Chapter 18: My First Letter

"…One, two, three. Yes, that’s exactly right."

After the noisy opera-viewing party, the Demon Lord had successfully exchanged his mysterious gold coins for real currency. I promptly collected the money I’d fronted for our lodging—plus interest.

I’m no charity, after all. Not a single coin was forgiven.

"Ains, that greedy streak you have when it comes to money reminds me of my little sister."

"Huh? Your sister?"

The Demon Lord has a sister?
Does she look like him—pretty and terrifying?

Now I kind of want to meet her. Please, oh please, introduce me someday.

"Yeah. Her personality’s totally different from yours, but when it comes to money, you two are exactly the same."

"Heh. Sounds like she has a solid sense of finance. I’m sure she’ll make a fine wife someday, your sister."

The Demon Lord’s expression twisted faintly sour.
Maybe he had mixed feelings about her.

Sensing that I might be poking a hornet’s nest, I decided to drop the subject.

"…It’s been a great honor getting to know both of you today."

Zex smiled warmly as he saw us off at the inner entrance of the Guild Hall.

"Oh no, the pleasure’s ours! I’m sorry for showing up so suddenly—it must’ve been a bother."

"A bother? Hardly. Ains, let’s definitely meet again sometime. And you too, Maor."

"Hmph. Zex, if I require your assistance, I’ll call for you."

"Understood, my lord."

The Demon Lord, as always, carried himself as if the world revolved around him—utterly dignified and superior to everyone he met.

"Well then, Ains, please be careful on your way home. Oh, if you’d like, I can escort you back to the castle."

Zex’s tone was cheerful as ever, but his smile was unreadable.

"Uh, um…"

Wait, that’s a problem.
I snuck out in disguise to come here! If I go back openly through the front, I’ll get caught for sure.

"Ah, well, you see… I can make it back to the castle on my own just fine, really. No need to worry about me."

I waved my hands frantically to decline.

"Heh. Is that so? Then let’s say no more."

There it was again—that ambiguous smile of his.
Seriously, what is going on in your head, man?!

"Oh, right. Almost forgot. Hey, Ains, deliver this letter to Sonia for me."

"A letter, a letter… Oh, right. The letter."

Now that he mentioned it, I did suggest the Demon Lord start exchanging letters with Sonia before meeting her in person.

It had been a desperate idea—mainly to prevent him from suddenly storming into the palace uninvited—but apparently, he took that promise seriously.

That’s… surprisingly decent of him.

"Understood. I’ll make sure this letter is safely delivered to Lady Sonia."

"Good. It’s a very important mission, Ains. I’m counting on you."

"Yes, leave it to me."

I accepted the letter from him.

It was in a cute pink envelope.
If this reflected the Demon Lord’s personal taste… well, that’s unexpectedly adorable.

Or maybe—did someone help him pick it out?

No point in overthinking. Better to move on to my next concern.

"Um, when should I come by again, Lord Maor?"

"When? Naturally, you’ll be coming tomorrow, won’t you?"

"…My apologies, but that might be difficult. I’ve already taken quite a few days off from palace duties, and it’s getting harder to make excuses to go out."

There’s only so far you can stretch a fake illness.
Every day would be pushing it.

"Hmm. True enough. Though I could just march into the palace and drag you out myself—that would solve everything."

"Lord Maor, please show some restraint. We still have the 'Protocol Regulations,' remember?"

Before I could even open my mouth, Zex cut in smoothly from the side.

"Hmph. Fair point. Very well. Here, Ains—take this."

"Huh? What’s this?"

He handed me a strange object—a small, square block with a glossy black surface.
It felt cool and solid to the touch, like polished stone.

"When I focus my energy on it, it vibrates."

"Oh, really? Then please, give it a try."

"Hold on… there."

"Oh wow, it really does vibrate!"

The square block buzzed softly in my hand, almost like a smartphone on silent mode.

"So, uh… does this thing let us talk, too?"

It looked so much like a communication device that I had to ask.

"I could send my voice through magic, but… there’s a slight problem with that."

Zex gave the Demon Lord a long, pointed look.
Okay, clearly something was up—but neither of them explained, so I stayed clueless.

"In any case, there are restrictions. Just keep that with you at all times. I’ll contact you through it when I need you."

Ugh. So basically, it’s a servant-summoning bell.
How utterly demeaning.

