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“Wow…!”

Inside the wagon heading towards the Imperial Palace, Bess gazed out the window with her mouth wide open in awe. It wasn’t because this was her first outing since regaining consciousness.

“Look! The Imperial Palace! I can see the Imperial Palace!”

“Bess. You’re in a wagon. It’s dangerous, so sit down. Besides, the young master is right in front of you. Is that any way to behave?”

“Sorry, sorry.”

At Cynthia’s sharp remark, Bess shrunk back. The young Bess, excited about visiting the Imperial Palace for the first time, couldn’t hide her emotions, acting like a child on a field trip.

“If you sit and look, it’s fine.”

“Really?!”

“Yes.”

“Thank you, young master!”

With my permission, Bess sat down and started looking out the window.

Cynthia made a displeased face but didn’t say anything more since I was present. Considering Bess’s age, she could afford to be a little less strict.

The ones accompanying me as escorts to the Imperial Palace were Cynthia and Bess from the Annihilation Maid, not Rian.

There was a fear that Rian might lose control, and there was also the concern that the Emperor or his close aides might recognize her face.

Above all, the warning from Commander Wylie in his letter to “be careful when giving blood” weighed heavily. Considering Rian’s mental state, something unpredictable could happen, so I didn’t dare bring her along.

If there had been time, I would have given her blood and checked, but responding to the Emperor’s summons took priority.

I left Rian in the care of Muiry and Rika, the Annihilation Maids who stayed at the mansion.

I hoped that the positive and lively duo might help restore some of Rian’s shattered self-esteem.

“Young master, I must admit, I’m a bit concerned.”

“What is it?”

“About taking in that demon at the mansion.”

Cynthia adjusted her glasses as she spoke.

Right. I wondered why the strict Cynthia hadn’t brought it up earlier. In young Tristan’s memories, Cynthia was always the nagging type.

Cynthia spoke to me with the stern face of a strict teacher, as if she had returned to those days.

“Young master, even if you’ve accepted her, a demon is still a demon. Those with demon blood have never been able to associate with humans, nor should they.”

“I know. But Rian is different from other demons.”

“She does seem that way. But demons are not to be trusted. They might be obedient now, but who knows what will happen later? You know how much demons have tormented humans. History proves it. Demons are the enemies of humans.”

Though it sounded like nagging, Cynthia had a point. In this world, the history of hostility between humans and demons is long and deep-rooted. Just as the Demon Lord and the Hero can never reconcile, demons and humans are like oil and water—they can never mix.

In such a worldview, even within Aslan, the group loyal to me, there are those who can’t accept Rian.

While some, like Helga, don’t mind, others, like Cynthia, find it hard to accept.

After a moment of thought, I spoke.

“Cynthia, do you trust me?”

“Huh? Well… I trust you, young master, but…”

“Then can you trust me when I say I believe in Rian?”

“…!”

Cynthia’s eyes wavered.

I can’t change the perceptions of those under me just by giving orders.

It will take time, but the only way is to slowly change their perceptions by showing them Rian’s good side. And it’s my responsibility to believe in and support her, as the one who took her in.

“Rian will undoubtedly be of help to me and our family. If you trust me, just watch over her a little longer. You won’t be disappointed.”

“Would I ever not trust you, young master?”

Fortunately, Cynthia seemed to understand.

“Honestly, I thought you would just order me. But seeing you ask me to trust you, I can see how serious you are. In that case, I will trust and follow you completely.”

“Hmm.”

“I’ll talk to the others at the mansion as well.”

Though strict, Cynthia not only understands my intentions well but also knows what to do next. She might be the most suitable person to be a dedicated maid in the mansion right now.

Of course, Wendy might feel hurt if she heard this…

Meanwhile, Bess, who is around Wendy’s age, was still marveling at the Imperial Palace.

Seeing the palace she only read about in fairy tales up close must be fascinating.

“Wow… Young master! Does the princess live there?”

“No. That’s unlikely.”

“Huh?”

For a moment, Bess’s expression darkened, and I realized my mistake.

“So… there’s no princess?”

Bess asked, on the verge of tears.

Mentioning the princess made me unintentionally serious.

I corrected myself in as gentle a voice as possible.

“There’s no princess, but there is a troublesome queen.”

*

“I’ll say this upfront—I’m not afraid of you.”

The first words the troublesome Emperor, Luna, spat out at me in the audience room were those.

“I’ve been extremely busy. Preparing for the northern expedition left me with no time to spare. It’s not that I didn’t summon you because I was afraid of you.”

Listening closely, Luna was making excuses for delaying the bet.

Along with that, she emphasized that she was absolutely not afraid of me.

She must have been quite bothered by me asking if she was afraid twice.

Though she doesn’t seem to realize it, the more she emphasizes it, the more it seems like she’s admitting she’s afraid of me.

“Understand?”

“Did someone say something?”

“I’m just saying it upfront so you don’t spout nonsense. Be moved by my warm consideration, Count.”

Luna looked down at me with a ‘how about that?’ expression.

Her demeanor looked ridiculous even without using “Pride.”

“Interesting. Are you ordering me to be moved now?”

“Hmph… It’s not an order. I’m ‘allowing’ you to reveal your heartfelt sincerity before me.”

I almost laughed, remembering the conversation with Cynthia in the wagon.

Since joining hands for the northern expedition, Luna hasn’t shown as much hostility as before.

It might be a big deal that we’re at least superficially in a cooperative relationship now. Though her words still have thorns, they feel much duller.

I decided to poke the troublesome hedgehog a bit.

“Then I have no choice but to allow it. You can be afraid of me.”

“I said I’m not afraid!”

Luna immediately bristled at the mention of fear.

She reacts immediately to the word “afraid.”

“Who said I’m afraid of you!”

“Why are you getting angry?”

“What?”

“I never forced anyone to fear me. I merely ‘allowed’ fear.”

I shamelessly smiled and threw her own words back at her.

Luna looked utterly flabbergasted.

“You’re insane. You’re the only one who can spout such nonsense to me.”

“I noticed before, but you’re not good at compliments.”

“That’s not a compliment! You crazy Count!”

It seemed like she might really hit me, so I decided to stop teasing her.

“Enough chit-chat. I’m busy too, so let’s start the game you prepared.”

“Arrogant brat… Look over there.”

Luna clicked her tongue and pointed to a darkened window.

As I approached, I saw the sprawling imperial garden below.

The garden, built on flat ground, had torches lit here and there, making it look like a small runway. And there, I saw something familiar.

“…A target?”

“Today’s game is archery.”

Archery…

Honestly, it’s not my strong suit.

If it were swordsmanship, maybe, but I’ve never tried archery, not even in this world. I’m a complete beginner.

Whatever it is, I need to hear the rules first. As I turned to look at her, I couldn’t help but freeze.

“…What are you doing?”

“Don’t move, Count.”

Before I knew it, Luna had a bow and was aiming an arrow at me.

Thanks to “Pride” and “Patience,” I didn’t change my expression and casually asked her.

“Has the game already started?”

“Hmph… Does it look like I’m starting a game now?”

The sharp arrowhead gleamed menacingly in the moonlight. It was a real arrowhead, not a fake.

This crazy Emperor—no, this troublesome Emperor—seems intent on shooting me.

Luna smiled triumphantly and asked me.

“Answer me, Count. Are you afraid of me now?”

 

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