Chapter 27

After that, Eleonora moved from the square to the inner courtyard of the castle to ask Grifon various questions.

"…Your Majesty, it would be much appreciated if you could clear the area."

"Understood. Is it alright for me to stay here?"

"…If you know about Pai, you won't be surprised by my words."

Alexei dismissed everyone from the courtyard except Eleonora.

"Alright, this is good. If you don't want anyone to hear, I can cast a soundproofing spell as well."

(What? There's such a convenient spell!)

"…I would be grateful if you would."

Alexei casually cast the spell. Although it seemed nothing had changed, it was immediately clear that all outside sounds were completely blocked out. Only the breathing of Grifon and Alexei reached Eleonora.

Grifon's breathing was so loud that Alexei's was almost inaudible, but she thought it was not good to exclude anyone, so she also picked up his breathing.

"Now, you can speak freely."

"…Thank you."

Then, Eleonora spoke to Grifon.

"Alright, alright, Grifon. I'm glad you're doing well. Even though your appearance has changed, you still recognized me. What, I haven't changed? Is it the color of my soul? Grifon, you can see amazing things."

Eleonora buried her face in the fluffy feathers on Grifon's chest.

"Grifon, you weren't killed in the Demon Forest, right? …Ah, that's right, before that, you went on a journey far away to find a husband. At that time, I was lonely. But then, I met Ham, a cute boy like an angel, and I became the happiest person in the world. Thanks to Ham, I had very happy and enjoyable days. …I want to see Ham again."

Thinking of Ham, Eleonora teared up, but she pressed a handkerchief to her eyes and spoke to Grifon again.

"Since I can see Grifon, I will surely see Ham again. Where will you live from now on? You'll stay in the Demon Forest for a while? What? The monsters are gradually returning to the Demon Forest? ! What does that mean?"

Upon hearing that the monsters were gradually increasing in the Demon Forest, Alexei asked Grifon.

"Where are they returning from?"

Grifon answered, but Alexei couldn't understand.

"The monsters sleep deep underground in the Demon Forest to protect their species. They take turns waking up when the time comes. I had forgotten such an important thing. You must have been surprised to wake up and find no one there. Poor thing."

Hearing this, Alexei suddenly burst out laughing.

"Humans are foolish creatures. The monsters seem much wiser. The Demon Forest will become a forest inhabited by monsters again, then."

Eleonora shook her head.

"…With all due respect, Your Majesty. The monsters do not increase easily. It takes more time for them to reproduce than humans."

"That's true. There's nothing we can do about it. Rather, Eleonora, or rather, Pai. You don't have to speak in such a way. It's fine to speak to Grifon as you are. No, speak to me like that as well."

(What are you saying! I can't speak to Your Majesty like that!)

"…Please forgive me."

When Eleonora answered this way, Alexei looked sad.

(Why are you making that face? It's just like when Ham mistakenly brought back poisonous mushrooms.)

"…If Your Majesty uses the soundproofing spell and calls me Pai, then I will."

"Pai!"

Alexei called Eleonora Pai. She first widened her eyes, then broke into a smile.

"Your Majesty is just like Ham, and I feel nostalgic."

"Did Ham cause trouble for Pai?"

Eleonora shook her head vigorously.

"No, Ham was a very good boy. I was really happy. But, I always thought that Ham shouldn't have been raised in the Demon Forest."

She continued hesitantly.

"Human beings should live in human settlements. But because Ham became attached to me, I, I… couldn't let him go. I was selfish. That's why, when I was killed by the knight, it was for the best. Otherwise, I couldn't have parted with Ham. Ham needs to live as a human being."

Alexei had never even considered that Pai had thought such things.

"I was really happy. Ham was a cute, smart, and kind boy."

"Are you not happy now?"

"I think I am happy. I was born as a normal human and can eat delicious food. But, I'm still lonely. I'm lonely because I can't see Ham."

"Would you want to see Ham even if he became a villain?"

"Ham could never become a villain. Ham is a good boy."

Alexei was jealous of his past self. He was confused by the difference between his past feelings for Pai and his current feelings for Eleonora.

Alexei wanted all of Eleonora.