Chapter 17: The Future Tyrant, Dantalion (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 17: The Future Tyrant, Dantalion (2)
“Dia, Mommy’s going to go see Grandpa for a moment.”
“Okay.”
I nodded obediently at Veronica’s words. As she stepped back, Sophia naturally approached me.
I caught a glimpse of Veronica as she left the room.
No matter how much I thought about it, it was strange. For the Duke to call for Veronica at this hour...
Since arriving at the Duke of Winston’s estate, Veronica and I had truly done nothing.
Perhaps thinking we had suffered enough at the Marquis’s mansion, the Duke and the other direct descendants seemed to want us to just relax and enjoy ourselves.
The only thing they likely told Veronica was that bastard Cedric’s arrogant mention of a territory war. Even then, they’d said it while I was in the room with Sophia.
So, this sudden summons felt incredibly unnatural. Something was definitely up. I was sure of it.
“Demon, follow Veronica and eavesdrop on their conversation.”
[What? Master! What do you take me for?!]
“Well, obviously…”
[No, you do not have to say it.]
Desmond, who had been about to fly into a rage, suddenly deflated when I moved to answer him honestly.
Honestly, his emotions are all over the place.
I clicked my tongue and continued.
“It sounds like an important conversation, so hurry up and go listen.”
[Ugh, but that Sword Master fellow is a bit scary.]
“Hmm.”
So that was it. He was acting like this because he was afraid of Duke Winston.
I let out a disappointed sigh and muttered, “You bragged about being an Archdemon, but I guess you’re helpless against a Sword Master.”
[What…?]
“Bibi said she could even block a Sword Master’s attack. But you, Demon…”
[Grrr!]
As expected, comparing him to Bibi made Desmond seethe with frustration. I feigned ignorance and continued to poke at his pride.
“Well, whatever. You don’t have to do it if it’s too hard. I’m sure Bibi could do a better job anyway.”
[Of course! If it is my Master’s command, then naturally—!]
[Agh, shut up!]
[Eek!]
Desmond sprang up and shoved Bibi. She let out a tiny shriek as she tumbled over.
To an outsider, it just looked like two stuffed dolls tussling. It was a relief Sophia had stepped out to get snacks, so she didn't witness this.
[You violent brute! You want to go?]
[As if I’d let a pervert like you steal my job! Not a chance!]
[Hmph, then hurry up and go! You were just whimpering about being scared!]
[When did I ever whimper! You insolent brat!]
My head was getting a bit noisy, but thanks to Bibi’s expert provocation, managing Desmond was easy.
Besides, perhaps due to his specific abilities, Desmond was better at eavesdropping than Bibi.
[Then, I shall return shortly, Master!]
“Right, see you later.”
An emboldened Desmond left his post. Simultaneously, the teddy bear he had been inhabiting collapsed like a puppet with its strings cut.
While a demon’s true form is their gem, they can move freely anywhere once they have a contractor.
Their obsession with manifesting in a physical body stems from a desire to stay in the Middle World; normally, they lack a physical form here and drift about in a gaseous state. Their true bodies remain in the Demon Realm.
That was how I could send Desmond to the North or the West like a carrier pigeon. And now, I had sent him to tail Veronica and overhear her conversation with the Duke.
“Ta-da! Snacks are here!”
“Whoa!”
My eyes sparkled at the treats Sophia brought in.
The post-meal snacks were madeleines and chocolate cake—things the original Claudia had loved.
Fortunately, I liked them too, so I could be genuinely happy.
“Since you took your medicine so well, this is your reward.”
“Uh-huh.”
“You have to be careful not to eat too much, or you’ll get a tummy ache.”
“Okay, I know.”
The ever-worried Sophia fussed over me. I let her nagging go in one ear and out the other as I reached for a madeleine.
[Ah, that looks delicious. Times like this, I regret choosing a toy.]
‘You’re the one who said you liked being a doll.’
[Ugh, that’s true, but still…]
Bibi slumped beside me, whimpering. The madeleines at the Duke’s estate were indeed that good. I smiled contentedly.
