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“Well, how poor is my manner of welcoming a guest? Can you wait just a minute?”
“I’m fine!”
“You have no complaints? It’s just that I simply adore pretty things.”
Revenna fluttered a wide fan and began to push away the embroidered frame that had been dangling from the table. A gorgeous set of tea table was already completed in the blink of an eye. It was up to the point where she even hesitated to have dared taking a seat over there.
As she noticed Julia’s timid look, Revenna’s red lips soon curled fascinatingly.
“Aren’t those clothes uncomfortable? It must have been Lerazier’s work. Without any single sense—as long as it’s black and shiny, it’s pretty. You’re not even a crow.”
“Oh, no.”
“Are you going to cover up for Lerazier? You’re already small and cute—on top of that, you’re even this kind?”
She then fluttered her long lashes as she waved her fingers gracefully. She soon changed the clothes that Julia was wearing to a dress with a bright sky blue hue. The fabric that brushed against her fingertips was ever so soft as it fit her body and to be honest, it was much lighter and more comfortable than the bulky dress which she had just donned before.
Revenna, who was now taking a seat at the table, naturally motioned to the other side. As soon as Julia sat down, she poured out some tea and straight away got to the main point.
“Then, Estelle? So, like, you want to work?”
“Yes.”
“If I ask you why, will you honestly answer me?”
“I would just… like to fulfill my responsibilities.”
She was about to say that she merely didn’t wish to be left behind, but she quickly changed her mind instead.
To all the demons, she was Estelle—not Julia. The most noble of humans, the star of Vestra and the one who would soon become the future Empress. In other words, Estelle wouldn’t have given such a shabby answer like herself.
She was just repeating what Estelle would have said, but Revenna still blinked her eyes once more as if she was in surprise.
“That is a rather surprising answer. Have you forgotten? How you were first brought over here?”
“……”
“I’ve already seen a lot of human keys so far. And each of them had despaired or trembled—and they even threw curses too. I’m sure it’s not all that welcoming from your point of view as well?”
As Julia lowered her gaze without uttering a single word, she quickly changed the subject as if she wasn’t trying to create this kind of atmosphere in the first place.
“You know, even if I do entrust you with some work, you still won’t be able to leave the castle? Besides, you can’t even roam around freely in the castle.”
“I know. Well… Lady Revenna?”
As if she was fond of the title that Julia had decided on, Revenna instantly burst into laughter.
“If it’s still okay, how about taking care of the beast’s stable instead?”
“Beasts—as in monsters?”
In the bad ending of the game, there had also been a really hardcore one during the moment of being eaten after Estelle was attacked by a monster. She immediately recalled having been shocked as she nearly dropped the game console.
Revenna resolutely shook her head at Julia’s question that was mixed with concern.
“First of all, since it is a beast that lives in the Demon Realm, you may call it a monster. However, it is not unconditionally ferocious like how humans had stereotyped. Besides, the ones that have been quietly locked in the stable as instructed are only those young ones who were just born.”
“Yes……”
“Working in the stable will be rather hard on your body, but it will at least put your mind at ease. A young individual is always adorable regardless of its own species. Is it perfect for you now?”
Julia gently nodded her head. It was due to the fact that she was reminiscing back on her memories before she had fallen to the Demon Realm.
She was always on the edge of human relationships, but animals had approached her without any sort of hesitation at all. As she could only sit on a cushion of thorns like this, if she were able to take care of even just a young animal, then it was clear that—as Revenna had said before—her mind would definitely be at ease.
As she agreed, the corners of Revenna’s eyes began to crease brightly.
“Then, is that a yes?”
As Revenna stroked her fingers just like she did before, Julia’s vision began to distort as if she was flickering. When she finally woke up, she was already standing near the entrance of the stable that was on the one side of the Demon King’s Castle.
‘Call for me if you happen to face any kind of difficulties. So, let’s all work hard.’
Revenna’s high, chirping voice echoed through the air before it slowly faded away.
* * *
Julia then steadily took a look around the stable, which seemed to have nothing to be done about. She didn’t know if there was another manager or whether they would have utilized magic like Kimaris did. All she had to do was to fill up the empty feeding bin as she played with the young but bored beasts instead.
The ‘newborn’ beast that Revenna had talked about was roughly around the size of a large dog and she was able to spend her time playing without the need to worry about being hit during that time.
Kururuk.
Julia, who was dragged along under the guise of playing around, had eventually missed the rope. The wolf cub, who had then been enjoying itself happily, could no longer restrain its strength as she tumbled onto the floor.
“Kking!”
“I’m sorry. I lost my strength for a second there!”
As she was about to get up in a hurry, she suddenly slumped onto the ground at the dizzying tingle that struck in front of her eyes. Upon reflection, ever since she arrived at the Demon Realm, she hadn’t been able to even take a sip of water—let alone, to eat.