Chapter 68

It's the turn of the demon king's relatives.

Zephir is basically a talented but poor type. However, he is quite capable in every field and often ends up with unnecessary worries due to his kind nature.

Sebastian is a regular at the Demon King's Victims Association and a stomach medicine mate.

There is a woman looking at me with a gentle smile.

She has wavy black hair and deep green eyes surrounded by long lashes. Her unparalleled beauty, pale as snow, is so striking that anyone who sees her would think she is not human but a goddess.

Her attire is a fine dress worn by noblewomen, adorned with delicate lace and intricate embroidery. Though not ostentatiously luxurious, it is clear that it is a high-quality garment, which makes it evident that she is a real human.

The woman does not move at all—of course, this is a portrait.

The painting, framed in a beautiful gold frame with vine roses, is so well-drawn that it seems as if it might come to life and you can almost hear her breathing.

I don't think it's just vanity to think that I resemble her.

I stop fussing and look at the woman. Even with my vision blurred by tears, I can tell that Father is different. His eyes, as he gazes at the woman, are so gentle and sad that I feel a solemn mood and look at the painting more closely.

With a blank face, Father picks me up and holds me as I keep looking at the painting.

"This is Albertine's mother.

Isn't she very beautiful? Albert looks like Christina, so you will surely become the most beautiful woman in the country, or even the continent.

Father fell in love with Mother and wanted to be with her so much that he married her."

"Mother..."

"Yes, Albert's mother."

"Do you like Mother, Father?"

"Yes, I love her very much. I always have and always will."

---

Ah, this is a dream.

It's a memory from my childhood.

After being kidnapped, my memories were confused. The previous 'me' and 'myself' were mixed, and fear was intertwined.

I cried and threw tantrums as soon as Father wasn't around.

Sebastian, Julius, and the maids tried their best to soothe me, but Dora and others didn't hide their exasperation.

When we were alone, they would complain, "You're not acting like a young lady," "Your mother wasn't like this," "You weren't like this before." I even cried at the heartless words of some annoyed servants.

Being questioned about Mother was especially sad.

I hardly remembered Mother Christina.

From what I heard, Mother, who was often ill, hardly took part in raising me, Albertine. Perhaps she couldn't.

Even though we lived in the same house, I hardly knew her, which was quite unusual.

As a child, I cried and begged Father to let me see Mother. Father, looking troubled, took me to a certain room.

At that time, my adult past and my current child self were regularly floating and sinking in my mind.

Mother's room was almost the same as when she was alive. The only difference was the large portrait on the wall, which replaced her.

"Mother..."

"Yes, it's Mother."

"Father, you like Mother."

"Yes, that's right."

"I like Father too."

Father's blue eyes widened slightly, and after a moment, the corners of his eyes relaxed.

Outside, he is called a demon king or a monster, but Father has emotions and feelings just like anyone else. He is a real person.

"Hehe, then will you marry Father when you grow up? I hear that little girls often like their fathers when they are young."

"No, I don't want to marry."

Father fell silent.

No way. Father, that's not right.

"If I marry, I won't be Father's and Mother's child anymore.

I don't want to be anyone's daughter other than Father's and Mother's."

"...I see. Yes, that's true."

Father nodded as if to confirm. Right?

"Couples often separate and become strangers. But no matter who a daughter marries, she will always be her father's daughter.

Even without marrying, I can always be Father's daughter."

Father looked taken aback by my unusually talkative words.

Is he surprised?

Did I say something strange?

...Did I upset Father?

I thought for a moment, but then Father smiled. It wasn't his usual forced smile, but a gentle, involuntary smile.

"That's right. My daughter is smart. Yes, Albert will always be my daughter."

I hugged Father's neck tightly. Father gently stroked my back.

At that time, my movements were still awkward, but I trusted Father completely. I loved his large, warm hands. I felt safe in his arms, both instinctively and from experience.

...I remember, that day I slept in Father's room for the first time.

The previous Albertine wouldn't have done that.

I clung to Father like a baby bird, but Father never treated me rudely.

