Chapter 66

Thank you for the bookmark evaluation m(_ _)m

"You look very good, Mr. Nest."

"R-really...?"

After the measurements were completed, I changed into the clothes the maids had prepared and stood in front of the mirror.

It was my first experience with formal attire, and I was a bit nervous.

...It seems a bit dark overall, but maybe that's normal.

Still, I'm not used to being complimented, so I feel a bit embarrassed.

Maybe it's just because I was complimented by a woman, or perhaps by a maid....

"Is Mr. Nest here?"

As I was relaxing after finishing the preparations, a familiar voice came from outside the room.

It was probably the king's voice.

"Yes, he's here. I'll open the door now."

The maid, who had been waiting, opened the door, and sure enough, the king was standing there.

"...I have something to discuss with Mr. Nest."

The king spoke to us in a stricter tone than when we met before.

Maybe he's just putting on a show because the maids are here.

When the king called me, I thanked the maids and followed him as he walked ahead.

The place the king led me to was a room in the castle.

We walked quite a bit, so it might be the king's private room.

"Go in, then."

The king opened the door to the room and invited me in.

"...Isn't it a bit dark?"

As soon as I entered the room, that's what I thought.

The windows were covered with curtains, and there were black cloths hanging on the walls.

"No, this is fine, isn't it?"

However, the king, who seemed used to this environment, didn't seem to mind.

"Is it really fine?"

"It's fine."

If the king says so, there's nothing I can do about it.

I decided not to worry about it anymore.

"So, what's this talk about?"

I came to this room because the king specifically called for me.

"...Before we talk, let me introduce myself. You told me your name before, but I didn't tell you mine."

Indeed, I still don't know the king's name, and I was getting tired of calling him "king" all the time, so I nodded.

"My name is Esuick. From now on, call me that."

"Got it, Esuick."

I called him by his name right away.

Esuick smiled happily at this.

"...Now that the introductions are done, let's get to the main topic..."

"Hmm, what is it?"

Esuick seemed a bit awkward as he tried to tell me something.

"Actually, it's about the girl you brought, Lily..."

"Did something happen to Lily?"

Maybe he's still holding a grudge over the hair-pulling incident from before.

But then, she said she didn't mind at the time...

"...Is that girl a demon?"

―――――――――Huh?

What did he just say...? Lily is a demon...?

Even I, a country bumpkin, know about demons.

Sometimes they come to the village to buy or sell food.

But what does it mean that Lily is a demon?

It's too sudden, and I don't understand.

"Actually, the demon princess's sister was apparently kidnapped, and her name is 'Lily.' According to the information, Lily was forced to drink poison when she was kidnapped and is now weak. Normally, human healing magic doesn't work well on demons, but you should be able to treat her easily. The description of her appearance matches the Lily who was with you."

"..."

Now that he mentions it, Lily wasn't in good health when I first met her.

Also, if Lily really is a demon, it would explain her powers.

"So, if Lily really is a demon and the demon princess's sister...?"

I asked Esuick hesitantly.

I hoped it wouldn't be the answer I was expecting....

"Lily will probably be taken away..."

Esuick's answer was, as I feared, the same as I had predicted.

"...Well, there's nothing we can do, I guess."

"...I'm sorry."

Esuick bowed his head to me, who was disappointed.

"N-no, it's not your fault..."

Even as I said this, I could feel my mood sinking deeper and deeper....

"Be careful, as there might be some contact from the demon side during the party."

"Ah..."

It seems that was what Esuick wanted to talk about. With the conversation over, I decided to return to the room I was in earlier.

...Still, the idea that Lily might be a demon...

Of course, I understand that it's still a possibility...

"Oh, by the way..."

As I was thinking about this and about to leave the room, Esuick called out to me.

"Did you use the black cloak I gave you...?"

Esuick looked at me with hopeful eyes as he asked.

...I can't tell him I threw it away.

If I say that, he might really be upset.

So I calmly said this to him....

"...Ah, yeah, that one. Y-yeah, I've used it many times. Really, I have."