217. The Covenant Ceremony
217. The Covenant Ceremony
- 1 -
Three days after the storm at the Demon King Castle.
At the Baritra Marquis Household, just as the people of Pandemonium were emerging from shock and silence.
The family palace, where quietude and cold composure were normally prized as virtues, was filled with an air of excitement for this day alone.
"Take these flowerpots out to the garden."
At the head lady-in-waiting's command, the servants moved briskly.
Today was the day of the pledge ceremony for Serica Baritra, the eldest daughter and second child of the marquis household.
A single auspicious event, which would ordinarily have been held modestly, was shaking the entire mansion.
Because a directive had come down from the Demon King Castle.
With unsettling incidents occurring lately, they were ordered to make this auspicious occasion as grand as possible.
Sensing the commotion, the elders of the Baritra family thought to themselves.
'That child, born a bastard and barely registered as a secondary daughter, is finally becoming useful.'
Of course, the person in question, Serica, had somewhat different thoughts.
'At last... my life has reached a new starting point.'
A ceremony delicately crafted to publicly proclaim her close ties with the Dungeon Lord without it being perceived as a full-fledged alliance.
With that new beginning ahead, busy preparations continued in her room as well.
"My lady...!"
The bewildered voices of the maids rang out.
Every one of their gazes was fixed on the protagonist of the day.
"This much is enough."
Serica, standing before the mirror, gave a satisfied smile.
Above her tightly bound golden hair, a gorgeous tiara shimmered.
Over her vivid red dress, golden ornaments sparkled like moonlight.
She was far more splendid than usual.
"You may bring accessories to match this. Rita will accommodate me, at least for today."
Her voice was full of conviction.
Because to her, this ceremony was not simply a political marriage or alliance.
It was a promise heralding the beginning of something with the person who had become her lifelong goal — nothing more and nothing less.
The head maid Louise spoke with a worried expression.
"But, my lady..."
"That's enough. This is already decided."
At Serica's firm voice, Louise fell silent.
Yet the worry did not leave her face.
Outside the marquis household, the words 'low bloodline' still followed Serica.
It was a remnant of the time she had spent on the surface as a bastard, before becoming a secondary daughter.
They would surely disparage Serica's splendor as 'the impatience of the nouveau riche'.
"I understand your concern, Louise."
Meeting the maid's anxious gaze, Serica smiled gently.
"But this is who I am."
These days, the nobles of Pandemonium preferred to express themselves with elegance rather than splendor.
But that did not suit Serica's tastes.
And besides...
[Do what you like. That is more beautiful.]
Though she was still a 'fake' partner now, the woman who would surely become her 'real' partner someday had said so.
Libertas had not taken an interest in her simply because she was a lady of a prestigious family.
And they both knew that well.
If Serica were to abandon her true self at this ceremony and put on only aristocratic refinement...
"That would be meaningless."
Serica's face blossomed brightly.
At that moment, the door opened quietly and the marquis's wife entered.
She observed Serica slowly, as if scrutinizing an opponent, then let out a quiet sigh.
She had divined all the circumstances that had led to this.
"... Let her have her way."
Serica spoke first.
"It's not that I don't know what you want to say."
"Indeed."
The marquis's wife chose a faint smile over conflict.
She still did not like Serica, but she no longer hated her enough to be angry on such an auspicious day.
Serica had consistently shown her sincerity.
That she harbored no great greed for the family — that she wanted only one thing. That she wanted only her love.
"Do as you will."
A bright smile bloomed on Serica's face.
The seed of love was finally about to sprout before her.
- 2 -
"Your Highness!!"
Before the ceremony began in earnest, a commotion arose in the hall.
Because the most noble woman in this world had appeared among the seats where the nobles were waiting.
"Everyone, please take your seats. I am not the protagonist today, am I?"
The First Demon Queen, Velastella Lillis, appeared with graceful and elegant poise.
The purple eyes of Stella, who arrived accompanied by the 'real' Joanna and Jessica along with the head lady-in-waiting, slowly swept across the hall.
Her gaze paused briefly when it found Libertas, then moved naturally to the side.
"Your Highness, how is it that you are at this occasion..."
The cold expression of Marquis Velled Baritra, who faced her, crumbled in an instant.
It was a moment that rendered his nickname of 'Cold Fury' meaningless.
Of course, his bewilderment was understandable.
For the nation's First Lady to come celebrate the pledge ceremony of a secondary daughter — not even a legitimate heir — which was neither a wedding nor a betrothal, was an utterly unusual event.
"I heard it was a pledge between the Marquis Belred's daughter and Libertas. Libertas is a special woman to me as well."
"You... and Lady Libertas, you mean?"
The marquis's expression hardened in an instant.
He, too, did not miss that the Demon Queen's words contained something beyond mere goodwill.
"I shall officiate. That would be agreeable, yes?"
"There could be no greater honor...!"
The officiant the marquis household had originally invited was a renowned professor in demon realm society.
But no matter how high his fame, it could not compare to that of the Demon Queen.
