set.

But… it was sent.

Father didn’t come.

…*Gusun*.

After that, half a year has passed, it’s now spring.

I’ve been exchanging letters with Shelly, but suddenly a letter from Rick comes. This guy just does whatever… perhaps, does he thinks we are friends?

Anyways… in all that time, Father didn’t come home.

I wonder if his job is keeping him busy. Did he get sick of my relying on him so much…?

As I thought that, Mother invited me and everyone to go see Father at the Royal Capital. Yay!

＊＊＊

I’m at the royal castle.

“…………Eeh?”

Royal castle… The castle where His Majesty the King lives.

Yup, something’s off, I thought. Coming into the Royal Capital from our house, we rode in a large six-horse-drawn carriage, rather than the single horse drawn carriage we always use. Including our escorting knights, there were around 20 people.

The old butler was also there.

For some reason he seemed extremely happy. I had tried to find out his name, but all he ever wanted to be called was [Grandpa]. Grandpa’s name… eh, whatever. I’ll find out eventually.

The Knight-sans who saw me looked nervous. Yup, my appearance is scary.

I won’t eat you, don’t be scared, alright?

Thinking about that time… I wonder if those children are doing ok.

And then…

Finally, I’m able to meet Father.

He’s as handsome as ever. Making a patter patter while running, I went to him, “So High, Sca~ry”, I said as he swung me round and round, He then hugged me suuuuper tight.

Father must have been as lonely as me. Thank goodness.

Right after we met up, Father and Mother and I went out into town. I was looking forward to sightseeing in the Royal Capital with them… hmm? A clothing store?

We entered a huge, ultra-luxury clothing store. Waiting for us were about ten assistants, who took us away. They already had a dress perfectly tailored for me somehow; it looked like a dress a luxurious princess would wear. Moreover, a large amount of money was given as if it were nothing much…

Still stunned by the extravagance, when I came out of the store, there were a dozen female knights that weren’t there before…? They were assigned to defend the carriage until we arrived at the castle.

Why are they here?

The castle had an atmosphere like a cathedral; all of the windows were stained glass. The entrance hall alone had me open-mouthed, speechless.

Look at that height, a two-story house would easily fit below this ceiling, ‘how do they clean it’ was the only thought that entered my head.

While Father hugged me, he talked about how the stained glass on the right side tells the story of the Holy Kingdom’s founding, the left side is of the achievements of the royal family.

My apologies, Father. I’m not paying attention.

“We’re going to the garden, Yurushia, is there anywhere you want to see in the castle?”

“U-Uhm…”

Before that, tell me what’s in the castle, am I stupid for not knowing?

Turning his head to smile at me, Father said to pick something that caught my eye while he walked with mother.

Nothing has caught my eye… isn’t the problem.

But as a four-year-old, saying “I want to go to the torture room” with an innocent smile…can’t happen.

Anyways, the castle garden… is it generally open to tourists for no reason?