I Became the Master of the Devil

Monster hunting competition…

 

The duke’s permission, including the vassals, was granted, so that part was resolved. Next was about Norma.

 

What kind of reaction will Redian react to?

 

Today was the day I was supposed to go out with Redian. So I can talk about it naturally.

 

“As His Grace has ordered, those guard knights will follow you, Princess.”

 

After getting ready, I went down, and Aeron, who was waiting, pointed to the window.

 

Hmm? I was very embarrassed when I checked the knights waiting at the front gate. How many people are there?

 

“Are you getting ready to leave now?”

 

“…Father!”

 

The duke must have heard the conversation and walked out.

 

“There are too many escort knights!”

 

If I drag so many people around, there will be no point in putting on a mask for Redian. They’ll be openly spreading rumors like, ‘I’m the Princess Felicite, and this man next to me is someone important.’

 

“Daisy and Lina will follow me through the carriage.”

 

If any trouble occurred while walking down the street, the maids’ carriage would come rushing by.

 

“Didn’t we agree to do this in exchange for permission to go out together?”

 

“That’s true, but…!”

 

But the duke was adamant.

 

“You have to be more careful when it comes to smooth-looking guys like Redian. He’s different inside and outside.”

 

The duke lowered his voice so that only I could hear and repeated his emphasis. “Above all, don’t forget that all men are wolves.”

 

“…”

 

In the end, it seemed like being with Redian was more of a concern than my own safety.

 

“Instead, those knights will also follow you at a certain distance.”

 

“…Yes. I understand.”

 

From the duke’s point of view, it was true that just allowing Redian to go out was a big decision. I didn’t feel like it, but I have to agree.

 

“The carriage for the Princess to ride has been prepared separately in the annex.”

 

Knights and servants to follow me stood by at the main gate.

 

He should be out by now.

 

In the meantime, I had to go pick up Redian in a separately prepared carriage.

 

“Then, I’ll come back.”

 

“Yes. Please be careful.”

 

I headed straight toward the annex.

 

“Older Sister?”

 

While going over the building, I ran into Luna in the middle of the road.

 

“Where have you been?”

 

“Ah, I got some ingredients from the pantry.”

 

Luna held up the basket she was holding in her arms.

 

“The festival is coming soon, so I’m going to make desserts to share with everyone.”

 

“You yourself? Why don’t you order the maids to do it?”

 

Moreover, the maids had gone, and Luna was alone.

 

“Ah, my maids aren’t feeling well these days… I came out to get some fresh air.”

 

“I see.” I nodded.

 

“If you find it difficult to manage your personal maids, tell the butler or the head maid.”

 

“Yes?”

 

“If you go in and out yourself, it will be inconvenient for the people using the storage unit.”

 

“Ah… My thoughts were short. Thank you for teaching me, Older Sister.”

 

Luna smiled brightly. I thought she would be uncomfortable with me after Ash’s welcoming party, but she showed no signs of it. Rather, she spoke in a friendly tone, as if she had completely forgotten what happened that day.

 

“Come to think of it, I heard Older Sister is going to see the eve of the festival.”

 

“Yes. I’m going to go out for a while.”

 

“I guess that’s why there were knights gathered at the main gate since morning.”

 

Luna glanced at the front door and said, “As expected. His Grace seems to care a lot about Older Sister.”

 

“…”

 

Instead of answering those words, I had no choice but to smile lightly. It made me feel strange to hear such words from Luna, who knew well how Siani had been treated in this duchy.

 

“Just go in now.”

 

“Yes. By the way, the day is hot. Be careful with your food, Older Sister.”

 

Luna gave me a quick greeting and then walked away.

 

Although I let her go without saying much… Why is it there? The whole time I was leaving for the annex, I thought of Luna’s basket. To be exact, a handful of herbs were buried among the ingredients.

 

* * *

It was the hill behind the duchy that Redian was called through Maze.

 

“Wait here, Coachman. I’ll bring someone to go with me.”

 

“Yes. I understand, Princess.” The coachman nodded as if he had already heard it from Aeron.

 

“It’s going to be hard to climb up the hill. Shall I follow you?”

 

“It’s okay. There are stairs too.”

 

How much did I go up? When I suddenly stopped walking, I could see the magnificent duchy at a glance. In contrast, this place, filled with the only sound of leaves shaking, felt like a different world.

