Chapter 14: Mitsugeya Mitsuge — The Host

"Ah—what a refreshing morning!"

I sat up halfway in bed and stretched as far as I could.

What a crisp, invigorating morning.

A lot had happened yesterday, but looking back now, I couldn’t help feeling like I’d come out the clear winner.

From here on, I’d have to tread carefully—especially when it came to the Demon King’s curiosity about Princess Sonia. I’d need to cut that off before it took root.

…Just then, a memory from last night surfaced.

I hadn’t returned to the palace until quite late. When I finally did, it was obvious to everyone that I’d sneaked out, and it caused quite a commotion.

How much of a commotion? Apparently, a team of maids had scoured every corner of the palace, while the guards searched the city. In short, it had turned into a full-blown uproar.

As it turned out, the group I’d run into in the city yesterday had been part of that search party. Postov—the head guard who had taken care of me at Gaikoku Fort—and the maid Kamina were among them. I couldn’t help feeling a little guilty.

"Princess Sonia! Where on earth have you been all this time?!"

Kamina planted her hands on her hips, a vein throbbing on her forehead as she glared at me.

Her angry face was surprisingly cute for her age—which must have shown on my own face, because I couldn’t help smiling. Kamina immediately shot me a terrifying look.

"…Ah, I just stepped out to the courtyard for some night air, got sleepy, and ended up falling asleep there. You know, it’s been warming up lately."

"Don’t scare me like that! Thinking something might have happened to you, Princess Sonia… I felt like I wasn’t even alive!"

Kamina’s voice trembled as if she might burst into tears. Seeing her like that made me feel a pang of guilt.

…Well, considering I actually had been attacked by ruffians, her worry wasn’t misplaced. It was only natural.

I decided then and there that I should stop wandering around alone at night. Now that I was living life from a woman’s perspective, the everyday risks were much higher than I’d imagined. Realizing that—and accepting the need to be more cautious—was, in itself, an important lesson.

After that, I spent about an hour listening to Kamina’s scolding, then took a bath and went straight to bed.

Lying there, I reflected on a lot of things. Of course, there were worries, but I also found myself feeling a small fondness toward the Demon King—for coming to my aid so gallantly when I was in danger. As a friend, he might actually be someone reliable. That’s about how I felt.

…Thinking of that, I drifted off to sleep.

Compared to yesterday’s stormy chaos, this morning felt strangely calm. Maybe the sediment in my heart had finally settled a little.

Now, for today’s plan: first, I would pay my respects to my father, King Merkuma, who was temporarily staying at the palace. After that, I planned to keep the rest of the day free.

Originally, after meeting my father, I was supposed to attend several official events—entertaining nobles, giving ceremonial speeches, visiting the knights—but I intended to skip all of that. Those events mainly involved the King himself, and I usually attended only as his proxy. Since he would already be present, there was no reason for me to tag along as decoration. I might as well take a break.

After ceremonially paying my respects to King Merkuma, I brought it up during breakfast.

Cutting into a minced meat pie with my knife and fork, I took a bite while gauging my father’s reaction. Hmm. He seemed calm, so I should be fine.

"…Father, I’m sorry, but may I take the day off today?"

"What is it, Sonia? Still not feeling well? The Sugarcreek royal family has been martial for generations. Managing your health is part of the job."

King Merkuma’s tone held a trace of dissatisfaction. However, the way he kept shoveling meat into his mouth—he was eating steak even at breakfast—made it hard to take his scolding seriously.

Seeing that he was functioning perfectly well, I lowered my gaze and replied in a meek, apologetic tone.

"I-I’m terribly sorry."

"Hmm. Well, your late mother was also frail… Very well, you may take the day off. But in return, you’ll begin a physical strength training program from now on. Keep that in mind."

"…Yes."

I gritted my teeth. I’d been offered a bargain I couldn’t refuse. Reluctantly, I agreed, already imagining the grueling training ahead. My gut told me nothing good was coming.

"Then, you rest in your room."

"…Thank you."

And just like that, breakfast ended. It felt like I’d been saddled with extra homework, but I decided to let it go for now.

Returning to my room, I quickly changed into my usual outing outfit and headed toward the Demon King.

…After all, it’s not sustainable to keep supporting the Demon King entirely with my own money. I need to figure out a way to actually make use of the gold coins he brought.

Ideally, I could take them to a bank and have them properly exchanged.
If not, maybe I could melt them down into gold bars.
And if that still didn’t work… I’d have to keep feeding him from my own funds for a while.

