Chapter 20: Mona and Meileen
It seems that the Demon Tribe may have discovered Meileen’s existence.
The other day, a demon woman named Mona visited here. She was a former lady-in-waiting to Meileen during her time in the Demon Tribe Nation.
According to Meileen, it was Mona who taught her embroidery, and if she were to see the embroidered handkerchief I had tucked in my chest pocket, she would immediately recognize it as Meileen’s work.
Did Mona suddenly reveal her name because she figured that out?
She must have anticipated that I would tell Meileen about her.
While that played out according to Mona’s intentions, I still couldn’t grasp her true motives.
Was it to reassure Meileen that she was safe?
Or was it a warning that she had tracked her down?
Not knowing which it was, it was better to remain cautious.
With that thought in mind, I kept my guard up against any intruders for a week.
Then, there was a reaction from the Barrier.
There was a reaction, but…
“…Hmm?”
“What’s wrong?”
Meileen, who was sitting on the sofa knitting a baby-sized hat, asked me as I suddenly tilted my head in confusion.
“Uh… it seems the Demon Tribe has found out where Meileen is. I thought they might come to retrieve her, so I was on guard…”
“…So they’ve come, then?”
“Yeah, they did come, but…”
“But?”
“For some reason, there’s only one response…”
“Then, maybe it’s not a demon?”
“No, right now, the entrance to the mountain path is blocked by Weimar’s guards, right? It would be either a demon or a human from the country who really wants to capture me. And in the case of humans, it’s impossible for just one to show up.”
“So, the likelihood of it being a demon is high. But why just one?”
“I don’t know. That’s why I’m wondering why…”
We both tilted our heads in thought, but no answers came to us no matter how hard we tried.
“Well, it can’t be helped. I’ll go check it out.”
I expanded my Detection Magic around the boundary of the Barrier, but there were no other demons.
At this point, the only way to find out the reason was to ask the demon directly, so I headed to meet her.
Just like when I encountered Mona last time, I concealed my magic power and presence as I approached…
“…Mona?”
As I involuntarily called out her name, Mona, who was inside the Barrier, flinched for a moment but didn’t scream like before. Instead, she slowly turned to look at me.
“…Could you please refrain from calling out so suddenly?”
Mona opened her mouth, speaking in a surprisingly polite manner this time.
“My bad. I didn’t expect you to be here.”
When I said that, Mona looked displeased but didn’t press the matter further.
“So? What are you doing here? And what’s with those bags?”
Since Mona stepped back easily, I asked about the reason for her visit while also inquiring about the two large trunks at her feet.
Mona remained silent for a while, but it seemed she wasn’t unable to answer; rather, she was choosing her words carefully.
So, I decided to wait for her to speak.
Finally, as if she had gathered her thoughts, she began to explain her reason for visiting.
“…I served as a lady-in-waiting to Princess Meileen during the reign of the late king.”
“Oh, really?”
If I responded as if I already knew, I would inadvertently confirm Meileen’s existence to Mona, so I merely nodded in acknowledgment.
Perhaps because my response wasn’t what she expected, her expression soured slightly, but she continued speaking.
“When the late king was defeated, and Meileen-sama ascended to the throne, I was by her side.”
“Is that so?”
“However, it was difficult to restore the chaotic Demon Tribe Nation, and eventually, Meileen-sama’s brother started a rebellion, forcing her off the throne.”
“…”
Yes, it was Meileen’s brother who had ousted her from the throne during the rebellion.
It seemed he had a strong desire for power and intended to become the king of the Demon Tribe Nation after their father’s death.
However, while he was said to possess considerable magical prowess, his intelligence was lacking.
As a result, what the chaotic Demon Tribe Nation needed was not a strong brother but a clever Meileen.
Thus, Meileen became queen, but her brother, dissatisfied with this, led a rebellion with his followers and forcibly dragged Meileen down from the throne.
“I was the one who helped Meileen-sama escape from the royal castle when she was ousted.”
“…I see.”
So that was it.
I had heard from Meileen that she was exiled after being dethroned, but upon reflection, it was strange for a king who had lost his throne to simply be exiled.
Naturally, they would have tried to execute her.
I see.
It was Mona who helped Meileen escape.
“After Meileen-sama fled the royal castle, I searched everywhere for her. However… for some reason, I couldn’t find her. I then joined the Demon Tribe military’s intelligence division and have been searching for Meileen-sama’s whereabouts ever since.”
“Oh?”
Mona shot me a pointed look, but well, she wasn’t entirely off the mark.
I had reunited with Meileen right after she escaped from the royal castle.
Since then, I had been hiding her with my magic.
“And then… finally, finally, I discovered… the traces…”
Tears began to well up in Mona’s eyes.
“Kenta Maya… Meileen-sama is with you, isn’t she?”
“…By the way, have you reported this to the Demon Tribe Nation?”
“I haven’t.”
“I see… she’s here.”
As I answered Mona’s question, she knelt on the ground, placing both hands on the floor, and finally pressed her forehead to the ground.
No way, she actually performed Dogeza.
“Please! Let me stay by Meileen-sama’s side!!”
As I was taken aback by Mona’s Dogeza, she earnestly pleaded.
It seemed she bore no ill will… but what should I do?
“…Wait a moment.”
