108. In fact, they knew (2)
that the stake in the game for survival was their lives. What kind of comedy is this?
Still, I’m satisfied because it ended up being as calculated. ─I was satisfied.
Until the Emperor tried to destroy the balance he had managed to achieve.
‘Yes, it lasted a long time. I knew that the time had come for this situation to come. But…’
I never thought it would hit me right away like this.
This is a question that cannot be answered directly. The emperor seemed to know this, too, as he let go of his hand on his shoulder and took a step back, pretending to be generous.
“It will be sudden, so I will give you time to think about it. “I hope you think carefully before answering.”
“…Thank you for your consideration.”
“okay. “I guess I won’t stay long this time.”
That way it would be fair.
It doesn’t matter whether you report these actions to the Demon King or not. Even if Deonhardt doesn’t open his mouth first, any demon lord he knows so far will recognize it right away.
Rather than feeling displeased with the game, he will probably urge and tempt Deon Hardt in the same way.
What are the things that the devil has given him and can give him, and what better things can I give him? Among them, what I can give you right away is….
“…In recognition of your hard work, I will elevate your status to honorary marquis. “All documents will probably be processed by tomorrow.”
“….”
There would have been strong opposition from the nobles as it was sudden, but there was no question about whether you would be okay with the current situation. There wasn’t even a word of thanks, but the emperor passed on without any problem.
It was natural. Because I can’t possibly or hope to be grateful for actions that clearly show my intentions. He simply added.
“Let me say it again. You are a human.”
The emperor waved his hand, indicating that he should go away. Deon, who had seen his back turned, quietly walked away.
And then stop.
“…What happened to Esperanes?”
“It is no exaggeration to say that it is a fortress blessed with heaven.”
You failed. Realizing once again that Remembert was not lying, Deon resumed his halting steps.
***
I made a mistake. The princess bit her well-manicured fingernails.
Since it was known that he liked Deon Hardt, he should have given him a ribbon before the hunting competition. They should have at least given me a handkerchief.
‘Of course, at this important moment.’
How can you completely forget that fact?
Uncle Emperor took him with him and moved away. Even though she didn’t know everything, her ‘sense’ that went beyond imagination was telling her what the situation was.
The intention is to securely tie him, who seemed to be floating alone without settling down anywhere, to this place. Perhaps, given your uncle’s personality, it would be difficult to appease him gently. Even if you pretend to be soft, your hard and sharp essence will soon be revealed.
‘I could have helped.’
My uncle is closer to a tyrant than a saint, closer to a king. A strict and charismatic monarch, not a friendly and gentle one.
Conciliation or persuasion from such a person produces extreme results. If you accept, you will faithfully serve your uncle as your master, but if you refuse, he will become your outright enemy.
The way to keep him peacefully is to get married. Although it is old-fashioned, it is a method that is effective enough to be used to this day, so it would be the most worth trying…
At the outdoor banquet hall where she arrived late, the princess picked up a wine glass to quench her burning throat.
‘Let’s stop making meaningless assumptions.’
I learned that when it’s time to look back on the past, think about fixing it.
Because of the war, because of my uncle’s worries, because of internal affairs, because of my brother’s worries… There were many excuses, but what does that matter now?
We must capture Deonhardt in a finite way, with as little damage to our uncle as possible.
‘Because there is some groundwork that has been laid so far…’
If we push forward, we will be able to overcome the suspicions regarding this matter somehow.
I spotted Deon walking between the trees on one side and ran towards him.
“Count!”
“Her Royal Highness.”
“Oh my god, I heard something happened at the Count’s hunting competition? Are you hurt anywhere? I…”
“Thank you for your concern. “I’m telling you this because I’m worried that this story is going to be long, but if it’s not rude, would you mind if I change seats?”
“…?”
Was this intentional? Before revealing his feelings publicly, he interrupted the conversation exquisitely.
However, it would be a big mistake to think that this was easy enough to be easily overlooked. The princess smiled brightly and answered in a loud voice.
“I’m willing to go anywhere if it’s just the two of us!”
“…Thank you for willingly accepting.”
Since I pretended to be considerate of the fact that my feet hurt because of my shoes, I can’t ask for it now.
I took a hit. Even though it was only for a moment, the look of frustration that crossed his face seemed to prove that he was human, so she smiled happily and took her feet away.
──She knew that the Deon Hart in front of her was not the usual Deon Hart.
I walked, avoiding the uncomfortable groans I occasionally heard from the grass, and arrived at a charming garden with flowers in full bloom.
The princess, who was sitting gently on the bench, raised her head and saw Deonhardt. He took a step to the side and stood at an angle, as if to avoid being rude.
Instead of opening my mouth right away, I waited quietly, waiting for the moment his gaze caught my eye and smiled brightly.
“It’s better to see it alone. “What do you want to say?”
“…I moved to my seat to better listen to Her Majesty the Princess.”
“Oh, that’s right! “How much did you say?”
“At the hunting competition, I…”
“Oh, that’s right! You’re not hurt anywhere, right? “I was upset that I couldn’t give you the ribbon, but I was so surprised that you were attacked…!”
