204. Mask (2)
204. Mask (2)
- 1 -
The Second Demon Queen's palace was situated on the eastern side of the Demon King's castle.
It was the first place to receive the moonlight of dawn.
Spires built of black marble rose toward the sky, and between the temple-like structures, gardens of irises in every color spread out in full bloom.
It was beautiful, yet few people passed through it, lending the space a refined but solitary air, much like the palace's owner.
...That was what I had been told, but.
"There are unusually many people today."
"Indeed."
The Demon Queen's palace, which I visited in disguise with Mure, greeted me in a manner quite unlike its usual reputation.
Countless people were entering and exiting the palace.
"I hear that this time, even the other Archdukes are showing interest."
"Really? It is merely the selection of ladies-in-waiting, though?"
"You speak without knowledge. Those who work in Her Highness the Second Demon Queen's palace inevitably come to know Her Highness's secrets as well. That is why the Archduke of Sloth or the Archduke of Envy, who have no family, are..."
The conversation of two noblewomen in splendid dresses passing in front of us.
"Ladies-in-waiting...?"
I mulled over that striking word.
"Yes. From what I hear, it seems to include maidservants as well."
Mure answered my murmured words. She was using the power of souls to read the conversations around us.
Hearing that, a good idea came to mind.
'It would make a good pretext.'
If I assumed the identity of a lady-in-waiting, I would be able to naturally gather information while staying by the Demon Queen's side.
Without having to reveal my movements.
In that case...
"What of the qualifications?"
"They say there are no particular restrictions as long as one is of noble status, but..."
Mure paused briefly before continuing. The words that followed were not something one could say openly.
"They say the opportunity is equal, but to become a lady-in-waiting in the court, one must belong to a noble family capable of hereditary succession at the very least. Naturally, the higher in rank, the better."
"That would be so."
A lady-in-waiting was not a mere attendant, but a role encompassing counsel and administration.
Thus, someone of broad knowledge and ability was required.
Furthermore, the position of a lady-in-waiting allowed one to know even the most secret affairs of their lord.
The family must therefore be absolutely trustworthy, or that trust had to be 'fabricated.'
Ultimately, this served as an indirect declaration of intent for an alliance with the family. It was only natural that the family of the lady-in-waiting was included in the qualifications.
'Therefore, a suitable family is necessary...'
As it happened, I knew just such a family.
- 2 -
"Do you mean to ask me to yield the honor of becoming a lady-in-waiting to Her Highness the Demon Queen?"
Earl Incubus Ophillius spoke with a troubled expression.
There was no need to pay much mind. It was merely a matter of connection.
"That is correct. Let this opportunity clear the unsavory matter from before."
"Then... can I take this as your recognition of your connection with Her Highness...?"
The incubus tilted his head.
He must have been recalling how I had subtly denied my relationship with the Demon Queen before.
I smiled calmly.
"On that point, nothing has changed. I simply have something I wish to confirm with Her Highness."
"...It seems to me that you are asking me to assume a rather delicate position."
His face remained troubled. He seemed to want better terms, but that was an impossible demand.
"There is no need to hide your true feelings. I already know well what your ambitions are."
"My, my. It seems I could not escape the Lady's eyes."
At my words, his expression instantly took on a look of interest.
It was the reaction I had expected.
His ambition had been clearly visible from the moment I first saw him.
"A lady-in-waiting to the Second Demon Queen..."
"It could become a new light not only for that lady-in-waiting, but for your family as well, could it not?"
"Indeed. Truly so. For Her Highness will surely remember. The family that walked alongside the Lady, even briefly."
He was an Earl.
As a court countess, his family's influence could not be called great, but as an administrator of the Demon King's castle, his ability and connections were sufficient.
Moreover, he was a figure completely without faction, so the ability to accept a member of his family as a lady-in-waiting would be an attractive condition for the Demon Queen as well.
The reverse was also true.
"Very well. I accept the proposal. Would it suffice to simply lend the name of the family?"
"I need at least one actual demon. I trust you can arrange that."
"A situation requiring a reliable assistant, I see."
Ophillius sank into thought for a moment, then spoke in an even lower and more secretive tone.
