~Chapter 48~
“This damn imperial family.”
“Please don’t be so angry, Mari.”
Because of the royal order to send Esther to the palace, Mari’s mood was very sour.
She already disliked letting a bastard child wander around outside, and now that child was running about so openly—it irritated her even more.
“All this happened because while I was asleep, you handled things so strangely.”
“…That was the only way to wake you.”
“So you made a deal with a five-year-old and handed over the successor’s seat just like that?”
Mari raised her voice, not liking Ernheart’s excuse.
Ernheart frowned faintly, then smiled awkwardly.
“…I thought it better than just watching you lie there powerless with your eyes closed forever.”
To lose the person he had devoted his whole life to, all because of his own stubbornness—he thought it better to give up his convictions.
All of Ernheart’s beliefs were built for her sake. Without her, what meaning did they have? She was the one who engraved them in him, who taught them to him.
“Of course, making a deal with a five-year-old… I thought I was insane too, Mari.”
He confessed honestly.
“But I was that desperate.”
“…Still.”
Mari’s voice softened slightly at desperate Ernheart Egbert’s words.
“I doubted it myself. If it succeeded, it would be wonderful. But if that child had mocked me… she would already be gone from the mansion.”
Mari sighed, narrowing her eyes. Even as she glared unhappily, there was still affection in her look.
“You puppy… growing up so fast.”
“…It was you who trained the dog, wasn’t it?”
Mari snorted and turned her head sharply.
Ernheart bent down, tilting his face close to hers. As Mari frowned, she still obediently closed her eyes.
Knock, knock.
The sudden, unwelcome knock froze Ernheart in place.
Mari Egbert’s eyes turned icy.
“What is it!”
“T-that… um…”
The flustered voice came from outside.
“Well… Lady Esther has come to visit.”
“……”
“Who?”
“Lady Esther is here!”
Mari lightly pushed Ernheart’s shoulder with her arm. Ernheart sighed and straightened.
“Let her in.”
The door opened.
But the child didn’t come in.
“……”
“……”
Even after thirty seconds, nothing appeared. Just as Mari was about to roar—
“Uh, h-hello…”
A small breath was heard, then a little head poked through the crack of the door.
“…What in the world are you….”
“M-my, um… the attendant dressed me….”
The child who stepped in made them speechless.
A bright yellow dress. On her head, yellow cat ears. From the back of the dress, a tail dangled.
On her back, a white backpack with a big pink paw print. Even her shoes had little ears. And in her arms—an entire pile of cookies.
“…He…he…”
Esther smiled awkwardly, face bright red.
All the way here, the servants had stared at her with wide eyes—it was unbearably embarrassing.
“Me… the great Demon King genius… like this….”
She couldn’t comprehend the humiliation. Esther took a deep breath and called out.
“Grandpa! Grandma! Esther is all better now!”
She stretched her arms wide and shouted brightly.
But there was no response.
The silence was complete. Esther’s face grew redder.
Of course—Ernheart and Mari were both speechless.
That ridiculous outfit might have been laughable, yet it strangely suited her.
“…Seeing you like that makes me want to smash everything.”
Mari Egbert’s words made Esther’s shoulders jump.
Smash?! Smash what?!
‘…Larksa said this would work 100%!’
Esther ground her teeth inwardly, recalling Larksa’s fussing.
‘You’re dead….’
Seeing her redder face, Ernheart clenched his fist.
The pen in his hand snapped clean in two.
‘Honestly… I do feel like breaking something….’
He looked at the broken pen.
“…Ah, what a shame.”
Esther’s shoulders trembled.
No way… surely he doesn’t want to break my body in half, does he?
“…It was a pen I waited a year to receive. Pity.”
Esther forced a laugh, slipped in, and quickly put the cookies on the table before retreating.
“C-cookies! I brought them… for you….”
She had been told if she wore this and smiled brightly while holding cookies, even a passing cat would fall for her. But—
If I get out of here without being cut in half, that’s lucky enough.
Esther shivered.
How on earth was she supposed to win over this terrifying grandmother?
“…Sorry for coming so suddenly… then I’ll be going now….”
She started to step back.
“Who said you could leave without my permission?”
“Uh—then… please permit me…”
“Sit. We have things to discuss.”
“But—”
“Sit.”
“Yes.”
Esther scurried in and hopped onto the sofa.
Mari moved and sat directly across from her. Ernheart personally poured tea and placed it before them, then quietly sat beside Mari.
Really… he never leaves her side, does he?
“How is your body?”
“I’m fine! Esther is healthy now!”
“…So it seems.”
She replied calmly, though with a slight frown.
Then why even ask?!
Esther narrowed her eyes but stayed quiet.
“The Emperor called for you. Have you heard?”
“Yes! I heard he said he wanted to see me!”
“Correct. The schedule is tight, but they set it for three days from now. You’ll need to prepare.”
“Yes!”
Esther answered firmly. The cat ears twitched and the tail swayed lightly.
Mari’s eyes widened, then sharpened with force.
“You must make sure the Egbert family suffers no disgrace.”
“Yes!”
“You probably have no proper dresses, so… though it’s bothersome, I suppose I must—”
“Oh, I have some!”
“…What?”
Mari’s eyes flared as she raised her voice.
Esther blinked in surprise.
First she clicks her tongue saying I don’t, now she gets angry because I do?
Humans were confusing, but this woman was especially difficult.
“…I don’t mean old ragged dresses. You can’t dare go out in something shabby!”
Ah, that was the problem.
Brightening, Esther answered:
“Yes, Father just had many new ones made! The wardrobe is full of clothes now!”
The designer had measured her and filled the wardrobe with outfits for all occasions. Not at all to Esther’s taste—but plentiful nonetheless.
“……”
Mari suddenly fell silent.
Esther rolled her eyes, trying to figure out what the problem was now. But there was none—nothing obvious.
“I see.”
Mari’s voice turned cold.
“Why don’t you eat the cookies?”
“Ah—since you’re busy, I was going to leave them and go…”
“I’m not that busy. Sit and eat. And we need to discuss your successor’s seat as well.”
“Ah, yes.”
At that moment—
A parchment appeared before Esther’s eyes.
And when she saw it, she froze in shock and fury.