“Yes.”
Since I couldn’t decide on my own, I contacted Meileen through telepathy.
“Meileen, can I have a word?”
“Yes. What is it?”
“Mona, who came by the other day, is here, and she’s asking to stay by your side. What should I do?”
After I asked concisely, Meileen hesitated for a moment before replying.
“For now, please bring her here. We can decide what to do afterward.”
“Got it.”
After finishing my telepathic conversation with Meileen, I turned my gaze back to Mona.
Wow, she’s still in Dogeza.
“Lift your head.”
“Yes.”
She was so obedient it was almost unsettling.
For the demons, I should be their sworn enemy, but it seemed that being near Meileen was more important to her.
“For now, I’ll take you home. We’ll figure out what to do after that.”
“!! Y-Yes! Thank you!”
“By the way, there’s no one else with you, right?”
I already knew from Detection Magic, but I asked just to be sure.
“Of course, I came alone.”
“Understood. Then stand up and carry one of the bags.”
“One?”
“I’ll carry the other one.”
“Why?”
“If you’re okay with me touching your body, you can carry both. If you don’t like that, then let me carry one and you can touch my body instead.”
“What do you mean…?”
“Whether you understand or not, I’m just asking if you’ll do it or not. What’s your choice?”
Since she seemed like she would keep dragging it out, I just wanted a clear answer.
Mona looked displeased at being interrupted mid-sentence, but eventually picked up one of the bags.
“…So, where should I touch?”
“Anywhere is fine, your arm, your back, whatever.”
When I said that, Mona placed her hand on my back.
Confirming that, I took hold of the other trunk.
“Alright, let’s go.”
“Huh?”
Before Mona could say anything else, I activated Teleportation Magic.
In the next moment, we were standing in front of my house.
“We’ve arrived. Here, your bag.”
I said this as I placed the trunk I was holding right in front of her.
“…Huh? Ah, um?”
“What are you dawdling for? Hurry up and bring it inside.”
“Ah, y-yes!”
I could tell she was surprised by the Teleportation Magic, but I had no reason to indulge her reaction, and the bags were her responsibility.
I had no obligation to carry them for her.
Still, since she wouldn’t be able to open the door with both hands full, I opened it for her.
What a kind person I am.
Once inside, Mona dropped the large trunk onto the floor with considerable force.
…Did it break? Is it alright?
However, Mona didn’t seem to have the luxury to worry about that.
“…Meileen-sama…”
The moment she saw Meileen sitting on the sofa, the tears that had only welled up before began to flow freely.
“Fufu, it’s been a while, hasn’t it, Mona?”
“Meileen-samaaa!!”
Upon hearing Meileen’s voice, Mona rushed toward her, tears streaming down her face, and knelt at her feet.
“I’m so glad, so glad you’re safe!! I’m truly, truly relieved…”
As she said this, she looked at Meileen, who was seated on the sofa, and froze in place.
Meileen was wearing a loose-fitting dress and had a blanket draped over her lower body to keep warm.
To those who know what to look for, it might be obvious.
“Y-You, Lady Meileen… could it be…?”
“Oh, hee hee, do you understand?”
With that, Meileen gently caressed her belly.
“I’m going to be a mama soon.”
Mona froze for a moment, her eyes widening in shock as she turned to me.
“Y-You…!”
“Mona.”
“!? H-Haha!”
Mona started to say something to me, but the low tone of Meileen’s voice made her jump, and she quickly bowed her head toward Meileen.
“Kenta is my beloved husband. I won’t allow any disrespect toward him. If you cannot comply…”
Meileen’s voice turned icy as she directed a chilling gaze at Mona.
“Then die here.”
“!!??”
Oh boy, Mona looks completely stunned.
Well, Meileen’s words are extreme, but she’s not wrong.
Mona had mentioned that she hadn’t reported Meileen’s existence to the Demon Tribe Nation, but if she were to leave here because she couldn’t obey me, there’s a chance that Meileen’s presence would be revealed through her.
Inside Meileen’s belly is the child of the strongest Summoner in this world.
To the current king of the Demon Tribe, that would be nothing short of a threat.
Naturally, he would want his own descendants to inherit the throne.
If it were to be discovered that Meileen’s child is here, the likelihood of a Demon army being sent would increase significantly.
There’s no way I’m letting that happen.
“What will you do?”
Mona stood there, momentarily dumbfounded by Meileen’s unyielding question, but eventually, she slowly lowered her head.
“…Understood. From now on, I pledge my loyalty to both Lady Meileen and you, Lord Kenta, as well as to the child that is to be born.”
Upon hearing those words, Meileen’s previously cold demeanor vanished, replaced by a gentle smile.
“Hee hee, good. I’m glad I didn’t have to kill you, Mona.”
“H-Haha…”
Mona’s voice was dry, but for me, having her on our side is quite convenient.
After all, I’m not exactly skilled at housework, and I’ve been relying on Meileen, who is pregnant, to do a lot of things.
I’ve been helping out in various ways, but I still feel guilty for putting any burden on Meileen, especially in her condition.
With someone like Mona, who used to be a lady-in-waiting, around, I could alleviate some of that burden from Meileen.
Her loyalty to Meileen seems strong, so this might just be a fortunate turn of events.