Chapter 11

“El. I won’t beat around the bush. You already know everything, right?”

“Seems like you’re in a hurry.”

Not a single step back.

Regardless of status, here there can be no compromise, no negotiation, no concession.

Sylas opened the conversation first.

“As if. So what? You expect me to readily give up?”

The Imperial Princess was as calm as ever.

Noble and honorable, yes—but if you look closely, she’s truly merciless and cold-hearted.

But surely Ellie herself isn’t aware of this.

Just by existing, she carries the weight of even the tiniest flaws or mistakes, enough to dry the blood of those around her.

No malice. No coercion, no intimidation—just her mere presence acting as an unshakable law and rule.

“So what if we don’t comply?”

“…If instead you hand him over to me, Eschina will actively support the Royal Court?”

“What a foolish question.”

“…Grandpa’s retirement from politics is near. This isn’t something to decide so lightly, right?”

“Are you planning to take over his position? It’s not exactly easy for a woman to inherit the family headship.”

“I’ll pass it to Carriel.”

Huh?

“After Grandpa steps down, we’ll shift our stance to supporting the royal court. This way, it won’t burden you, His Majesty Ruelde, nor Mistress Ermina. If anything, it might even help.”

“Talk is cheap.”

Is there really a need to go this far?

The royal court systematically reduces its vassals’ power, sometimes outright taking it away, preferring their long-term weakening.

When vassals grow strong, it means the royal court grows weak—and that would mean reverting to the days before the empire, where distrust ruled through violence and selfishness.

That itself is another kind of hell, worse than demon invasions or indiscriminate wars between countries.

“If you can’t trust verbal promises, I’m willing to draft a written agreement.”

“Eschina’s retirement gap can’t be filled by your discretion alone. Even if Carriel plays puppeteer behind the scenes, it’d still fall short.”

“…However, once he’s gone… it’ll be easier to shake things up among the other ministers.”

Truly the mind of a fox.

“But it’s unacceptable.”

“…Why not?”

“There’s no way I can hand over Carriel for just that reason.”

“R-really?”

“Raise the flag all you want. Guiding and leading vassals is the duty of a leader and virtue of royalty.”

Y-you insane woman….

“And yet, revealing such inner thoughts so recklessly is truly a dangerous gamble. Didn’t you already know I wouldn’t give him up?”

“So! That’s why you should show more sincerity.”

“Sincerity. Hm… sincerity, huh.”

There, resting his chin, the princess closed her eyes and fell into deep thought.

Like that, 10 seconds, 20 seconds passed.

“I understand.”

Ellie slowly lifted her eyelids.

“I was mistaken. This wasn’t Eschina’s instruction or intent—it’s entirely your own plan.”

“…”

“Using it to persuade the Earl and secure his acceptance—all your resolve. Truly fitting.”

Sylas sighed inwardly.

Man, it’s nauseating how quickly she gets to the core after just a few words.

Always like this…

This is why…

I don’t want to deal with her.

“Fine then.”

Huh? What? Fine? What’s fine?

“First off, joining the inner circle is already decided. If you wish, I’ll allow unofficial relations between you two based on his wishes.”

“…What?”

What?

Right now.

Right now…

Y-you insane woman, what are you saying?

“Why the expression? Sylas, old friend. I respect you completely. That’s why I’m offering some compromise to honor your wishes. Dissatisfied?”

“…You call this talking? Are you really crazy?”

“Blasphemy.”

And yet, this woman, this princess, has been speaking absurdities since the start without changing her expression even once.

“If he were a woman, and if we were men, this proposal would be impossible. But he’s a man, and luckily, both of us are women. Thus, this suggestion becomes possible. Sylas, couldn’t you fill in the gaps where I cannot? It might hold some meaning for him.”

“…”

She’s serious.

This damn Highness, truly believes this is beneficial for herself, Carriel, and even Sylas.

After spending so much time together, Sylas keenly felt this was a well-meaning offer.

Through gritted teeth, his retort slipped out.

“So you’re planning to subtly twist things and tie us together with a messed-up bloodline? You’re telling me to have a kid without a father…”

“We haven’t discussed that part yet, but if you’re prepared, I won’t stop you. Then our alliance will only grow stronger.”

Y-you insane woman, really?!

“You don’t have a heart! How can you say such things so casually?! And this! If the Order finds out… expulsion won’t even cover it! No, how can you say this so nonchalantly?!”

“I cannot give up. Since I can’t offer any better compromise, I have no choice but to make this extreme suggestion.”