“I am okay.”
“Still, I feel very uncomfortable. There was no good reason and I accidentally forgot…”
“I’ll say it again, it’s okay. “It’s easy to forget.”
It was just a remark meant to express the princess’s empty-headedness, but Deonhardt slightly raised one corner of his mouth as he pointed out something.
The princess, facing his laughter, froze. It feels like a bug called goosebumps is crawling up my body from below.
What does that smile mean? jealousy? Disappointed?
‘No way.’
I swallowed the laugh that was about to escape. When I saw that smile, my head wasn’t clear enough to think of feelings related to dating.
It had a clear appearance of ridicule.
“It’s natural to forget.”
he laughs This time, a normal smile with both corners of the mouth raised.
─No, can you call that normal laughter?
It is not a clean, pure laugh. He conveyed the meaning of his words with a smile. Your Majesty is smart. So I’m sure you can read this too.
[It’s natural to forget.]
Before interpreting the meaning, the princess had to check whether her mask was sturdy.
[Your Majesty.]
[Me.]
[You don’t like it.]
‘…I knew it.’
My face heated up, but it only lasted for a moment.
Hiding one’s emotions and responding with shamelessness is a basic skill of the royal family who have to deal with nobles like snobbery snakes. therefore.
‘What do you think?’
Let’s be confident.
In any case, it was widely known that the princess had feelings for Deonhardt, so his marriage path was blocked except for the princess.
So, don’t panic and just push through calmly. If tactics don’t work, attack head on.
“Honorary Count Deonhardt.”
“….”
“How about marrying me…”
“Her Royal Highness.”
ah.
The moment the words calling me came out of his mouth, the princess sensed failure.
As expected, she pursed her lips as if asking me to say something, and words fell out that were polite but clearly expressed rejection.
“Don’t waste your precious life on someone like me.”
Isn’t there only one life?
….
The princess could not say anything until Deonhart turned his back and disappeared.
He must have known that it was the last offer. But such a firm refusal.
It’s so clean and solid that I don’t even think about getting any more messy. Since the current imperial family, which has a close family relationship, rejected the princess’s marriage proposal, can we assume that she plans to live alone for the rest of her life?
‘…Now that I think about it, the relationship between women was too plain.’
no way.
The princess’s face hardened as an unexpected assumption came to mind.
I am prepared to live alone without a woman for the rest of my life. An overly plain relationship between women. Perhaps it was a mistake for the ‘princess’ to try to lure him in the first place.
“…Do you like men?”
The princess had a fairly open mind.
***
I managed to survive and return to the banquet hall! This is a miracle!
I was so nervous and distracted that I couldn’t remember everything, but I definitely remembered the most important things.
The emperor…
‘Do I really have to remember this?’
…gave me more time. I think he allowed me to visit the demon world even though I had only been here for a short time.
I don’t know anything else, but I do know that I have to go to the demon world again soon. It also seems that in the future, the time spent in either the demon world or the human world will be extremely short.
As for the rest of the conversation and the things I experienced… I don’t really want to recall it, so let’s bury it in the back of my memory.
‘But why do you keep looking at me?’
It feels a little different from the glances I gave at a banquet I had in the past. It seems like he is learning something…
“Series of personal conversations with the royal family…”
“I think I know what the conversation was about with Her Highness the Princess…” “
…He may be a murderer, but he is also a hero. ….”
“You’re more handsome than that…”
“…What on earth are you talking about with Her Majesty…”
Her Royal Highness? Why is the story about Her Highness the Princess being told while looking at me?
I don’t know what it is, but the gazes directed at me sting. I’m not sure if I can go home, so it’s better to stay away for now.
Fortunately, the building was partially open, no different from when an indoor banquet was held. No, there was actually a small but fully equipped banquet held indoors.
It seemed like nobles who felt burdened by the noisy outside came in to rest or have conversations related to work.
‘There were fewer people than outside, so there were fewer eyes… um…’
I guess it didn’t mean much because it became that much more intense.
As soon as I entered the room, I paused for a moment as all the attention was focused on me. I pretended like nothing had happened, put the food away, and quietly took refuge on the terrace.
It wasn’t until I carefully closed the curtains that I felt relieved and sat down on a nearby chair. Only then, as if aware of it, does the stomach, which had been secretly indicating that it was empty, begin to complain of hunger. I was in a daze as I picked up the food I brought and put it in my mouth.
‘I’m tired.’
No matter how long it had been since I returned, I touched the area under my eyes that had begun to darken again and let out a silent sigh.
The emperor and the devil, let’s not think about anything for now. I need to get some rest too.
As I was just munching on the snacks without thinking, I heard a loud noise.
“─So you want to kill them all now!”
Miss, I’m surprised! I hurriedly caught the cookie that had bounced around before it hit the floor.
Who the hell are you? Why are you fighting? I shoved the cookie I had caught into my mouth and turned my head towards where I heard the sound. A voice was coming from somewhere close to the outdoor garden outside the terrace.