When Father was about to leave, I clung to him even more.

I hovered around him, trying to stay as close as possible until the last moment.

I counted the days until his return.

I wrote letters about my meaningless daily life and had Sebastian and Julius deliver them to Father.

On the day of his return, I paced back and forth in front of the entrance, waiting for him.

When he returned, I rushed outside, my dress flaring wildly.

My restlessness must have been quite annoying. At first, Sebastian and Julius, among others, were worried.

...Thinking back, I was quite a handful as a young girl.

At the time, I didn't mean to, but looking back, I was a classic father's girl.

Taking care of a hysterical, spoiled child and raising them must have been quite a task for Father.

Being 5 or 6 years old, I guess it was forgivable.

When I woke up, I saw Chappy, my stuffed animal, snoring and moving his small, puffy belly.

There is a pet bed, but I always end up putting him on my bed.

His exposed belly looks cold, so I pull him closer and hug him.

He feels a bit cold at first, but as I keep hugging him, he gradually warms up. Hmm, this soft, smooth texture is quite addictive.

Then I fell back asleep.

Anna wakes up early.

And stays up later than I do.

I overslept, along with Chappy.

"Um, I shouldn't say this, but... don't overwork yourself, okay?"

"Overwork...?"

She looked genuinely puzzled.

Anna, I appreciate you taking care of me, a completely helpless young lady, but... I'm a bit worried that you might be a workaholic.

From what I can see, you seem to enjoy cooking, cleaning, and washing, but when you return from the castle to replenish supplies, you sometimes seem in a bad mood.

Are you being treated badly by the people at the castle?

I want to talk to you about it, but there's no one to consult with.

If I were at the Latighe family, I could talk to Mother Latighe, Sebastian, Kishtria, and Julius—strong supporters.

But the strongest support is still Father.

I want him to return soon. I hope he is safe.

For some reason, I have a bad feeling.

Even if this world has a game-like setting, it is my reality. The heroine, Renaria, is already rumored to be a notorious villain. The game flags are already set, but I feel uneasy.

I think it's only Father who can handle this.

---

"This matter should be handled by Sir Zehal. He will manage it better.

The bandits along the border should be dealt with by Duke Fortuna, who will lend us the Third Division. Request that three senior, ten intermediate, or as many junior royal court mages as possible accompany them.

In this season, the area is prone to an increase in beast and insect-type monsters. If they can search for and eliminate the bandits while they are at it, it will save multiple dispatches.

The initial week's rations should be provided by the royal castle, and subsequent supplies should be replenished from Vintz, Katzecia, and Sinze. Prepare the necessary arrangements. I will issue the formal notification. Vintz is fine, but the lords of Katzecia and Sinze are difficult, so it's better if I handle it.

The reports taken from those who aided the prison break should be reported to His Majesty, the Council of Elders, the Fortuna Duke Family, and the Latighe Duke Family. The current head of Fortuna and the acting head of Latighe often visit the castle, so it might be better to set up a meeting in the conference room.

The apology letter to the Duchess of Latighe... What? You haven't sent it yet! You haven't even written it? Did the clerks say they would do it? Fine, you can fire them. Never give them any work or information again. Not because she is a stepmother or mother-in-law—ah, I get it. I'll write it myself. That's the nobility for you.

Mintz, prepare high-quality paper. Not white, but light ivory. Not just one type, but all that might be suitable. And plenty of envelopes.

The Duchess of Latighe has a very discerning eye, so you can't give her anything subpar. It might even be seen by the Duke himself.

Remove the Rose brand. While they offer high-quality products, there's a risk it might be seen as too convenient. The Luvra Trading Company should have special high-quality paper from eastern merchants. Please inquire about it.

Regarding the Vayu palace, there are several violations of the agreement. The reception of the maids should be regulated. Do not consider their status. Identify everyone, and some rough handling is allowed.

Then—"

There is a work demon.

Or rather, a person who had no choice but to become a demon.

The young man named Zephir von Kroytz, who was forced to fill the gap left by the monster and genius Grail von Latighe, is the demon king's real younger brother.

