My Favorite's Lap Pillow
"Nngh..."
I slowly blinked my eyes open. My head felt so fuzzy... Looks like I fell asleep. Was I sitting on Prelia sis's lap and just dozed off right there? Well, yeah, I'd been sleepy all day. Normally, this would've been around the time I'd be whining and clinging to Mom to get put to bed.
I let out a big breath. Warm air softly slipped into my nose. So cozy... The scent was different from the Edelweiss fragrance I'd smelled right before drifting off—stronger, somehow, though I already knew it well. Something soft was pressing against me too. Super squishy, yet so solid...
"You're awake."
"Huh... M-Mommy...?"
No, that wasn't right...? Her voice was a bit lower than Mom's, laced with a calm, steady vibe...
"Pfft. Not 'Lady' or 'Mother,' but 'Mommy.' I can see just how much Aurelia dotes on you."
"...Ah, a-ah! Duchess of the North...!?"
My mind snapped wide awake in an instant. I had to pull myself together, no matter what! My ultimate fave was talking to me!
...Wait. Hold on. Whose lap am I even lying on right now?
As my thoughts tangled in a mess, I hurriedly tried to sit up. Hadn't I just casually called out for Mom right in front of her? And messed up my manners too...?
"It's fine. Lie back down."
Her gentle voice held me back as I started to move.
"The trip here must've been exhausting. For someone with such a frail body to make it anyway—it's actually quite admirable."
"Wha...?"
Swoosh... swoosh...
The sensation of her softly stroking my hair. Her hand gently patting my back. My body went limp again under that touch.
"I heard you fell asleep in my daughter's arms. Aurelia's face at that moment was something else... Do you remember anything?"
"Huh...?"
Mom's face? I'd already been asleep by then, so I didn't see...
"Wh-what was it like...?"
"Hmm... There was this human once."
Lady Adelaide lowered her gaze lightly and continued.
"A filthy sort who had a hobby of collecting monster limbs while they were still alive. Her expression back then was similar."
"......"
Eh... I remember in the game, there was a description of Mom's inner thoughts... Something like, if I don't tear this bastard apart right now, my rage won't subside... Why would she make a face like that...?
...No way.
Did Prelia sis do something to me while I was asleep? And Mom saw it?
Huh.
I quickly checked my body. The only change was that my clothes were lighter.
"M-my clothes..."
"Oh, Aurelia took those off, apparently. She tidied you up so you wouldn't be uncomfortable while sleeping."
"Ah... I see..."
Phew, what a relief. It was Mom who did it. I'd been worried Prelia sis might've pulled some kidnapping nonsense or something weird, since she'd been talking like that from the start. Guess not.
"So where's Mom now?"
"She stepped out with my daughter for a bit. Said something about a new dungeon popping up, so they're planning to clear it."
"......"
Something about that felt super ominous. Nah, it couldn't be. It won't be. As long as sis didn't do anything to me while I was out, it should be fine.
I shook my head to clear the complicated thoughts. Then I nestled back comfortably onto the lap pillow beneath my head. Warm body heat rose gently, and the sweet, fragrant Edelweiss scent made my mood flutter. Getting a lap pillow from my fave character of all people...! It felt like I'd checked one thing off my life's bucket list.
...It's huge...
The thought slipped out unconsciously. With my head tilted up toward the ceiling, I could barely see half of it. I'd only ever seen her in that sharply tailored uniform that accentuated her sleek lines, so I hadn't realized... she was this voluptuous. One wrong move, and my face might just sink right in.
"What are you staring at like that? My breasts that fascinating?"
"N-no, it's not... Th-that's... nyaaang..."
"Pfft, it's fine if you look. What's the big deal about a boy glancing at a woman's chest? It's only an issue the other way around. And you're a boy, aren't you? If you're curious, I can even unbutton for you."
"N-no, really...! I'm good..."
I frantically waved my hands. Lady Adelaide seemed amused by my reaction, chuckling softly as she stroked my hair again. Unlike the firm image under her uniform, right now she exuded a much softer, more relaxed aura. The faint smile on her lips and the casual everyday clothes created a bigger contrast than I'd expected from her rigid uniform. No skin like this in the game, so it was rare to see. She looked even cooler and more beautiful every time.
"By the way, I have one thing I'm curious about. Mind if I ask?"
"Sure! Ask anything!"