"There are sisters whom the family adopted. Both are children I can confidently say possess the qualifications of a lady-in-waiting."
"Sisters, you say."
I considered his proposal.
If I took the appearance of one of the two sisters, the other could cover for my actions.
To achieve a perfect disguise as a lady-in-waiting, I needed support. A sisterly relationship was ideal in that regard.
Moreover, the bond of sisters would make overlapping each other's time and space seem natural.
It was the best possible condition for a disguise.
"What are their natures like?"
"The older one knows the virtue of silence, while the younger is a child who boasts a radiant vitality. Both are close to me and will properly fulfill their roles."
It would be best to take the form of the taciturn older sister.
A quiet lady-in-waiting could mask any slight discrepancies in behavior by attributing them to personality.
Any minor awkwardness could be covered by the younger sister.
"Very well. Then recommend both of them."
Ophillius lowered his voice with a meaningful smile.
"In reality, only one will be sent, and the other..."
Seeing him trail off, he must have grasped my intention.
"Send both for now. I will take care of the rest."
It was the moment when our mutual interests aligned.
We exchanged a meaningful glance.
"I hope to hear the results as soon as possible. Time is short."
"Yes, my Lady."
I turned my gaze out the window.
Beyond the window of the villa, the Demon King's castle could be seen.
Under the dark red sky, its black spires cast their shadows over the entire capital of the Demon Realm.
The time to meet the Demon Queen again was drawing near.
- 3 -
To be selected as a lady-in-waiting, three things were necessary.
Status, ability, and trustworthiness.
Status was no problem, as there were many places from which I could seek help.
Even if I had not chosen Ophillius, I could have requested assistance from Marquis Baritra or Geurim.
Though the former option would require paying a price, and the latter had the drawback of reduced stability.
As for ability, I simply had to prove it myself.
'The problem is trustworthiness.'
As it happened, there was someone near me who could teach me the life of a lady-in-waiting.
"Serica. May I borrow Louise for a while?"
"What? Why?"
After returning to the mansion, I asked Serica that question. She asked the reason, but first gestured to her lady-in-waiting.
"I need her help. To enter the Demon King's castle."
"What?"
Serica blinked her large magenta-colored eyes with a surprised expression. She looked very cute.
My words must have been unexpected.
"Sneaking into the Demon King's castle... how?"
"I intend to infiltrate disguised as a lady-in-waiting and then come back out."
"...Could it be because of Her Highness?"
After pondering for a moment, she deduced the answer herself and asked. I nodded without hiding it.
Serica's face became tinged with worry, but there was no need to tell a lie just to avoid worrying her.
"Her Highness seems to have many things she wants to tell me, but it appears she has a great many obstructors. Would it not be fine to help her a little, then?"
"Hmm..."
"While I am away, I entrust my people to your care."
"Alright. It is something I cannot help you with myself..."
It was when Serica wore a somewhat gloomy expression.
Mary flew from my shoulder to Serica's shoulder and landed. As she cried Kkaak- and lightly stroked Serica's cheek with her beak, Serica burst out laughing softly.
"Yes, you are always on Rita's side, aren't you."
Serica stroked Mary's head. Mary's eyes sparkled as she enjoyed the touch.
- On Rita's side!
Mary mimicked Serica's words and then let out a small burst of magical flame. Thanks to that, Serica's hair fluffed up lightly.
"Playing pranks again!"
Smiling as I watched the two of them play, I continued my train of thought.
I was not worried that Serica or Louise might speak of this matter to the Marquis.
There was no way Serica would tell my secrets to others, and Louise, who shared trust with her, would never speak of something her mistress wished to keep hidden.
In the first place, without such trustworthiness, one could not remain at their lord's side for long as a lady-in-waiting.
She was the lady-in-waiting who had not been replaced at Serica's side for half a year.
"Louise. In general, how is the selection of ladies-in-waiting usually conducted?"
It was after Serica had left. At my question, Louise momentarily showed a curious look, but soon answered faithfully.
"Typically, it proceeds in three stages. First, each family sends personal details, followed by a practical test, and finally, there is an interview with the Head Lady-in-waiting."
Simply put, it was document screening, a practical test, and an interview.