Now then, I wondered just how good the information Desmond would bring back would be.
My lips curled up in anticipation.
*
“You called for me, Father?”
“…Yes.”
Duke Winston gazed silently at Veronica as she entered the office.
Not long ago, when she first arrived at the estate with Claudia, she had looked utterly haggard and pitiful. But now, she looked much more stable.
Seeing that with his own eyes once again, the Duke let out a sigh of relief.
“Whew…”
“Is something wrong?”
However, Veronica felt a surge of anxiety at the Duke’s sigh.
She wondered if Cedric Lionel had threatened them again.
Veronica bit her lip. She regretted everything about meeting him. Her only lack of regret was giving birth to her lovely daughter, Claudia.
It was inevitable that Veronica felt a crushing sense of guilt toward Duke Winston.
Fortunately, the Duke doted on Claudia even more than he did on her, but that didn't erase the fact that she had ignored his warnings and concerns in the past.
“Berry.”
“Yes.”
Veronica tensed at the Duke’s call. If Cedric had provoked him again…
And if a territory war were to break out soon, what was she supposed to do? Veronica reflexively squeezed her eyes shut.
“His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived.”
“…Pardon?”
“It is not an official visit, so he is currently staying in the annex. He requested it be kept quiet.”
“…?”
Veronica was bewildered by the unexpected news.
The Crown Prince? His Highness?
Stunned, Veronica suddenly recalled a memory that had become a distant relic of the past.
The first time she met the Crown Prince, Dantalion Noah Sylvester, was when she was about Claudia’s current age.
The Empire had been very peaceful back when the former Emperor and Empress were still alive. Veronica had been staying at the capital townhouse with her family then, and Vincent was often called away to be a playmate for Dantalion, who was a prince at the time.
Veronica had followed Vincent once and met Dantalion. Having no siblings of his own, Dantalion seemed to find the way Vincent doted on Veronica quite fascinating.
Naturally, the three of them became close. Dantalion treated Veronica as if she were his own younger sister. To the young Veronica, it felt like she had gained another older brother.
‘But why would he…?’
Veronica, who had been reminiscing about her peaceful and warm childhood, snapped out of it and wondered.
Those serene, cozy days had passed quickly.
After the sudden death of the previous Emperor and Empress in an accident, many things changed rapidly. By the time Veronica was ready for her debutante, it had become difficult to see Dantalion.
The last time she saw him was briefly at a banquet held before he departed for the West.
That was already seven years ago.
“This is so sudden.”
“Indeed it is.”
“Why did he come?”
“The thing is… His Highness is aware of your situation.”
“What?”
Veronica gasped at the Duke’s words.
Dantalion knew about her situation? Did he mean her attempt to divorce Cedric? Or even the fact that Cedric was trying to start a territory war with the North?
As Veronica stood there in confusion, the Duke added more.
“And he said he wishes to be of help to us.”
“His Highness does?”
“Yes.”
“…”
To be honest, if the Crown Prince helped, things would become much easier.
The House of Winston had long maintained political neutrality, but that creed had nearly been shattered when Veronica married Cedric, who was part of the Empress Dowager’s faction.
If she accepted the Crown Prince’s help now while trying to divorce Cedric, it would crack their neutrality once again. However, the Duke had also judged that it would be impossible to settle this matter without the assistance of the Imperial Family.
Of course, they would have to provide something in return.
Realizing this, Veronica asked with a dark expression, “What did His Highness demand as a price?”
“I thought he would ask for something as well.”
“…?”
The Duke muttered, letting out a low hum. Veronica looked at him with questioning eyes.
The Duke had already spoken with the Crown Prince once in the early hours of the morning when he arrived.
Yet, he still couldn't grasp the Crown Prince’s intentions. The Duke frowned as he spoke.
“He said he wants nothing in return.”
“Pardon?”
He wants nothing? How could that be?
Hearing the Duke’s words, a strong sense of doubt washed over Veronica.