CHAPTER 80…………………
The nobles all looked at Phobos with weary eyes.
‘Ah, he’s at it again.’
Once more, he was toying with someone, testing them as if it were a game.
Even Count Nestor frowned.
‘Play. Well, it’s good for gaining popularity, of course.’
Sports, leisure spaces.
Erebus would never tolerate it, but at worst it could even become a gambling hall.
‘It would be something that could generate profit quickly, I suppose.’
But would such a thing really be a suitable business for a young princess?
From the start, isn’t it beneath the dignity of the royal family?
Erebus simply watched on with amusement.
The princess soon shook her head.
“Mmm. No, Duke.”
“May I ask why, Your Highness?”
“Because, I live off everyone’s taxes, don’t I?”
“Uh… phrasing it that way is, well…”
“So I want to do something that gives back that much in return.”
Phobos froze at the completely unexpected reply.
But then he broke into a broad, proud smile.
“Today I’ve learned from Your Highness instead. Forgive me, I have no advice worthy to give.”
“No! Thank you all for taking the time.”
The princess clenched her little fist and nodded firmly.
“I’ll take this into account and make a good plan.”
Then she turned to face Erebus.
“Papa— no, no, Father. Then, if you’ll excuse me.”
She gave a flawless bow.
But since her legs were still short and chubby, it was more adorable than elegant.
Everyone silently watched the princess vanish, hand in hand with the Epikus sisters waiting outside.
And then—
“Haaah…”
One noble clutched his chest with a sigh, then flinched.
But the atmosphere in the audience chamber remained warm.
Phobos was covering his face with his hand, laughing.
Other officials gave awkward smiles as they glanced up at Erebus.
“Your Majesty. Do you secretly pressure the princess when the gods aren’t watching?”
At the joke, Erebus raised both hands with a sheepish smile.
“I have done nothing.”
He meant he had never given her any kind of prodigy training for heirs.
Instead, he gave a small nod toward the marquis.
“If anything, it would be thanks to the Epikus sisters’ good care.”
“W-we are honored, Your Majesty. But truly, she is precocious.”
Count Nestor, who had personally experienced the princess’s compassion, added with a sigh.
“Her Highness feels as though she’s already shed her childhood altogether…”
At that, Erebus’s smile slowly faded.
‘She’s certainly someone to be proud of. A flawless heir.’
‘So why does Count Nestor’s remark sting so bitterly in my heart?’
Count Nestor advised her to “summon the administrator.”
But after the discussion ended, I set out myself with the Phaersen Palace retinue.
Inside the carriage, Rete cautiously asked,
“Um, Your Highness. You do realize… it doesn’t have to be this serious, right?”
“Hm?”
“I mean, perhaps you’re pushing yourself too quickly.”
“Ah, I know.”
The looks on people’s faces when I walked in with a notebook and pen were priceless.
‘Honestly, I would’ve thought the same if I were in their shoes.’
But still, I felt restless.
“I just want to be of help to the people of Veled, even one day sooner.”
“Your Highness, no matter what you do, the demonfolk will naturally be grateful to you.”
“No, nothing is guaranteed.”
I gently refuted her, though I felt sorry.
That moment when the people of Veled cheered my name— it was so sweet.
‘But there’s no such thing as goodwill in this world that comes free.’
So if I want to be a good demon princess, I’ll have to step forward myself.
‘Especially since I’ve spent so much of my life shut away in the temple, there’s far too much I don’t know.’
I looked at Rete’s still-troubled face and smiled awkwardly.
“I just want to repay the affection they’ve given me.”
Rete exchanged a glance with Minte, who was riding alongside the carriage.
Minte suddenly pinched the bridge of her nose, while Rete buried her face in her hands with a groan.
“Our painter’s never around at times like this…!”
“Mm, let’s call him next time. Oh— have we arrived?”
Through the carriage window, I saw the grand brick building of the district’s main office.
And there, an administrator with bright auburn hair hurried out to greet me.
“I never imagined Your Highness would personally grace us with your visit!”
Word had already spread as to why we were coming.
But even at the office, I only heard the same explanation.
“The Veled district is currently in good order.”
“And shortages? Isn’t there anything more you need?”
“No, as things are, everything is sufficient…”
The map the administrator showed me backed up his words.
The commercial district was bustling.
There were cultural spaces. Everything seemed in place.
Was there really anything left for me to do here?
‘It feels like everything’s already too perfectly arranged.’
What should I do…?
In the end, I left the office without any progress.
But then, Ares tugged on my sleeve.
“Shion. Shion.”
“Mm? What is it?”
“Do you really believe everything that man said?”
“Huh?”
“I mean… maybe he just didn’t tell you something because he didn’t want to get in trouble?”
“You’re so young, and you already don’t trust people? That’s no good.”
At my scolding, Ares puffed out his cheeks in protest.
But then, an unexpected ally spoke up.
“The fly has a point, though.”
“Callion? You too?”
“Yes. Though, the administrator doesn’t seem like a bad person who’d lie outright.”
With a charming smile, Callion asked,
“But maybe… it’s just that he doesn’t realize what’s missing?”
“Mmm.”
“In that case, from the outside, everything might look perfect.”
I mulled over his words, and they rang true.
‘There might be things invisible to a noble administrator’s eyes.’
Just like how, after living locked away in the temple, there are many things invisible to mine.
…Alright!
“Rete, Minte! Before we head back, I want to look around a little more!”
I remembered Rete once telling me, “Madam Clotho opened a branch here in Veled.”
And really, who better to tell me what’s needed than someone actually working in the district?
“Ooh.”
I looked up at the second salon building in quiet admiration.
Though smaller than the first, its three floors topped with a mint-green roof looked utterly charming.
‘Business must be good.’
While I was lost in admiration, Madam Clotho came waddling over in a fluster.
“It’s been a while, Madam.”
“Your Highness! If only you’d sent word ahead! I… I don’t know what to say…”
“No, don’t worry. I just had something to ask on the way back to the palace.”
“Please, anything!”
“Have you noticed anything Veled might be lacking, while working here?”
“…Pardon?”
She looked puzzled at first.
But after I explained the background, she soon fell into thought.
Then, glancing between me and the Epikus sisters, she began.
“Truth is, while this branch belongs to you, Your Highness, in part… it was also because young nobles wanted a comfortable place to gather. Surprisingly, there aren’t many such spots in the capital.”
“Ohh.”
“And sharing what they’d learned at home, here in the salon, became very popular. They said studying only with tutors was boring…”
“Mhm, mhm.”
“But I don’t know if such talk is of any help?”
“Oh, yes it is!”
Help? More than that.
It felt as though everything I’d seen so far suddenly connected into one clear thread.
The salons.
The Veled district incident.
The Firefly Concert.
Not just a place for foreigners to come and take profit, but Tartaros itself—
A place where people could gather…
“…An academy. That’s what it is.”
At my sudden murmur, Rete tilted her head, confused.
“What do you mean, Your Highness?”
“What I want to do here!”
My eyes sparkled as I whispered quickly to her.
“That map the administrator showed us! There wasn’t a school marked anywhere, right?”
“That’s true… most families just hire private tutors.”
Older nobles made their debut in society, or enrolled in Orpheum Academy.
But before that age— shouldn’t there be more time spent together?
“Kids who’d come to the salon! And those children from Iliod! A place where they could all attend together! Then—”
Knock, knock.
At the sound of a knock, someone entered with a tray of refreshments.
When I recognized the person, my eyes widened.
‘Ah. That tailor from the north.’
