CHAPTER 61………….
When I shouted, Ares immediately shot back.
“There’s no such thing as a perfect one like that! It’s for practice!”
“Watch your language! And you! You’re nowhere near ready for knighthood!”
The official knighting of a demon knight happens at eighteen, like a coming-of-age ceremony.
But of course, Ares wouldn’t care about such things.
“What does it matter? Even that blue-blooded—Alcyone already got one!”
Ares glanced nervously at the sisters’ glaring eyes as he complained.
I wiped my forehead as I looked into Ares’ blazing eyes.
Good grief, he makes me hot just looking at him.
‘Don’t you know Calion was an exception? You’re usually so sharp!’
……But I did my best to comfort the youngest.
After all, the one in the most danger from this incident had been Ares.
“Ares, when your knighting ceremony comes, I’ll give you a really, really good sword.”
“Hmph…….”
“Hmm? Don’t be upset. It’s not a sword, but take this instead.”
Because if I didn’t, the Epikus sisters looked ready to explode.
They were only holding back because of my little gift-giving ceremony.
‘Better hurry before they blow up.’
I pulled a small bundle from my chest.
It was a necklace: a golden chain with an octagonal onyx pendant, and at its center, a gem like a white star.
“A necklace…?”
Naturally, Ares’ lips drooped further. He looked like a sulky cat unhappy with its food.
‘Not as impressive as a sword, right?’
But I coaxed him again.
“Ares, it may not look like much, but it has defensive magic on it.”
“……”
“I chose it because I don’t want you hurt or in pain.”
The memory of that day’s accident made me shudder again.
For a moment, I had overlapped Ares with the children I’d seen die on the battlefield. The terror had been unbearable.
I had given Calion a lapis lazuli necklace imbued with divine power long ago…
But I couldn’t give Ares something like that now.
‘If anyone noticed me using divine power, it would be bad.’
Still, without Cerberus, there was Hydra. I wanted to give him something at least.
‘So bow your head a little, youngest.’
At last, Ares reluctantly uncrossed his arms and lowered his head for me.
Thankfully, the ornament suited him surprisingly well.
Maybe his resentment eased, because he flashed a smug grin.
“Hmph. Well, if Zion insists on giving it to me—.”
But then Minte, unable to hold back any longer, ground her teeth with a deadly smile.
“Young master……”
“—Of course, whatever His Highness bestows, I will gratefully accept.”
Still, the mood remained warm.
Even Lete smiled softly, touched.
“Well then, since the Belled District matter is settled! Shall we start preparing for our autumn trip?”
“Hm?”
“Yes! The Autumn Palace has just reopened recently, after all.”
“Wh-what?”
I tilted my head at this schedule I’d never heard of.
Of course, I knew there were other palaces outside the capital, Kore.
‘But didn’t I just receive land in the capital? Shouldn’t I stay to oversee it a bit longer?’
Though, what could a five-year-old do anyway?
Lete’s smile was wider than usual—too wide.
“Can’t I just stay here this time?”
“Oh, but the autumn foliage is beautiful there, and there are many splendid buildings! It’s also famous for its ancient academy!”
“Mmm……”
“And if we go near the Terraine domain, you can go boating on the lake. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it!”
“Uh, well… fine… huh?”
Overwhelmed by her energy, I ended up nodding.
Was this the first time Lete had ever worked so hard to persuade me?
‘Wait… Terraine… Why does that sound familiar—?’
Thud.
A dull sound rang out.
Ares had backed into the wall.
‘Now what’s his problem?’
So different from when he proudly accepted the necklace earlier.
“Master Lete, that place—isn’t that where my eldest sister…”
“That’s right! The Countess Trasa Terraine resides there.”
“Ah… but still!”
Ares quickly cast desperate eyes at Minte for help.
But Minte only turned her head away.
Finally, Ares banged his forehead against the wall in despair.
“Just kill me instead…!”
“Of course not. You’ll be going alive, young master. Now, everyone, study time.”
Was the autumn trip already settled with Father?
After Lete brought it up, preparations began quickly.
But I wasn’t the only one who noticed how restless she had seemed during the gift-giving.
“Why is Lady Epikus so intent on pushing this trip?”
“No idea…”
While attendants bustled about with preparations,
once our studies ended, the children and I lazed around in the dressing room.
Since we stored our newly received treasures there, lately we passed time by reading through artifact lists together.
‘So many strange spells—it’s fun just to look.’
A bracelet with a gem that could store items.
A doll that transformed into its owner for thirty minutes. And so on.
But Ares just lay sprawled on the floor, grumbling.
Ever since he learned he had to meet his eldest sister in Terraine, he’d been like that.
“If only my brother were coming too. But he’s not.”
“The Duke said he’ll stay here?”
“Yeah. Says he’s busy.”
“Reeeally?”
Well, he was a duke, so busyness made sense. But still suspicious.
‘Honestly, the whole atmosphere among the adults is fishy.’
Lete was fussing. Minte stayed silent.
It felt like they were plotting something.
Like they had to drag me to the Autumn Palace for some reason.
‘Ahem. Am I just being paranoid?’
I’d been stabbed in the back so often by the temple that suspicion had become a bad habit.
But when evening came and I dined with Father alone, I realized:
Sometimes accumulated experience is as good as foresight.
“Father, you can’t come with us?”
He gave me a regretful smile.
Had his work grown even heavier lately?
His jawline had sharpened, and a coldness lingered at his eyes.
‘…Still, he really is handsome.’
The phrase ‘lost in melancholy’ fit him perfectly.
As he wiped sauce from my lips, he sighed.
“Sorry. I’d like to go too, but it seems impossible.”
“What’s keeping you busy?”
I thought the Belled District case had been wrapped up.
He tilted his head with a wry smile.
“…Cleaning.”
“Cleaning…?”
“Mmm, I want to clear things out before the new year.”
Surely the Demon King wasn’t about to sweep the palace floors himself.
‘For royalty, “cleaning” usually means a purge, doesn’t it?’
I chewed thoughtfully on the steak he cut for me.
The Belled District case had ended, but the culprit behind it hadn’t been found.
So if Father said he was going to “clean up”…
‘That must mean he’s going to find them and crush them.’
I glanced up at him.
“When you clean… can’t I stay with you?”
“The outside will be too noisy. No.”
He slipped a piece of sweet pumpkin into my mouth.
Firm, yet gentle.
“And the Epikus sisters said you should have many new experiences.”
“Mm…”
“I agree. Enjoy yourself in Terraine.”
“Mm-hmm…”
I swallowed, nodding faintly.
Didn’t they also say something about me needing ‘peaceful experiences that don’t end in explosions’?
“And Elysion.”
“Mm—yes!”
“Promise me one thing while I’m gone.”
I gulped down the last bite quickly at his stern tone.
Why so solemn all of a sudden during dinner?
“This time, you must not throw yourself into danger.”
“Oh…”
“No ditching the Epikus sisters. No sneaking out at night. Absolutely not.”
Ah, there it was. I was wondering when I’d hear that.
