A month had passed since the start of training with Lady Elmia. I talked to her while doing laundry in the afternoon.
"Nefia-chan..."
"Yes, Miss."
The words came out easily.
"...Don't you think you're used to being fast?"
"Is this too fast?"
She pretended not to understand, but many of the servants appreciated this.
"Um, yes. But I can't hit you?"
"Too bad, Princess."
I was in a good mood and made a face that said "Arrogant." If I was serious, this would have been very easy.
"It's okay. The reason is because we'll be doing household chores together."
"Is that so? I guess it's okay for you, miss, not to do housework."
Hag, hurry up and get out of here. You're making trouble.
"Oh, are you angry?"
"No"
"I am, I understand."
I'll do my best to act like a servant and be cold to her. I think if I act like a servant, he won't hit me. And if I was cold to him, he would feel a little upset and I could take revenge. Today, I practiced it. Mental attacks are the basis.
"Butler, it's hard to relax with young ladies here."
"That's not true! I'm glad you're here!"
"That's right. That will help a lot. Miss, let's do our best together."
"Uh, yes..."
Lady Elmia began to look confused. Unfortunately, I sensed that her presence was making it difficult for everyone to work quietly.
During the break, the servants had been chatting and hearing about how great Lady Elmia was, and it seemed like she was well-respected and proud to be working in this big house, so I understood why she was so nervous. She has a big presence.
"Can you take that laundry?"
I spoke to the head maid next to me. She also has a hard time watching over the young lady. So that she can always cover up for any other servants' mistakes. So that she can apologize. She has that much power.
"Yes Nefia, please."
I look at Lady Elmia. I understand why she is avoiding me.
She is a beautiful elf, but she was the first commander of the Maximillian Knights, and united this land. Together with the second commander, she fought to avoid being enslaved by the Empire.
He was a great hero, a brave man who had crushed the opposing knights and come before the Emperor himself. His name is a living legend that has been widely spread as a children's story in the region and is known to everyone.
"How would you feel if someone like that was peeling potatoes next to you?" I learned that being too big can be lonely. The longevity of elves creates loneliness.
While I was deep in thought, a cute, petite servant called out to me.
"Nefia-san, can you help me out a bit?"
Lady Elmia is also planning to come.
"Oh, should I go too?"
"Huh?! Huh?!"
Of course they will be surprised. On the other hand, what I have to do is teach them.
"Lady Elmia is fine. I'll go by myself. The weight of my presence is already too great."
I stopped her with my hand. If I came, I would get in the way and make everyone nervous. I bowed and spoke to the small girl.
"Um, I want to dry my armor. Is that okay?"
"Yes. I'll do my best."
I was taken by a little maid. It was a play. I was playing the role of a servant. "Good, good," she said with a firm smile.
"Physical labor is hard for a woman. I envy you for your strength, Nefia."
"Yes, there were a lot of things going on originally."
Even if my strength has weakened a little, I like physical labor because it gives me a glimpse of my former manhood. The hero didn't realize it because he had ridiculous strength, but he is stronger than most women out there.
He lifted the armor that the knights had been using in training from the barracks storehouse next to the mansion and took it out into the garden. He wiped it dry with a rag. That would be all for today.
"Um, you there."
"..."
"Um, sorry, I'm at work."
"Ah, Nefia-san, someone called you."
"Oh, yes. What's wrong?
" She put down the helmet she was wiping and turned to face the source of the voice. A young man bowed in front of her.
"I fell in love at first sight. If you don't mind, how about we have dinner together on the weekend?"
"Sorry. I'm not interested."
It was strange to be recognized by a man. This is the second time. I'm a man, so there's no way I can fall in love with her. I firmly rejected it. Then I glanced at her and went back to drying my armor.
I didn't intend to say any nice words.
*
During the break before dinner, the waiters were chatting. It seems like today's topic is about me.
"Nefia-san is really popular."
The butler and the others were also listening with interest.
"Oh, did one of the knights confess his feelings to you?"
"The knight confessed his feelings to me, but I rejected him immediately."