 

Redian? Then I saw someone standing on the hill. It was only Redian who would be there now. The white shirt, black robe, and the clothes I sent through Maze were also right. However,

 

It felt like he was a different person. I guess it’s because I’ve only seen him wearing training uniforms. Or maybe it’s because it’s the first time we’ve met under bright sunlight. At that moment, Redian felt very unfamiliar.

 

“…”

 

Redian turned her head as if he felt my presence. “Princess.”

 

Shining silver hair above a black mask, blue eyes illuminated by the sunlight. White shirt and long robe swaying with the wind.

 

It’s crazy. How can it suit him so well? My heart was pounding. In the end, I had to stop at the top of the stairs.

 

“Princess?”

 

“…Uh.”

 

Before I knew it, Redian reached out to me.

 

These are the gloves I gave him. Even the black gloves that covered his long, straight fingers were particularly cool.

 

“Hold it.”

 

Redian said as I just looked at his hand. It seemed like he thought I was too weak to climb any further.

 

“No, it’s fine.”

 

But I didn’t hold Redian’s hand. Instead, I ignored him and turned my back reflexively.

 

“…”

 

I couldn’t tell what his expression was like under the mask.

 

“It’s your first time coming out here, right?”

 

Before my eyes, the vast ground of the duchy once again unfolded.

 

“I’m glad the weather is nice.”

 

I stared down all the time, with my back to Redian.

 

“I was worried it would be cloudy, but it’s not too hot, and it’s just right.”

 

Then I started talking about strange weather.

 

Why am I doing this? Am I feeling awkward about Redian right now? Why?

 

“Well, we should be back before the sun sets, right?”

 

“Who are you talking to?”

 

At that time, I heard Redian’s voice from behind me.

 

Relax. I’m not surprised that I, who remains unfazed in the presence of handsome men, would be startled. It’s probably because my heart is beating a little faster from climbing this hill.

 

“The coachman is waiting down there with the carriage. Let’s go down now.”

 

I went down the stairs as it was, speaking in a firmer tone on purpose. But I couldn’t feel the presence that was following me. Why isn’t he coming?

 

The moment I stopped walking and looked back, our eyes met in the air. Redian was standing still on the hill, quietly looking down at me.

 

“It’s all my first time.”

 

“…”

 

“To come this far and to go out into the bright streets.”

 

Only then did Redian speak.

 

“This is my first time wearing a mask like this, and I feel very uncomfortable.”

 

“…”

 

“If it weren’t for Princess’s words, I wouldn’t have followed it.”

 

Even though the refreshing summer breeze was blowing, I felt cold. It was because of Redian’s emotionless voice.

 

“From now on, you’re my only master.”

 

What?

 

“You just—”

 

“Therefore.”

 

His red lips under the mask were clearly speaking to me.

 

“Speak while looking at me, Master.”

 

…What? Master?

 

* * *

I didn’t know how I got to the carriage. I remember that Redian brought me down while I was still dazed…

 

There was silence inside the moving carriage for a while. I glanced at Redian sitting across from me.

 

“…”

 

But he didn’t seem particularly interested in me. He just looked at the scenery beyond the window, being indifferent as always.

 

Hmm, look at this. I didn’t even know what he was thinking because he was wearing a mask.

 

“Redian.”

 

“…Yes?”

 

“On the hill just now.” I smiled kindly. “What did you call me?”

 

“What are you talking about?”

 

Then Redian tilted his head. The silver that covered his forehead fell as he nodded.

 

“Princess?”

 

“No, not that one.”

 

“Princess Felicite?”

 

“…”

 

Our eyes met in the air. He didn’t avoid it; instead, he stared at me with relaxed eyes. One word that immediately came to my mind was… It gets more and more difficult.

 

In the past, when I touched his hand, he would shake it off as if he felt uncomfortable. But now, he held it on.

 

“You told me the day we first met. You don’t make someone weaker than you to be your master.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“What that means is that in the end, you will only make someone stronger than you as your master.”

 

“…”

 

“I understand because you asked me to protect you.  But what do you think of me?”

 

I nodded with my arms crossed. “Well, I already know your heart serves me well, so the title is not that important.”

 

“…You know my heart?”

 

Redian, who was quietly looking at me, smiled briefly.

 

“I don’t know. I often wonder what you’re thinking when you see me.”

 

He replied nonchalantly. “You can’t even imagine it.”

 

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