Celestia's Secret 1: "How Dare That Filthy Monster!!"
As soon as I entered my room, I spat out curses amid the surging rage and humiliation.
"How dare that filthy monster!!"
All I'd tried to do was drive that monster—who could even speak human language—out of Radia. How did things end up like this? I never imagined it had such abilities... I'd heard stories of monsters carrying people around, but I dismissed them since those beasts only moved at predictable speeds. I never thought it would lead to this...
And yet... even at that speed, riding on its back felt strangely comfortable. So much so that I forgot I was even on a monster's back and unwittingly marveled at it inwardly...
"What a humiliation!"
No, forget that for now. The real problem is that my plan to expel that monster has fallen apart.
How on earth did that monster... no matter how fast it was, find Albert across that vast land...?
I'd secretly driven it out without Albert knowing and prepared everything for the cleanup...!
And now it's all for nothing!
Does that mean I have to let that repulsive monster stay on this land that Albert and I have protected!?
"Hoo...! Ugh...!"
It's so frustrating...! I can still smell that monster's scent, making it hard to breathe...!
Haah... Albert... The way you looked at me in the carriage today, with those eyes full of disappointment...
But why don't you understand? Albert... You know better than anyone what monsters are...
You, the hero who saved me—why would you now want to get close to a monster like that?
Monsters are beasts of harm that can't live alongside humans. No matter if it's called a Divine Beast or whatever, that fact doesn't change...
Why won't you understand...?
"......Hoo."
...Calm down and think about what to do next.
...Albert... Your eyes were disappointed, but you didn't get too angry... That means you understand my feelings, right?
I need to have a proper talk with Albert.
And that monster... It's regrettable I couldn't drive it out of Radia, but it's not impossible.
There are plenty of ways to harass it relentlessly until it finds living here unbearable.
Our home with Albert. My hometown, Radia... I won't let that monster defile it.
...But first, since Albert insisted I retract the seizure order and apologize properly... I feel bad disappointing my husband any more... Even if I hate it, for now... I have to endure.
"...That monster. How dare it tell me to... apologize?"
...Fine. I'll apologize as much as you want right now.
It said it was an adventurer, right? Then giving it a gift that would make other adventurers' eyes pop should suffice.
It talked about kneeling and all that, but as a noble, I can't do that... And that monster won't want to make an enemy of a noble either...
Hmm. Perfect. If it hands over something extremely expensive and rare that ordinary adventurers can't obtain, I'll be satisfied and back off.
Go ahead and rejoice, you repulsive monster.
In exchange for that gift... I'll definitely drive you out of Radia.
"My, my~ To think you'd grace such a humble place. Truly grateful, Lady Celestia."
Not wanting to drag this out, I skipped breakfast and came straight here with two servants first thing in the morning.
I'd planned to just drop off the gift and leave without even seeing its face if possible... How did it know to come out right now?
"I came at this hour so no one else would make a fuss, so be grateful."
"Ah, yes~. Haha. Truly grateful, Lady Celestia."
Haah... That creepy laugh and expression... How can it look so hideous...?
Its build is decent if you ignore the face, but that dark skin... Ugh, utterly repulsive.
I need to finish this quickly and go...
With that thought, I signaled the servants, who placed the prepared items in front of the monster.
"...What is this?"
"A gift of apology for yesterday. You said you're an adventurer, right? These are rare items, so take them."
With that, I turned to board the carriage and leave quickly... but the repulsive monster stopped me in a dumbfounded tone.
"Wait a moment. Where are you going?"
"...Business is done, so I'm heading back. The beastly stench here is unbearable; I want to leave ASAP."
"Business isn't done yet? You still need to kneel and apologize?"
"...Tch."
Ha... What nonsense is this monster spouting...? Me—a noble, the lord's wife—kneeling before it, a monster?
"...Did you think a kingdom noble would kneel so easily? With just those gifts...?"
"Gifts, schmifts. Nobles flip-flop on their words too easily, huh? Is that how all Reinhardt nobles are?"
"......"
"Sheesh, to think someone your age can't even apologize properly and turns out to be a Reinhardt noble. My disappointment knows no bounds. No wonder the kingdom's future looks bleak."
"Kuh...! Y-You monster...!"
"Ah~ I wonder when the lord will return~."
This insolent monster...! How can it be so brazen!?
A noble personally visiting with gifts should warrant bows from it, not this!?
"Are you trying to humiliate me no matter what?"
"Humiliate? I'm just making you do what's right. Trying to brush it off with gifts like this is the shameful part, no?"
"Y-You...! If you can't speak properly...!"
"Now, now. It was a joke—don't blush. We'll be seeing each other often, so how about a cup of tea before you go?"
What nonsense now...? Why would I have tea with a monster like you...?
"My comrade and saintess are brewing tea right now. How about meeting her and chatting a bit? If grudges linger, it'll be awkward around the lord, right?"
Haah... That saintess...
...Well, as long as this monster stays in Radia, I can't avoid her.
I need to reassure Albert too... Fine. I'll hide my feelings and have one cup of tea...
"...Haah. I'll be quick, so wait here."
"Understood, Lady Celestia."
"My, you've come. Lady Celestia."
"Yes. Sorry to intrude so early. Saintess."
I rode the magic elevator with the monster, holding my breath against the stifling beastly smell as much as possible, and arrived at the 8th floor... There, the saintess in light attire greeted me at the elevator.
It was outfit suitable for going out, but for a saintess, it felt too casual... No way...
"...You're not living here too, are you, Saintess?"
