Hildeburg's Doll Princess
The person who pushed open the door and stepped into the shop was none other than the Doll Princess herself. But she looked nothing like the Doll Princess I remembered. Her face was covered in freckles, and her hair was tied up tightly in a bun. Instead of a dress, she wore a brown robe with a hood. At her waist hung a small dagger, its ornate hilt peeking out from the leather sheath, marking it as more decorative than practical.
"Lady Rosaria...?"
"......"
Rosaria staggered into the shop, then lurched forward, slamming her hand on the table to steady herself. She looked utterly exhausted, barely able to speak.
"Hey! Are you okay?! Boss! She's gonna turn into a ghost at this rate!"
Aris rushed over with a frantic patter of footsteps and supported Rosaria.
"Ah......"
Seeing that, I realized my mistake. Coming to this restaurant alone and in secret wasn't something she could just pull off easily.
While Aris supported the collapsed princess, I gathered mana at my fingertips and cast a recovery spell on her.
"Recovery."
⟨ Recovery ⟩
Recovery magic wasn't my specialty, so I couldn't expect miracles, but it would help someone on the verge of collapse regain their senses. Then I brewed a tea from dragon's blood herb, which restores stamina, poured it into a small bowl, and slowly trickled it past her lips.
"This skin......"
After finishing the minimum measures to restore her energy, I examined the unconscious princess's face closely. Her entire face was dotted with blemishes and freckles that definitely hadn't been there before. Had malnutrition caused sudden skin issues? Puzzled, I gently touched the inside of her cheek with my thumb and rubbed the skin.
"......!"
The blemish under my thumb smeared and faded away. It seemed these were fake—makeup she'd applied herself to look less attractive. She'd disguised herself to sneak out of the territory and come here. Of course. Rosaria's face was too well-known in Hildeburg Territory. If she'd slipped out in her usual doll-like dress, she'd have been spotted immediately.
Even with the freckles drawn on, her innate beauty shone through dazzlingly. It was like that principle of originals being flawless no matter what—unfair, even to a guy like me.
"Boss~ Is she really okay~?"
Aris fidgeted anxiously, her worry genuine.
"She's fine. Just exhausted. She probably traveled a long way without eating properly."
"That's a relief, then......"
"Still, this is wild. I didn't think she'd actually come back alone......"
It wasn't my place to say, since I'd told her to come alone, but in hindsight, it was a crazy demand. She was lucky to make it here unscathed. Sure, she had plenty of money, so transportation wouldn't be an issue even sneaking out solo. But for every good person in the world, there were plenty of bad ones. A beauty like Rosaria—even disguised—traveling alone to a remote spot like my restaurant was asking for trouble. Slave traders, bandits, thieves, con artists, monsters... dangers lurked everywhere.
Thinking about it, my order to her had been shortsighted. Well, at least she'd arrived safely.
"Ugh... Uuuh......"
"Coming around?"
"......!"
The princess's lips twitched, and she snapped her eyes open at my voice, jolting half-upright in surprise.
"Where is this......?"
"Misikdang Slow, my restaurant. You made it here safe."
"Ah......"
She'd just passed out from exhaustion, so her memories were probably still piecing back together. With Aris's help, she stood fully.
"So... you came here alone like this......?"
"Yes, you told me to come alone next time."
"What's the situation with your family? Did you let them know?"
From her state, obviously not, but I asked to confirm.
"No... they're probably in an uproar by now."
"I see."
A princess about to marry suddenly flees the territory. The Hildeburg family must be in chaos, maybe even sending people this way already. Time was short to fulfill her order.
"Coming here means you want to taste the freedom of an adventurer, right?"
"Well......"
"You've had some recovery magic and stamina tea, so you should be able to move for a bit."
"I drank something?"
"Yes, I trickled a little in while you were out."
"I see......"
Anxiety still lingered on her face. To serve her my food properly, I needed to ease that first. And I'd planned for it since taking her order.
"You really didn't want that marriage, did you?"
"No, I absolutely didn't."
She answered firmly. She'd already resolved to flee the territory.
My job was simple: give her a push.
"And fleeing here like this means... you have no intention of going back unless the marriage issue is resolved, right?"
