Chapter 23

As the sound of the bell continued to ring, the knights rushed to Aleksei.

"What is it?"

"Your Majesty, it seems that a monster has entered the capital. A winged monster is heading this way."

"A monster? Wasn't it supposed to be exterminated?"

"It was supposed to be, but..."

In the tense atmosphere, only Eleonora was excited.

(Winged, huh? It must be a wyvern or a cockatrice. I'd be happy if it's a griffin. Those little ones are so fluffy and feel so good.)

When Eleonora looked at the distant sky, she could see something flying towards them, though it only looked like a black speck.

"Your Majesty, the holy maiden Ekaterina has left the church and cannot produce the holy light."

"…There's no need to do anything."

"Your Majesty!"

"Can you do anything with your own power? I doubt it. Even the Black Knights had trouble taking down a medium-sized monster. It's been seventeen years since the monsters were exterminated. There's no one in this country who can handle it."

"But…!"

"Then, issue an evacuation order if you like. I will do nothing."

"…Understood."

The knights, looking unconvinced, saluted and ran off. In their place, the prime minister arrived on the rooftop.

"Your Majesty! This is a serious matter!"

"I have been informed. The monster is coming, right?"

Prime Minister Sergei, wiping the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief in the sunlight, was about to ask Aleksei for instructions.

"Do nothing."

"Your Majesty! Are you going to let the citizens of the empire die?!"

"You were the ones who killed the monsters without reason. If we are killed by the monsters, it's only fair."

"Your Majesty!"

In the midst of the tension, only Eleonora was smiling and looking at the sky. Sergei, startled, advised her to flee, but she looked at him curiously.

"…Should I not stay here?"

"I think you've heard, but a monster is coming this way. I hope it will pass by without incident, but there's always a chance."

(What chance? That it will kill people? Monsters don't kill people unless there's a good reason.)

"…I don't mind."

(I've never been harmed by a monster. They're all my friends. They're like children.)

"No, but! Your Majesty, please evacuate. Go to the basement!"

"I won't go. I don't care if the citizens of the empire die. You should evacuate."

Saying this, Aleksei elegantly sipped his tea and then looked at Eleonora. When their eyes met, Eleonora smiled and replied.

"…I will stay here."

"Princess Eleonora, what are you saying!"

"…Monsters don't attack without reason. If they attack, there must be a reason."

"Princess Eleonora!"

When she looked up at the sky again, the black speck that looked like a monster appeared to be a griffin.

(It's a griffin! That's a griffin! I want to pet it.)

Eleonora continued to look at it happily.

"Your Majesty! After ascending the throne, why do you not value your own life or the lives of the citizens of the empire?!"

Aleksei smiled sarcastically at Sergei's words.

"I don't care about the citizens of the empire. I have done what I had to do."

"Your Majesty…!"

Sergei never thought Aleksei would abandon the citizens of the empire in this situation. He realized how deep the wounds in his heart were.

"However, as emperor, you must fulfill your duties. As prime minister, I will advise you even if it means my death. In this emergency, I will do what I must as prime minister."

Aleksei glared at Sergei with disgust.

"Your Majesty, I take my leave."

Sergei bowed and left the scene.

On the other hand, Eleonora was completely oblivious to the two of them.

(I want to see the griffin soon! The griffin I played with in the Dark Forest was smarter than me.)

Aleksei tried to talk to Eleonora, who was still staring at the sky with sparkling eyes, but she was too focused on the griffin to notice. Aleksei stood up, lightly tapped her shoulder, and she was startled, her eyes wide.

"Are you okay? If you're worried about me, you don't have to be. Go to the basement."

Eleonora shook her head.

"…I want to see the griffin here."

"A griffin?"

She nodded happily.

The sound of the alarm bell continued to ring.

"Aren't you afraid of the monster? …Ah, right. The monsters were gone before you were born."

Aleksei nodded to himself, but he knew the fear of monsters from history. He learned that the extermination of the monsters was a victory for humanity.

(Why do they kill monsters? I don't understand. Besides, there are monsters in other distant continents.)

Eleonora said nothing and looked at the sky again.

In contrast to the calmness of Aleksei and Eleonora, cries echoed from inside and outside the castle along with the sound of the bell.

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Today, the second volume of "Reiko's Etiquette ~I'm Called a Villainess, but I'm Just a Poor Girl~" and the first volume of the manga (by Otakumi-sensei) are on sale!

The Syosetu version is here:

https://ncode.syosetu.com/n9183fj/

It might not be available in bookstores… In that case, you can have the bookstore order it or purchase it online.

However, I believe the manga by Otakumi-sensei will be available, so please pick up the first volume of the manga!

☆Manga Information

https://web-ace.jp/youngaceup/contents/1000138/comics/

Thank you very much!

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I created a website where the protagonist Reiko of "Reiko's Etiquette" always steps on a milestone. Straw

https://d28vflh0pqfxc9.cloudfront.net/