He is said to have been born with the conscience and sense of justice that the demon king left in his mother's womb, along with his own. He is a man of outstanding beauty, reminiscent of his close bloodline.

Currently, the demon king, a pillar of Sandis and an exceptionally excellent person despite his character flaws, is on a long expedition. Someone has to take over, especially if the expedition is prolonged.

Wolrig Carreras came to return a book to Zephir, as requested by Lucas. Of course, the book has already been censored. Lucas is still under house arrest in the VIP prison, and his visits and correspondence are restricted.

Zephir ran his fingers through his golden hair, drank the cold cup of tea in one go, and placed it on the tray on the nearby wagon.

He couldn't put it back on the desk because it was piled high with documents.

The towering stack of documents seemed to have taken over the desk, which was not particularly small.

However, as he moved his head and his vision shifted, Zephir noticed Wolrig.

"Sir Carreras, I apologize for not noticing you."

"N-no, you seem busy. I'll come back later."

"It's about the book, right? It's fine. Prince Leold also wants to borrow it next."

"If it's convenient, I can bring it to you."

"Thank you. Yes, and... before that."

Zephir took the book from Wolrig, flipped through the pages, and then turned to open a chest, from which he took a leather-bound book. It was a heavy, expensive-looking book.

"This is for Prince Lucas."

"A magic textbook? But this is..."

"It's a basic magic textbook. Most of it is for daily life, such as cleaning and preserving items.

It's a good textbook used by the Magic Guild for adventurers and given to soldiers and knights who can use magic. It has already been censored, so there should be no problem in giving it to him."

"Ah..."

Even though he is under house arrest, it is a VIP prison.

There is a bath and clean clothes. The food is simpler than in the royal castle but not much different from what nobles eat.

Lucas doesn't seem to need cleaning or preservation spells. These are mainly used to preserve items like orc testicles, dragon blood, and magic boar liver, which lose value when they spoil. In the palace, they are probably not necessary.

"It seems he wants to keep a certain rose beautiful.

Generally, they are preserved as pressed flowers, but he wants to keep them as dried flowers without crushing them."

Zephir smiled, looking somewhat amused despite his tired face.

Wolrig, a serious knight, was confused.

"I could do it for him, but I think it's important for him to do it himself. Even if he fails, it will be a good memory and provide new topics."

"Ah..."

"Zeph, you're so strict! Wolrig is so rigid, he won't understand!"

"Ah!?"

A face appeared from behind, with vivid blue hair and eyes, and a light purple lip rouge—beautiful, but the body was unmistakably male, and he was wearing a senior knight's uniform.

However, his unique way of speaking and odd movements were strange. At least, to Wolrig, it felt like he had encountered something he shouldn't have seen.

"Oh! How mean, Wolrig! I won't eat you!"

"Josephine, you're too stimulating. Please step back."

"Josephine...?"

Is that a woman's name?

Wolrig was confused.

But the person in front of him is a man. Clearly a man, taller than both Zephir and Wolrig. His voice, though high-pitched, is distinctly male.

"Ugh, Zeph, you're so stingy!"

"Being stingy is fine. Don't casually suggest adding skirts to the knight's uniform!"

"Sharp! Not cute! Zeph, you used to be so cute like a girl ten years ago! Working so hard, you're just like Grail, not cute!"

"Grail!?"

"Veiss, get Josephine out."

"Hai."

"Ah! No! I haven't finished talking to Wolrig yet!"

Josephine (♂), wriggling, was grabbed by the collar and dragged out by a masked man.

Zephir, looking completely dead inside, sighed deeply after a moment.

Josephine's protests echoed loudly, not just in the room but in the hallway, but no one paid attention. The knights, soldiers, and servants seemed to be trying to blend into the walls and air, as if they didn't want to get involved.

Wolrig later learned that Josephine was the son of the second wife of the Armandine Duke, one of the four great ducal families. He is quite wild and, as seen, will not inherit the family.

More likely, he has been disowned and cannot use his real