When we arrived back at the camp from which we had set out, people from both the imperial and Grand Duchy families were gathered in one place, looking at something and chatting.
The imperial hired hands rushed over as we drew near and took Demimore, who was being carried by Lucas.
Recognizing me and Theodore, the people of the Grand Duchy also rushed forward. Hestia looked like she was about to cry.
Grand Duke Estin released me from his embrace.
The people of the Grand Duchy gathered around Theodore and me and shouted encouraging words. It felt like we had become some kind of great general.
âWhat is it?â
I went over to see what they were looking at and why they were talking. It turned out that they were staring at the beast that Theodore and I had earlier captured.
We rushed to save Demimore after hearing he was injured, so I left all the monsters we had captured behind.
It was a really stupid thing to do, no matter how much I considered it. But it canât be helped. If I could go back in time, I would save Demimore again.
As I looked at it with a puzzled expression wondering how it got here, Gilbert approached me and put his hand on my shoulder.
âThe person who picked up Cameron earlier brought it with him.â
Who?
I turned to face Cameron when I saw X waving at me from behind him.
Even though I donât pay much attention to manners, he canât just wave his hand at me like that, can he? We arenât even that close to be exchanging such a greeting. I donât really like it, so itâs kind of annoying.
He seemed so happy to see me that it made me uncomfortable, so I just ignored him.
Cameron had a very displeased expression on his face.
Gilbert looked at Cameron with a disapproving face and whispered to me so only I could hear.
âCameron insisted that he also had a claim in this too, because he was guarding what you and Theodore left behind.â
What kind of mentality does he possess?
It was a rather absurd argument, but luckily it seems to have been rejected. But how did they manage to persuade that troublemaker? This time, it was Aiden who told me.
âThat person named X stopped him.â
Wow, how ridiculous.
Cameronâs aide was beside him, looking nervous while X didnât even pay attention to him.
However, given that Cameronâs assistant is present, why does X continue to hang around Cameron?
âGood job, Mary. I am proud of you.â
Gilbert patted me on the shoulder. Aiden was stroking Theodoreâs head, too.
Theodore fussed playfully, wondering why he was being treated like a child, then he turned to Grand Duke Estin and spoke in a serious voice.
âOh, Father, I must tell you something.â
âYes.â
âEating poisonous mushrooms can turn a normal beast into a cursed beast.â
Estin, the Grand Duke, appeared surprised by Theodoreâs remarks. He didnât appear to be anticipating such a cause-and-effect connection.
Even Lucas joined in and engaged in serious conversation.
I continued to stare at the beast.
Didnât I knock it out earlier? Did it survive? It had the impression of being sound asleep. Imagine if it stood up.
âOh, youâre talking about poisonous mushrooms?â
Iâm not sure when he came, but X approached Grand Duke Estin and asked in an intriguing tone while standing by him.
With a nonchalant expression on his face, Grand Duke Estin Duke Estin suggested that they eliminate all the poisonous mushrooms here.
Lucas left, being very cautious, suggesting that they should go back to the Grand Duchy and finish the conversation.
X shook his shoulders and returned to his original position. And where X went back, Cameron wasnât there.
Demimore was lying on a makeshift bed. Cameron walked over to Demimore with a stern expression.
At that moment, the thought that Cameron must be worried about his younger brother crossed my mind.
Slap.
The sound of flesh hitting flesh was heard. It sounded so loud that I was bewildered. Demimore turned his head.
No, why would you hurt someone who is already in pain? I tried to approach them out of frustration, but Gilbert stopped me and shook his head.
He appeared to be telling me not to get involved. I bit my lip tightly.
âYouâve completely ruined everything for me!â
ââŠâŠ.â
âIâm telling you, when I ascend to the throne, the likes of you will be put to death! You were clearly born to ruin my life, born to a woman we donât even know where she came from.â
The words grew louder and louder. Demimore did not respond to Cameronâs words, but remained still, his head turned away.
Even to the naked eye, the redness on his cheeks appeared painful.
The room went silent as everyoneâs attention turned to the two brothers.
It would be great if someone could mediate. I cautiously grabbed Gilbertâs sleeve. Gilbert let out a sigh.
ââŠDid I ruin everything?â
âYes!â
Demimore, who was still, murmured softly. Demimoreâs fist shook as if he was holding back something.
Whether he knew it or not, Cameron responded in a rough voice to Demimoreâs counter-questions.
âThatâs how itâs always been, even now.â
Demimoreâs fist was shaking, but his voice was surprisingly calm.
âYes! Even today, you ruined all my plans!â
âPlans?â
âWhat?â
âYou said âplanâ. What kind of plan did you have?â
Demimore caught Cameronâs tail. Gilbert made a startled noise. Cameronâs expression turned red and blue.
âWhy didnât you share it with me? Weâre supposed to hunt together, but I didnât hear any of those plans.â
Unlike Cameron, who was speechless, Demimore continued to push him.
Listening to their conversation, I felt like I knew why Demimore was catching Cameronâs tail and stretching out, and why Gilbert made a sound of surprise.
Cameron has something up in his sleeve.
He did a cowardly thing, whether it was to sabotage me or not, and Demimore stopped him, and thatâs why he was so angry.
Why did he go to such lengths to pull off such a shady trick? X broke up the confrontation between Demimore and Cameron.
âI know you guys are upset about losing the bet, but would it be right to ruin your friendship over this?â
Are those two friendsâŠâŠ?
âAnyway, we lost, didnât we?â
X looked at Cameron with a slightly pitiful look.
âItâs just a game we lost.â
âThatâs because you, XâŠ!â
âBe quiet. Try to at least make a good impression.â
Iâve been thinking about that for a long time, the relationship between those two was very bizarre.
Cameron, who was strong-willed and insensitive to othersâ feelings, couldnât say anything in response to Xâs sarcasm and just let it go.
Cameron bravely stepped back. I ran to Demimore.
âDemimore, are you all right?â
âYeah, Iâm okay. I drank water with boiled herbs.â
âWhat about your cheeks?â
âAhâŠâŠ. It hurts a little here.â
Demimore smiled with his eyes folded and raised his hand and stroked my head.
âHow about you? Did you get that knee injury taken care of?â
âIâm fine.â
Demimore approached me. He had a gentle sweet smell mixed with the smell of earth.
Come to think of it, he said he was stung by a bee-like demon and he seemed to know Cameronâs planâŠâŠ.
Scent.
A sweet smell.
âWait, did you intentionallyâŠâŠ wear that kind of perfume?â
Demimore said with a grin.
âOh, did I get caught.â
âReally? Are you crazy?â
âDonât be so dramatic, Iâm just kidding. How was I supposed to know?â
âDonât dodge the question, just tell me. Is it true?â
âMary. Good work.â
I tried to ask more questions, but Demimore cut me off and spoke softly. The soft scent emanating from him felt more pleasant than his voice.