CHAPTER 06
. Died from Overwork and Became a Princess of the Enemy Nation (6):
“A playmate?”
“Yes. I thought it might help to have a child of a similar age with her.”
“Is that so…?”
“There are only adults around the princess, after all. That must be overwhelming for her.”
“Hmm.”
Erebus slowly nodded as well.
Now that he thought about it, that made sense.
Maybe the Epikus sisters and the palace attendants at Persen seemed scary just because they were so tall…
Lethe smiled with satisfaction at the demon king’s serious expression.
“Shall I find a candidate and report back, Your Majesty?”
“Hmm, no. There’s no need to search, Lady Epikus.”
“Excuse me? Ah, then this matter is dismissed—”
“That’s not it. I mean, there probably aren’t any real candidates to begin with.”
The princess’s delayed speech was a major weakness.
‘She obeys me now, but once she grows up, Elysion’s condition could be exploited as a weakness.’
Erebus mentally crossed out noble houses one by one.
A family that wouldn’t use Elysion’s condition against her.
But also one that wasn’t lacking in background.
In other words, it had to be a family absolutely loyal to Erebus.
‘Unfortunately, the Epikus sisters’ family has no children.’
Then only one house remained.
Lethe couldn’t help but look shocked.
“Y-Your Majesty, surely not. Surely you’re not considering that household?”
“…No other candidate comes to mind. Do you object?”
“That household is…! Not lacking, of course! It’s just, the head of the house is… ahem.”
Lethe awkwardly cleared her throat.
Even she, born of a marquis family, couldn’t speak freely about that house.
Erebus smiled knowingly.
“Lady, contact the House of Duke Ismenios.”
“Yes… I’ll send a letter immediately.”
If the demon king said it was fine, Lethe had no ground to argue.
However, as she recalled the only “child” in the duke’s household, she grew uneasy.
‘I heard the youngest is a boy. The daughters have long been married!’
Had the demon king gotten confused?
With a worried heart, Lethe asked again.
“But Your Majesty, would it be acceptable that the youngest child in the duke’s family is a boy?”
“…Why wouldn’t it be?”
“Ah, my apologies. I must be overreacting—”
“If he doesn’t want to face mortal danger when he grows up.”
Erebus casually picked up his documents again.
Sweat began to bead on Lethe’s face.
Even just a glimpse of the demon king’s dark aura was enough to thicken the air.
When Erebus gave a sweet smile, the atmosphere grew heavier still.
“That child will surely learn to behave appropriately.”
“…Yes! I’m sure the duke’s family taught him proper discretion.”
Surely…
With the demon king as her father, what kind of noble child would dare harbor inappropriate thoughts?
‘The princess will surely face hardship when she grows up.’
While mourning Elysion’s future, Lethe quickly left Hades Palace to resolve the present issue.
* * *
‘Are we expecting guests today?’
Persen Palace always sparkled, but recently the attendants had been extra meticulous with cleaning.
It looked like they were preparing to welcome an important guest.
‘In Persen Palace? That must mean someone’s coming to see Elysion?’
Who would come just to see this tiny child?
Then one day, just as I suspected, Lethe helped me get ready, saying, “We have a special guest today.”
“Hehe, it’s the first guest of this princess’s palace. I’m sure even you will be surprised, Princess.”
“…?”
Honestly, I was curious, but all I did was roll my eyes.
“Princess, we had new daily wear tailored for you. Would you like to try it on?”
Lethe dressed me in a deep blue dress.
Black lace adorned the skirt, glimmering with obsidian stones.
She even put on a black headband decorated with pearls. I didn’t know what to do with myself.
‘This is supposed to be “casual wear”?’
Back in the temple, people said adornment was vanity and only gave me rough clothes.
I only wore a fine ceremonial outfit for events. Normally, I lived in something like a white potato sack.
‘This is the first time I’ve worn something so pretty. A dress that flutters like this…’
The girl in the mirror looked lovely.
