Chapter 31

The Hikikomori girl, the chapter where she meets the king.

Also known as the king who is a hard worker. The king is not a bad king, but he is not a great ruler either.

However, he is a person who does not indulge in unnecessary desires or act recklessly. The balance is maintained as the devil duke firmly disciplines the king's indulgences. But the people around him often act out of greed…

Despite the presence of a bodyguard knight, Mikaelis sticks close to me, not letting go.

When I look up at Mikaelis, wondering if he is being too clingy, he gives me a gentle smile with narrowed eyes. No, that's not it. I want to be an independent adult woman, not a dependent little girl. I want to be a person who can walk independently. It feels so wrong, but the hand that is firmly placed on my waist shows no sign of letting go. However, despite being so close, it's surprisingly not difficult to walk. Mikaelis's stride is definitely longer, and his pace is naturally faster, yet it's not at all uncomfortable. It's fine.

Mikaelis must be quite experienced in escorting, probably very popular with ladies. I would like to observe this as a wallflower. Just as the hikikomori's thoughts mock this, we finally reach the door.

The guard knight at the door seemed a bit surprised to see me and Mikaelis, but quickly informed the room of our arrival.

Inside the room, King Lauses and Princess Mezarin are seated across from each other at a table with a tea set.

Unlike Lady Elmedia, their appearances are not much different from their portraits, which puts me at ease. I don't want to further shatter the noble and beautiful image of the royal family.

As I confirm their presence, I quickly bow my head.

"Long time no see... No, the one I saw was your mother, something you don't know. I apologize. You resemble Christina so much."

"Thank you for your kind words. I'm sure my mother would be delighted... It is a great honor to be in your presence, Your Majesty, King Lauses, and Princess Mezarin. It is my first time meeting you. I am Albertina von Ratatige, daughter of the Duke of Grail."

I perform a deep curtsey. It's really tough. Did you know? A curtsey is like doing squats with your legs in a frog position inside the dress. It's a brutal load. For a lady who doesn't usually exercise, a beautiful curtsey is a crystal of blood and tears.

Moreover, with traditional romantic dresses, the materials and devices used to make the dress puff out are brutal. The dress is quite heavy to maintain a smooth and elegant puff. I guess the popularity of mermaid dresses and slender styles among older people is partly due to this. While they require a beautiful gait and posture, they are much lighter than the heavy, puffed-out dresses and the devices used to puff them out... Let's put aside the issue of corset liberation for now.

By the way, dresses that puff out use devices called panniers or crinolines.

Let me clarify, these are not the layered or frilly fabrics you see in modern Japan. They are actual devices. The skirt is made to puff out in a dome shape using a framework of wood, animal bones, and wire. To hide the ruggedness of the framework, some are sewn with fabric and cotton. Then, more fabric is added to make the lines smooth and soft.

In the upper-class social scene, these were essential items, especially for grand occasions.

Well, I hardly ever wear such heavily romantic dresses.

For a hikikomori, heavy things are impossible. When I need to puff out a dress, I use a custom-made crinoline of the highest quality, both light and sturdy. It's made of a material like white bamboo, but it's actually made from a monster's bones. They are flexible and resilient, making them very durable and light. According to Julius, this is a high-quality material usually used for weapons, not for clothing. Only my father would do something like this. It seems that the reason is that my late mother, Christina, used to complain about the inconvenience of crinolines, panniers, and corsets every time she wore a dress.

Many of my possessions are items my father is particular about—so it seems. I'm not quite sure what they are...

"Raise your head."

Before I could hear the greetings from Mikaelis and Jibril, the king asked me to stand up. Naturally, I must comply as he is the highest authority.

As I feel the approaching footsteps and the rustling of clothes, I raise my head to find the king much closer than expected.

"I want to see your face... You resemble her so much. If you had black hair and the royal family's eyes, you would be a perfect replica."

I feel a cold sweat.

