Chapter 19: The Entrance of Berial-kun

"You are as radiant as ever today, Princess Sonia."

"...Hehe. Thank you."

"I too hope to attain a beauty as dignified as yours, Lady Sonia."

"...Hehe. Thank you."

"Ho ho! Princess Sonia, you look splendid this evening."

"...Hehe. Good evening."

Even though I’m just repeating the same polite responses, it’s already exhausting.
Or rather—aren’t there too many guests tonight?

The king is hosting a grand party at the palace this evening.

According to what Kamina told me this morning, it’s supposed to commemorate some heroic battle fought by one of our ancient ancestors—a king from countless generations ago. The event even had a pompous name, something like “The Great Something War”… I’ve already forgotten.

Honestly, I think it’s just an excuse. People always find some “respectable” reason to drink and make noise.

"Sonia. Why don’t you walk around the hall and greet some of our dear subjects? It would do you good to mingle with those you rarely speak to. You understand, yes?"

"Ah, yes."

My father, King Merkuma, must have finally run out of patience with me standing around like a wallflower—or maybe more like a wall stain—and giving the same mechanical greetings. He ordered me to go be “sociable.”

Apparently, he’s not fond of how I’ve been acting like background décor at every event so far.

Hmm… honestly, I’m not good at talking to people.

Besides, who knows when I might say something wrong?
And frankly, I don’t see much point in keeping up with all this noble gossip anyway.

Everyone’s so eager to whisper things like, “You know, Lady So-and-so seems awfully close with that married nobleman,” or “It appears Lord Such-and-such is getting friendly with someone from another kingdom.”

Please, spare me. I have no interest in being dragged into faction wars or political intrigue. Nothing good ever comes of that.

So yeah, motivation level: zero.

Still, since staying in the king’s line of sight risks another scolding, I decide to at least pretend I’m trying to socialize by wandering around the hall aimlessly.

At the very least, I can flash a polite smile or two.

If I just drift around for a while, the night will pass soon enough.

As I stroll through the crowd with that fixed, polite smile, I notice a small commotion forming near the center of the hall.

At its center stands a beautifully dressed woman.

...That’s Lady Sheria, if I’m not mistaken.

We ran into each other by chance the other day—right as she was leaving the Demon King’s chamber. Tonight again, she’s surrounded by her usual entourage: smiling ladies-in-waiting and a few handsome young nobles vying for her attention. The perfect image of a socialite in her element.

Who knows what any of them are actually thinking, but outwardly, everyone looks perfectly entertained.

Sheria has long silver hair with elegantly curled tips, and sharp, confident eyes that leave a lasting impression. She’s undeniably beautiful.
And, well... her chest is impressive. Really impressive.

That red dress and her perfect proportions—yeah, I can safely say most men would leap at the chance to share a bed with her if she so much as batted an eyelash.

In that sense, the fact that even her charms couldn’t sway the Demon King makes him quite the rare specimen.

...Or maybe demons just have different beauty standards. Who knows.

"Lady Sonia, good evening."

She’s noticed me watching. Sheria greets me with a sweet smile—and, of course, starts walking right toward me. Wonderful.

"Good evening, Lady Sheria."

I return her smile.

I can craft a pleasant, gentle smile for anyone, anytime.
Getting this good at it took effort—honestly, it’s fair to say I bled for it.
But it’s practically part of my job now.

"You look lovely as always. By the way, Lady Sonia, there’s actually something I’ve been wanting to consult you about..."

Sheria straightens her posture and meets my eyes.

Then, with a subtle glance around, her followers and the handsome nobles politely bow and withdraw, leaving just the two of us.

"A consultation?"

"Yes. But... this may not be the best place for it."

She lowers her voice, scanning the room cautiously.

Hmm. Not the best place? What sort of shady plot is this supposed to be?

"In that case, perhaps one of the private rooms in the palace—"

"No. If you don’t mind, Lady Sonia, would you care to accompany me outside for a bit?"

