Chapter 28: Dollens, the Demon of the Black Gem (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 28: Dollens, the Demon of the Black Gem (1)
I couldn't answer Abel’s question for a while.
I was the one who told Abel he was pretty, after all. And it was the truth. I had never seen a boy as pretty as Abel in my life.
‘Ah, wait. Maybe there’s one more.’
I hadn't seen him in person, but there was Nathaniel, the Temple’s ultimate weapon, whom I’d seen in my dreams.
He was pretty too, though in a different way than Abel. His long silver hair had been incredibly mystical. I wasn't sure what both of them would look like once they grew up, though.
‘Oops.’
Lost in thought for a moment, I snapped out of it and looked back at Abel.
I must have been thinking for too long because I was flustered. Putting on my best innocent child act, I replied.
“Yeah, Abel is pretty!”
“Ah…”
“I like it!”
“Y-you like it?”
“Uh-huh!”
Children like pretty people.
Actually, everyone likes pretty people. But children tend to be more honest because of their innocence. So, I decided to stick with this concept to win Abel over.
“I see… I am glad my appearance is to your liking, Little Lady.”
“…”
Abel spoke in a serious voice. He was saying something quite bold while still wearing a shy expression.
‘The Gideon Count family was originally a collateral branch of the Winston Ducal family.’
The First Duke of Winston, who had made a contract with the Archdemon, had distributed gems containing demons to his family and vassals. The first head of the Gideon family was the Duke’s younger brother, who had been granted a gem at that time.
However, since that was over a thousand years ago, the blood of the Gideon branch had thinned significantly. By now, they could be considered practically unrelated to the Winston family.
Instead, their loyalty remained steadfast, and they seemed to still cherish the black gem to this day. It appeared the Gideon family regarded the Demon’s Gem as the symbol of their heir.
I kept my eyes fixed on the black brooch sparkling before me. Abel reacted to my greedy gaze.
“Are you curious about this?”
“Uh-huh, it’s pretty.”
I nodded, answering honestly. Seeing my interest, Abel unpinned the brooch from his chest and held it out to me.
“Here, Little Lady.”
“Wow!”
I quickly took the brooch, delighted. As soon as my hand touched it, a low vibration hummed from the black gem.
Now, how should I go about obtaining this gem? No matter how loyal the Gideon family was, they wouldn't just give away a family heirloom for no reason.
As I racked my brain, a man’s low voice echoed in my head.
[…Are you my master?]
‘Huh?’
[Oh… how long has it been since I last had a master?]
‘…?’
It wasn't Desmond’s or Bibi’s voice. While Desmond also had a male voice, it was strangely high-toned, sounding more like a boy, and Bibi had the voice of a young girl.
If so, the owner of this voice must be the black gem, Dollens.
‘Are you Dollens…? Right?’
[Indeed. My master.]
‘Oh…’
He was a demon with a very deep, dignified voice. His way of speaking was quite sophisticated, like a noble’s. He was worlds apart from the free-spirited Desmond or Bibi.
Are all black gem demons like this? Unaware that Abel was smiling as he watched me, I marveled at the brooch.
“Do you like that brooch, Little Lady?”
“Huh? Oh, yeah.”
“Then, would you like to have it?”
“Huuuh?”
I looked at Abel in shock.
Was he serious? Was he really going to give away a family heirloom just like that?
“But this… this gem is expensive…”
I was so surprised that the words slipped out. Abel gave a soft smile and spoke.
“It is fine. Everything Gideon possesses belongs to Winston anyway.”
“Huh…?”
“Everything I have is yours, Little Lady.”
“…!”
Abel spoke in a calm, steady voice.
I was stunned by his apparent sincerity. He wasn't just making empty talk; he was acting as if he truly intended to give me the brooch.
Is he really giving it away this easily…? Dumbfounded, I gripped the brooch tightly and looked into Abel’s warm, navy-blue eyes.
“Are you really giving it to Dia?”
“Yes, Little Lady.”
“…!”
To think a black gem would fall into my hands so easily…!
I was incredibly glad the Gideon family was so loyal to Winston.
But Abel won't get in trouble with Count Gideon for giving this away on a whim, will he? When I looked at him with slightly worried eyes, Abel lowered his gaze and asked in a shy voice.