Some of the servants were also silent and listening. This attracted attention. I could feel that if I didn't say anything, they would keep asking me. Women are indeed persistent.
"Yes, that's right. I feel sorry for her, but we have different goals."
I didn't feel that she was up to the task of restoring her authority as the Demon King. In fact, I didn't even consider dating her.
"Why not? He's a chosen knight, isn't he?"
The little servant leaned forward and asked. Her eyes were shining. I felt that she wouldn't be convinced unless I gave her a solid reason.
"Y-yes. First of all, she looks weak. I don't feel any strength from her body."
I remembered. The way she looked so relaxed when facing the hero. The way she smiled in front of many undead with her greatsword. Only the strong can do that.
"Besides, it will be difficult to defeat monsters with that weapon. If you can't defeat them yourself, how can you face the skeletons of Demon City alone?"
A hero would be able to take him down easily. He's an extraordinary man of extraordinary ability.
"Y-yes, that's true. High standards."
"Nefia-san, are you perhaps talking about the person who was with you?"
I flinch.
"N-No!! That's not true!!"
"Really? But that reminds me of him."
"Wow, so someone has already decided."
"N-No!!"
"Nefia-san, you are training to be a bride. Being a servant here is what you are doing."
"Haha... ha..."
Even if I tried to explain myself to everyone, they would have thought I was trying to hide my embarrassment. To be honest, I think I did it. Women tend to embellish their love affairs, and lies spread quickly. Yes, I learned a terrible thing.
*
Dinner is brought to Lady Elmia's room. Grilled chicken and chopped vegetables. When I enter the room, she is sitting in a chair, waiting calmly. I prepare the meal and sit across from her.
"My lady, I'm ready."
"Eh, yeah. You really got used to it right away."
"That's easy. I'm the Demon King after all. Now, for being arrogant, please go ahead and hit me."
"...You were better than I expected. I just never had a chance to teach you that."
"Hehe, it seems there's a lot to be gained from playing the role of a lady. It's fun to see you in trouble. You've noticed that, haven't you?"
Directly imply that you are being avoided.
"...Yes. I'm not that big a presence though."
"No, it's big. It's bigger than me."
"big?"
"...Even though I became the Demon King, I didn't do anything. But you're different, my lady. You created a country within the empire. Everyone respected you."
"Right… that's right. Yes."
"That's why I wanted someone I could talk to on friendly terms with. Am I wrong?"
"!?"
Lady Elmia raised her face.
"Nefia?! You really sensed that and that's why you were so cold towards me?!"
He smiles. What a nice face.
"Of course, the first retaliation... well, it woke me up. I hadn't done anything."
This is what I thought after living here for a month. I learned how hard it is to be a hero on the first day. A long and painful journey is ahead of me. I shouldn't let him wear himself out.
"Fufu. Well then... that's good. I'll send the letter and call him."
After giving me a sad look, he hands me three letters. Including a spare one to make sure they arrive safely.
"Put it out tomorrow and he'll come get it."
"yes?"
"The negotiations are to be carried out by letter once you have become a fully-fledged person. There has never been any monetary transaction, ever."
"You got it."
"Yeah, it was fun. It seems like the others can't talk to me so easily... but if I'm being honest, I wish you'd stay here."
I learned that position is a difficult one. It's very different from my puppet demon lord.
"...Elmia Maximillian."
So, as a thank you for letting me learn from her, I want to help her meet her needs.
"What is it, Nefia?"
"I learned a lot of things. When it's all over, I'll come over to play as a friend."
"Nefia-chan?"
"It's lonely being alone. I get it."
In fact, I used to be all alone. I became friends with the servants and that's when I first learned that conversation was fun.
"Hehe, easy way to grow up."
"You can't sit on the throne unless you grow up. You can't go back."
"You won't give up..."
"Yeah, well. That's the only place I'm aiming for... there's nothing else..."
That is the only reason I live. I tell myself that it is the only reason.
"Thank you, and good luck. I hope this journey helps you find a new goal."
"Yeah, I was also taught swordsmanship."
I sent the letter the next day, and a week later the hero Tokiya came to pick me up.