episode_0009

Fortunately, the regular meeting concluded without any issues. Except for some unexpected incidents, most of the agenda items were prearranged and presented by Bertholdt.

“…A storm has passed.”

The conference hall emptied out. I remained there, still immersed in the scenery outside the window.

The mountain of official duties and the overwhelming burden of the regular meeting had been overcome. It felt as if the accumulated stress was released all at once…

That aside.

“Avijof, was it?”

The knight who caused a commotion in the conference hall earlier.

I’m not entirely unfamiliar with him, but he’s not someone who sticks in my mind either.

In the main story, he delivered blunt remarks to the Duke in the early stages, only to disappear soon after.

In the survival scenario, if one of the three princesses betrays, they hide their true identity and never appear again as minor supporting characters.

Unless you’re a gamer who held onto Kilderdew quite tenaciously, you probably won’t even remember his name.

However, one thing is clear: he occasionally served as an emotional sanctuary for the three princesses.

From my father’s perspective, he could truly be considered a grateful benefactor.

“…Although I didn’t want to take action.”

I decided to confine Avijof for a week.

Regardless of the reason, intimidating the Lord is an unforgivable act.

Moreover, there were not just one or two pairs of eyes watching, so if some form of punishment wasn’t imposed, it would leave a significant blemish on the Duke’s authority.

As someone who currently relies on that authority for his own survival… it was an unavoidable measure.

“My Lord Duke.”

As I stepped out of the empty conference hall, a calm voice called out to me.

When I turned my head, it was Lucille.

Meeting her gently smiling face, I felt a strange sense of relief pass through my mind.

I’ve come to realize recently… that Rhaeos seemed to have quite liked this elf. Though I’m not sure why.

“Are you going back to your office now? If you have some free time, would you like to talk on the way?”

“…I’m not exactly free, but let’s do that.”

“Hehe, alright then.”

With that response, Lucille walked ahead, and I followed beside her.

Thud… Clack…

Sounds of shoes at completely different heights perfectly synchronized, echoing through the quietened Yeongjuseong.

It might just be my imagination, but it seemed like Lucille was continuously adjusting her steps to match mine.

When I extended my left foot, she did the same.

When I extended my right foot, she did the same.

And if our steps got tangled, we would synchronize again with the left foot…

How much time had passed?

“…Avizov, that guy. Do you really think it’s okay for him to be imprisoned for just a week?”

Lucille, who had been silent during our walk, finally spoke up.

“It’s something he decided to do.”

“Well, isn’t it too lenient? It wasn’t some trivial matter. He caused a scene in an important gathering like a regular meeting.”

The notion that his punishment was too light had been voiced by Alrik and other divine beings as well.

However, Lucille’s response was unexpected.

After all, wasn’t Avizov someone precious to her, like family?

So, I thought she would be the one asking for forgiveness on his behalf.

“You could have acted according to your usual temperament.”

In a low voice, Lucille said.

I could tell from her attitude.

What she truly cared about wasn’t the severity of the disciplinary action.

The white-haired elf was discreetly observing me now.

“That’s how I acted according to my temperament.”

“Huh?”

Her words immediately elicited a strange reaction.

“Didn’t I tell you before? That I can’t become a person and turn three children into the devil’s offspring.”

“W-what did you, what did you say? You said… you said that… seriously…”

A voice that still sounded hesitant and doubtful.

Lucille looked at me, her smile faint and gentle.

“Hehe, I’m sorry. I’m still a woman with too many unnecessary suspicions.”

“It doesn’t matter. Your suspicions are justified.”

“Hmm…”

I replied briefly and continued walking.

…Since then, Lucille has been carefully observing my profile.

Her penetrating gaze was burdensome, but I couldn’t bring myself to tell her to stop.

After all, it was I who had allowed her to accompany me in the first place.

Anyway, by the time I almost reached my office.

“…But Your Grace, may I ask?”

Lucille, who had stopped in her tracks, asked one last question.

“If you end up breaking the promise, what will you do then?”

Kiiiiing─

I opened the office door and blurted out a reflexive remark that came to mind instantly.

“I’d rather die.”

Clang─

As I entered the office and closed the door, Bertholdt, who had arrived earlier, greeted me warmly.

“Thank you for your hard work, Your Grace. The dignity you showed as the Grand Duke today shone brighter than ever before.”

“Everything is thanks to your efforts, Bertholdt. You truly are my trusted advisor.”

“…You flatter me.”

With that complimentary lip service, Bertholdt pretended not to care but revealed a faint smile.

I realized recently that all his motivation stemmed from a desire for easy recognition.

I seemed to understand why Bertholdt’s impression in the game was so rigid.

Perhaps it was because he always remained in a discharged state next to the stingy Grand Duke…

With such thoughts in mind, I sat down at my desk.

As I comfortably leaned back in the chair, I suddenly remembered something I had forgotten.

“…The palace social gathering.”

The exact date is tomorrow night.

After confirming it once again in the princess’s letter hidden in my bosom, I informed Bertholdt.

“I plan to attend the gathering. It seems Princess Lerial herself is hosting it this time.”

“…Pardon?”