“Um, but in return… may I ask one favor?”
“Huh?”
A favor?
Hearing those words, I felt my excitement instantly cool down.
I knew it. There was no way he’d give away a family heirloom so easily. It seemed he’d thrust it into my hands because there was something he wanted.
“What is it?”
“That is…”
I asked Abel with a composed face. Actually, this felt more comfortable. My conscience would have pricked me if I’d taken it for nothing.
It was better to grant Abel’s wish and receive the gem in exchange. I tilted my head, curious about his answer.
“Could I… become the Little Lady’s playmate?”
“Play… mate?”
“Ye-yes.”
Abel’s face flushed bright red again. Does this kid’s face turn into a tomato every time he speaks?
‘Anyway, a playmate, huh.’
Becoming a playmate in childhood is one of the ways to establish ties with high-ranking noble families or the Imperial Family.
Since the Gideon family has been a steadfastly loyal vassal of Winston for a long time, I didn't think they needed to use a playmate position to build a connection.
‘Is this Count Gideon’s order?’
Since Duke Winston seems to dote on me, perhaps the Count ordered Abel to get close to me and become my playmate by any means necessary.
I didn't take him for that kind of man, but Count Gideon is quite calculating, isn't he? In the novel, he was never portrayed as someone who would use his own child for power.
‘Well, whatever. I’ll do it.’
It’s not like the Gideon family is one I need to avoid. In fact, becoming closer to the heir, Abel, would only benefit me; there was no downside.
Besides, I get a gem out of it, so it’s killing two birds with one stone. I gave a bright smile and nodded.
“Uh-huh! I want to be friends with Abel too!”
“R-really?”
“Yeah!”
Abel, who had been nervously fidgeting with his fingers, snapped his head up. Seeing his eyes sparkle with joy, it almost felt like he wanted to be my playmate of his own volition.
‘No way.’
There’s no way he’d offer up a family heirloom just because he wanted to be my friend. He looks young and innocent, but I mustn't be fooled. Abel Gideon… you’re quite the formidable one!
I clutched the brooch and shouted inwardly.
“Thank you for accepting me as a friend, Little Lady.”
“Since we’re friends now, you can call me Dia!”
“Wh-what?”
Abel’s eyes widened in surprise. He hesitated before speaking.
“H-how could I possibly…”
“It’s okay. We’re friends now!”
“Friends…”
As if emboldened by my words, Abel nodded. He spoke cautiously.
“Yes, Lady Dia.”
“Not ‘Lady,’ just Dia!”
“Th-that… I couldn't possibly…”
Abel turned his head in embarrassment. Behind me, Sophia was standing with a benevolent smile. She nodded with a look of pure satisfaction.
“Yes… Di—Dia.”
“Uh-huh, Abel!”
And so, I obtained my first black gem and became friends with Abel. So far, everything was going smoothly.
*
After Abel and the people from the Gideon family left, I returned to my room with the brooch tucked safely in my dress.
“Hehehe.”
As soon as I was back in my room, I pulled out the brilliantly shining brooch.
A black gem, an onyx. The black stone with its faint stripes felt dignified and sophisticated.
“Dollens!”
[Oh… my master.]
A black energy swirled and rose from the gem.
I felt a gaze as if Dollens, the demon of the onyx, was looking down at me. I beamed at him.
[It has been a long time indeed since I was last summoned. To think a direct descendant who can call upon us still remained…]
His moved voice echoed in my head. The gem, his physical form, also vibrated with a low hum.
As expected, it was going quite smoothly. Above all, Dollens was calmer and more composed than any other demon I had met. I felt like I could communicate well with a demon like him.
I nodded and stared at Dollens.
[Since you have called me thus, does it mean you intend to contract with me directly?]
“Um…”
Hearing his expectant voice made my conscience sting a little.
I also wanted to contract with all the demons of the gems directly, but unfortunately, I couldn't do that yet.
Well, since the demons of the black gems had been contracted by vassals since ancient times, I figured he would understand.
With that thought, I replied.
“Sorry, the person contracting with you is someone else.”
[…]
“Dollens?”
For some reason, Dollens fell silent. When I looked at him in confusion, a firm voice rang in my head.
[I refuse.]
“What?”
My eyes widened in shock.