GalaxyTL
Today, it’s work in the morning and training in the afternoon, as usual… but we’re finishing training a bit early, because we’re eating dinner out!
“Meg-chan, are you ready?”
“Kei-san! I am!”
That’s right, it’s my date with Kei-san, something we promised when we were on the human continent. They’ve been so busy we couldn’t find the time. Kei-san’s also busy with work and Ronny’s training!
So I took a shower, got changed into my nice clothes, and we’re meeting in the hall. I’m wearing a simple navy blue dress with a slightly mature design, with fancy gold buttons. And a soft, white stole draped over my shoulders. I love how it’s fastened with a matching gold brooch!
My hair’s half up, with the butterfly barrette I got before.
“Hmm, you’re always cute, but you’re extra cute when you’re dressed up. I can’t take my eyes off you.”
“E-ehehe, thank you…”
And there’s Kei-san, never forgetting to shower me with praise. I’m used to it, but I still can’t get used to this. It’s embarrassing!
“Well then, shall we?”
“Huh? Where’s Gil-san?”
I thought he was supposed to be coming with us as our escort… Just as I was tilting my head, wondering about that, Kei-san gently pressed a finger to my lips. Fuohhh~!?
“To be thinking of other people, when we’re about to go on a date… you’re such a bad girl. Hmm, but it’s okay. I’ve asked Gilnandio to be our escort, in the shadows. So don’t come out, okay? It’ll cost you a penalty.”
So seductive! Thank you for the feast!! The last two sentences were probably directed at Gil-san, lurking in the shadows. A penalty… he’ll probably come out, even if it means paying. That’s how overprotective Gil-san is! He’s become even more worried since that incident.
But since he’s somehow able to tell where I am now, I’m allowed to go out relatively freely. Gil-san’s parent skills have improved… but his worrywart tendencies have worsened. It can’t be helped!
“Now then, my lady. Your hand, please.”
“Fwah~, thank you, Kei-san!”
Alright, time to enjoy my date with Kei-san! I can’t help but feel excited with their princess treatment. Princess Meg is a go! Am I getting a bit too carried away? Eheh.
Kei-san’s matching my pace, walking slowly. As expected, a perfect escort. They then gave me a bouquet of small, pale pink flowers at a flower shop we passed and then entered a stylish open terrace restaurant, using their name to get us a table. It’s all so amazing, I’m overwhelmed.
“Welcome, Kei-sama, Meg-sama. Would you like the flowers in a vase while you dine?”
“Hmm, that’s a wonderful suggestion. Yes, please.”
“Y-Y-Yesh…!”
I’m stumbling over my words, unlike Kei-san, who’s completely natural. Because! It can’t be helped, right?
“Fufu, what adorable customers. Please, relax. We’ll bring your food shortly. It’s delicious.”
“W-wow, okay! I’m looking foward to it!”
The owner, trying to get us to relax, is so nice! But I messed up again. And it’s nice how they can confidently say their food is delicious. Alright, I’m going to eat a lot.
A bouquet arranged in a beautiful glass vase was placed in the center of the table, and then delicious-looking dishes started arriving, one after another. Aperitifs, juice for me, of course.
Each time a dish arrived, I savored the clear soup, sparkling amber, excitedly talked about the colorful salad, and expressed my gratitude for how they’d already cut up the meat for me. I’m so happy.
“Meg-chan, have you thought about what you want to do in the future?”
And we’d chat between meals.
The future… it’s so far off that I honestly… haven’t really thought about it properly. But that’s not good, is it? Licht and Ronny are both working hard towards their goals, and here I am, still undecided.
“I kind of… no, actually, I thought that maybe you’re struggling a bit, a lot actually.”
“Eh? Was it that obvious?”
“Hmm, so you really were struggling?”
“Augh…”
And that’s what you call a slip of the tongue. But huh? I thought I wasn’t showing it… I was too naive.
“I think everyone who loves you probably noticed.”
Ugh, I see. But they didn’t ask, even though they noticed. Maybe I made them worry… I wonder if that’s why Kei-san’s asking me about it. They do seem to be good at this. And it’s easy to talk to them.
“I’ll listen if you want to talk. And I’m sure Gilnandio’s also listening in from somewhere.”
Kei-san said this with a chuckle. That’s right, Gil-san’s also worried about me. Yeah, I should talk to them about it.
“Um, you see…? I don’t… have any confidence…”
I slowly started talking. About how I don’t really feel anything when they call me the next Demon King. How I can’t imagine ever becoming as strong as they say. How it makes me anxious. How I’ll live longer than everyone else, and eventually… be left behind.
All those thoughts weigh heavily on my heart, and even though I try not to think about it because it’s still far off, I’ll occasionally feel sad when I think about it.
“And also, I actually…”
“? You actually?”
I faltered just as I was about to voice my true feelings. Because it feels… like something I shouldn’t say. Kei-san, sensing something, gently took my hands in theirs.
“This is just between us, Meg-chan. Just me and Gilnandio are listening to this. Okay?”
So basically, they won’t tell anyone else. I was so happy about their kindness that my vision blurred a bit. I slowly opened my mouth.
“I-I actually… don’t want to be… the Demon King…”
I want to stay in Ortus forever. I want to be Meg of Ortus.
But based on my bloodline, it’s decided that I’ll become the Demon King. It’s something that can’t be changed. Not even by the strongest person in the Demon Kingdom, not even by Licht, who’s training at Demon Castle, a human with special powers from Japan. Actually, Licht, out of all the people I care about, is the one I’ll have to say goodbye to first.
It’s not that the responsibility is too much. It’s not that I don’t have confidence. Those are all just excuses, I just… don’t want to be the Demon King.
I love the people of the Demon Kingdom. I also want to protect them. But that’s not it. That’s not what I mean. It’s frustrating, not being able to properly convey my feelings.
“Yeah. It’s hard, when you have a future you don’t want, even though you don’t hate it, right? I understand. I get it, it’s okay.”
But with Kei-san’s kind words, perfectly understanding how I felt, I couldn’t stop the tears that spilled out. Ugh, and here I thought we were having such a nice time.
“It’s okay, Meg-chan. I’m sorry, but this isn’t something I can… or anyone can solve… But it’s important to voice your true feelings and cry sometimes.”
So I want you to cry like this again, in front of me, or Gilnandio. Kei-san said that and continued to gently stroke my head until I calmed down. I even felt a warmth from the shadows at my feet. I felt very happy and sad at the same time.