---

The maidens discovered a demon, a lycanthrope. The so-called werewolf.

Normally, their appearance isn’t much different from humans, but when night falls, the blood of the monstrous beasts boils within them, causing a transformation. Sparse fur grows, sharp teeth and claws become prominent, and they turn into the form of a wolf.

– Growl.

– Bark!

In the middle of the village, two beasts were seen baring their fangs and fighting. When they become wolves, their aggressive tendencies intensify. Those two were probably fighting over the alpha or a female.

Unlike the yeti I met earlier in the cave, these are true demons capable of communicating with humans.

I vaguely knew about them through settings, but I wasn’t sure if they could actually communicate.

Since earlier, all I’ve heard are animalistic howls, not human language…

I decided to retreat after just noting the location of the lycanthrope pack, thinking it better to attempt communication during the day when they’d be in human form.

Instead, with some time to spare, I went deeper for reconnaissance. Not far from the lycanthrope pack, I found a village of orcs.

If the lycanthropes are like wild dogs, these guys are like muscle pigs.

Perhaps due to the cold northern climate, their skin isn’t green but white, resembling albino wild boars.

And they too were fighting fiercely, likely for the same reasons as the lycanthropes.

In the society of demons, strength is the absolute logic. Thus, they strive to prove their power within the tribe.

Though strength isn’t my specialty, I too must prove my strength to reign over them.

With that thought, I hurried back to the unit. Returning too late might draw attention, so I had to be quick.

Though I didn’t show it, covert movement is more exhausting than one might think, and by the time I arrived, my legs were trembling.

As the saying goes, a sparrow trying to keep up with a stork might tear its legs. Trying to keep up with Helga, Blanshe, and the maids was nearly the death of me.

Thinking I should quickly wash up and sleep, I headed to the bathhouse, only to face this situation.

“Count…”

I managed to catch Wendy, who nearly fell on her backside.

Wendy looked up at me with the expression of a princess seeing her prince, but I had no time to acknowledge it.

I was furious at Luna for trying to harm her.

Luna seemed startled by my sudden appearance.

“Why are you here…”

“I’m just in my own bathhouse. Is that a problem?”

I deliberately infused my words with ‘wrath.’

Though I tried to restrain it, I pulled Wendy close, fearing she might get scared.

To outsiders, it might seem like overprotection, but it can’t be helped. Wendy has the ‘misfortune’ trait where even falling could break her nose, and she’s my death flag. She’s practically my Achilles’ heel.

“…Ugh.”

Luna hesitated, sensing my ‘wrath.’

That was the goal. To show her I was angry and warn her not to touch Wendy.

Though I was genuinely angry.

“Let go!”

Luna roughly shook off my hand.

“I don’t know what rude thing my maid did, but that doesn’t give you the right to lay hands on her.”

I declared to the fuming Luna.

“Apologize to Wendy, Luna Meikhael.”

“Are you telling me… to apologize to a mere servant?”

“Yes.”

The impact of my words must have been significant, as Luna, who had shrunk under my ‘wrath,’ shouted in a strained voice.

“D-don’t be ridiculous! Do you know what it means for me to apologize?”

“What’s the difference? An emperor’s apology is no different.”

“The weight is different! My apology is akin to the nation apologizing!”

“To me, it’s the same apology. Whether it’s yours or a slave’s.”

“Don’t you dare speak such insolence!”

As expected, she doesn’t easily bend her pride.

Luna is a persona created by Lucy. Having ascended the throne at a young age, she used the authoritative and charismatic Luna to stabilize the shaky imperial family amidst hyena-like subjects.

Thus, Luna has never once bowed to anyone below her.

But I intend to tame her.

For the sake of future developments, it’s crucial to firmly grasp the dangerous element that is the emperor.

Simply showing I have no hostile intentions isn’t enough.

The Ruelberta family’s power is too immense for the imperial family not to keep in check. It’s like saying you won’t fight with a nuclear bomb.

Therefore, taming this authoritarian girl is essential for my future ease.

“I am the emperor of this nation!”

“I know. But you know too, don’t you?”

“What…?”

“I am Tristan Ruelberta.”

I looked down at her with ‘pride’ in my eyes.

By now, Luna must have realized.

That even as the emperor at the pinnacle of this nation, before me, she’s just a powerless girl.

I spoke to Luna, who glared at me with resentment.

“Do I need to explain what kind of man I am?”

“I… I absolutely won’t apologize!”

“Seems like you want to use the bathhouse just for today.”

“?!”