The Demon King was the absolute being of the demon realm and an object of faith.
And the Demon Queen was the spouse of that absolute being — an existence akin to a goddess.
"Ooh. Your Highness. It is an honor to meet you...!"
"I have heard of your renown. Professor."
Thus the unprecedented event unfolded — the secondary daughter's pledge ceremony officiant being replaced by the Demon Queen.
- What in the world is going on?
- I don't know, but isn't it a good thing? The fact that Her Highness came to our ceremony...
- Though it's regrettable that it happens to be a secondary daughter's ceremony.
The elders of the Baritra Marquis Household whispered and exchanged opinions.
On the faces of those who usually opposed Serica, deep anticipation now lingered.
Because the Demon King Castle's attention would soon be an opportunity to elevate the family's status.
"Ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for coming to bless the sight of the Baritra Marquis Household's second child fulfilling her love. I, too, sincerely support my younger sister's love."
Thus, in the ceremony hall where tension lingered, only one emcee was trying to lift the atmosphere.
Yulian Baritra.
It was rare for the legitimate heir of a family to act as emcee.
But since the officiant's rank had suddenly soared, the family also needed the emcee to match that rank.
Face was no longer a standard to consider.
"Now... please welcome my sister and the second daughter of the Baritra family, Serica Baritra!"
Serica walked out onto the red carpet laid between the audience.
Her golden hair reflected the sunlight, and her red dress bloomed like a rose.
It was a splendor not welcomed in noble circles, but more than appropriate for showing her sincerity.
"Her partner is the newly rising Dungeon Lord making a name for herself across the demon realm, Lady Libertas!"
Serica stood before the altar and turned around, and Yulian's voice rang out once more.
This time, Libertas stepped forward.
Over her pure white dress, golden ornaments sparkled instead of her usual dark accessories.
- Wow...
- The rumors didn't capture her essence...!
Low murmurs of admiration rippled from the crowd.
Beneath hair as black as night fog, her quietly shining purple eyes swept across the assembly.
Her beautiful appearance was breathtaking enough to command wonder.
As the two stood side by side, their contrasting colors created a perfect harmony, capturing everyone's attention.
"Everyone. Here today, as the wife of His Majesty the Demon King and a servant of the absolute, I wish to announce the union of these two ladies."
There was not a single waver in the Demon Queen's voice.
But when Libertas met her eyes, she did not miss how Stella's gaze unconsciously flickered.
"Once His Majesty approves this union, all laws and authorities of the demon realm shall bless this pledge."
That flickering deepened when a smile spread on Libertas's lips, but when Stella closed her eyes deeply once and opened them again, it vanished as if it had never been there.
"Serica Baritra. Lady Libertas. Do the two of you acknowledge your feelings for each other, and vow those feelings by this pledge?"
The woman standing in the most noble position in the demon realm looked alternately at the two noble ladies with a gentle gaze.
The nobles thought, 'The Demon Queen is bestowing her blessings properly,' but Libertas did not miss the faint jealousy that surfaced at the corners of Stella's eyes.
"Yes!!"
It was Serica who stepped forward first. There was no hesitation in her voice.
At her bold answer, soft laughter arose from the audience seats.
"That is correct."
Libertas's answer followed immediately as well.
The faint blush that rose on her characteristically delicate face was enough to captivate the hearts of those watching.
"Now, may the two ladies place their feelings for each other into this vow and swear it."
Once Stella finished speaking, the two approached the written oath spread before them.
When they placed their clasped hands upon it, mana patterns shone forth, revealing themselves.
Saaaak...!
Red and purple symbols rose vividly above the oath document.
When it was complete, Serica and Libertas turned around to face the audience.
Their voices intertwined, beginning to recite the single vow.
"His Majesty the Demon King. We pledge to each other here today."
"Vowing never to let go of each other's hands in any crisis, and to overcome all trials and hardships together..."
"...We shall devote our hearts and strength so that our future may become a path in accordance with the will of His Majesty the Demon King."
The two women set down the declaration and turned back toward the officiant.
Stella, who outwardly wore a pleased smile, continued on to the next procedure.
"Now, the oath kiss."
The two looked at each other.
Serica's eyes were full of passion toward Libertas, and Libertas's lips were full of affection toward Serica.
"Libertas. I love you. And I will continue to love you. Even if I must give my all."
A confession containing only sincerity, not ceremony.
To Serica's words, Libertas answered with a gentle smile.
"I, too, treasure you, and I shall swear here that this will continue to be so."
After conveying their sincere words to each other, they shared a deep kiss on the forehead.
At the spot where their lips parted, symbols representing each other briefly appeared before vanishing.
"Your hands, here."
When their vow ended, Stella gathered and held both of their hands.
A flow of mana brushed past the three people's hands.
It was the blessing of the Demon Queen, and official recognition of this pledge.
"With this, I proclaim to the world that the pledge of these two has been fulfilled. Everyone, please bless these newly betrothed."
As applause continued from the audience, Serica and Libertas exchanged glances.
Their faces, looking at each other, were full of sincere joy.