Still, it’s the only way for us to communicate, so I suppose I’ll live with it.

"Fine, fine. But Lord Maor, please understand—I do have my own life, so I won’t be able to come running every time you call, all right?"

"Yes, yes, I understand."

He waved a hand dismissively.
Yeah, somehow, I really doubt he does.

"Then, Lord Maor, Lord Zex—thank you for today. I’ll be taking my leave."

"Hmph. You’ve done well. I’ll reward you next time."

Same old Demon Lord.

"See you next time, Ains," said Zex, with a quiet, knowing laugh.
A dark smile. Definitely up to something.

When I returned to the castle, King Merkuma still hadn’t come back.

Well, that’s probably an early-morning return kind of situation, huh.

Thinking that idly, I sat down on my bed and swung my legs when Kamina—who was supposed to have the day off—walked through the door with a stiff expression.

Ugh.
That look just screams, “something bad happened.”

"Lady Sonya. There’s something I must discuss with you."

"Eh?"

Could it be that she found out I snuck out?
Or worse—did she somehow learn about my secret meeting with the Demon King?

"…W-what is it?"

I asked cautiously, bracing myself for whatever she might say.

I had already told everyone that I’d be spending the day mostly in my room, maybe taking a short walk in the garden for some fresh air, so even if no one had seen me much, it shouldn’t have raised any concern.

Still, the plan had been to return by noon. Thanks to that little opera detour, I ended up coming back much later—and skipping lunch, which turned out to be a serious miscalculation.

A bead of cold sweat rolled down my cheek.

"Actually, I’d like to ask for your permission regarding something."

"…Eh, permission?"

Don’t tell me—Kamina’s finally had enough of me?
Maybe she’s decided to quit and return to her noble family’s estate?

Crap, crap, crap!
If Kamina leaves me, I’m doomed!

She’s been helping me nonstop since day one. Honestly, I can’t imagine surviving in this world without her.

"H-hey, Kamina. You’re not planning to leave me, are you? Right?"

"…Eh?"

I clung to her, burying my face against her chest—a perfectly flat, unbroken plain—as I pleaded.

Kamina blinked, clearly bewildered by my sudden outburst.

"P-please! Don’t abandon me!"

"Um… I’m not sure what you’re misunderstanding, but I’m not going anywhere, Lady Sonya."

"R-really?"

I was so emotional that tears began to spill out.

Seeing that, Kamina sighed softly and dabbed at my eyes with her handkerchief.

"Yes. Until the day you’re married and fully capable of standing on your own, I—Kamina—will continue to support you with all my strength."

"Kamina… thank you!"

I hugged her tightly, breathing in that faint, comforting scent she always carried.

"…So, what was it you wanted to ask permission for, again?"

Still holding onto her, I tilted my head upward.

"Yes. I’ve finally received my father’s approval to begin sword training. I came to ask whether I may proceed with it."

Kamina bowed deeply as she spoke.

"Eh? Why sword training all of a sudden?"

"As the daughter of a warrior family, I regret being unable to protect you properly at Gaikoku Fortress. All I could do back then was run with you, Lady Sonya. I cannot forgive my own weakness."

"…Eh, but come on, Kamina. Against the Demon King’s army? That’s a bit much, don’t you think?"

"Even so!"

The determination in her eyes made it clear—there was no changing her mind.

"Alright, alright. If you’re that determined, then train to your heart’s content."

"Thank you very much, Lady Sonya. I plan to study under my father—the Sword Saint Preverskin—to master the way of the blade."

"W-wait… your father’s the Sword Saint? Th-that’s amazing."

Kamina’s dad sounds terrifyingly impressive. That part really caught my attention.

Anyway—
After Kamina left, I took a bath, then holed up in my room again.

Lying on the bed, I pulled out the letter the Demon King had entrusted me with.

It was sealed in a pink envelope, written neatly in the western common language with lovely, rounded handwriting.

The tone was surprisingly cute.

But the contents…

…I want to see you, even just once.
…I’m the man who can truly satisfy you. You know that, don’t you?
…Sonya. You must be lonely without me, aren’t you?
…I can tell that when you think of me in bed, you get wet down there.

Yeah. Pure nonsense.

Without a moment’s hesitation, I tossed it straight into the fireplace and burned it to ash.