"...How long has it been since you last grew taller?"
"Height? Hmm..."
Height, suddenly? Just curious 'cause I'm a kid?
...Come to think of it, I hadn't measured lately. Up until a year ago, I felt like I was growing a tiny bit. But lately, not so much. Even when hugged by Mom, her chest used to be above my head—now it's not.
"Ab-about a month ago... I haven't felt much growth. But I'm still growing, right?"
"...I see. Plenty of time left, so you'll grow more. But remember this: for men, anything over 165cm is too tall."
"Got it..."
I nodded at her words, her single finger raised pointedly. In this world, men were supposed to be petite and delicate to look good—too tall, and it came off as burdensome, dropping your value.
With that thought, I looked up at Adelaide's face as she brushed my hair.
...?
Why... does she look so serious? Not her usual confident, steadfast expression—what was it? Right now, she seemed... sunken. Regretful, maybe...?
"Duchess...? What's wrong...?"
"Hm? What do you mean?"
"Y-your face looks so sad..."
"...Does it?"
She averted her gaze for a moment, then looked back down at me.
"Just had a bad thought pop up. Don't worry about it."
Her eyes had definitely been on me, so why dodge like that? Did seeing me remind her of something bad? What? Or maybe...
...'Cause I'm the Demon King's son? Because I'm the heir to the blood of the Demon King she fought tooth and nail against?
"I-I don't even know what the Demon King looked like! And I have nothing to do with him!"
"...? What brought that on?"
"H-huh...? Weren't you thinking something weird 'cause of me...? Like memories of fighting the Demon King..."
"...Kh... Pfft... Heh..."
She covered her mouth, giggling, then lightly wiped the tears from her eyes with a fingertip.
"Nothing like that. And the Demon King—he was your father, wasn't he?"
"...Doesn't feel like it... He was the Demon King, right?"
"Fair enough. He died not long after you were born. Quite the strange fate. A new life born, and at the same moment, the one who created it vanishes."
"Don't say it like that. Sounds so sad..."
"You're right. Too heavy a topic for a child who's only lived eight years."
She flashed a bright smile, as if shaking off the emotion, and turned her gaze to the window. Snowflakes drifted down quietly, piling up below the sky. No wonder I loved the northern landscape. I'd always liked pure white things, and the north—blanketed in snow, with its solemn, cool atmosphere—was perfect.
"Lemme ask you something too!"
"...You think you can just ask the Duchess of the North anything, no strings attached?"
"Uh..."
"Pfft... Fine, fine. Go ahead."
Her suddenly cool voice poked my forehead with her finger, leaving me gaping blankly. No need to get all solemn...
Anyway, I asked the question I'd always wanted to when meeting the real Duchess of the North.
"What do you think when you see the Demon King?"
"About the Demon King? Hmm..."
She pondered, chin in hand. Then, as if she'd sorted her thoughts, she spoke.
"Every time I saw him, what a pain that guy was."
"Every time I saw him, what a pain that guy was!"
"?"
"Hehe. Nailed it... Heehee..."
"...Who else could be Aurelia's son? Even your questions are the same."
How many times had I picked that option in the game? Bucket list item checked off for this superfan today too.
So innocent.
Kael lay there using her lap as a pillow, grinning ear to ear. Looking down at him, Adelaide recalled the conversation she'd just had with Aurelia.
...Poor thing.
Born not to anyone else, but the son of the Demon King and the Hero—yet cursed with such a twisted fate. Thankfully no issues with intelligence or talent, but the most basic growth was restricted.
Men were better the smaller they were, sure—but that was just others' views. To the person himself, it was no light defect. Especially comparing to his sisters' stature and presence—it'd make him feel all the more insignificant.
"Um, I-I have tons of stuff I wanna do with you, Duchess! Do them with me!"
"...Fine. As long as it's not too bothersome, I'll indulge you as much as I can."
Adelaide pushed aside that bitter truth, burying it deep. For now, she'd just spoil this boy who adored her so much.
The next day.
"Mommy...? B-blood..."
"Kael... Hoo... Are you okay? I'm fine... Sniff... Ngh..."
A deep gash across her chest. Red blood slowly spreading on the floor. Mom, face darkened, wiping the blood trickling from her mouth, trying to calm me.
"It's okay... It's nothing... So..."
My breath caught. The scene before me was too vivid.