Even for the Demon Queen's palace, it was unlikely to have a separate administrative office.
The document screening could be passed either by Ophillius applying separate pressure or by paying a price behind the scenes.
Even if not, if those sisters genuinely had passing marks as ladies-in-waiting, they could pass on their own.
'The other two as well... there should be no major problems.'
I had an excellent memory.
Whether it was the practical test or the interview, I simply had to remember the ideal answers and put them into practice. Of course, some practical experience and practice would be necessary.
"But there is talk that Her Highness will personally conduct the interview this time."
In the meantime, Louise, likely recalling the most famous place currently recruiting ladies-in-waiting, quickly added that answer.
"How do you know?"
"I have a friend among the ladies-in-waiting of the royal palace."
I nodded. The information exchange network among the ladies-in-waiting was a sphere I could not enter.
A lady-in-waiting was also a profession of the privileged class.
And did those with such good jobs not often enjoy pulling up the ladder behind them?
In any case...
'So I will be meeting Stella face-to-face.'
I did not yet know whether this would be an advantage or a disadvantage.
We had already recognized each other solely by the presence of magical power, without directly seeing each other's faces.
It was a situation where, even if I concealed my magic, she might still recognize me.
I could not predict how she would react when I appeared at the interview venue.
'Therefore, I must first be perfect as a lady-in-waiting.'
I made a request of Louise.
"Would you teach me the etiquette required of a lady-in-waiting of the Demon King's castle?"
Though she wore a troubled expression, her eyes sparkled.
"It would be an honor... but it will need considerable time."
"That is fine. I will master it even if I must stay up all night."
"Then that puts me in a difficult position... But I will do my best. For someone as perfect as you, Lady, I think it will be possible quickly."
"Thank you."
After saying that with a smile, I realized something.
I was more absorbed in this matter than I had thought.
'...Why is that?'
What brushed through my mind was Stella's figure.
The solitude and resignation settling in her eyes.
At first, at the word 'blood clan,' I wondered if even I, who held loathing for family, was feeling a sense of kinship.
But that could not be. There was no way I could feel fondness for something called family.
'Rather, it must be a sense of kinship... or pity.'
A woman isolated and weathering away under pressure.
An existence bound in the name of family. And yet, she who had tried to show me goodwill despite such circumstances.
It was enough to feel a sliver of emotion.
Kkaak-.
Mary, who had been dozing by the window, shook her feathers and got up.
Seeing that her master was not resting even as the night grew late, she came to sit on my shoulder as if worried. I smiled, stroking Mary's head.
"It is fine. I just need to do a little more."
- A little more...
Mary mimicked my words and cast a small healing spell. Soft green magical energy wrapped around my shoulders, relieving my fatigue.
"Thank you, Mary."
Mary cried Kkaak- again quietly and rubbed her beak against my neck. The small magic power and warm body heat seemed to lighten my weariness considerably.
"Then, let us begin with the greeting first. My Lady."
As the night deepened, I focused even more.
Etiquette and formality, the customs and culture of the Demon Realm.
It was knowledge I knew on paper, but now I had to embody all of it in my very body.
'It is not an act.'
I was not just 'pretending' to be a lady-in-waiting.
Only by becoming a genuine lady-in-waiting could I evade all the eyes of the royal court.
"...You really are fast."
And so, I was able to achieve a passing mark quickly.
- 4 -
"From today onward, you shall meet one of the sole consorts of the most exalted being in this Demon Realm. Maintain your tension, but do not make mistakes."
"Yes."
Among the many ladies-in-waiting straightening their postures before the final interview, I subtly felt gazes studying me.
The practical test had been all too easy.
Tea service and document organization were things I had always done myself, and the etiquette and formality of a lady-in-waiting that I learned from Louise were also perfect.
My trait, 「Nobility」 which had become 「Lofty Profundity」, had faithfully assisted me.
Now only the final gateway remained.
'At last.'
The two massive doors slowly opened, and beyond them, I met eyes with the Second Queen as she appeared.
The surprise that flickered in her eyes.
But I merely lowered my head with an expressionless face.
In this place, I was nothing more than a single applicant for the position of lady-in-waiting.