But honestly, that seems unreasonable—like being someone’s kept partner.

I was mulling over all this on my way to the Demon King’s usual inn, the Shirasagitei. The more I thought about it, the more I started to feel like a wife with a useless husband. And, disturbingly, I kind of understood what real wives must feel like.

Anyway, I arrived at the Shirasagitei and knocked on the Demon King’s door.

Just remembering the lecherous look the innkeeper gave me as I walked in made my stomach churn—but I held my patience.
Someday, I’d deal with that man.

While I waited in front of the door, I heard the soft rustle of silk from inside.

…Huh?

"Oh?"

A moment later, the door opened, and a woman of graceful age appeared. She looked startled when our eyes met.

"Eh…?"

A weird sound escaped me before I could stop it.

I wasn’t prepared for such an unexpected guest.

She quickly bowed and hurried off, her expression a little tense.

Hmm? That woman… I’ve seen her before at a noble gathering.

If I recall correctly, she’s the daughter of a marquis family—Lady Sheria. A few years older than me, already engaged, yet famous for drawing the attention of every man around her. A figure of romance… or infidelity, depending on who you ask.

But why on earth is she here?

Shaking my head to refocus, I stepped into the room.

Inside, the Demon King was lounging completely naked, elegantly sipping wine.

Hey. How can you be so calm—and naked—the moment someone arrives?

Still… that physique was impressive enough to admire. He could easily be a model.

"Oh, Ains," the Demon King greeted casually.

Naturally, everything below the waist was in full view.

"…Maor, maybe you should put some clothes on."

I wrinkled my nose in disapproval. Seriously, this guy needs a crash course in common sense.

"Hmm. I’m fine like this," he said.

No, you’re not fine. And society definitely wouldn’t approve either… probably.

"By the way, who was that woman?" I asked cautiously.

How on earth did he know someone as prominent as a Marquis daughter?

"Huh? Oh, her. I just contacted a local acquaintance—someone from around here—and she showed up."

"…An acquaintance?"

"She said she’d take care of various things for me and insisted we move to a more comfortable place. Quite a noisy one, that woman."

W–what!?

That’s a big problem!

All my plans could go up in smoke because of this!

My brain started racing for a solution—but what came out of my mouth was something entirely different.

"By any chance… did you spend the entire night together, just the two of you?"

"No. She was the third one. Came by this morning."

Wait, what!? Three in one night!? Maor, that’s way too much stamina!

My mind completely derailed at the new information.

"They even brought offerings—called them tributes—and gave me money and gifts. With this, perhaps we don’t even need to visit that bank of yours, hm?"

So he’s already being spoiled by women like some popular host at a high-end club?
Of course he is. Figures.

"…So, in the end, who was the best?"

I knew there were far more important things to discuss, but curiosity got the better of me.
There was always the chance his interest might shift away from Princess Sonia to someone else, after all.

"No. We just drank together."

"Eh? Really? I mean… if a man and a woman are in the same room together, usually something happens, right? Especially since, uh, Maor, you’re… naked."

"Ah, I simply have a policy of not wearing clothes when I sleep."

"O–oh. I see…"

That was one piece of useless information I really didn’t need.

"Still," he continued, "they were full of impure intentions. No doubt ordered from above to bear my—well, my noble seed. But such women are unworthy of that honor."

"…Right. That’s… something."

So even in front of beautiful women, the Demon King’s “tentacles” didn’t move.

There’s an old saying, ‘A man who refuses what’s offered is no man at all,’ but… I’ll let it slide this time.

"But Ains," Maor said with a confident grin, "for you, I’ll make an exception. You need not offer gold or gifts to remain by my side."

"Uh… thank you?"

Not sure what I was just forgiven for, but okay.

"And as a reward for your loyal service, I shall grant you the honor of sharing my bed."

Huh!? Why the hell would I surrender my purity to you—and for free, no less!? Don’t just decide that on your own!

"Ahem. I’m not particularly interested in that, Maor. More importantly, could you please get dressed? We’re supposed to go to the bank today, remember?"

I cleared my throat and ordered him to put on clothes so we could finally get moving.

"…Not interested, huh?"

He looked genuinely dejected—like a puppy that had just been abandoned.

What part of that conversation deserves a sad look!?

"Hurry up and get dressed already!"

"Fine, fine! …Still, I think we could relax a bit longer here, don’t you?"

He muttered under his breath, sulking as he reluctantly put his clothes back on.

Good. Good boy.

Honestly, I wish the Demon King would at least learn some basic manners toward a lady—meaning me. I truly do.