In other words, it’s this:

Either you give up, or you accept this ridiculous nonsense.

Looking at it one way, Ellie truly made a huge concession, that’s for sure.

But still…

“Sylas. Don’t you know?”

I…

“Once swore to protect him responsibly when he went abroad as a hostage. Though I didn’t vow it in front of him, didn’t you all witness my determination back then?”

“You who kept blabbing about protecting him! What have you done for him while he got pushed this far? What have you actually done for Kal?”

But the princess remained resolute, without a flicker of hesitation or wavering.

She declared firmly.

“He’s strong. He’s not the type to lose his light this easily. He may stumble momentarily, but he’ll rise again soon.”

Sylas scoffed.

“…Do you still fail to grasp that not everyone is a superhuman like you? How many people have been hurt and disappointed by your audacity? Doesn’t Carriel count among them?”

“In that case, what about your original sin, Sylas? Wasn’t it your foolish twin sister, Era, along with my imprudent younger brother, who contributed to Carriel’s current reputation? Friend, you too can’t deny that. Ultimately, by choosing to protect your bloodline, did you not condone such atrocities with a pure heart?”

“That! That’s not something to bring up here…!”

“If that’s not the case, why have I waited so long? I gave you plenty of chances, knowing your true feelings. Whether it was repentance, confession, or apology—I expected you to take some action.”

“What? Plenty of chances? You’re calling that ‘chances’ now?”

“If not, why would I make such a decision now? I’m not obedient enough to follow orders from His Majesty or Mother just because they told me to.”

Ideally…

Even if it’s not me, if someone could surround, guide, and embrace him…

“I was ready to abandon even my vow for his happiness.”

But.

“Who’s around him now?”

“…”

“In the end, it’s negligence. Complacency. Laziness. Ignorance.”

“…”

“Do you only move when the fire lands on your feet? How negligent, Sylas Eschina.”

Shaking her head lightly, the princess turned her back.

“The moon has set. From now on, it’s the Time of the Sun. If you feel wronged and indignant, reflect on your past complacency. Forgive me, but accept that the hourglass will no longer be flipped.”

…….

……….

And so.

After some time had passed, moving to a different place, she found herself walking alone down a quiet corridor.

Ellie thought calmly, half-opening her eyes, as she always did.

Even if.

Even if there are tens of thousands of women in this world and the next who yearn for and admire him.

Even if all that affection were gathered bit by bit.

“It still won’t match the love contained within this single body of mine.”

====

Though the recent commotion is troubling, thanks to the Demon King periodically dragging him into dreams and dunking him hundreds, thousands of times without mercy…

He’s been leaving his residence less at night to catch his breath and practice lute playing.

In just a few days, so much has changed.

Engaged to Ellie.

Confronting the ghost of the Demon King and getting tossed around.

It feels like not just a few days, but dozens have already passed.

-Going to bed late isn’t good during growth spurts.

“…Didn’t you say stress relief is necessary?”

-That’s the irrationality of intelligent beings.

Time is money, and you should polish yourself with that gold, so why waste time on trivial hobbies?

“…So are you saying I shouldn’t go out?”

-Isn’t that your choice? Should I be the one telling you what to do? People might think I’m your master or something.

“…”

One side is the deceased former Demon King.

The other is the descendant of the hero who killed that very Demon King.

Their relationship is undeniably complicated.

“And if I endure the training, you promised to teach me how to play, right?”

-That’s not a big problem.

Originally, whether driving people or slaves, motivation depends on proper rewards.

Violence, fear, pain—they’re methods, sure, but…

‘That’s just too bothersome.’

Cursing and tormenting others is labor too.

Unless you’re some twisted pervert who enjoys it to relieve stress.

-By the way, if we’re talking string instruments, I prefer guitars over lutes.

“Guitars?”

-They exist. Electric ones powered by mana produce incredible tearing sounds.

“…?”

Thinking about it, music and musical arts are often categorized as exclusive to demons.

As a result, the Order claims only human voices are pure.

But…

Instrumental performances and various folk songs have deeply rooted themselves throughout the world.

Still, among nobles and so-called “honorable” folks, it’s treated as a culture they shouldn’t get close to.

-Anything we do is automatically labeled evil. They’re just so inferior.

Apparently, the Golden Demon King was considered a master of the arts among demons, though details are unclear.

The allied demons who greatly contributed to the Human Coalition.

Their settlements and exchange cities across parts of the continent now lead much of the modern artistic movements.

“…?”

Surely.

They’re not trying to conquer the continent through culture and art… right?

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