Demonas - Chapter 21

Hide and Seek (2)

Instead of heading towards where the gallery was, Edwin led Altair down an aisle in the opposite direction.

They turned past a few corners before crossing the arched doorway of the drawing room. Before she could figure out what’s happening, they were now in a hallway that’s one wall away from the gallery.

“….In the South… I did it…”

The closer their parents were sat to where they were at, the clearer their conversation became.

The Viscount grinned at her, his white teeth visible as he whispered.

“You can hear them, can’t you?”

She replied, flustered.

“This is amazing. If I put my ear up to the wall, it feels as if I’m standing right there with them.”

“Shh. You have to be careful. They can also hear us if we speak too loudly, sounds from this side can also be heard as well.”

They made eye contact and shared a smile before they held their breaths and focused on the conversation past the wall.

“…As you’ve said, the original letter was sealed tightly and sent to relatives in the countryside. I instructed him to never open it and to put it in a year’s time.”

“Then how will you take care of the third Empress government? You’d better get rid of them to ensure word doesn’t go out.”

“No, he still has a use.”

The voice of dismissal was her father’s.

“The more I think of it, the more foolish she seems. She was favoured by the Emperor, yet she still courts a servant…”

Marquis Lesen murmured more to himself. Another person who was invited to the salan, Count Faros, laughed.

“Why don’t you try sending a lookalike? The story of the Queen chasing after him while he was in Hildebrand is famous.”

Rowan was the first to break the silence that followed.

“Now that the imperialist division has been established, the next thing…”

Knock. Knock. On a wooden board, someone was using the chess horse to knock on it.

Viscount and Altair pushed their ears closer to the wall, eager to hear what was being said next.

It was at that moment-

“You may be listening in on the conversation but you aren’t able to understand it.”

“…Marquess…”

“…Mother…”

When she turned around, there Marquess Lesen was. Looking right down at them with one hand, hold a fan, folded over the other. Altair mumbled an excuse.

“E-Excuse us, I just happened to hear you talking.”

“Young lady, look me in my eyes.”

“Yes.”

“Now repeat yourself.”

“We were just passing by and accidentally…”

Altair’s face flushed as red as a beet, unable to continue.

Edwin gathered himself, rose up from where he sat, and spoke.

“I’m sorry, mother. I was the one who led her here. So don’t punish her, punish me instead…!”

“Oh, obviously I will! Come here.’

Even as he was dragged away by the Marquess, he still looked back at Altair with a grave expression. She was almost proud of her situation after becoming young and that she didn’t need to share as much of a punishment.

Altair saw him off and was about to move back to where she had been positioned and continue eavesdropping when she heard a low, familiar voice from behind.

“Altair, what were you doing behind here?”

Rowan walked towards her, with several aristocrats following closely behind.

“Father… I… came here after talking for a while with Viscount Lesen and we wanted to admire the oil paintings.”

Altair spoke as she grabbed the hem of her dress and politely greeted them all. Those guests started praising her as if waiting for her greeting.

“Oh, what a dignified young lady. She looks so much like when Count Chernobog was still a child…”

A middle-aged baron, whose grey hair was neatly brushed up, said with a large grin on his face. His remark seemed to relax Rowan as his dimples started to show.

“Do we really look that much alike? I’d always thought she looked more like her mother than me.”

Count Faros nodded in agreement.

“The Duchess was one of the most beautiful women in the whole of the Empire. Having inherited both her and your looks, she will definitely grow into a more beautiful woman than anyone else.”

It was then, the Marquis of Lesen, who had been quietly observing her, made a sharp remark.

“The princess has matured a lot since the last time I saw her.”

“Ah, right. My child has started to learn swordsmanship and the way she speaks has become very stiff, as if imitating the way a knight speaks.”

Rowan replied with a voice mixed with regret.

“Well, Edwin should start to have a serious side to himself. While for you, how much longer are you planning to be don quixote*?”

Rowan smiled slightly at his comment and shook his head.

“What do you mean by ‘serious’? He’s been worse than before.”

The Marquis’ eyes seemed to drop at his sincere rebuttal.

In the midst of all this, Altair couldn’t help but think.

‘These days I’ve definitely been more impractical. It’s not that I’ve wanted that, but it’ll be at least a while more before I’ll be able to do things properly.’

Not only that, that wasn’t the only thing she had to balance and be concerned about, so she really wasn’t in the position to judge others.

Ahin’s mysterious disappearance when they were at Lake Larak and his sudden reappearance in the room. And the current whereabouts of the cat demon that enjoyed following him. Plus, the trap that court wizard Delphie had planned to identify Ahin.

Also, what had she managed to overhear today?

At first glance, it just seemed like they were planning to attack someone politically, using the third empress’ affair to do so.

They didn’t seem to be discussing anything relating to Ahin, though even if she were to put aside this information, there were still many things for her to discuss with him.

However, the Crown Prince had left for the South for an inspection. Altair was not able to go to the Count’s residence under the pretext of learning swordsmanship. Of course, Rowan was incredibly pleased with the news.

So her next resort was Priscilla de Cresche, the 7th Royal Princess.

Considering how she had shown a lot of interest in her swordsmanship class, Priscilla would definitely want to attend.

[…I’ll learn swordsmanship as well, so why don’t we go against each other next time?]

A smile flashed across her lips as she recalled Priscilla’s suggestion the last time they met. The Crown Prince who would usually be holding the reins of the Royal Princess just so happened to be away. Altair was almost certain that as long as she managed to coax Priscilla even a little, the Princess herself would send a request to the duke.

‘If Father refuses, then I’ll maybe have to step up just like how Rapadin II had done so.’

