Chapter 13
“Hm?”
I secretly looked at Zigfried.
He awkwardly patted my head.
“I’m not so busy that I can’t even have one meal with you, so don’t worry about such unnecessary things.”
Uh…
Is he… worrying about me right now?
Just as my eyes were darting around in surprise—
Countess Giberti quickly joined the conversation.
“Please don’t worry too much. I am personally taking care of Miss Tatiana.”
She deliberately emphasized the word personally and smiled warmly.
I see…
I barely managed to hold back a sigh.
So that’s it?
She wants to act like she’s taking good care of me whenever Zigfried is around?
In a voice as soft as cotton, the Countess continued,
“You don’t have to force yourself to make time just to spend it with the young lady.”
Zigfried looked at Countess Giberti as if she had just said something ridiculous.
“No. I am spending time with Tatiana because I want to.”
“…Pardon?”
“I appreciate your concern for me, Aunt, but the child is not a burden to me.”
After organizing the documents and handing them to a servant, Zigfried firmly shook his head.
“So I would appreciate it if you didn’t say things like that again.”
“W-Well, I…”
“The child can hear you too. What if she misunderstands what you mean?”
It seemed Countess Giberti had nothing to say.
Her lips were tightly closed like a clam.
Whether she liked it or not, Zigfried simply turned to me with an oddly enthusiastic look.
“Tonight’s dinner is chicken cream stew.”
“Huh?”
…So?
I stared blankly at Zigfried.
“When I returned to the Empire before, you really enjoyed the cream stew Cesar made.”
As he started talking, Zigfried rubbed his chin.
“I think you said, ‘The cream stew Sir Cesar made is the most delicious.'”
D-Did I really say that?
Honestly, I don’t remember at all…
But before I knew it, Zigfried’s voice had become full of excitement.
“Our townhouse’s head chef is also very skilled.”
“Really?”
“I guarantee it. The stew you’ll eat today is much better than the cream stew that fellow Cesar made.”
…Why does it feel like Zigfried has a strange sense of rivalry with Cesar? Am I imagining it?
More importantly…
A cold sweat ran down my back.
Um… I appreciate you being so kind to me.
But Countess Giberti is glaring at me like she’s about to eat me alive.
Zigfried… do you seriously not notice?
✦ ✦ ✦
After that…
We waited for a little while, and soon countless dishes filled the dining table.
Freshly baked soft white bread.
Hot cream stew.
Golden butter.
All kinds of sweet-smelling jams and drinks.
Everything looked so delicious that my mouth watered just by looking at it!
Mmm… It smells so good.
As I sniffed the food, I secretly glanced at Countess Giberti, who was sitting beside me.
There was just one thing that made me uncomfortable…
Why is the Countess eating with us?
Countess Giberti had joined us at the table.
I guessed it was because she was Zigfried’s aunt.
I hope I don’t get indigestion because of this…
Afraid that our eyes might meet, I lowered my gaze to the table.
Then I noticed something.
Oh… children’s tableware.
Small plates and utensils that perfectly fit a child’s hands were neatly arranged.
Wow. I didn’t expect this kind of thoughtfulness.
…Then I looked at Countess Giberti again.
And I saw it.
She was frowning in annoyance.
Ha… I knew it.
I narrowed my eyes.
It seemed pretty obvious that she wasn’t the one who prepared these children’s dishes.
“Tatiana.”
Just then, Zigfried called my name.
I quickly sat up straight and looked at him.
“Yes.”
“Is there anything making you uncomfortable? Or is there anything you need?”
“Umm…”
I thought for a moment.
Honestly, this townhouse was the most comfortable place I had ever seen.
I couldn’t say there was anything uncomfortable or anything I disliked.
Well… that’s true, but…
“Nothing’s uncomfortable… but there’s something I want to do.”
As I carefully spoke, Zigfried asked,
“Something you want to do? What is it?”
“I want to visit the library.”
My answer seemed to surprise him.
“The library?”
“Yes.”
I nodded.
From my point of view, it was a perfectly natural request.
After all, my top priority was survival.
To do that, I needed to stay on the heroes’ good side and secure a safe life.
But I also had to awaken as the Demon King.
Zigfried is the hero who defeated powerful demons that called themselves the Demon King.
If this was the library of a hero’s family…
Maybe there would be books that could help me awaken as the Demon King.
Thinking that, I looked at Zigfried with sparkling eyes.
“Can you let Titi go to the library?”
Zigfried frowned slightly.
“Why do you want to go to the library?”
“Umm…”
My eyes moved from side to side.
I need something convincing to persuade him…
Ah!
I got it!
“I want to become a useful child.”
How’s that?
Aren’t I such a good kid?
I’m such a mature child.
I couldn’t help feeling proud.
At the same time, Zigfried’s expression became stiff.
“…A useful child?”
“Mm-hmm. If I read lots of books and become smart, I can help you too, Zigfried.”
This should earn me some points, right?
But then—
“What are you talking about?”
Something felt wrong.
Zigfried spoke in an impatient voice.
“Huh?”
I swallowed nervously.
Why does Zigfried seem a little angry?
A four-year-old child wants to study just because she wants to help me?”
“N-No… um…”
The way he said it left me speechless.
Then Zigfried firmly concluded,
“What library? At your age, you should just play.”
Wait a minute!
It looked like Zigfried was about to end the conversation.
I immediately panicked.
I have to go to the library!
It’s not just about becoming useful to the heroes.
I have to awaken as the Demon King!!
“B-But… I still want to go to the library… Can’t I?”
In the end, I tightly closed my eyes and pleaded with Zigfried.
Since I was unusually being stubborn, the worry on Zigfried’s face grew even deeper.
After thinking for a moment, he asked,
“Do you even know how to read? You need to know letters if you want to read books.”
Oops.
I froze.
Right…
I’m only four years old.
Normally, children my age are just starting to learn how to read.
“M-Mom taught me before.”
“…”
I casually made up an excuse.
Zigfried’s expression darkened again.
Hmm.
I carefully watched him.
For some reason, whenever the topic of my mother—or more accurately, parents—came up, Zigfried always seemed to become softer.
Is it because I’m an orphan?
I guess that’s what you’d expect from a hero.
He’s really kind.
“…Very well.”
In the end, Zigfried was the one who gave in.
“I’ll allow you to visit the library. But don’t overdo it.”
“Thank you!”
I was so excited.
But then someone immediately ruined the mood.
“Um… Your Grace.”
It was Countess Giberti.
Zigfried raised an eyebrow and looked at her as if asking, What is it?
The Countess looked a little nervous, but she still spoke.
“There are many rare books in the townhouse library.”
“So?”
“Miss Tatiana is still very young. I’m worried she might accidentally damage those valuable books while handling them.”
“…”
After hearing those words, Zigfried looked at Countess Giberti with an unreadable expression.