"Yes. It's more convenient for activities."
...Living with a beast like this...? I just can't understand this saintess.
"You've arrived, Lady~. This way~. Master~. All prepared♡"
From beyond the entrance, a woman in utterly vulgar attire appeared, beckoning me over.
I saw her yesterday too, but does she have no shame...? And her too... living here...?
...These two women, surely not...?
"Not sure if it suits your taste, Lady~. But you haven't had breakfast, so I brewed it strong~."
The living room was clean but felt spacious and empty with few furnishings. The saintess and the woman led me to the table and set a murky-colored tea before me.
This opaque brownish hue mixed with a milky feel... Like milk tea...?
...Something seems to be floating in it...
"...Haah, alright. Thank you."
"No trouble at all~. Here, Klea. And for Master, this one♡"
The same tea was placed before the saintess and the red-haired woman who guided me, while the monster sitting across got a transparent crimson tea.
Only it gets different tea. Such poor manners...
Well, no point getting mad over a monster I'll barely see.
"Thanks for the hospitality. I can't stay long, so I'll finish this tea and go. I'll leave the gift; open it later at your leisure. You'll like it."
"Haha. No need for gifts, but I'll gratefully accept. Lady Celestia."
Hoo. There we go. If you'd been that compliant from the start, how nice.
Of course, that doesn't mean I'll let you stay in Radia...
Time to drink up and leave...!?
"...!? W-What is this tea...!?"
"My, what's wrong, Lady? Not to your liking?"
"Why is it so thick? Is this even tea?"
"Hehe...♡ It's a trendy new tea♡ Doesn't it taste pretty good?"
"T-Taste...?"
...Hmm, the unexpected thickness surprised me... but surprisingly, it's not bad...
When it hits the mouth, an indescribable intense aroma spreads...
That aroma isn't bad at all... And this sticky texture clinging to the tongue...
A bizarre taste that feels familiar yet unfamiliar, spreading across my tongue...
...A rich flavor like that forgotten taste concentrated hundreds of times over...
Indescribably odd, yet... strangely alluring...
And when swallowed... this clinging sensation down the throat...
For some reason, it feels addictive...
"......Hehe♡ Another cup?"
"...Ah... Sure. Please."
Huh, before I knew it... Hmm. Was my throat dry?
I meant to leave right away, but somehow...
...Still, this tea... it's good...
Before I knew it, I kept accepting that strangely alluring thick tea whenever they offered, downing a whopping 12 cups.
I'd planned to leave quickly... How did I end up drinking this much...?
My stomach's full of just tea, yet my body feels oddly satisfied...
And now... here I am, laughing and chatting with the beast across from me and the smiling women gazing at me...
This wasn't why I came...?
"...This tea is really good. What's it called?"
"Hehe♡ Sorry, Lady. It's not for sale; I made it myself♡ Thinking of making it a new guild business♡ What do you think?"
"My... Is that so, Miss Lizbet? You're quite talented. This would definitely sell well."
"Thank you for the praise, Lady~."
I see... She made it herself.
I don't know what she mixed in, but it could definitely catch on among nobles.
Hmm... She's a mage like me, and too good to waste as a member of this monster's guild.
If she fixed that outfit, she's actually a very fine young lady in looks...
"But you see♡ Lady♡"
"We have something to ask...♡"
As I admired her, the saintess and mage girl drew close.
They pulled their chairs right up beside me, looking oddly intimate, and Lizbet asked,
"Lady. Promises are important, right?"
"...? Yes. Very important..."
"Of course, even for nobles. Right?"
"Naturally..."
Then the saintess leaned in close, continuing the red-haired girl's words.
"Lady. Didn't you make a promise to our master?"
"...That was..."
"As a noble countess, you know how important promises are... You can't just let it slide, can you?"
...Somehow, their words tickle my ears.
Hmm... Right. If I made a promise, I have to keep it...
The monster before me—Sema, was it? I definitely said I'd kneel and apologize...
...Hmm... Kneeling to that monster Sema...
I thought it'd feel awful, but strangely... my chest stirs inside...
...Yes. Even if it's a monster... a promise is a promise...
"...Y-Yes. A promise... must be kept."
"Hehe. Wise choice, Lady♡"
"Come this way with Master♡"
They led me into a room with an enormous bed.
The monster sat on it, legs spread wide, staring this way—disgusting sight.
As it looked at me... it felt like it pierced right through my body, this weird sensation...
...Why do I feel like... I need to kneel right now...?
"Not going to apologize? Lady?"
This is weird... How did it come to this?
I only meant to have one cup of tea and leave...
Why am I in this situation...?
"...Kneel and apologize to me, Celestia."
"Yesss...!"
Huh? What? Why... did I kneel!?
Why am I... kneeling to a monster I despise so much!?
"D-Divine Beast...! I, Radir Neve Celestia... used my noble status to trouble you...!"
W-Wait. Stop. What am I saying!?
Why am I apologizing to a monster...!!
"For my personal reasons, such a nuisance...! Haah, ngh...! I-I'm truly... truly...!"
No, stop. Don't. Not that...!
"Truly...! I'm sorry! Divine Beast!!!"
Regardless of my inner screams, my head touched the floor in a bow to the monster before me.
Hands clasped demurely, forehead to the ground—a fawning, submissive apology.
I could hear the beasts sneering, as if mocking my.
At the same time, it felt like... this humiliating apology was being recorded somewhere...
And so, the kingdom's noble and Radia's lord's wife, I—Radir Neve Celestia... etched an indelible humiliation into my body and mind on this day.