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CHAPTER 41…..
“We told you to get along nicely, but neither of you listens to that.”
Still, before long, we arrived at our destination—the “Madame Clotho Salon.”
A woman demon with ash-gray hair pinned up and glasses welcomed us as if she was about to burst into tears.
“To have the Princess of Erebus visit us—it’s an honor for our family…!”
“Thanks for clearing your schedule for me.”
Lethe nodded beside me as I spoke casually.
Madame Clotho looked overwhelmed with joy.
“Princess Your Highness and Prince Ismenios, and… oh my.”
Madame covered her mouth for a moment, surprised at seeing Calion.
But as a merchant used to dealing with nobles, she quickly smiled and brushed it off.
“The Prince of Halkion has also come. Then, may I introduce my dressmaker to you, Your Highness?”
“Of course!”
“Andvari, show your respects. She’s a princess of our demon clan.”
At Madame’s gesture, a human woman approached.
She had dark brown hair down to her shoulders and green eyes, with a very gentle demeanor.
She smiled as if she couldn’t even kill a fly and bowed politely.
“My name is Andvari, Princess. I have no surname.”
“She’s a dressmaker from the Land of Snow, Akidalia. Her skills are quite exceptional.”
“I see. Both of you, please take good care of each other.”
“I’m honored! Now, Princess, would it be alright if Madame showed you around the salon?”
“Ah, yes!”
Finally, it was time to see what this boutique was all about.
When Madame led us to the innermost room, I couldn’t help but gasp.
“Wo… wow.”
It felt like every kind of fabric, lace, and tiny jewel I knew from this world was gathered there.
And the cute dresses on child-sized mannequins were something else!
Lethe, next to Madame Clotho, got excited looking at the small dresses.
“Oh my, this style is nice. It would suit Your Highness.”
“Hehe, it’s a newly made casual outfit these days, isn’t it pretty? Lovely and easy to move in as well.”
And then I started to get intoxicated by the clothes the two of them brought.
“Simplicity. Simplicity is…!”
…Simplicity, I’d rather throw to a passing dog.
Ares openly yawned, but Calion patiently watched over my spaced-out state.
At that moment, Mrs. Sinope, who was in charge of today’s party, joined us with a smile.
“Your Highness, you’ll need to go upstairs to the salon soon. The tea party is about to begin.”
“Oh, got it.”
The second and third floors of the salon had seats prepared for the noble children.
Then Ares, who was linked arm in arm with me, asked.
“Sis, what about me?”
“Oh, you don’t come in today, Ares.”
“What?! Why not!”
Mrs. Sinope sighed energetically.
“Ares, do you think we don’t know your personality?”
“What’s wrong with my personality!”
“Well, you’re just trying to monopolize the princess’s attention! Spoiling her every day and bothering her!”
“…Ugh!”
No, Ares isn’t quite that bad.
Or is he?
Mrs. Sinope snapped sharply at Ares.
“I told you, today is a gathering for girls!”
Then Ares threw a tantrum like a cat with its tail on fire.
“Don’t discriminate! We all need to get to know each other anyway!”
“Still, I don’t expect a wild card like you to sit quietly, Ares Ismenios!”
“Have some hope for the youngest!”
Yeah, Ares is really going to blow up at this rate.
But Mrs. Sinope was very firm, so I carefully asked first.
“Then, where should Ares and Calion be? The tea party will be on the third floor.”
“They’ll be on the second floor, where other children will come visit.”
“Hmm…”
“They can talk and play, and get to know each other. Don’t worry, Your Highness.”
“….”
I guess I can’t avoid this.
I looked up at Calion and urged him sincerely.
“Calion, it might be uncomfortable, but… if anything happens, tell me right away.”
“Yes, Sion. Don’t worry.”
“And Ares.”
“…!”
When he heard his name, Ares snapped his head up.
Still looking very sulky after being scolded by Mrs. Sinope earlier.
Seeing that, this came out first.
“Don’t cause trouble and behave yourself.”
“…Hmph!”
“Hmph, what do you mean hmpf? You’ll be good to Calion, right?”
“Ah, I don’t know, Your Highness. The handsome blue-eyed prince says he doesn’t need my approval!”
“Ares!”
“I heard it all! All of it. Why am I the only one getting scolded, Sion?”
“Is this scolding? It’s worry, not scolding!”
“Hmph.”
“You really!”
Ugh, look at that sarcastic tone.
I’m still too young to give him a flick on the head.
Then the Epikus sisters and Mrs. Sinope urged me.
“Well, Princess, shall we go?”
“Ugh… okay!”
In the end, I had to leave the very uneasy Ares and Calion behind.
The higher we went to the third floor, the colder my hands became.
“Lethe, it might sound silly to say…”
“Yes?”
“What if the kids don’t like me?”
“It’s okay, Your Highness.”
“But…”
My mind was far older, so why did this happen?
Why now… after using ‘Healing,’ do the people who never came back to me come to mind again?
At that moment, Lethe gently wrapped my cold hands in warmth.
“They are all children who must someday become your people, Princess.”
“…”
“If you treat them kindly, but firmly when needed, they will all follow you.”
“…Okay!”
“And I told you beforehand who would be attending, right? If you remember well, there will be no problem.”
“Thanks.”
Yeah, let’s try first and then get scared. No more freaking out already!
The third floor of Madame Clotho Salon was the very top floor.
When the door opened, a spacious room appeared with a glass ceiling and beautiful plants everywhere.
Sofas and tea tables were elegantly placed here and there.
But as soon as the door opened, the eyes of fifteen girls locked onto me.
Cold sweat ran down my back.
“That’s… way too many.”
And the children all stood up at the same time as I entered.
“Wow. Even though I prepared myself mentally, this is a bit much!”
I wasn’t nervous standing in front of adults!
So why now?
“Ugh, it must be because I want to do well.”
My mindset was totally different from my old ‘Great Saint’ days when I was quietly resentful of my mission.
I wanted to do well as a demon princess.
I wanted to live this life happily and without regrets.
To be truly loved by everyone.
The eldest-looking young lady knelt first, and everyone followed to greet me.
“To the great Princess of Tartarus.”
“It’s an honor to meet you.”
…The pressure was still intense.
Then Lethe whispered in my ear.
“Princess, Mente and I will wait outside the room so you can speak comfortably.”
“Uh, okay.”
“If anything happens, call us anytime.”
And so, I was left alone with the fifteen girls.
Though I was the smallest and had to sit on a chair piled with cushions.
“Ahem!”
I did my best to maintain dignity.
It felt awkward after always battling priests with my spirit.
“Thank you all for coming to the last banquet.”
“You’re welcome, Princess!”
“We’re glad to meet you in person.”
The demon children, all beautifully dressed, eagerly greeted me.
But more noticeable than their clothes were their clear, happy faces.
“Yes, that’s how it’s normal to grow up.”
Seeing how different they were from the suffering children of the divine nation in Charon, a sad smile involuntarily appeared on my face.
“Although Abba-sama doesn’t allow me to go out often yet, we will meet more frequently later.”
“Your Highness…!”
Several faces reddened at my words.
Especially those close to my age or a bit older whispered shyly among themselves.
“How could she be so mature?”
“She’s actually younger than us—”
Well, this sister was originally twenty years old.
But…
“Hmm. The older kids have a different atmosphere.”
It felt like the social hierarchy was already settled.
Among them, a girl with green hair and pretty coral eyes raised her head.
“If she doesn’t keep her wits about her, she’ll end up biting someone with a smile.”
