Chapter : 06
The smell of gunpowder dispersed into the cold wind.
The monster staggered as the shot hit its mark.
Cheers erupted from behind her, but Terestia still kept her sly, almost-smiling expression as she stared straight ahead.
Only when the creature collapsed and nothing else obstructed her view did she slowly lower her rifle.
As her bright red lips finally curved into a smile, Argo—who had been standing behind her—approached cautiously.
“Your Highness.”
“Seems there was a little rat hiding.”
Now fully settled into the life of a Grand Duke, Terestia blinked slowly and passed the rifle to Argo.
Though not even a drop of blood had touched her immaculate body, Argo gently checked over her appearance.
Her finely curled golden hair, her purple eyes that betrayed no thoughts.
All of it made her look far too lovely to be the infamous ‘demonic’ grand duke who ruled the vast northern lands of the Empire.
“We should withdraw. Argo, were there any letters delivered?”
“None, Your Highness.”
“Handle the cleanup.”
At her command, Argo immediately turned to the knights and issued orders as if he had been waiting for the cue.
“They say there’s a foul smell near the blocked embankment—Sir Jade, investigate later and report. Gather all monster corpses and extract bones and components. Sort them by type and load them onto wagons.”
Argo commanded with a cold, stern expression, and the knights moved with perfect discipline.
He was only a steward, barely above a mere aide, yet he gave orders bordering on overreach. And Terestia’s thoughts?
‘His hair is all fluffy… like storm clouds…’
Having dumped the work onto him, Terestia watched Argo’s ash-gray hair flutter in the strong wind.
She thought his face was almost too handsome—If he had been the first person I saw when I woke up, I might’ve stared at him nonstop, the way he does with me… maybe even swallowed him whole.
Despite having a physique that didn’t fall short of the rough-looking knights around him, his face was strikingly different.
As Terestia watched him with her chin resting on her hand, Argo approached and held out his hand.
“All finished, Your Highness.”
“Mmm. Is it over?”
“Yes, please get into the carriage.”
“When we get back, I’ll need at least three hot cocoas.”
“…If you drink that much, your teeth will rot.”
Argo didn’t even try to hide his pained expression.
‘Ugh, nagging again!’
Terestia scrunched her face, openly annoyed, and Argo let out a small sigh before repeating firmly:
“Your teeth will rot.”
“I’m the Grand Duke!”
She protested again, but her immovable aide didn’t budge. Huffing, she climbed into the carriage.
‘Just you watch. I’m drinking three!’
It had already been three months since Terestia arrived in the North.
At first, Argo hovered anxiously and tried to explain everything, but she adapted to the grand duke’s role far better than he’d expected, so now he quietly followed her lead.
Though spring had come to the Empire, the North was still bitterly cold.
She hated the cold more than anything, and curled up like a cat.
Argo raised an eyebrow at her curling figure and added:
“Curling up won’t help.”
“It’s cold.”
“…Come here.”
Argo was always warm.
‘Are humans normally this warm? Well, at least I got a good aide.’
She leaned into his chest and rested her head against him.
“Everything’s fine in the territory, right?”
“Yes, I received the morning report.”
“Mm. And what do I need to do when we return?”
“Drink only two cups of cocoa.”
“…That’s fine. I like that.”
As warmth seeped into her body, sleep began to overtake her.
The border was not far from Enument Territory.
It was a problem that the territory suffered regular monster attacks, but since the border showed no signs of expanding, things were manageable so long as defenses held.
Of course, the Terestia of this body’s memories had taken no interest in these matters. She had stayed in the capital living decadently.
“Alcohol, handsome men, and gambling. How could I, the imperial princess, ever leave you?”
She had been too busy snickering while inhaling smoke from harsh burning things.
She had been the queen of social circles, the ruler of the night.
A noble-born who willingly dived into all the filth the Empire had to offer.
So now, as the demon who swallowed the princess whole and impersonated her, Terestia finally understood why humans had feared the princess so much.
She used to do every single thing humans hated!
