“Aspeiran removed his hand from my face. Then, he slowly turned around and walked towards the sofa.

But then,

Thud!

“Gasp! Your Majesty, are you alright?”

He had strongly hit his shin against the table.

“……”

It was painful enough to make me wince just by watching, but Aspeiran didn’t let out a single groan. He sat on the sofa with composure as if nothing had happened.

‘I heard a cracking sound though?’

It must hurt a lot? Is he really okay?

I quietly went in front of Aspeiran and checked his complexion. The look in his eyes as they met mine was hollow.

‘I knew it, he’s in pain after all.’

I was contemplating whether to call Rumel, when Aspeiran lightly shook his head. Soon, his eyes regained focus.

Seeing me standing blankly in front of him, Aspeiran frowned and asked.

“…What are you doing not sitting down?”

“What? Ah, I’ll sit! I should sit.”

Unable to take my eyes off Aspeiran’s shin, I hesitantly sat on the sofa. It’s a secret that I almost threw my butt into the air once in the process.

There was a brief silence. Aspeiran lightly cleared his throat and finally opened his mouth.

“Anyway, to return to the main point, the situation has become a bit troublesome. Shuria, do you know about the deposed king Kamelloem?”

“Yes. I heard about him from Rumel before.”

“…From Rumel?”

Aspeiran’s expression, who had been resting his head on his left hand, turned strange. But before I could ask him why, he quickly fixed his countenance.

“Then, did you also hear about Kamelloem’s research?”

“Not exactly… I heard he was obsessed with Veltrum, but…”

“I see…”

Aspeiran nodded his head.

“That’s right. He devoted his entire life to researching Veltrum. And the most widely known result of that to people is none other than the Monster Legion.”

“The Monster Legion?”

With those words, I could understand why people reacted to me the way they did.

“So… people called me the deposed king’s reincarnation. Because I can also control monsters like the deposed king.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

I pressed my lips tightly together. I felt cold sweat running down my spine.

The day I found out I could read the deposed king’s research records, I also doubted myself. Wondering if I had some connection to the deposed king.

Still, back then I could brush it off thinking it couldn’t be. But to even have the same ability as the deposed king…

Could it be that my possession is indeed related to the deposed king Kamelloem?

If I’m really a trace left behind by Aspeiran’s nemesis, how should I face him then?

What expression would Aspeiran have? Would he try to execute me with his own hands? Maybe it would be better for me to leave on my own before that.

No, wait.

‘…Do I really need to reveal the fact that I can read the deposed king’s research records?’

I don’t necessarily have to, right? Can’t I just pretend I don’t know? As if nothing happened. As if I know nothing about the deposed king. To enjoy the same daily life as before…

“Shuria?”

I lifted my head with a start at Aspeiran’s call. He was looking at me as if puzzled.

Those blue eyes that always soften whenever our gazes meet.

The voice that said it would protect me.

The sturdy arms that firmly supported me, the broad chest that safely embraced me.

Recalling all those things, I slumped down like a deflated balloon.

‘…You pathetic fool.’

How could I even think of deceiving Aspeiran for my own momentary comfort? How dare I hide such an important secret from the person who cherished me so much and strived to protect me.

If this comes to light later, who knows how big of a blow it could deal to Aspeiran. So let’s come clean. About everything.

Although I made up my mind, it took quite a long time to open my mouth.

“There’s… something I haven’t told you, Your Majesty.”

“Go ahead and tell me. I’m listening.”

Aspeiran responded calmly. That composed voice gave me a bit of courage.

I fidgeted with my hands and continued as calmly as possible.

“I found out by chance that I can actually read the deposed king’s research records.”

“Research records?”

“The forbidden books hidden in the research lab’s archives. The ones the deposed king cast magic on so that only those he permitted could read them…”

After saying that much, I peeked up at Aspeiran. His expression had hardened to a frightening degree.

My body trembled, but I mentally urged myself on and managed to finish my confession.

“I was afraid that I would be suspected of having some connection to the deposed king, so I’ve been hiding it until now. I’m sorry.”

“……”

Aspeiran showed no reaction. A fleeting silence.

Just as I felt like I would freeze into a statue, Aspeiran got up from his seat. He reaches out his hand towards me.

‘A summary execution?’

I was scared, but still, I didn’t run away.

Soon, Aspeiran’s large hand touched the top of my head.

And he stroked my hair… as gently as a spring breeze.

“…?”

I looked up at Aspeiran in confusion. Surprisingly, he was smiling.

“Silly girl. You’ve been scared all this time over such a trivial thing?”

“…Pardon?”

“Shuria, the magic on those records is a type of mental magic. So it doesn’t work on those with thick mental barriers.”

“What?”

“If you were acknowledged as Kamelloem’s subordinate, I should have sensed his mana from you. When you pledge loyalty to Kamelloem, a mark is engraved on your body.”

“……”

“If you had that mark, there’s no way I wouldn’t have noticed.”

As I listened to Aspeiran’s words, my jaw gradually dropped lower and lower.

So that means I’m not some loyal subordinate of Kamelloem or anything like that, right?

…I’ve been worrying for nothing!

“Th-that’s a relief…”

I slumped down on the sofa, energy drained. My whole body was drenched in cold sweat. How tense had I been.

Perhaps finding me quite pitiful, Aspeiran came to my side and sat askew on the sofa armrest. Then he took out a handkerchief from his subspace and wiped my forehead.

I hesitated for a moment before opening my mouth.

