Chapter 59: For Her

“Mm…”

Feiyin stared at “Royal Highness”’s face for quite a while.

Since her expression barely changed, “Royal Highness” could only try to guess the depth of her suspicion from her words.

Yet her only response during this time was that contemplative “Mm,” which made “Royal Highness” all the more anxious.

She already put that sword back into the Sword Saint’s laundry basket… So she probably didn’t witness my earlier quarrel with Selene.

But the way she is now… Maybe it’s best to deal with her? But then tomorrow’s plan would have to change drastically…

“Ah. Feiyin, you’re here. Is Teacher Vera inside—”

Just then, two people lifted the curtain at the entrance and walked into the changing room.

When Feiyin heard her name called, she turned her gaze, which had been fixed on “Royal Highness,” to the newcomer and her companion.

“Young Lady. You’re here… and Madam as well.”

The ones who entered the changing room were Milin, holding onto Meliya’s arm.

Seeing strangers present, Milin, who had intended to ask about Teacher, now eyed the other two with a puzzled look.

“And who’s this…? Whoa, is she a member of the Demon Race?”

She didn’t pay much attention to “Royal Highness” dressed as a bathhouse maid, but instead looked at Selene, whose crimson demon eyes made her stand out, and asked.

“This girl is—”

“She’s the Hero’s Daughter. And the woman beside her… should be the Duchess.”

Neither of the Demon Race made any rash moves.

They exchanged information simply through their senses.

“This should be the first time Madam and Young Lady have met Royal Highness. Allow me to introduce you: this is Nolanstia’s Princess Eleanor Nolanstia.”

“Ah… so you’re that unbearably arrogant guy’s little sister? You really do have a pair of Demon Race eyes.”

“Milin, don’t be so rude. Greet her properly.”

Milin tried, as before, to step up and scrutinize Selene’s face, but before she could, Meliya tugged her ear.

“Ow, ow, ow… I’ll greet her, I’ll greet her! —It’s an honor to meet you, Princess Royal Highness. I am Milin Klauschel, daughter of the Northern Duchess… I apologize for having to greet you in a place like this…”

Once her daughter properly bowed and offered her greeting to the Princess according to noble etiquette, Meliya finally let go of her ear.

Then, she herself offered a slight bow to the Princess for a formal greeting:

“So you are King Roland’s daughter… you truly resemble him. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Princess of Nolanstia. I am Meliya Klauschel, Duchess of the North. Meeting you in such a situation is far from my intention. I hope you will forgive me for any lack of proper hospitality.”

“N-no, not at all. I—we—should be apologizing for not being able to relay my father’s regards to you in time. He’s always worried about your health…”

Selene fumbled with her words.

She quickly ran through human noble etiquette in her mind, then inclined her head, preparing to bow deeply—

No… Why am I doing this? Even if she’s the highest-ranking person in these human lands, I shouldn’t bow so low to a mere human, should I?

The Hero’s wife, the Duchess of the North, is an ordinary woman without any magical blessing—this is common knowledge across the continent.

To the High Demonkind, who revere magical power above all, such people are less than weeds, mere grains of dust and sand.

“After all, the reason that woman could build her territory into what it is today is all thanks to those damned members of the Brave’s Party, right? A piece of trash who doesn’t even have magical aptitude… I really don’t understand why the Hero was so obsessed with her.”

Selene tried to resist the urge to bow by recalling the contempt and scorn with which Vlad had discussed the Duchess back then.

But before she could, Meliya took the initiative and gently took her arm.

“I appreciate his regards, but there’s no need for all this formality. King Roland’s children are like my own… If it weren’t for the minimum state etiquette, I wouldn’t want to greet you in such a distant way. If you don’t mind, we can address each other as aunt and niece.”

“Y-yes. Princess… Aunt Vera said the same thing… Then, if you insist, I’ll do as you say…”

Meliya gazed at Selene with gentle, watery eyes.

Under that gaze, all the messy thoughts and plans that had clouded Selene’s mind a moment ago vanished in an instant.

Her knees went weak, and she nearly fell right into the embrace of this elegant, noble lady—

“Princess Royal Highness, please be careful.”

“Royal Highness” supported Selene from behind.

It didn’t seem out of place, since Selene did look as though she were about to slip.

Thanks to this, Selene was finally released from Meliya’s all-encompassing presence.

“T-this woman…”

“Don’t let your guard down. Her aura is anything but ordinary.”

Selene straightened up between Meliya’s arms as if waking from a dream.

With “Royal Highness”’s warning, she no longer dared look directly into Meliya’s eyes.

“Goodness… You almost fell. You should thank this child for helping you.”

Once she confirmed Selene was fine, Meliya turned a gaze full of praise and gratitude toward the maid-disguised “Royal Highness.”

Just meeting that gaze for a moment left “Royal Highness” as if struck by lightning:

Why… Why does she look so much like her?

It was the gaze she longed for, day and night, prayed for so desperately…

That gaze made her think of that person—the very reason she had come to this place.

Just once is enough.

If only once, I could have her look at me this way too…

“…Eh?”

She only realized she was crying when teardrops fell onto her dress.

“Child? What’s wrong? Why are you crying all of a sudden?”

Meliya walked over in surprise.

She took a handkerchief from her pocket, intending to wipe the tears from her face.

“…!”

She violently slapped away the handkerchief, retreating repeatedly.

She pressed herself against the wall, eyes full of rejection and hostility as she glared at Meliya.

Seeing that terrifying expression, Selene hurriedly warned her via their sense:

“Luc! What are you doing?! You’re not going to attack this woman here, are you?”

She was so anxious she even blurted out her real name, because “Royal Highness”—the Demon Race girl named Luc—looked just about ready to risk everything and attack.

Given Luc’s background, Selene believed she might actually do it.

“Hey, why are you acting so vicious toward Mother? She only wanted to help wipe your tears!”

Milin ran over to stand protectively in front of her mother.

The maid’s fierce glare and awful attitude left her thoroughly displeased.

“…I am but a humble servant, not worthy of such attention from the Duchess. I beg your forgiveness.”

Seeing her mission target, Milin, in front of her, Luc seemed to regain a bit of reason.

She simply tried to kneel, to atone to the Duchess for her earlier extremely rude behavior—

“Looks like you’re new. Don’t you know Mother and I both hate all that stuff the most?”

Milin, apparently annoyed from the bottom of her heart, grabbed her arm.

Held by Milin, Luc couldn’t kneel, and a nameless rage erupted in her.

She seized Milin’s arm, then threw her full weight toward the floor.

If you won’t let me kneel, then I’ll kneel anyway! In this world, you—only you—are the one I’ll never obey, never yield to!

“You… you!”