CH 60

Chapter 60: Fears

“Have you had enough sleep?”

When Miss Sally inquires about it, I shudder. I’m still hot in the spot where the Demon King kissed me, and I had trouble sleeping last night. I thought I had hidden the bags under my eyes well enough, but I guess I didn’t hide them well enough. I expected to be cruelly lashed for not taking care of myself, but that was not the case.

“Well, there will be days like this.”

She nodded slightly, and the lecture continued.

The words I heard from Sarah yesterday come back to mind.

──Miss Sally is the woman who is supposed to be His Majesty’s consort.

I knew it yesterday, but I felt once again that Miss Sally is the perfect woman to be the Demon King’s Queen.

The lady who should be the Demon King’s wife—golden hair, blue eyes, and a straight nose. She’d look fantastic beside the Demon King. She is also extremely well educated. I, on the other hand, am ugly and know nothing about this world. I don’t believe I’m better than she is.

“Are you paying attention?”

I was considering it, but I nodded quickly and listened to the lesson as the whip was ready to fly.

■□■

After today’s lesson, I sighed.

Miss Sally, according to the Demon King, is a wonderful lady. It’s a mistake to think the Demon King has never been in love before, and he really liked Miss Sally, didn’t he?

the Demon King said he was in love with me and even proposed to me, but what did he love about me?

I think that his feelings for me are just something like Shrine Maiden power that makes him think that way──.

If that’s the case, I should endeavor to become a great lady so that the Demon King would really fall in love with me, but I feel unmotivated.

I decided to read a book for a change and went to the library, where I came across the Demon King.

“Mica.”

the Demon King noticed me and called my name, but somehow I couldn’t see the Demon King.

“O’Dowell-sama.”

the Demon King stares at me. I exhale, transfixed by his red gaze.

“You don’t seem well—did Miss Sally torment you?”

the Demon King softly kisses my cheek. For some reason, the touch of his palm makes me weep.

“No. Miss Sally is a wonderful lady.”

And yet, in comparison, I was at a loss for words, and the Demon King smiled kindly.

“Let’s have some tea, Mica.”

■□■

I’ve never been in the Demon King’s room before. I thought that there must be many luxurious things in a king’s room, but contrary to my expectations, the Demon King’s room was simple.

“Are you surprised there’s nothing here? It’s primarily simply a place to sleep.”

It’s true that the Demon King is usually at his office. So he may not spend much time in his room.

the Demon King personally made me tea.

Warm tea is relaxing.

“So, what’s the problem?”

After a pause, I gently open my mouth. I ran out of words halfway through, but I expressed what I was thinking… that Miss Sally was being considered as the Demon King’s consort… that Miss Sally’s manners and beauty were something I could never match… the Demon King’s liking for me is a result of something like Shrine Maiden power, and he truly loves Miss Sally.

“I have feelings for Miss Sally?”

“…Yes.”

the Demon King thought about it for a while. I’m curious whether the Demon King is aware of his feelings… But if that’s the case, then I’m simply an invader pulling them apart.

“…. Pfft.”

“O’Dowell-sama?”

the Demon King shook his head and burst out laughing. the Demon King smiled after a round of laughter.

“No, I don’t believe so. I’ve never met anyone whose mere presence makes my heart beat faster—and I’ve never had feelings for Miss Sally.”

“B-But maybe it was my Shrine Maiden abilities at work──.”

“You don’t have the Shrine Maiden powers anymore, do you? “

“Y-Yes, but… But it doesn’t mean I’m no longer the Shrine Maiden.”

“You’re the first woman I’ve ever wanted to marry. I love you—please don’t have any doubts.”

the Demon King shook my hand.

“…Yes—I love O’Dowell-sama as well.”

I feel stupid for being insecure and depressed on my own.

the Demon King was such an articulate person who told me how he felt. But even if the Demon King thinks so, I don’t know if Miss Sally does… Instead of being jealous, I should be thinking about improving myself.

After that, I spent the rest of the evening talking with the Demon King.