“There are indeed people in the world who know that there are things more important than money.”
Nicasia proudly closed the lid of the box containing the will.
“I will deliver this box to Esme personally.”
“A wise decision, Your Highness. However…”
Unlike Nicasia, who was filled with joy, the expressions of the three maids serving her were complex and subtle.
“Your actions today were reckless.”
One of the maids, Riola Ashborne, who had served Nicasia the longest, spoke in a serious tone.
“Although Countess Colette Bloodberry’s disgrace overshadowed it, Your Highness, you declared in front of many students and faculty today that you are friends with a demon.”
“That… is extremely dangerous and reckless.”
Maris, the maid with freckles on her cheeks, also spoke with a voice full of concern.
Their prejudices were common sense, and their worries, rooted in that common sense, were purely for Nicasia Holimpia’s sake. Thus, the princess was not displeased. She was even a little grateful.
She knew how devoted these women before her were, even to the point of getting their hands dirty for her, and how they always did their best, to the extent of being called ruthless.
“Ahem…”
Nicasia covered her mouth with her left hand and coughed lightly.
“First of all, thank you. Riola, Maris, Brisa. Even though you all had such concerns, you still persuaded the Imperial Librarian for me.”
“Not at all. We merely delivered Your Highness’s letter to him.”
“No. You might have wanted to buy time so that Murmur wouldn’t interfere further, out of concern for me. But no one did such a thing. Thank you.”
Nicasia smiled sincerely. The women before her had long been on her side, and they were the first she needed to convince for the path she wished to take.
“Your Highness… I know it’s presumptuous to say, but becoming closer with Miss Murmur is truly, truly reckless and dangerous.”
“There are rumors in the Imperial Parliament these days, you know? Considering Your Highness’s popularity… I’m scared.”
Nicasia nodded and gently held the hands of the maids who were worried about her. Her hands were slightly cold, but she was doing her best, almost stubbornly.
“I know. I, Nicasia Holimpia, am a student of Cosmos Academy before I am a princess. I want to live that way.”
“Your Highness…”
“I’ve made a precious friend, and that friend is being treated unfairly. If I stand by while my friend is throwing herself into danger, I’ll be hated by the nobles, and this will require a lot of explaining… I can’t just sit back and hold onto my skirt.”
Riola Ashborne let out a somewhat hollow laugh.
“Mother always said. Before becoming a princess, one must first become a person. Even if you plan to live above others forever, you must understand their hearts.”
“You might regret it.”
“It’s okay. I will regret it. I don’t want to live like a doll, sitting quietly with a zipper on my mouth. That’s not a princess, nor is it Nicasia Holimpia. It’s just a pretty flower in a vase.”
Nicasia poured out the thoughts she had been holding in for quite some time.
“Have you heard that Miss Murmur is the flesh and blood of the Demon God?”
“The Murmur I see is an incredibly cute and bold child. A cute friend whose head reaches my waist, right?”
“Even if other nobles speak ill of her?”
“If one had to judge based solely on others’ words, Mother would have burned all the remaining kingdoms and demons on this land long ago. It’s important to listen to advice, but isn’t it more important to judge with your own eyes, ears, and mind?”
Nicasia spoke boldly, but there was something deeply troubling her. However, that was something the young princess couldn’t yet judge.
“Phew…”
Riola Ashborne, who had brought up this complex and sensitive topic, finally let out a long sigh.
“Riola?”
Nicasia felt her heart sink, but it was something she had prepared for.
“…I understand. I was too selfish, wasn’t I? I’m really sorry. But I intend to remain friends with Murmur. So, if you feel your safety is at risk, you can quit anytime.”
Nicasia smiled slightly.
“Your Highness Nicasia, who still can’t wear a bra by herself, is saying such things?”
“Th-that’s just because I’m not used to it yet!”
“You can’t wake up in the morning unless we wake you, right?”
“You sneakily pick at your food when we’re not watching, right?”
Nicasia’s face turned red as she covered her mouth with her right hand.
“We were just worried that Your Highness might be acting on sweet words without a clear goal.”
“That’s right! If Your Highness is so determined, then there’s nothing to fear!”
“Do you all… understand me?”
Nicasia was moved by the words of the adults she hadn’t even hoped for. Honestly, she had never dreamed that the women before her would understand.
Of course, it’s insane to help a demon.
“Your Highness Nicasia, who always tried to stay quiet and well-behaved, acted so splendidly today!”
“That’s right! When you asked the Imperial Librarian to deliver the letter… Wow…!”
“Your Highness. As the path you wish to walk is arduous, we will do our best to assist you.”
Starting with Riola, the other two maids also bowed deeply.
There are adults who cannot understand a child’s heart.
Conversely, there are also adults who cheer and push them forward, hoping they will advance.
“Thank you. Everyone, I will show you a sight you will never regret.”
Nicasia once again took the maids’ hands and stroked them. Her hands had warmed up considerably.
“Can I ask one more favor?”
“You’re planning to go to ‘Starlight Alley,’ right? If it’s about scouting the stores and planning the route, of course, we can do that!”
Brisa said with a bright smile.
“Your Highness Nicasia! You’re going to buy pajamas, right? If all three of you wear them, it’ll be really, really cute!”
“Maris, didn’t you say Miss Murmur looked scary back then?”