Unexpectedly, Bertholdt dumbfoundedly repeated my words.

When I gave him a questioning look, he continued with a surprised expression.

“Um, Your Grace, since you didn’t mention sending a reply at that time… I haven’t prepared anything…”

“…?”

“The palace also assumes that Your Grace, as usual, will not attend the social gathering…”

I roughly understood what he was saying.

Before attending a social gathering, it is proper and customary in this country to send a reply in advance to the host’s invitation…

Is that what it means?

“──.”

Damn it.

In the game, I don’t care about such insignificant details that haven’t even been mentioned. Anyway, if I couldn’t go to the social gathering, it was obvious that the princess would stick to Elisha’s back.

Considering the already short lifespan of Rios, which is as short as a rabbit’s tail, it would be further shortened by two or three times…

“Regardless, I’ll go.”

“…?!”

Ah, whatever, I’m going anyway.

I wholeheartedly trust my Lian Jaisang, Bertholdt. He deserves that much credit for supporting me.

“No need for showy appearances. Just focus on substance and prepare as quickly as possible.”

“Ah, understood!”

Immediately after, he rushed out of the office with a contemplative expression.

***

After the regular meeting concluded, while others were leaving one after another, Lucil remained in front of the venue, guarding it.

Rios, who had personally declared that he would become a person, had easily passed the test based on his performance this time.

Of course, it was still too early to say that he had completely proven himself, but he had successfully taken the first step. Well, considering he’s Rios.

His achievement was quite commendable, and Lucil wondered if she should see his face again before returning.

“When is this guy coming out…?”

Lucil muttered in an impatient voice.

Even after a long time, Rios showed no sign of coming out.

It had been more than 30 minutes since the end of the regular meeting, and there was nothing left for him to do inside.

Did he sit down and fall asleep? Lucil quietly approached the door.

Just then, faintly, Rios’ voice echoed from the other side.

──I didn’t want to resort to punishment.

Hearing that, Lucil paused for a moment.

“…What is he saying?”

She firmly covered both of her ears.

…There’s nothing wrong with my hearing. It means I didn’t mishear.

“Hmm…”

Anyway, that kind of grand voice was undoubtedly about Avijof’s disciplinary action.

Drawing a sword in the venue and even threatening him with his life, such an arrogant individual.

…He must have been reluctant to impose even such a trivial punishment as a week of confinement.

The devil from the North, of all people?

If it were the original one, by now the maidservants of Yeongjuseong would be struggling to remove the bloodstains scattered on the floor.

“….”

Lucille perked up her ears, wondering if she would hear another voice, but the silence was all there was.

As footsteps approached from the direction of the door, Lucille casually stepped aside.

“Your Grace.”

Finally calling out to the Duke who had just come out, she received a cold gaze in return.

However, it wasn’t as cold as she had expected.

If the gaze she used to receive from Rhaeos in the past felt like a blizzard in the polar regions, this was just a lump of ice.

Anyway.

“You’re going back to your office now, right? If you have some free time, shall we talk on the way?”

“…I am not free, but do as you wish.”

Surprisingly, the Duke easily granted permission for her to walk beside him.

“Hehe, yes.”

Lucille smiled and quietly followed him.

As they walked, she sensed another change.

The Duke’s footsteps were no longer domineering.

Despite such a significant height difference, it was as if he matched his steps to hers… neither walking ahead nor falling behind.

Such a small consideration strangely pleased her.

A moment of silence passed.

“…That Abisov guy, is it really okay for him to be imprisoned for just a week?”

In response to Lucille’s sly question, the Duke replied calmly.

“It has already been decided.”

“Well, still, isn’t it too lenient? It’s not some trivial matter; he caused a commotion in an important meeting like the regular assembly.”

This statement was true.

She had spoken of what she had witnessed without any correction.

“…You could have acted according to your usual temperament.”

…This statement was false.

She somehow didn’t want to lose Abisov.

He, too, was connected to her by a special bond, just like the three princesses.

“It was done according to my temperament.”

“Huh?”

To such a playful remark, Lucille gave an unfiltered reaction.

“Didn’t I tell you that day? That one cannot become a person and make three children into the devil’s offspring.”

Yeah, it was clearly Rhaeos who made such a weak promise.

…Well, that’s true.

“Well, what, what did you say? You said it! Those words… I wondered if you really meant them…”

As Lucil blurted out, a thought crossed her mind in an instant.

Why… am I so unnecessarily suspicious?

Rhaeos clearly showed it through his actions, so why do I keep spouting these doubtful words?

“Heheh, I’m sorry. I’m still a woman with too many baseless suspicions.”

“It doesn’t matter. Your suspicions are justified.”

“…Hmm.”

Justified…

It was a stiff voice, but those were truly grateful words.

Just a moment ago, Lucil was about to dislike herself for becoming a bundle of doubts.

“…But, Your Highness.”

On the other hand, she suddenly became curious.

The sincerity he holds in his heart to live not as a demon, but as the father of three daughters.

And how strong is his determination?

“If you ultimately fail to keep your promise, what will you do then?”

…The answer that the Duke gave to Lucil’s question was:

“I would rather die.”