Unfamiliar with my current appearance, I twirled around.
The child in the mirror twirled with me, her dress fluttering.
‘All of this still doesn’t feel real.’
But once I turned once more, everyone covered their mouths in awe.
Minte and Lethe held hands, teary-eyed.
“Ahhh, she’s too…! Too adorable…!”
“What should we do?! Minte, should we call a portrait artist? Princess, please spin around once more!”
“Call the painter! Summon the artist!”
No, no. That’s not what this was.
‘I was spinning because I was overwhelmed, not for show!’
I was so embarrassed I wanted to tell them to stop making a fuss.
“Ugh…!”
But guilt still crushed my voice.
All I could do was clench my fists and tremble, my face bright red.
‘Don’t be kind to me.’
Don’t get attached, I said.
I’m only pretending to be a feeble princess until I find a chance to escape!
At that moment, Lethe gently took my hand.
“Hmm. Plan failed.”
Minte tilted her head.
“Plan? What plan?”
“Hmph. I thought if I showed her something pretty, she’d at least let out a little squeal.”
Lethe gave me a sorrowful smile.
“Princess… Someday, will you call for us Epikus sisters?”
“……”
I quietly lowered my head.
Lethe silently squeezed my fist again.
“…It’s okay, Princess. We demons have a long, long time.”
“……”
“We can’t compare to Her Majesty the Queen… but we’ll truly give you all the love we have.”
Her warm words softened my heart.
‘Ugh, stop… I told you not to…’
My memories from the past few years were hazy, but I knew how devoted the sisters were to “Elysion.”
As time passed, even the usually cheerful Minte grew sullen.
“Why that household, though? Why Harpy?”
“His Majesty personally chose them—what can we do? Minte, stop whining and go!”
“Ughhh…”
Even the “mad dog knight” was scared of this guest?
‘Who in the world is this big shot?’
Just then, the attendants’ clear voices echoed from the entrance.
“His Majesty Erebus has arrived!”
Ack.
‘The demon king himself is welcoming this guest in the princess’s palace?’
Before long, a man appeared, dressed in black loungewear embroidered with silver thread.
‘That top alone could probably buy the temple ten times over.’
But more breathtaking than his clothes was his face—the face of the demon king.
When he smiled kindly, a halo seemed to shine behind him.
Then he gently called out his daughter’s name.
“Elysion.”
He opened his arms toward me and waited…
‘…Ugh, he just won’t give up.’
Instead of growling like usual, I hesitated.
That thunderous night…
I remembered how, after my nightmare, Erebus had held me tightly until I fell asleep again.
Warm and safe.
Just like when my real mom and dad used to hold me long ago.
‘Agh, this is driving me insane.’
The people of Charon died because of the demon king’s orders.
And yet, I’d missed the timing.
If I was going to accept his hug, it should’ve been when he opened his arms.
“…You don’t want to?”
“……”
“Hmm…”
As I kept hesitating, Erebus’s face turned sad.
He fidgeted with his hands for no reason.
Anyone could tell he was hurt.
‘Ugh, seriously. I’m going to die of emotional exhaustion again at this rate.’
I had no choice.
I cautiously approached the demon king. I could feel everyone holding their breath and watching me.
‘Don’t expect anything special.’
I was just going to grab his sleeve.
‘…This much should be forgivable, even by the dead.’
But the demon king, overjoyed by this tiny gesture, gave the brightest smile—
And instantly lifted me up into his arms.
“……!”
“You’re lighter than I expected.”
“Forgive us, Your Majesty. We’ll pay more attention to the princess’s diet.”
Lethe bowed, apologizing for who knows what.
Then Minte pointed a trembling finger toward the window.
“Your Majesty… I think something just flew past the window…”
Everyone turned their heads—and there it was.
A red dragon was quietly descending to the ground.
‘And there’s even someone riding on its back?’