Knowing her situation, this was the perfect threat. For someone as obsessive-compulsive as her, who changes gloves and socks multiple times a day, not being able to wash is a severe punishment.

“Ugh…”

As expected, the threat worked immediately. I could see Luna biting her lip, conflicted.

Meanwhile, I checked on Wendy.

“Wendy. Are you okay?”

“…….”

“Wendy…?”

“Huh?! D-did you call me?!”

Wendy, who had buried her face in my chest, suddenly looked up. Her face was bright red from being pressed so close.

“I asked if you were hurt.”

“Y-yes! Of course! I’m fine!”

“…Good.”

I was worried she might have been hit by Luna before I arrived, but she seemed unharmed. Seeing her fine, I finally felt relieved.

“That’s good.”

“Huuu…”

“?”

I stroked her head, but Wendy covered her face with her hands, unsure where to look.

“Why are you doing that?”

“B-because… it might be rude to stare too much…”

Wendy peeked through her fingers at my upper body, flustered. Since I was in the bathhouse with only a towel around my waist, my upper body was exposed.

If it were the old me, I might have been embarrassed, but with my well-toned body from consistent exercise, there was nothing to be ashamed of.

I smiled and said to Wendy.

“You say you can’t stare, but you were pressing your face against me earlier.”

“N-no, I wasn’t!”

“Do you think lying works on me?”

“Eek! S-sorry…!”

Wendy quickly admitted. It was obvious she was lying. She’s the type whose inside and outside are the same, making her easy to read.

Then, Luna spoke.

“…I did nothing wrong. I have no reason to apologize…”

So, that’s how it’s going to be.

Her eyes looked as if they were welling with tears, so full of anger. She’s determined to hold onto her pride.

If it were Ariel or another close aide, they would have nodded and praised her for doing no wrong.

But I have no such intention.

In fact, I’ll be even more resolute.

“Then leave now. Don’t ever set foot in this bathhouse again.”

“…Fine.”

I thought she might storm out in anger, but Luna obediently left the bath.

Though she might somewhat realize her mistake, her retreating figure looked quite pitiful.

Well, she brought it upon herself.

Thinking that being the emperor means you can do anything is a big mistake. Hopefully, this will be a learning experience.

“Y-your Majesty!”

Hmm?

Unexpectedly, it was Wendy who stopped Luna as she was leaving.

“…What is it?”

“Your wrist… please give it to me…”

“My wrist?”

At Wendy’s indication, Luna looked at her wrist and was startled. A bluish bruise had formed on her right wrist.

At that moment, I realized.

I immediately understood that the bruise was caused by me. I must have gripped too hard when I used ‘wrath.’ Unintentionally, I had held her wrist until it bruised.

“I-I’ll heal it for you…”

“You…”

How did she even notice that…

Wendy quickly drew a magic formula with her fingers and cast a spell on Luna’s wrist.

“!”

At that moment, the magic power flowing from Wendy’s hand shone brilliantly. Seeing the magic power, a proof of the hero’s bloodline, Luna’s eyes widened.

I too was amazed by Wendy’s magic power, which I hadn’t seen in a while. Her magic was as clear and beautiful as a rainbow after rain. The light emanating from her magic felt warm and was mesmerizingly ethereal.

When the light from Wendy’s magic faded, the bruise on Luna’s wrist had disappeared without a trace.

“S-sorry… I might have used too much magic in a hurry… D-did it hurt a lot?”

“No. It’s fine… But you…”

“?”

But then, Luna said something unexpected.

“…Are you hurt?”

“Huh?”

“Didn’t I push you earlier? I’m asking if you’re hurt or injured.”

The fierce Luna worrying about Wendy?

Wait, wasn’t she just shouting about not apologizing…?

I was dumbfounded by Luna’s sudden change in attitude.

“I-I’m fine! Thank you for worrying… Your Majesty.”

“…That’s good then.”

“Hehe…”

Though she couldn’t bring herself to say sorry, she did express her regret to Wendy.

Even if she’s an unfortunate hero, a hero is still a hero. Perhaps she’s better at moving people’s hearts than I am.

Seeing Wendy’s bright smile made the earlier tension seem almost laughable.

“Ahem… I shall take my leave now.”

“W-wait…”

“?”

Suddenly, Wendy looked at me with a pleading expression.

I didn’t need her to say it to understand what she meant.

I shook my head.

That’s that, and this is this.

“…….”

No.

“…….”

No way.

“…….”

No. I won’t change it. No intention to change. Just go.

“…….”

Even with that pitiful look, no.

“……Sniff.”

Ah, really. Are you going to do this?

 

---