“Haha, ahaha.”
After the hero validation ceremony ended and another full day of waiting, I was finally granted permission to leave the academy and return to the mansion.
Of course, the moment I received that permission, I bolted out of the academy and made my way toward the carriage waiting at the main gate.
“What’s making you smile like that?”
“Obviously, I’m happy to finally go home.”
By the way, the Lady Meredia walking beside me with a deeply furrowed brow actually could have gone home earlier, but kindly stayed at the academy until I got my return approved.
Of course, she claimed it was because she was worried about how it would look if she left first, but I now understand that’s just her way of showing affection.
“Why are you looking at me with such an annoyed face?”
“Can’t I look at the person I proposed to?”
Her tone was still as prickly as ever, but compared to our first meeting, she had clearly changed.
“Damn it, why did I have to get involved with someone like this…”
“Ahaha…”
Despite saying that, the fact that she’s wearing the ring I gave her during the public proposal a few days ago shows just how much she’s changed.
‘Of course, that means I’ll have to be more cautious with my actions from now on.’
When I recall how she held me for hours yesterday demanding an explanation about the Saintess, I still break out in a cold sweat.
Especially when she asked what exactly I did to the Saintess to make her threaten the witnesses on my behalf—I almost cried from the unfairness of it all.
‘Why am I being interrogated for something that spider monster did on its own?’
That spider, which had casually made my shadow its base of operations, has been completely unresponsive since yesterday.
Still, it did help me avoid a crisis, so part of me wants to at least give it some credit.
I wanted to ask how it managed to deceive even the inquisitors present at the scene, not to mention the Pope, who showed up through a video communication crystal.
“You can keep being your usual secretive self, but you need to be aware that more eyes are on you now.”
“…Yes, I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Even now, many people are watching you. You do realize that, right?”
Feeling uncomfortable, I quickened my pace with a frown, while Meredia glanced toward the academy’s main building and muttered.
When I followed her gaze, just as she said, the academy students were crowding around the windows, staring at me.
“This feels… like I’m some kind of zoo exhibit.”
“Ha, I know that feeling well.”
As I mumbled with a slightly overwhelmed expression at the never-ending storm of attention, the Lady let out a faint smile.
“Ever since my debutante ball, I’ve always lived under those kinds of stares.”
“Ah…”
Indeed, just like me, who had never experienced such attention, she too must have had a tough life, always being the subject of cold, excessive scrutiny.
Wait, did I just poke at one of her old traumas?
“Well, it doesn’t really matter anymore.”
Thankfully, Meredia just spoke calmly and quickened her steps.
“At least none of the looks directed at you are mocking ones.”
“Really? I can’t see that well from here…”
“Maybe that’s why someone ordered the students to keep quiet.”
When she muttered that in a low voice, I glanced at her and couldn’t resist speaking in a slightly teasing tone.
“Oh, Lady Meredia. Could it be…?”
Lady Meredia was attractive even normally, but when her poker face cracked, that rare cuteness made it worth the risk of getting hit.
“Were you worried about me…”
“…Yes, I was.”
But then, cutting off my teasing with a completely unexpected reply, Meredia answered plainly.
“Huh?”
“I did it because I was worried about you, so shut up and walk.”
With those words, she began walking faster, and I stood there dumbfounded, staring at her back before scratching my head and clearing my throat.
‘…Why is my face getting hot?’
Having been hit with that unexpected direct pitch, I blushed slightly and hurried to follow her.
“Oh no.”
“…What’s wrong?”
Suddenly stopping in her tracks, Meredia scowled and muttered under her breath.
“Annoyingly enough, we have uninvited guests.”
Curious about who had managed to upset her so much, I peeked past her shoulder to confirm their identity, then spoke carefully while glancing at her.
“Lady Meredia, His Highness the Prince isn’t exactly an uninvited guest…”
“Oh, look who it is!!!”
“…Mmh.”
“The long-lost hero of the realm has finally appeared after hundreds of years!!!”
But just as I was speaking, a thunderous voice rang out from ahead, and I almost agreed with her despite myself.
“Your Highness, I can hear you just fine without you shouting.”
“Really? My apologies! People these days tend to have trouble hearing me!”
Now that I got a clearer look, I realized there were more people waiting by the carriage than just the princess.
“We were wondering when you’d arrive…”
“Haha, the Prince is amazing in so many ways.”
“…Ugh.”
Runiel, Parsha, and Sasha all greeted me with weary expressions.
Judging by the atmosphere, it seemed they had been enduring Katarina’s indiscriminate chatter until I showed up.
“You’re not planning to ride in the same carriage, are you?”
While silently admiring their patience, Meredia spoke beside me with a voice full of irritation.
“…Is that not allowed?”
“Does the House of Lingard have some strange tradition of riding with servants?”
Her tone sounded mocking, but in truth, I used to dine with my servants every evening after being appointed acting head of house, to get to know them better.
It only stopped because too many people ended up with upset stomachs.
That aside, isn’t it normal for servants to ride along in the carriage to attend to their master?
“Ha. Master, you’re surprisingly dense about these things.”
Scratching my head awkwardly and glancing around nervously, I suddenly felt Parsha poke my side and whisper in my ear.
“The lady wants to ride the carriage with you. Just the two of you.”
“…Ah.”
Only then did I fully understand what she meant by “uninvited guests.”
Wait, is this really the same Demon Lord Meredia I used to know?
The more I get to know her, the more tsundere she seems. She’s like an onion—layers keep peeling off endlessly.