“Th-then, does Your Majesty believe me? That I have no connection to the deposed king…”

“While it’s true you have various mysterious aspects, I’ve never suspected you of such a thing.”

Answering like that, Aspeiran even kindly fixed my hair. How considerate. Making this man my favorite was the best decision of my life.

Putting the handkerchief back into his subspace, Aspeiran crossed his long legs and rested his elbow on his knee.

“Still, it is quite remarkable. I’ve never seen anyone able to resist Kamelloem’s mental magic. He was an unparalleled genius when it came to mental magic.”

“I had no idea I had such an amazing ability hidden in me!”

“Don’t reveal it to others. That secret may one day become a power that protects you.”

“I will.”

When I obediently nodded, Aspeiran poked my cheek with his finger. People wanting to poke my cheeks was a very common occurrence, so I just stayed still.

“Then what should we do now? While Your Majesty believes me, there are still people who think I’m the deposed king’s reincarnation.”

“It’s just the far-fetched claims of a few lords who want to find fault with me no matter what. Almost no one actually believes you’re the deposed king’s reincarnation. However.”

Aspeiran paused for a moment and stroked his chin.

“Now that they’ve seen you control monsters, people will inevitably superimpose Kamelloem’s image onto you. The shadow of the deposed king that’s stuck to you will become a good excuse to attack. They’ll try to poke at you at every turn.”

“…I know.”

“So we need to definitively cut off people’s suspicions while this incident is drawing attention.”

Aspeiran looked straight at me. I clearly understood what he was trying to say.

I nodded my head and spoke with determination.

“I’ll do whatever it takes. I can endure even if you hang me on a cold stone wall for three days and nights.”

“No, I’m not going to do that.”

“You can just throw me a sip of water and a small piece of bread as a day’s worth of food!”

“No, I’m not going to do that.”

Aspeiran got up from his seat and held out his hand to me. I firmly grasped Aspeiran’s hand.

“Where are we going now?”

“To the Magic Tower. We’ll conduct an investigation into your powers there.”

“Just the Magic Tower? Hah, you can even lock me up in the underground prison. I’ll try living in harmony with the rat family.”

“I told you I’m not going to do that.”

Aspeiran reprimanded me as if exasperated. His expression was so amusing that I burst out laughing.

The anxiety and worry that had been boiling up inside me had already completely disappeared.

“Welcome, Your Majesty. Come on in, Miss Shuria.”

“Hello!”

As soon as we left Cronan Palace and moved directly to the Magic Tower, Romier was waiting for us with a full smile on her face.

She said to Aspeiran.

“All the preparations are complete, Your Majesty.”

“Good, I’ll leave Shuria to you.”

Nodding his head, Aspeiran turned to look at me. I stood at attention.

“I need to get going now. If you need anything, tell Romier.”

“Don’t worry!”

Aspeiran laughed and patted my shoulder. I waved my hand to see him off.

After Aspeiran left, Romier gestured to me.

“Shall we go then, Miss Shuria?”

“Ah, yes!”

I quickly went to stand by her side and Romier smiled brightly. Somehow, she seemed much calmer compared to when we met last time.

She guided me somewhere and started speaking.

“Originally, the ability we knew Miss Shuria to have was ‘gaining the favor of monsters’.”

“That’s right.”

Thanks to that ability, all the monsters I had met so far, including my Sammemer, didn’t show aggression towards me. Furthermore, I even succeeded in taming Sammemer.

But this incident wasn’t simply the mole monsters showing goodwill to me. I clearly controlled the monsters.

In all my time working as a monster tamer, I had never experienced something like this before.

While my Sammemer listened to me well, that was because the kids liked me, not because I controlled them.

I crossed my arms and pondered my ability, then said.

“Could it be that my ability has evolved to the next stage?”

“That’s exactly what we need to find out from now on. According to what His Majesty saw, when Miss Shuria gave orders to the monsters, a unique wave of power was felt around Miss Shuria. We will now analyze that wave of power to determine its identity.”

Romier opened an arch-shaped door situated on one side of the wall and guided me through it. The location and the interior were very familiar.

If my memory serves me right, this is… our Sammemer’s temporary residence!

“Woof!”

My cute furry babies bark loudly and run towards me. It’s been so long! I spread my arms towards Sammemer with tears scattering.

“My babies! Mommy’s here!”

“Awoooo!”

Sammemer jumped up and down, waving their fluffy white fur and bright red tongues.

The moment I was about to hug them tightly and share the joy of reunion, the kids stopped in front of me and plopped down on the spot.

They must have been worried I would get hurt if they charged at me like before now that they’ve grown this big. Such smart, cute, lovable, and amazing best puppies.

“Have you been well? Hmm? Have you been well?”

I grabbed Cutie, Tiny, and Awesome one by one, furiously petting them and giving them kisses. My face also got a spit bath.

“You guys sure get along well.”

Romier laughed. I got up feeling a bit sheepish.

“Bringing me here means you want me to test my ‘controlling ability’ on my Sammemer… I mean, the Moonlight Wolfhounds, right?”

“That’s right. And before that, I have something to say to you, Miss Shuria.”

Romier walked up to me. The smile that had been on her face the whole time was now gone.

Her face without a hint of laughter was chillingly cold.

“Romier…?”

I unconsciously took a step back. Romier’s cold hand grabbed my wrist.

She stared into my eyes and slowly parted her lips.

“You know, Miss Shuria. My parents were killed by the deposed king Kamelloem.”