Becoming the Empire's Specially Guarded Young Master
The Empire's Founding Festival.
A grand celebration honoring the founding of the empire itself, where people from across the continent gather in one place to revel in its glory and sing its praises.
The most magnificent and prestigious festival of them all.
"When do you think Princess Crois will choose her fiancé?"
"Who knows. There aren't any men worthy of her yet. The Northern Duke's family is all daughters anyway."
"You can't even find a decent boy these days~ So many are sickly, too. If a boy had been born in the North, they'd have arranged it right away. Especially as the Northern Grand Duke's son."
"But of all people, the Northern Grand Duke just keeps having girls. Must be a blessing for them, though."
Such a festival naturally draws massive crowds.
All sorts of beings flock here.
And in this era of peace where monsters and humans coexist, it's not just humans—monsters walk the streets without hesitation.
But monsters are inherently superior to humans in physical prowess.
That's why, during the Founding Festival, the empire's central district sees far more mercenaries and imperial soldiers deployed than usual.
In that central district, two guards stationed at the massive gate leading through it were chatting idly.
...Of course, both were women.
"Well... Princess Crois does have a bit of a masculine side, for a woman."
"She's not the feminine type men usually go for. She loves dressing up, and she hates anything physical."
"Well... some men are drawn to demure women. Though most prefer a strong, reliable woman who can protect them."
"True enough."
The empire's princess, Crois la Solarrium.
She was a woman far removed from "femininity."
In this era, marriage typically involves women—who train in arms and combat—proposing to the men they desire.
The man simply entrusts himself to the woman who claims him, and they become husband and wife.
The key here is a firm belief that this woman can protect me.
Even in this age of peace with monsters, festering dangers still lurk.
For men, marrying a woman who can shield them from peril and fear is a choice tied directly to survival.
And in that regard, Princess Crois wasn't the type men preferred.
She favored cooking and makeup over honing her weapons, immersion in calligraphy over sweating in training.
If not for her position as princess, she might have been written off as destined for lifelong spinsterhood.
Hwooooosh...! Hwooooosh...!
As such idle chatter continued, a massive gust of wind came roaring from afar, crushing the air itself.
The guards' hair whipped wildly.
The moment they looked up, their vision filled with a descending presence.
A carriage adorned with blue and golden ornaments.
A red-scaled dragon gripped it in its enormous talons, slowly descending.
Swooooo...
Even the sound of slicing air was eerily subdued.
It landed softly, delicately, impeccably—no shock at all.
As if the world's most precious gem lay inside.
The dragon gently set it down, then swiftly transformed—its body twisting in an instant into a single woman.
"...We have arrived."
She bowed her head and spoke.
"Young Master Kael la Ellion."
'Kael...?'
At that name, the guards' eyes snapped up.
Kael... An unforgettable name.
The reason this era of peace exists. The reason such a colossal dragon—something that should threaten humanity—could enter the central district without issue.
It was the name of the Demon King and Hero's youngest son: Kael la Ellion.
"...I told you to call me Kael."
A slightly whiny voice drifted from the carriage.
"In public, and especially in places with so many eyes watching, I have instructed you repeatedly to maintain decorum."
"I know! I got it..."
"Yes. You are so clever and kind-hearted... I trust you'll heed my words."
With that, the dragon—now a woman—quietly opened the carriage door.
And there emerged a young boy, revealing himself slowly.
'Wha... what... how can a face like... what the...'
'Th-that's a peerless beauty...? That appearance...'
The two guards gaped slack-jawed behind their helmets, staring blankly at the boy.
They couldn't tear their eyes away.
No—staring wasn't quite right. It was more like admiring.
Pure white hair, spotless and radiant, fluttering softly in the sunlight.
Sky-blue eyes, clear as if capturing the heavens themselves.
Deep, transparent orbs shimmering like polished sapphires.
Features so flawless on such a small face, it was hard to believe they all fit.
...In a way,
He embodied the ideal "male" form.
Eyes were drawn inexorably. Thoughts raced through their minds.
...Some quite filthy ones, even. The kind that made them want to corrupt this breathtakingly beautiful boy.
"...Why are you staring like that?"
As they gawked in a daze, a woman's voice struck their ears from behind the boy.
Not loud, not laced with killing intent. Yet it squeezed their hearts all the same.
Terror and fear—the dread of death—made their bodies tremble instinctively.
Their survival instincts screamed. Death loomed like a blade at their necks.
Kael glanced at the guards, then seemed to realize something and hurriedly grabbed the woman's hand.
