Chapter 22 - Volume 2 (2/2)

I respond to Zest’s comment in full [Duke’s Daughter] mode.

“This comfortable feeling will have my wife and daughters stop calling me “Grandpa-chan” once more. Thank you very much.”

By the way, the money I receive is [Hush Money]

In this way, the [Shine] has been lost from this country.

The faction of men who worship me has quietly spread behind the kingdom’s back.

… The hell’s with that.

＊＊＊

My monthly trips to the Royal Castle continue.

The inspections could have been faster without this… I shouldn’t say that aloud. I like to meet with Grandmother and Elea-sama, and today we’re having a tea party along with Shelly.

“Shellynn-sama, there’s no need to be scared…”

“Y-yeah.”

Shelly and I are walking down the corridors of the Royal Castle, Bree-chan and Sarah-chan on either side, your nervousness is obvious from your voice, Shelly.

… Why is it that when I’m with other children, they act like knights?

“It’s all right, Shelly. Grandmother and Elea-sama aren’t all that scary, you know?”

So as to not scare the cute Shelly, I used a gentle voice.

Well, this will be the first time only one person has been invited to a tea party in the Royal Castle, I’m with her, but it can’t be helped, since she’s a seven-year-old being invited by the queen and crown princess, right?

“ … Eh?”

“Eh?”

“Eh!?!”

“ … … … … Eh?”

By the way, that last one was me. By the way guys, what’s there to be surprised about? There must be a reason somewhere, right? It can’t be… are they trying to say they’re frightened of me…?

“B-because Princess-sama… when we’re in the Royal Castle, you sometimes put this blank expression on…”

“…And?”

Shelly and Bree-chan nodded at Sarah-chan’s remark. Well, Ah’ll be damned. (TL: Random dialect here, because who knows why)

Actually, I’m a little self-conscious about that.

Since my fifth birthday party, there have been more and more people visiting the Royal Castle.

Most people would smile and greet me, saying “good to see you” and head off, but sometimes they’d talk for 30 minutes or like an hour, yapping about Timothy-kun or Rick.

Yeah, such information is unneeded.

I’ll lightly smile and put out my [Intimidation] until they go away.

“ … Ah.”

Shelly and Sarah-chan show strange faces at Bree-chan’s murmurs.

From the other side, some sort of minister… umm… a noble. This detestable man had the tenacity to greet me for more than an hour the first time.

“ …”

“Good day.”

Perfectly concealed facial expressions, no emotion in the voice, aren’t I just one-sidedly giving way?

Being treated like this is much better. Some people show hostility from first sight.

‘It’s the Prince’s daughter that he made with the royal maid,’ they’d say.

Yeah, I can understand that. Since Uncle-sama and Elea-sama have been monogamous, there have been no concubine children.

As the Duke’s daughter and [Princess], my face is quite different.

But, my hands are filled with [Love] for [Humans]

Indeed, they’re not as appetizing as the beautiful woman with red hair.

To that person who called me a bastard, I summoned large amounts of cats-sized bugs into his mansion.

I’ve become quite good at drawing magic summoning formations, if I do say so myself.

Fufufu, it’s a bad idea to make an enemy of a Demon.

Next to the usual palace flower garden, Shelly and I continued through the door.

“Yurushia.”

“Rick…?”

Hmm? What happened to “Rockerick-niisama,” you ask? Whatever, it’s fine, it’s just Rick.

When he saw me, he grabbed my arm rudely and started walking *Zukazuka*

“Mu~u… why do you people always grab the arm?”

“You… need to go somewhere immediately.”

What the heck is this, you shitty brat..

“Because, ‘Roderick-niisama’ is being too rough.”

I put on a tough attitude, and after glancing at the arm he was gripping, I tore my arm from Rick with a groan as he relaxed the power in his hand… why aren’t you letting go?

“But, Yurushia is wrong.”

“… What~?”

When I look at him, Rick diverts his eyes, as if somehow troubled, and speaks in a muttering tone.

“You, you didn’t come before…”

“I’ve met with Grandfather and Grandmother every time, though?”

“Not that… you, you went off for local inspections to help Uncle? Don’t you know it’s dangerous…?

“ …? You’re surprisingly informed. Yeah, well, it’s not that dangerous.”

It’s no problem to a Demon. Let go of my hand.

“I wonder… recently, strange things have been happening. Just recently, a massive outbreak of cat-sized bugs appeared in the mansion of a noble…”

“ … Tee-hee~”

“Apparently someone went missing as well. She was a noble child…”

“Oh…? I wonder if Shelly is alright…”

“ … Oi.”

*Don* … My carefree thoughts were pushed out as I was pinned against a wall with my arm in his grip… If rumors of this got out… no, it can’t be, since Rick will be 10 in a few months, his larger body is a bit scary…

“ … Rick?”

“I worry about you, you’re the [Princess] of this country, my mother worries about your well-being.”

“ … Yes…”

It’s not good to get angry… But really. The family seemed to be grieving around me.

“You have me… that, I’m there for you… like a sister would be.”

“Yeah…”

Putting myself into the family… how tsundere.