“We’ll just take the carriage the academy prepared for us. Please enjoy your private time.”
As expected, Parsha is still Parsha.
Even though there was a small mishap during the ring delivery, she’s the one who handed it over to Sasha, so she must’ve had a plan all along.
Which means, starting next month, I’ll have to raise her salary as much as I possibly can.
“Well then, we’ll be going—”
“Wait.”
I was smiling approvingly at Parsha as she wisely led Runiel and Sasha away when it happened.
“Hmmm…”
Out of nowhere, Meredia inserted herself between me and Parsha, gazing down at her with half-lidded eyes.
“My lady, I swear, I only hired Parsha because she’s talented and…”
Recalling our last conversation in the carriage and the scolding trauma from yesterday, I hurried to explain.
“You have very interesting eyes.”
But what came out of Meredia’s mouth was surprisingly gentle and full of curiosity, unlike her usual tone.
“…You’re no different, Lady Meredia.”
“Ha.”
Wondering what was going on, I tilted my head, and that’s when Parsha, looking up at Meredia, spoke something rather meaningful.
“…How about it? I’ll pay you ten times your current salary to become my personal attendant.”
I was just observing quietly until then, but Meredia’s sudden job offer made me flinch instinctively.
‘This is exactly why I tried to keep these two apart…’
To be fair, Parsha is supposed to be Meredia’s closest aide in the original storyline.
If she gets an offer like that, there’s a high chance she’d leave, even if she’s currently satisfied with her job.
“Wow, now that’s a tempting offer.”
As expected, Parsha’s eyes sparkled as she smiled, sending chills down my spine.
‘…How much money do I even have on hand right now?’
Sure, Meredia and I are now of one heart and mind, but if Parsha stays by her side, there’s no telling what chaos might ensue.
Right now, things are under control because she’s with me, but in the original path, she was the main contributor to Meredia becoming the final boss.
So, even if my meals are sparse for a few years, I have to keep her by my side for now…
“Still, I’ll have to decline.”
Just as I was mentally preparing to tighten my belt and cry, Parsha suddenly switched to a cold smile and flatly refused.
“A few months ago, I would’ve accepted in tears, but unfortunately, I’m very satisfied with my current job.”
Honestly, that was touching. I should get her a gift once we’re back at the mansion.
“Consider yourself lucky, kid.”
But for some reason, Meredia didn’t seem pleased with that loyal response and glared at Parsha with a sour expression.
“You might be the first person to reject my job offer and survive.”
“Well, when you think about it, we’ll probably be family soon. No need to be like that.”
“And you’re the second person to say something that cheeky and still stand.”
Wait—why are two grown adults bickering like children?
“Haha, Lady Meredia. Let’s not be too harsh now.”
Though I usually side with her, this time, I had to defend Parsha.
“Anyway, Parsha is mine, for now.”
“Tsk. I know.”
Thankfully, Meredia, softened by the recent events, gave up her headhunting attempt and started walking toward the carriage.
“…Eheheh.”
I thought I heard Parsha let out a weird giggle beside me, but I decided not to question it.
“Well then, I’ll see you all at the mansion.”
Just as I barely managed to prevent a key team member from defecting and followed behind Meredia, excited for a well-earned rest—
“W-Wait, wait just a second!”
“Yes?”
“Sir Whitney. Haven’t you heard the reason I came here yet?”
It was the princess, who’d been anxiously watching Meredia this whole time, now grabbing my arm and speaking to me.
“Your Highness? I thought you were just here to greet us…”
“L-Look at this.”
“Oh no.”
As I furrowed my brows slightly and turned around, the princess suddenly lifted her top, and I reflexively turned my head away with an audible groan.
“Your Highness, please don’t undress so boldly in front of me…”
“Enough, just look!”
“…Sigh.”
I was thankful she wasn’t one of those scandalous princes, but a pure-brained princess instead. Still, I couldn’t ignore the attention we were drawing, so I had no choice but to look.
“L-Last night, my stomach started hurting out of nowhere, and then… this weird symbol showed up!”
“Huh?”
But once I saw it, I realized this wasn’t just another random episode of her antics.
“I just got off probation thanks to your help with the Saintess issue. If someone finds out about this, I’ll end up in prison next time!”
Clear as day, a sinister-looking gray sigil had appeared between her perfectly toned abs.
“So please, help me as a white mage. We’re still f-friends, right?”
“…Sir Whitney?”
But the reason I couldn’t answer her right away wasn’t just surprise.
“I-I’m still useful! I’m the first in line for succession! Having me as a friend is a real asset!”
‘…Why does this have the same magical wavelength as mine?’
The symbol on the princess’s stomach emitted the exact same energy as my own gray magic signature.
“…Master.”
Naturally, I had no clue what was going on and just stood there stunned when Runiel quietly approached and whispered in my ear.
“Actually, the same symbol appeared on me last night too.”
“…M-Me too! It happened to me yesterday, and it really hurt!”
Before I could even react to that, Sasha also stammered more than usual and gave me the same information.
“Master. It happened to me last night as well.”
“……”
“And I think I have a rough idea what it is.”
At those words, I turned my gaze back to the mark on the princess’s stomach, doubting my own ears.
“This is the Mark of a Vassal.”
“The… Mark of a Vassal?”
That’s the thing Demon Lords carve into their closest subordinates, isn’t it?
“So you’ve finally awakened your power of dominion?”
“…Huh?”
“Yes. This is only the beginning. Ahahahaha…!”
No, seriously—what the hell is happening right now?
Cliche Novel 