Chapter 11 - Volume 1 (2/2)

Being called to the castle, wearing this doll-like dress, are we meet with powerful people? I wonder…

Does he have an audience with the king?

The garden was inside of a large wall, on the other side of a big gate.

“This…”

“Did you notice?”

Yes, I noticed. This large garden was the one we were in for the tea party…Huh? Did you use a part of the castle for a tea party?

Maybe one of those brats was a big deal…?

I thought we were at Rick-chan’s house.

In a white roofed gazebo, at a large table, I noticed Eleanor-sama waving to us.

Among the others… Rick and an older boy, an old guy I don’t know, and a couple in their mid-fifties.

All of whom look at Father then at Mother… I quiiiietly peek.

Father kneels down in front of the old guy… how rare.

“Father… I have brought Riasteia and Yurushia.”

…Father? He’s, my Grandfather? ……………………Eeh?

“I see… this is the child.”

“…Grandpa?”

When I muttered that, Grandfather put on a big smile and lifted me up with strong arms.

“Yes, that is so. *We* are your grandfather. Hahaha”

Laughter spreads, the beautiful old lady, (my Grandmother?), also earnestly stroked my cheek and hair while smiling widely.

… These people are amazing, aren’t they. They aren’t scared of me.

“Now that everyone’s here, let’s go.”

Grandfather quickly walks the way we came while still hugging me. I understand… you’re the new hug person.

…Wait, where are we going?

Father and Eleanor-sama followed, after which a huge number of respectably dressed people and knights marched along the majestic corridor beside us.

The knights and butlers open a luxurious door…

“…Fua?”

In that huge hall, thousands of people… more castle servants, nobles, and knights, aligned side by side, greeted us.

“Thank you for waiting, *We* introduce this child to you. She is Folt’s child, the Duke of Verusenia’s daughter, and my grandchild. Her name is…”

Yurushia of Verusenia. For the first time, I know my full name.

While I internalize it, I’m stunned; all of the eyes of the place were looking at me.

“This child… is your [Princess]!”

………..Eeh?

At that moment a murmur rises, followed by a cheer, followed by a roar from the knights.

EEHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!??

＊＊＊

I am the granddaughter of His Majesty, holding the same family name as the royal family, a duke’s daughter: Yurushia of Verusenia.

They didn’t tell me the little details during the talk, since I’m a child.

My standing is that of a Duke’s third daughter from a second wife… it seems.

Mother was his secret lover, which was why he didn’t stay too much, but the first wife is now no longer a problem… wait a second.

Grandfather said [Princess], shouldn’t it be different because I’m a duke’s daughter? Is it… because there’s still only one boy in the royal family, they must have accepted it as natural.

Really, this world is haphazard… Even if calling it that is a little strong, I shouldn’t let myself be taken off-guard about the common sense of this world. Live Humbly.

Those knights, they seem to have been longing for the presence of a [Princess] to protect and be devoted to… a man’s romance, huh.

But… hmm?

Don’t I have two older sisters…?

“Eh, whatever…”

Are you joking? Since I am… well, I’m a demon.

We left that mansion which we lived in for so long, together with Mother and the maids, to the Tule territory’s main ducal residence.

The mansion was many times larger than the other one; my room was much bigger as well. I begin to think while staring at the calm late night streets from the window.

I’m a demon.

My [Human Heart] is still there, in my mind, making ripples of anxiety.

But someday, I might trouble Father and Mother.

Aside from those two, it really doesn’t matter… or so I thought, but over the course of living as a human, the number of people you care about grows little by little.

I will live as a [Human].

I will be a valuable [Human Being] and will have their love.

I will live as a [Demon]

The precious… and foolish humans, when they’re struggling in their sorrow, I’ll love them back.

[Demon Me] is hungry for love.

As a [Human]… I will save the people for their love. As a [Demon], I will devour their tasty souls.

From what I can tell through the window, even during this silent night, people are indeed still alive. I can hear it… their breathing.

Being afraid of things like the dark, those lovable feelings…

You all should instead… devote your [Love] to me.

“…I the [Demonic Princess] will lovingly take your souls…”

Translator Note:

This marks the end of Volume 1 and the start of a truly fascinating story. Next chapter, we’ll be going on a trip.