"Outside? Hmm… if I get Father’s permission, it should be possible, but I doubt he’ll say yes easily."

Wow, she’s really pushing for this. Suspicious much?

She’s not trying to drag me into some conspiracy, right?
I mean, she does seem to have ties to the Demon King’s side...

Still, it’s hard to outright refuse someone when they ask so earnestly. I can’t just accuse her of scheming with demons without any proof, either.

So, I have no choice but to ask my father.

"E-erm, Father? Lady Sheria has invited me to go outside with her for a bit. Would it be possible to get your permission? If not, I completely understand..."

Honestly, I was hoping he’d say no—but as expected, my father Merkuma’s face softened, and he smiled.

"Oh, the marquis’s daughter, is it? I don’t mind. Go on and have fun."

...And just like that, permission granted. Way too easily. Not that I should be surprised.

At this point, saying, “Actually, never mind, that sounds like a hassle,” wasn’t going to cut it. So, with no way out, I reluctantly boarded Sheria’s family carriage.

At first, I’d tried to have Kamina accompany me, but Sheria’s servants politely refused, insisting it wouldn’t be necessary. Apparently, it’s some unspoken rule between attendants—guests are to be looked after by the host’s staff.

Come to think of it, when visitors came to the palace, our people handled them too.

With no other choice, I left Kamina behind and stepped into the carriage alone.

Sheria and I exchanged polite smiles, then spent a while quietly watching the scenery roll by.

We passed through several gates. If I remembered correctly, Sheria’s family estate was near the central district of the capital, so the ride shouldn’t have taken long.

"Come to think of it, Lady Sonia, this is the first time we’ve really had a quiet moment to talk, just the two of us, isn’t it?"

Seated across from me, Sheria finally broke the silence.

"Yes, I suppose it is. Still, I must ask—what exactly is this matter you couldn’t discuss at the palace?"

Clatter, clatter.
The carriage rattled as its wheels rolled over the cobblestones.

What on earth was this girl thinking? She said she had something to “consult” me about, but what kind of consultation required dragging me out of the palace?

"Hehehe. Lady Sonia, that’s something you’ll have to look forward to once we arrive."

Pressing a finger to her lips, Sheria smiled playfully.

A surprise party, maybe? Her smile was so bright it almost made me believe it.
Still, if this turned out to be some witchy sabbath-style orgy gathering, I’d be in serious trouble.

I’ve always had a strong aversion to those “party people” sorts of events.

We rode in silence for a while—but no matter how long we traveled, we still didn’t seem to be arriving anywhere.

We’d passed several gates by now. This definitely wasn’t the direction of the marquis’s main estate.

"Um... Lady Sheria? I thought we were heading to your family’s main residence?"

"...Yes. This will be the secondary estate. Please be patient a little longer."

Sheria smiled, but something about it felt... off. Her lips were smiling, but her eyes weren’t.

The carriage continued on, and just when I was starting to feel drowsy, Sheria spoke again.

"Well then—we’ve arrived."

"Eh? Where are we?"

Where she had taken me was a moderately sized mansion built near the mountains, just outside the royal capital, Torte.

It was surrounded by wooden palisades and a moat, giving it the air of a bandit fortress. Honestly, not what I’d call tasteful.

"Please, this way."

"...All right."

I stepped down from the carriage and followed her inside.

The strange atmosphere only deepened. Even near the entrance—and all along the hallways—stood soldiers clad in chainmail or hardened leather armor, fully armed with spears and swords.

This definitely wasn’t the kind of “party” I’d been dreading earlier.

Still... if the alternative is being surrounded by armed soldiers, that’s far worse.

With that grim thought in mind, I followed behind Sheria.

We walked through the dim corridors and descended a narrow stone staircase leading underground. The air grew colder with each step, and it felt as though something unseen was lurking in the shadows.