- 3 -
An auspicious event must be followed by a banquet.
While gentle music filled the banquet hall, nobles repeatedly approached to congratulate us on our pledge and then withdrew.
Even amidst that, Serica did not let go of my hand for a single moment.
Whenever she looked at me, the light of love in her eyes grew deeper, and her smile never faded for an instant.
"The guests are waiting. Can you keep doing this?"
I asked, watching the nobles who were eyeing us from around the room, but she merely shook her head.
"Just a little more, Rita."
She didn't use casual speech as usual because we were in front of people, but her expression was different.
If it weren't for others watching, a loving look that seemed ready to steal my lips at any moment overflowed from her.
Her eyes were full of happiness, and her voice carried sincere joy.
"To think that Her Highness personally officiated and blessed the pledge. It must have been the most brilliant pledge ceremony in all the demon realm."
"Yes. Perhaps so."
Serica had a dreamy expression.
When I answered gently, her face blossomed even more brightly.
While Serica attended to other guests, I turned my eyes to a woman seated in the corner of the banquet hall.
Stella was still watching this way. Her purple eyes were tinged with complex emotions.
'I should talk to her.'
I released Serica's hand.
I spoke gently to her as she looked at me questioningly.
"Since we're staying together, it seems the guests can't find the right moment to speak."
"Mm... I understand. I'll go."
She came a little closer and lightly kissed my cheek.
"Are you not disappointed?"
"I am a young lady of a noble house too, you know. Though I lack much compared to you, Rita... don't worry about such things."
"Alright. Have a good time."
Only after watching Serica become surrounded by nobles did I rise from my seat.
There were nobles approaching to greet me, but their number was relatively small.
Even they were retreating naturally, as if conscious of Stella approaching.
"I'd like to talk with you, Lady Libertas."
Though I had met 'The Father' and 'Sister' again, I was still 'Lady Libertas' in public.
Because I thought revealing it at a more decisive moment would be tactically useful, rather than in advance.
Both Gluttony Duke and Stella agreed with that opinion.
"Will you take me somewhere we can talk?"
Stella's voice was soft, but the meaning within it was heavy.
The surrounding nobles drew even further away.
"I shall gladly escort you, Your Highness."
No one objected to our steps leaving the banquet hall.
Because no one who valued their life would disturb a private conversation with the First Demon Queen, a woman at the center of power.
As we headed toward the Baritra family mansion, Stella's mana naturally enveloped our surroundings.
My quarters were a guest room prepared for high-ranking noble guests, very close to Serica's private room.
Upon arriving at the room, Stella stared out the window for a long while. The moonlight illuminated her profile.
"...Congratulations, on the pledge."
Her voice was a mixture of sincerity, regret, and some complex emotion.
It was a voice of unfathomable depth, completely different from her blessing at the official occasion.
I was trying to guess what lay at the bottom of it.
"Thank you, Sister."
"Serica Baritra... she is a beautiful young lady."
Stella's gaze, which had been toward the door, returned to me.
A single question was contained in those eyes.
"That's right. That child is a precious light to me. One I want to polish so she shines for a lifetime."
"So... you chose her?"
Stella asked in a voice almost a whisper.
"No. I don't do things like 'choosing.' Especially not with people."
I answered while looking straight into her eyes, so that she could immediately grasp what my words meant.
The flickering passing through her eyes grew gradually larger.
"That's... excessive greed, Rita."
"Yes. Maybe it is excessive greed. But..."
The confusion blooming in her eyes, and a certain sense of anticipation.
Seeing that, I became certain of the feelings she harbored for me.
"...But?"
"I will have the power to fulfill that greed. And you, Sister..."
I stopped speaking.
But a light of understanding was already whirling in her eyes.
"I am a queen consort, Rita."
I unclasped the hands she had been defensively gathering and held them.
Stella did not resist.
"Do you know what, Sister?"
"What...?"
"You might not like this, but..."
I looked up at her and curled up the corners of my mouth.
"I'm greedy, Sister. What I want... I want to have it all."
Stella seemed to grasp the meaning of my words immediately. Her eyes grew increasingly complex.
Soon she let out a sigh.
"...You're saying things even bolder than Father."
"I know."
"You..."
Stella paused for a moment, then bit her lip.
And without opening her mouth again, she left her seat just like that.
I did not follow after her. She would probably need time.
"Lady Libertas! Serica!"
When I stepped out into the garden, Yulian's voice calling for us could be heard.
It was time to go outside the mansion for the farewell greetings.
I looked at the main gate of the marquis household, and beyond it, the Demon King Castle.
The sight of the citadel standing tall under the moonlight entered my eyes.
The enjoyable event in the demon realm had taken longer than expected. Now, it was time to end this outing and return to my home.
「...Therefore, I will go ahead and wait. Master.
- Longing for the day we meet again, Evangeline.」
On the continent where my longed-for dungeon was, the next matter was already waiting for me.
News that two stars were in danger, and that my beloved subordinates had moved ahead to save them.
Now it was time to go and save them.