"S-Skully... d-don't be too harsh... A huge dragon suddenly flying in like that could startle anyone..."
"You wouldn't understand, Young Master, but those humans were lusting after you."
"Th-they're wearing helmets. Maybe it's a misunderstanding..."
"Young Master, you're too considerate for your own good. Even if 'generosity' is a virtue of manhood, giving everything away like that..."
"Ugh, forget it! Let's just go. Quietly. This place feels scary for some reason..."
"...Very well, if that's what you wish."
The black-haired, purple-eyed woman exhaled softly.
The instant she did,
'?!'
Breathing became easy again. The trembling stopped.
No incantation, no magic circle—just her breath had evaporated the pressure weighing on their bodies.
As they gaped in shock, the woman approached quietly.
"Their names and affiliations..."
Her voice sank low.
"You won't make me say it myself, will you?"
"Ah, y-yes... Sir Kael la Ellion... entry confirmed for today..."
"Good. That's more like it. Oh, and..."
She stepped closer to the guards.
Leaning in to whisper right by their ears—so softly even the sharp-eared young master wouldn't hear, her breath barely audible.
She spoke.
- One more time...
The whisper scraped their bones.
- If you dare look at Young Master with those filthy, ugly, lecherous eyes again...
Shlrk. Her skin peeled away, revealing pristine white bone beneath.
- I'll crush your heart to pulp. If your lives mean nothing.
Before their eyes, the "dead one" smiled.
The guards' pupils shook wildly.
- Be grateful to Young Master forever.
The bones tilted their head slowly.
- Such a lovely, magnanimous soul... is why he lets vermin like you live.
"...Ah... ah..."
Their throats locked; no sound came.
"...Understood...! We'll remember...!"
- Good. That's right.
The woman—no, the Lich—who had cloaked her form in flesh once more, covered her face with a "veil" of skin via a casual gesture and returned to the boy with elegant poise.
"S-Skully...? Y-you didn't say anything weird, right? Right...?"
"......"
"R-right...?"
"...Just a routine check. You may enter."
"Huh?"
"Come along."
"O-oh, okay..."
Kael, who would normally lead, hesitated briefly before nodding.
"...I'll always protect you. No need to worry."
"O-okay... I trust you, Skully... 'cause I like you..."
"...Yes."
For the briefest instant, her voice softened.
"I like you too, Young Master Kael."
* * *
And so we arrived at the empire's central district, Cartes.
I passed through the gate even larger than the dragon and walked slowly onward.
The bustling voices of the people, haggling merchants, bursting fireworks, the sizzle and aroma of grilling food—all swirled around me.
This novel yet wondrous sensation was utterly thrilling.
"Wow... So this is the central district Skully told me about..."
"Yes, the empire's heart you've only seen in books until now: Cartes. What do you think?"
"It's, like, super pretty...! So exciting! Super exciting! Wow! What's that? Such a huge building! Not as big as our house, but... the cherry blossoms are gorgeous too~ Come on, Skully, let's go together~"
I whipped my head around, exclamations spilling out nonstop.
"Ah, w-wait... You'll get hurt running like that!"
"No worries~ I'm holding your hand!"
I giggled and reached out my hand.
She took it naturally.
The bony texture through her gloves felt vivid, but it didn't bother me.
Pulling her forward hand-in-hand, I watched her initially stiff expression soften.
"...Yes, I'll keep you from falling. Let's go safely."
. . .
We arrived at the central district's grand castle.
"...Feels kinda familiar."
"Pardon?"
"Oh, nothing. Never mind."
I muttered without thinking.
Of course it felt familiar.
It's where the hero's adventure began.
I glanced around slowly. Nothing had changed.
Opulent golden decorations, rows of towering armors.
Swords plunged into the floor, exuding majesty.
In the lore, Mom was one of the imperial guards here, right?
Thinking that, I wandered the halls casually.
Seeing the familiar scenes from illustrations brought a sense of calm.
I stepped into the vast lobby.
"...Oh my, it's you..."
A voice called out.
I turned toward it.
Golden hair, crimson eyes flickering like flames.
Beauty like the sun embodied... only one person fit.
...The Empress.
By my reckoning, the Empress was a bold, sturdy "feminine" character.
So this woman before me...
"It's almost tea time."
She smiled lightly as she spoke.
"Wanna come?"
"...Pardon?"
"It's boring alone~ You must be the hero's son, right? The conferment ceremony's still hours away, so wanna go flower-viewing together~"
...Huh?
Flowers and women... coexisting in the same sentence in this world?