"U-Um... are you sure this is really where the consultation is happening?"

"..."

Sheria didn’t answer. She simply kept walking ahead in silence.

"L-Lady Sheria!"

Fear crept up on me, and before I knew it, my voice came out louder than I intended.

"…Hehe. We’ve arrived. Now then, please—come inside."

When Sheria turned to face me, her expression was no longer the same. A cold gleam flashed in her eyes. Behind her, heavily armed soldiers blocked every possible exit. It was clear there was only one way left to go—forward.

"Uh… what is this?"

That’s when it finally hit me—I’d been set up. But she’d invited me so openly at the banquet… surely she wouldn’t actually try to harm me, right? My rational mind clung desperately to that faint hope.

"Hehehe. Sonia-sama, this is your own fault, you know. For bewitching that man."

"U-uh, I’m sorry, but I have no idea what you’re talking about."

I really didn’t. What on earth was she even saying?

"Hehe. You can try to deny it, but it’s pointless. We already know all about your secret meetings with His Majesty the Demon King at that inn in the capital."

"Th-the Demon King!?"

Wait—don’t tell me she found out about those times I met him at the inn!? But that’s impossible! I definitely used my enchanted glasses to conceal my identity!

"We’ve decided we can no longer afford to leave you be. Therefore, we will be taking certain… measures."

"M-Measures?"

That was a seriously bad-sounding word. Wait—was she actually planning to hurt me!?

"If you do anything to me, you’ll regret it, you know! Everyone—including my father—knows I came to visit House Sheria’s estate today!"

"Hehehe. Relax. No one outside will ever know what happens here, so you needn’t worry yourself."

That wicked smile of hers sent a chill racing down my spine. She really did give off the aura of a witch.

"There will be no pain, I assure you. You’ll simply fall into a deep sleep… offering up your soul for eternal rest."

"S-soul…?"

A very bad feeling washed over me.

"We shall offer your soul to a demon and have you form a contract. That way, you’ll become our most loyal princess. Hehehe."

Sheria’s lips curved into a dark, twisted smile—one that could only be described as sinister.

"Now then—begin the ritual!"

"Yes, ma’am!!"

At her command, the soldiers behind me lunged forward, seizing my arms and binding them without hesitation. It was open treason—an attack on royalty—yet they showed not a shred of fear.

"H-hey! Watch where your hands are!"

In the chaos of being restrained, I could swear someone groped my chest.

Before I knew it, I was bound tight and hoisted up toward the ceiling. The ropes bit painfully into my wrists—I could almost cry. Below me, a massive crimson magic circle glowed on the floor, radiating pure malice.

"Ahh, Sonia-sama… such a beautiful sight."

Sheria gazed at me with sadistic delight, as though the sight of me strung up brought her joy. Then she began chanting in a language I didn’t recognize.

...Wait. She’s a magic caster!?

"O dwellers of Hell! Let this sacrifice be your gate, and my words the key—by my will, appear before me and walk the mortal realm!"

Sheria had shed her mask as a graceful noblewoman, revealing the wicked creature beneath.

"Hehe… now then. I wonder who will answer my call."

Her face twisted in grotesque ecstasy. Oh, come on—she really is a witch! This was literally a witch’s sabbath!

Traditionally, demons demanded pure maidens as sacrifices, didn’t they? Which means… at least this confirms I’m still a virgin.
...Yeah, that’s where my mind went. Total denial mode. Ugh, I want to go home.

Soon after, a black mist began seeping into the chamber, shrouding everything in darkness.

From the center of the magic circle, something began to take shape. Slowly, it formed into the figure of a person. Once the outline became clear, it opened its mouth to speak.

"My name is Berial—one of the Four High Demon Lords, known as the Vessel of Iniquity, Advocate of Hell’s Interests. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

The being that spoke was a demon in the form of a boy, dressed like a refined butler. He bowed elegantly as he introduced himself.