“Yah! I had no choice back then!”
Nicasia relaxed and burst out laughing.
‘Thank goodness. Everyone knows that Murmur is actually a cute and kind child.’
* * *
With Colette Bloodberry gone, my plan to talk a bit with the Demon God, Armonia, was splendidly ruined.
Strangely, after-school hours seem busier than class hours.
“Hehehe! Come on, Murmur! Hurry! Hurry!”
So, what’s going on? Was there such an event?
For some inexplicable reason, Esme, who was in high spirits, grabbed my hand and dragged me along. Ahead of us was Nicasia holding a map.
“Murmur doesn’t really…”
“We agreed to hang out this week, right? We need to prepare proper pajamas and everything! I’ll buy them as a gift, so be happy!”
“As Esme said. If we buy three sets, it’ll be more fun to play together.”
No, no, I don’t want to.
It’s so obvious what kind of pajamas you’re going to buy. I never said I’d go!
“Murmur has pajamas.”
“I have pajamas too. We’re going to buy new pajamas to wear together, right?”
“It’s okay. They’ll be very cute and pretty. I guarantee it.”
Your Highness, please don’t guarantee such places.
I struggled hard, but with the three maids who had suddenly appeared joining in, I had no choice but to walk out to the shopping district.
This is bullying, right? A new form of bullying, isn’t it?
Saying a plain-looking kid is pretty and putting makeup and cute clothes on them while laughing, isn’t that it?
“Ugh…”
“By the way, Murmur, have you ever been to ‘Starlight Alley’?”
“No.”
“Really? What do you do on weekends then? Some kids say their only joy is playing in Starlight Alley with their allowance.”
Nicasia’s words also applied to the game.
Unlike ‘Dragon Tail Street,’ where you could buy various equipment items, ‘Starlight Alley’ was a place where you could purely reduce stress, increase favorability, or trigger other events.
It’s a really nice place, but since it consumes ‘pocket money,’ it’s a place that has nothing to do with me, Murmur.
You can only start part-time jobs to earn money from middle school. Why would I go there? I don’t need to see noble kids laughing and snacking and chatting.
“Murmur eats on weekends.”
“You eat on weekdays too, right?”
“And sleeps.”
A perfect schedule.
Since I have no pocket money, I don’t waste time and spend my free time diligently reading the magic books Esme and Armonia gave me.
“…Eating and sleeping is it?”
“Also read the magic books Esme gave.”
“Murmur…? That’s it? Are you joking? Eating, sleeping, and studying magic books is it? It’s the weekend, right? A day off?”
Esme and Nicasia’s expressions subtly changed. What, do I look like I’m studying too hard?
“I also imagine happy things.”
To be precise, I plan what events will happen in the future and what I need to prepare for.
But if I say that directly, I’ll be treated as a crazy demon.
“Oh my…”
One of the maids behind me suddenly let out a sigh.
“Murmur, you’re not joking, are you?”
“Why? Murmur has no money. Can’t play in Starlight Alley.”
“Uh… but, even without money, you can play in the playground or read books in the library, right?”
“Murmur can’t do that. Esme.”
What are they talking about? How can a demon kid play in the playground? How can I read books in the library?
Are they asking me to twist my body to be bullied?
“What should we do…”
“We must have said something too harsh back then!!”
The maids whispered among themselves.
“Murmur… this weekend, let’s definitely, definitely have fun together. Promise?”
Esme tightly held my hand and shook it up and down.
“…Next time, let’s definitely play in Starlight Alley. I promise.”
Nicasia’s eyes sparkled as she patted my head.
What, what’s going on? Why is everyone reacting like this?
Did I make a mistake? Doesn’t seem like it. I just talked about my weekend normally, right?
“Ah, we’ve arrived. Shall we go in?”
Esme, still holding my hand, tried to enter the ‘dreadful store,’ so I planted my heels firmly.
─ Squeak!
“Murmur?”
“Murmur doesn’t like it here. Won’t go in.”
“We agreed to buy pajamas, right?”
I never agreed!
“If it’s about money, don’t worry. If the Imperial Princess puts such things on the ledger, she’ll be called stingy until she dies.”
“It’s not about money.”
“It’s a store for elementary students like us, so there’s even less of a problem.”
That’s exactly the problem.
The ‘dreadful store’ before my eyes was filled with clothes that elementary students would wear—very cute, soft, chubby, pink, and bright.
There were some slightly more mature clothes in the corner, but they were all excessively shiny, cute, fluffy, and embarrassingly so.
And where did they get those big, flashy accessories?
“I absolutely don’t want to go in.”
“There will be pajamas that suit you well.”
“You’re going to make me wear animal pajamas, aren’t you? I don’t want to.”
“Ah! How did you know, Murmur? You do want to wear them, right? I heard there’s a cute sheep pajama.”
Nicasia grabbed my butt and neck and lifted me up like a sack of rice.
“Murmur doesn’t want to!”
“It’ll suit you well, so don’t be shy.”
“It’ll be 500 times cuter than a nightmare!”
Do you know how old I am?
Now you want me to wear a white sheep fluff as pajamas?!
“Murmur…! Won’t wear cute things!”
Nicasia, unfortunately, didn’t put me down and boldly strode into the store.
This is bullying, right?! Right?!