She had even tried drinking the princess’s favorite alcohol in secret from Argo—only to spit it out immediately because it tasted vile, then burst into tears as she reached a conclusion:
‘Terestia’s tastes are awful! I was tricked! Cake is much better!’
In a fit of frustration she had stomped her feet and flicked her tongue, and Argo, finding the fallen bottle, clicked his tongue.
He popped a sweet candy into her mouth to comfort her.
“See? What the previous princess liked isn’t your preference, Your Highness. And if you keep refusing to brush your teeth, you won’t get any more sweets.”
She had nearly burst back into tears at that, insisting she didn’t want that.
…Such scenes were now daily life in the grand duchy.
“The Grand Duke has returned!”
“Mom, there are so many knights!”
“Shh, stay back. It’s dangerous if you get too close. Just watch from afar.”
While Terestia slept in Argo’s arms, the carriage steadily rolled into Ennument territory.
The murmuring townsfolk woke Terestia from her sleep. Argo reluctantly let her go and looked at her as she blinked awake.
“Did you rest well, Your Highness?”
“…Mm. Are we here?”
“We’ve entered the territory.”
With movements too delicate for his size, Argo brushed back her messy hair.
Half-asleep, Terestia peered outside.
“Why are they all out there?”
“It seems they were waiting for your return.”
“Why? Did something happen?”
What was the problem? A riot?
But no—she’d already removed everyone who doubted her identity. She’d been doing well! Just like Argo said!
Feeling a sudden rush of anxiety, Terestia scanned the townsfolk’s faces sharply.
She leaned practically against the window, prompting Argo to speak:
“They’re happy, Your Highness. They were waiting because they’re fond of you.”
“…Really?”
“Yes. Like ‘Cookie.’”
“Cookie.”
Cookie was the name of the dog kept at the grand duchy.
At first, the fearless creature had bared its teeth at her, but now it wagged its tail excitedly whenever she appeared.
‘Hmm. Same mammals, I guess. Humans have dog-like habits too.’
Terestia nodded as if understanding and kept staring out the window.
The people’s waving hands looked like Cookie’s wagging tail.
“How many expeditions has this been already?”
“This big one? The fourth, I think. Be said she sometimes goes out with only a small squad too.”
“What? That can’t be real. Even if she’s the Grand Duke, how can a human do that?!”
“Yeah, it’s weird. In the capital she had such a terrible reputation…”
“Ahem. Well, you know. They say she’s possessed by a demon.”
When the wagon carrying monster corpses entered the territory, gasps of admiration spread through the crowd.
“Look, the condition of the monster bodies is even better than last time!”
Only a few months ago, people had to join the subjugation squads and risk their lives just to earn three dried-out pieces of bread.
But now things were different.
The Grand Duke herself went out to hunt monsters, so the townsfolk no longer needed to join subjugations at all—and merchants eager to buy monster parts flocked to the territory, letting people earn money within the town.
“Even the merchant guild from the capital isn’t acting snobby this time. Honestly, who cares if she’s a demon like the rumors say? As long as I don’t starve, I’ll swear loyalty to the devil himself.”
“Hah! Thinking about those Vatican rats who used to take our money as ‘donations,’ I’d rather serve a demon too!”
The words were harsh, but the atmosphere was cheerful and full of hope.
Yet Terestia couldn’t bring herself to smile.
‘What? Demon Grand Duke?’
As if she’d heard something she absolutely shouldn’t have.
She turned to Argo with a confused look.
“Demon? What demon? Are there still rumors that I’m a demon?”
“…Pardon?”
“Do people really think I’m a demon?”
Her large purple eyes trembled anxiously.
She had definitely gotten rid of everyone who doubted her identity… so why were the rumors still circulating?
Argo stared at her, baffled.
“…Your Highness. Did you just say ‘demon’?”
Terestia shut her mouth tightly and rolled her eyes in frustration.
‘Why! Why again?! Why does everyone keep bringing up my identity?!’
End Of Chapter : 06
