GalaxyTL
We decided that Licht would just have to wait until his body got used to it. Kei-san offered to carry him if he had trouble walking. Licht, perhaps because of his pride, refused, saying he’d somehow endure it. Kei-san, chuckling, seemed to be able to see right through him.
“Guests from the Demon Continent, I presume? We’ve been expecting you. Please, come this way.”
We arrived at the checkpoint and were easily let through. And it was through a special window, the kind used by important people, not the general checkpoint. I feel a bit overwhelmed, but now that I think about it, I am the Demon King’s daughter, so it’s only natural. Hmm, I’m not used to it. On the Demon Continent, everyone’s friendly, even though they do respect us.
“Wow, so lively!”
The moment we entered the city, it was clear how prosperous it was. Merchants were calling out, and the streets were filled with cheerful people. My first impression was that it’s a lively city.
“We ended up not going to the central capital. This is my first time here too, but it feels completely different from the countryside.”
Even Licht was looking around curiously. Ronny wasn’t saying anything, but his eyes were sparkling, so easy to read. Though I’m not one to talk!
“Please feel free to sightsee when you’re heading back. I think you’ll have fun, there are delicious restaurants and stores selling rare crafts.”
The person at the checkpoint said that cheerfully and waved at us, so I smiled and waved back. Ah, my face is getting red. Maybe they were happy that I waved back. It would make me happy if someone looked at my city with such excited eyes! They were proudly telling us about their city!
“…Meg, don’t smile and wave at people so easily.”
“Eh? But they were kind enough to tell us about it…”
“Ahaha, it’s useless, Gilnandio. Isn’t Meg-chan’s honesty a good thing? We’ll just have to watch out for her.”
Gil-san sighed for some reason. D-Did I make him blush? Sorry, I keep forgetting about how I look… I’ve lived here for a while now, but I’m still not used to it.
When I was in Japan, I was good at fake smiles, so I reflexively gave them my customer service smile. It’s ingrained in me, to smile and gloss over things. Ehehe.
“Don’t trust people so easily, Meg. Especially humans, they’re… What was it? Incorrigible.”
“B-But, if they’re kind to me… I can’t be suspicious.”
Even Licht sighed. It’s one of my ingrained human traits, so it’s hard to change. I know I’m easily deceived.
“Even if it was fake kindness? The feeling of happiness, when someone’s kind, that’s real. If I find out I’ve been deceived, I’ll get angry then?”
“…That might be one of your good points, but it makes you vulnerable… your guardians must be constantly worried.”
Licht looked up at my guardians with a look of sympathy. Even Gil-san and Kei-san were smiling bitterly. They’re not denying it… Sorry.
“But, Meg, that’s why… people like you. People… will help you. I’ll also help you.”
“Uu, Ronny! Thank you! I love you~!”
As expected of my brother in heart. My eyes were welling up as I told Ronny I loved him. I wonder why the other 3 look so dissatisfied. Maybe it’s because Ronny got the good part. The quiet ones tend to get all the good parts, don’t they? Gil-san’s usually like that.
“…Hmm, Meg-chan. Let’s go on a date when we get back.”
“…I can’t let you two be alone. I’ll be your escort.”
“That includes me and Ronny, right!?”
“I’ll also go.”
Stop fighting over me! Their good intentions make me happy. I couldn’t help but laugh out loud. And everyone else laughed with me.
The happy atmosphere only lasted until this point. We’d arrived at the gate of the castle where the emperor is. Ravi-san’s here, isn’t she? I gulped.
“! It seems like we’re to be let through. We received a message from the Don.”
“Through a Shadow Bird? B-But is it really okay for us to just walk through the castle on our own?”
We were standing at the gate when Gil-san said that, so I voiced my question. I mean, Dad, how much power do you even have here…
“It doesn’t matter if we have guides or guards, Meg-chan. If we were serious, we could take down this whole country.”
Kei-san said this casually, and the gatekeeper who’d opened the gate for us stiffened. P-Please stop, I feel sorry for them!
“Knowing the Don, he probably said guiding us would be too much of a bother. It’s easier for us this way, and we’re grateful.”
Ah, that does sound like Dad. I feel like apologizing as his daughter. Licht and I seem to be the only ones feeling overwhelmed. I guess the sense of those who belong to the Demon Realm really is different. I mean, Licht and I now also belong to the Demon Realm, and even Dad was originally human.
Anyway, we followed the Shadow Bird through the castle. I’m walking on my own, of course! It’d be too embarrassing to be carried inside the castle. I occasionally hear Licht muttering about how amazing the castle is. It’s a place most people never get to visit… We were teleported to the Eastern Castle once, but that doesn’t count!
We finally arrived at one of the many rooms. Gil-san said Dad and Father-sama are inside. Maybe it’s a guest room? Last time, I was injured, so I need to show them I’m all better now.
“Meg!”
Gil-san knocked lightly, and the door opened mid-knock, and Dad jumped out. It’s dangerous, you know!?
“Looks like we’re being ignored.”
“…I get it.”
Ignoring Kei-san and Gil-san, who were smiling wryly, Dad lifted me up with force and hugged me tightly. Well, I did make him worry. I hugged him back.
“I’m much better now. Sorry for worrying you.”
“It’s okay… I’m the one who should be apologizing, for making you wait. You must have been in so much pain, suffered so much… I wish I could have taken your place!”
He hugged me tighter. It’s hard to breathe! But I’m happy, so I won’t stop him. I wanted to see Dad too.
We stayed like this for a while, and then I noticed.
The Demon King… was watching, looking like he also wanted to hug me!
That’s right! Father-sama must have been worried too! Of course, I wanted to see him too! So I lightly patted Dad’s arms, to be put down. Dad looked displeased when he realized.
I then toddled over to Father-sama and demanded to be held!
“Father-sama too! I wanted to see you!”
“—! M-Meggg~!!”
Father-sama, aka the Demon King, wasn’t just teary-eyed, he was sobbing. Geez, you crybaby. But I was also happy, and when he lifted me up, I buried my face in his neck. Unlike Gil-san and Dad, Father-sama hugged me back hesitantly. It made him seem awkward and endearing.
“I’m happy… That everyone I love… worries about me so much.”
I voiced my true feelings. So I can’t help but to wish… that we could do something about Ravi-san too.