Chapter 7

As Belion entered the study, the heavy, hard sound of his steps echoed.

All the carpets in the area had been removed.

This was because they would be scratched by his hard, sharp claws.

The luster of the exposed stone floor had long since faded, and the parts that were frequently walked on were worn and dulled.

After removing the hot, cumbersome cloth that covered his head, the steward Victor, who had been waiting, took it.

“Where is my wife?”

He let his long tail, which reached the floor, flow to the side and sat down in the chair.

“She is said to be resting in her private room today.”

“I see.”

This marriage was one he had accepted to show loyalty to the royal family.

Anyone with a certain level of tolerance for the Monster Margrave would have been fine.

Yet, he was given a woman called the “Poison Flower of the Capital.”

Perhaps the royal family wanted to get rid of a woman who stirred up the social scene in the capital.

Perhaps they thought it was fitting to pair the Monster with the Poison Flower, two unsavory individuals.

“She went to bed early last night and woke up before breakfast.”

“Healthy. I wonder how long that will last.”

According to the investigation, the “Poison Flower of the Capital” frequently appeared in the night social scene.

It didn’t matter if her targets had wives, fiancées, or lovers.

With her beauty and sweet scent, she would bewitch men and disappear somewhere when the night grew deep.

“She will probably learn how to play in the countryside eventually.”

Though he said this, Algard was not a rural area.

The territory had a sea, and thus a port.

It had intersecting roads and engaged in trade with the other side of the desert by following the oases.

There were places where the southern nobility and authorities gathered, and shops that stayed open late.

It was a provincial city with a different kind of bustle from the capital.

The future might not be far off where a “Poison Flower of Algard” could be born.

“But she is a strong-willed woman. What a waste.”

At their first meeting, the wedding, she accepted the Monster’s oath without a single scream.

That night, she greeted the Monster who appeared in the master bedroom with a casual “Good evening.”

When he told her they would not share a bedroom, she showed a clear sign of relief, but she was undoubtedly strong-willed.

“Don’t say it’s a waste. No matter how much of a ‘Poison Flower of the Capital’ she is, she can’t do anything with this Monster.”

With a self-deprecating tone, Belion started his paperwork.

“By the way, sir. I overheard an interesting story.”

“What is it?”

Holding the pen skillfully with his long, sharp claws and fingers, he listened to the steward’s story.

“A maid in the laundry room made something strange.”

“Strange? What kind of thing?”

At first, his claws, which grew back immediately after being cut, hindered his ability to hold a pen.

His paperwork was significantly delayed, and he even considered dipping the tips of his sharp claws into the ink.

However, the ink dripped too much, so he quickly stopped.

“It’s said to be a device that can wash clothes semi-automatically.”

“A magical tool? Why would a maid make something like that?”

It was impossible for someone capable of making a magical tool to be working as a maid.

Belion, who had involuntarily looked up from his paperwork, saw Victor shake his head.

“It’s not a magical tool. Just a device.”

“Quite skillful.”

“Yes. It’s said to make laundry easier.”

“I see…”

It was indeed an interesting story.

“I’ll go see it.”

“Now?”

“The sooner, the better. Though it’s a bit unfair to the maids, if they don’t want to see me, tell them to run away somewhere.”

After Belion received the curse and transformed into his current form, the number of servants in the castle drastically decreased.

Since then, the castle has been chronically short-staffed.

If the heavy labor of laundry could be made easier, it might be possible to reallocate personnel to other areas.

“I understand. Since it’s a good opportunity, why don’t you invite your wife as well?”

“Not necessary.”

Considering such matters was originally the job of the lady of the house. However, Belion did not expect that much from Raphina.

This was a marriage arranged under the guise of a reward for the Margrave who had defeated the desert lord and brought safety.

In reality, it was also a weight sent to test the Margrave’s loyalty, who had gained stable trade.

This was a role that the royal family should have taken, but there were no unmarried princesses of the right age in the current royal family.

The daughters of close bloodlines had all cried and refused to become the Monster’s wife.

In the end, Raphina, a daughter of a marquis family who was a distant relative of the royal family from a few generations back, became Belion’s wife.

She was a two-for-one deal for the peace of the capital’s social scene, but if anything happened, it would be conveniently interpreted as hostility towards the royal family.

Belion did not want to cause trouble with either the royal family or his wife.

If she wanted to stay in her room and be idle, he thought she should be allowed to do so.

Just remaining calm upon seeing his Monster form was enough for Belion.

*

As he approached the laundry room, the smell of water and detergent grew stronger.

A familiar scent mixed in, and Belion raised his head.

Belion’s physical abilities far exceeded those of a human, especially since he transformed into his current form, which closely resembled the desert lord.

Not only his strength but also his hearing and sense of smell had improved.

While trying to recall the scent, Victor, who was walking ahead, stopped.

“Sir, this is it.”

He removed the cloth that covered his face.

In the open view was a tub with a lid and handles.

“This is it. When you turn the handle… I see, the contents rotate.”

Though it was a crude construction, cobbled together from various items, it was well-made.

“The person who made this is quite clever.”

The same scent that had caught his attention earlier was also coming from the tub.

It was probably the scent of the maker.

Perhaps they had crossed paths somewhere before.

“Victor, could you talk to the maid who made this later?”

“I understand.”

He might order the craftsmen in the town to make a few more of these.

Using a larger tub would make it easier to wash large items.

“It would be good if she could draw a diagram…”

As he said this, Belion suddenly turned his gaze backward.

“…”

He looked around.

His eyes fixed on a shed where the laundry maids were likely hiding, and he took a step forward.

“Sir, you can’t. The laundry for the entire castle will be delayed.”

“…Then, Victor, bring the maker of this to me.”

“But sir—”

“It’s fine.”

This person did not fear Belion.

(What is she planning?)

The familiar scent was that of his wife, whom he had only met on their wedding day.