That's my natural hair and eyes, Your Majesty. Do I really resemble her that much? I feel a resemblance to the portrait of my mother in the mansion, but I hardly remember what my mother looked like when she was alive. Portraits tend to have some exaggeration, the artist's quirks, and subjectivity.

Perhaps the king's green eyes, a sign of the royal bloodline, are filled with nostalgia. I can tell he is superimposing someone else's image on mine.

The king's eyes, which have started to show deep wrinkles, soften as he gazes at me closely.

"I understand why Grail's favor is so strong... She was everything to Christina.

Truly, Lucas has taken on a terrible task... If he hadn't done anything unnecessary, Grail would have been the best guardian of the kingdom..."

"Your Majesty..."

I can sense the deep sigh of King Lauses. I am very sorry, my father is really a parent who dotes on his children.

At the king's words, Princess Mezarin's face pales and tenses.

"Mezarin, I told you to remember this.

Above all, do not do anything unnecessary with Grail—Duke Ratatige. He has no interest in power, honor, or wealth, but do not touch his treasure. Do not even look at it."

The king gazes at me intently and sighs.

"If you were a bit more like Grail, the favoritism might have been a bit less... But with this appearance, it's impossible not to think of Christina. It will be inconvenient... Grail has no ill intentions, but he is very extreme. His way of showing affection is different from others."

"No, I love my father... I mean, my father very much."

My father, who dotes on his useless hikikomori daughter.

In the duchy, where other nobles might envy and resent us, my father is an easy target for criticism.

I have no intention of criticizing my father, and even if his affection is a bit heavy, it is not meant to hurt me.

My father is a bit awkward with affection but is a lovable person. Since I am the only one he can lavish his affection on, it is extreme. Rather, I feel guilty for not being able to meet his affection and only holding him back.

The king is a mysterious person. I am mostly uncomfortable with men, but for some reason, I am not afraid of him. Despite being very different from my father, I feel a similar gentle presence in his eyes. It makes me feel at ease.

I can naturally smile without forcing it.

The king's eyes widen slightly, and he gives a slightly troubled smile.

"...I understand why Grail doesn't want to go out..."

I'm sorry, was I already showing my hikikomori side?

I was trying to act like a proper lady... What part of this short conversation was the cause of my being seen through?

I was very anxious, but the king patted my head.

"Thank you for bringing Grail back to society.

Since losing Christina, he has been very wild. After getting Albertina back, he has visibly calmed down... I never want to see that man again."

King Lauses suddenly looked distant. I am very sorry, my father.

I have no memory of doing anything special to my father, but I am being thanked. "Your Majesty's kindness is greatly appreciated. Your words are too kind," I bow my head.

By the way, when my father found me in a suspicious room, packed in a box, his eyes were quite scary.

To me, it's just his usual doting mode, but the father in demon mode is indeed frightening, so I don't want to see it.

Is the king close to my father? It seems so.

The smiling king looks a bit older, perhaps due to his age and the responsibilities of being a king. Perhaps the shadow of Prince Lucas and today's Lady Elmedia is also there. I am very sorry for your troubles.

However.

The king's hand, which was gently patting my head, does not let go. Is this normal? Is it normal for an uncle? I haven't met any older relatives besides my father for a long time... In fact, I have never met any. In terms of age, Sebastian is the closest...

The mystery is so great that my thoughts drift into space, and my face starts to show the Fremen effect. When the queen's cough interrupts, the king's hand finally lets go, albeit reluctantly.

"Oh, you are from the Count Demitrius family, aren't you?"

"I am delighted by your good mood. I am deeply grateful for your recognition.

I, Mikaelis von Demitrius, have come before you as the head of the Count Demitrius family."

"It is a great honor to be in your presence. I am Jibril von Demitrius, Mikaelis's sister, from the Count Demitrius family."

"Count Demitrius, the tournament was splendid. I am proud to have such a person in my