Altair knew her father would be shocked if he were to hear such a thought of hers. By now, she was following her father out of the Marquis estate.

Altair got into the carriage and faced her father with a large smile.

“Father, I want to finally talk to a friend who’s of my age for once. Could you please send a telegram to Priscillla la Cresche, the 7th Royal Princess?”

“…Huh? So suddenly?”

He had a confused look on his face but didn’t pry any further.

On the contrary, after a while he almost seemed excited. After all, his daughter, who had suddenly started focusing on swordsmanship, was finally acting more child-like.

Altair silently stared back at her father enthusiastically. Rowan finally reacted, closing his eyes and smiling.

“Alright, I’ll see. For now, I’ll put in a request for a visit. I’ll do whatever I can so that you’ll be able to meet sometime in the afternoon.”

“Thank you, father.”

Altair nodded happily as she started thinking up the stories she’ll tell Priscilla. Rowan sent a telegram to the imperial palace with the help of a wizard who had followed as an escort.

***

‘Is this what I get for doing things ineffectively?’

“Woaaaaaaah-”

There the princess way, sat on the ground as she roared with excitement.

Altair felt that maybe the princess would want to swing a sword so she prepared a light wooden sword and gave it to her.

Maybe Altair should have stopped and calmed her down earlier when Priscilla had been excitedly spinning and swinging around the sword.

[What?! This isn’t that heavy!]

[Your Highness! You lack enough muscles and moving around haphazardly will cause a strain on them…]

[I’m fine, I’ll be fine!]

It was a mistake to leave her alone and she was a fool to think that the princess would be more acquainted with using the sword by just running around. While Altair was looking away, Priscilla had lifted up the sword, aimed it at a scarecrow and swung at it. Only to miss and to fall onto the ground.

[Uwah. Ack. Ouch.]

When she heard the cry, Altair felt a shiver down her spine and goosebumps rising as she turned back.

‘Cries? Crying? Is she crying?’

[UWAAAAA-]

‘She’s crying. I’m screwed.’

Ahin was incredibly mature for his age so she didn’t have to worry about him crying.

As such, Altair had no experience or realisation that children around her age can be pretty fragile creatures.

“Y-Your Highness…”

Step. Step.

“W-We s-should stop.”

Altair quickly approached Priscilla and got down on one knee. As she awkwardly wiped away her tears, Altair continued. By now, Priscilla crying was only getting louder and louder.

“Should I get you some snacks?”

“…Uuuuuwaaaah”

“…No, how about… maybe a piggyback ride?”

“I-I don’t need that. Hnng. I’m- hEung. I’m all grown-up… Uuuwaaa-”

‘What the hell should I do?’

She decided to try one last time. Altair swallowed and held out her hand towards Priscilla.

“Why don’t I show you my aura?”

Priscilla sniffled, blinked, and took in a deep breath.

Now, with Priscilla’s attention on her, Altair gathered a blue-ish aura to form in her palm. Her moist eyes widened.

“Uh. Ah. Can I touch it…?”

When Altair heard Priscilla’s shaky voice, Altair couldn’t help but smile softly and nod. Priscilla hesitated slightly before reaching to stir the blue haze.

The dense collection of aura didn’t hurt her, it only emitted warmth. She seemed to look a little disappointed.

“…How are we supposed to fight using something like this?”

“I’m not allowed to show much aura right now, your Highness. It’s far too dangerous for you.”

Altair replied while shaking her head, a smile still plastered on her face. Priscilla, on the other hand, pouted and patted Altair’s palm in anger.

Altair couldn’t help but stare at her for a while before opening her mouth.

“If you want to see it, you can attend the Count’s swordsmanship classes. There are many safety precautions you’ll have to learn first.”

“But my brother said no.”

“Hmm. I’m sure he was concerned about your Highness’ safety. So, how about this…”

Altair grinned widely as she stretched out her ring finger.

“I’ll be your daily knight on days where you attend the swordsmanship class.”

***

Clink-

“Wow!”

Clack-

Woah!”

Step. Thump-

“Oh wow!”

Though the match was on the ground floor, the seats were more crowded than usual. That was because of Priscilla, who loudly exclaimed whenever the swords met.”

Caron, who was in charge of escorting Priscilla, tried to persuade her to sit properly as her upper body was sticking past the railing. It was not too long after she excitedly got up again and Caron just left her alone with a resigned expression.

“Did you see that? Did you see that? She’s really a swordmaster! My cousin, Altair!”

Priscilla’s face held so much excitement as she shouted from the crowd, as if Altair were a swordmaster. Seeing how happy Priscilla was, with her chin raised high, her hands not on her waist but up in the air, the knights could not help but momentarily forget about the rivalry between their family and Chernobog and smiled widely at the scene.

‘Well whatever, as long as she’s happy, I’m happy.’

All of their attention was now fixated on the floor as another roar was heard. The two swords had already stopped crossing with each other. 

“I’ve lost.”

Arsene retrieved his sword with ease and placed it back into its scabbard before asking.

“You always look around while fighting, is it a habit of yours?”

“Ah…”

…When Altair was on the battlefield, black magic shelling was constantly bombarded on them , as such, it was hard to always stay focused on fighting the enemy in front of her.

It seemed that, without her realising, it became a habit to constantly check the terrain and read the situation on the battlefield.

She nodded as a response.

“I see. We shall work on correcting it.”

His golden eyes stayed on her, as if already thinking of ways to counter her habit.

“You, princess, are rather unique. Usually those who have just picked up the sword would be rather narrow-sighted. Completely oblivious to their surroundings.”

*TL/N: don quixote: an impractical person.