"Well......"
She bit her lower lip. Never returning to Hildeburg Territory was a heavy choice, even for her. Raised like a caged bird, a decorative flower for the family her whole life. Like an elephant chained young—even with strength to break free as an adult, it still feels bound. Psychological barriers built over years don't crumble easily.
"Your order was the freedom of an adventurer. I have someone to introduce you to. She won't be intimidated by you, and she can help you find the freedom you want."
"......Who?"
"Hero Irit, one of the four heroes of the continent. She's also my friend."
"......!"
Surprise spread across Rosaria's face. I hadn't asked Irit's permission, but... it'd work out. Borrowing a hero's name would reassure a runaway princess. Sorry, Irit. I'll owe you one.
"Really? Hero Irit would take me in...?"
"With Irit, even if Hildeburg tracks you, you'll be safe. You can live freely."
"Freely...... Is that really okay?"
"It will be. Now, shall we head out? You need to try the food you ordered."
I grabbed my pre-packed bag.
"Head out...? Aren't we eating here?"
"If we stay, who knows when your family might show up. You wanted adventurer freedom, right? There's a dangerous monster forest right next to my restaurant. If we go in there, no one from your family will find us."
"But......"
"Don't worry. I'll be with you—it's safe."
The day was darkening, but forest monsters were no issue for me. I'd gather ingredients there myself. To give her a taste of adventurer freedom, even if just a simulation.
"......Okay."
The Doll Princess followed me out the door.
"Wait! Boss! What about me?!"
"You too."
"Eek, yeees!"
I tossed my emergency travel bag to the hurrying Aris and headed to the monster forest beside the restaurant with the princess.
"Uwaaaah... This is scary... What is this forest......?"
"Quiet. You're already dead—what's to be scared of?"
The Monster Forest. Aris clutched the bag to her pale face, glancing around nervously as she followed me. Rosaria stuck close, stepping carefully.
"Princess, from now on, can I call you just Rosaria?"
"Yes, that's fine."
"From this moment, you're not a princess anymore. You're not fated to return to your family. They won't chase you here. In other words... unless you choose to go back yourself, you won't have to marry that guy you hate."
I reiterated her situation as we pressed through the darkening woods. Repeating it hammered home her escape from the family.
"But... I'm worried about you, Klaus. If they find out you helped......"
"Don't worry about me."
Of course, if the family learned I'd aided her escape, there'd be hell to pay. But I had no intention of getting caught. Once the order was done, I'd call Irit and hand Rosaria over. She'd understand and handle it smartly. The key was freeing Rosaria from her pressure. Stressed about marriage, no food would taste right.
"Kieeeek-!"
Suddenly, a bloodcurdling screech tore from the bushes.
"Wh-what?!"
"Uwawawawa! Boss! Boss!!"
Aris and Rosaria yelped and hid behind me. Calmly, I said,
"Cockatrice. Big monster that looks like a chicken."
My adventurer days were long. I'd faced most monsters this world had—even demons fresh from abyssal rifts. Cockatrices resembled chickens but huge, with a petrifying curse in their beaks. Deadly if they pecked you. To me? Just oversized poultry. And chicken... was delicious ingredient material.
"Aris, look after Rosaria. Be right back."
I headed toward the screech.
"Kieeeek!!!!!"
A massive cockatrice, nearly five meters tall, burst from the bushes, screeching skyward. Sensing me, it charged.
I extended my hand and whispered,
"Implosion."
⟨ Implosion ⟩
Implosion. A spell that collapsed internals while leaving the exterior intact. I'd learned it for stuffing poultry softly with fillings. On a living target...
"Kieeek!"
The charging cockatrice spewed blood from its beak and collapsed. Skin and meat intact, but guts probably mush.
"Boss~! Boss! You okay?!"
Aris arrived late, dragging Rosaria.
"What is that monster......?"
Rosaria stared in shock. I approached the fallen beast, hand on its warm head—freshly dead.
"This will be the ingredient for the dish you ordered today, Rosaria."
All conditions met: monster forest beyond family reach, hunted beast meat. The setup was perfect—now it was up to her appetite.