Chapter Four: Your Highness the Princess, Prince Otta Is Merely Experiencing a Momentary Relapse

Cletina departed with a somewhat dazed expression. Although she had gained vital intelligence from this interrogation, she couldn’t shake the feeling that she had lost something in the process as well.

Regaining the luster in her eyes, Cletina clenched her fist. Regardless, she would use this information to conquer the human camp. She dissolved into a deep shadow, seeping through the cracks of the flagstones and descending directly into the underground core of the Demon King's Castle.

In the magnificent, expansive hall, flickering pale ghost fires ignited one by one. At the center stood a towering throne crafted from silver thorns and bleached bones. Cletina’s form coalesced at the side of a bronze long table beneath the steps of the throne.

"The Demon Joint Council is now in session!"

Her voice echoed throughout the hall. The ghost fires rippled, and then one, in particular, flared brilliantly, as if imbued with a spirit, and drifted down to the seat opposite Cletina.

"Secretary Cletina, Second Demon Swell, responding to your summons," a slender, gentle voice emanated from the ghost fire.

"It seems you have recovered quite well," Cletina said, her eyebrows arching slightly with a smile. "Second Demon Official, Demon Strategist, Swell."

"Forgive me for not attending in person. The other demons have sustained injuries far worse than my own and are currently unable to respond to your call," Swell replied with great politeness. "Is there an emergency, Secretary Cletina?"

Cletina nodded. "I have extracted critical intelligence from the Hero Mino. This is our chance to strike."

"In the study of Kur II lies a collection of incredibly rare girl dolls. To Prince Ota, they are his most precious possessions, the pillars of his soul."

"I need you to find a way to destroy those dolls. Doing so will surely strike a blow to Kur II and destabilize the operation of the human kingdom."

Swell’s voice came back, filled with confusion: "Ota Kur? He actually favors such dolls? That does not align with my intelligence..."

Cletina tapped her white fingers rhythmically against the table and asked, "What is your intelligence?"

Swell explained patiently: "According to his public conduct, Ota Kur is an exceptionally wise, calm, and self-restrained monarch. I have even heard that he harbors a deep distaste for anything related to demon-made products."

"Is that so?" Cletina immediately felt a surge of doubt. Could it be that Mino had lied to her after all? Just as she was about to recall the details of the interrogation:

"Wait, I understand now!" Across the ghost fire, Swell suddenly lifted its head. Could it be... that was it! It all made sense!

"The Prince must have deliberately released that information to conceal his true preferences and his fatal weakness! Cletina, this is a piece of crucial intelligence!"

Swell marveled, "By fabricating a seemingly authentic rumor, he led the world to believe that was Ota’s true stance, all to protect the girl dolls he cherishes so dearly! Truly worthy of being the next king of the Kur Kingdom; he possesses wisdom that rivals our own!"

"Uh... I see." Cletina nodded, accepting the explanation.

"Then, do you have a way to destroy those dolls, Swell?"

"The Kur capital is heavily guarded; an assassination mission would be difficult to carry out. But if they are merely inanimate objects imbued with magic... that will be no problem." Swell’s voice was eager as a perfect plan began to form in its mind.

"Then, I look forward to your good news," Cletina said with a smile. She couldn't wait for Mino to realize just how much devastation his "gifted" information would cause. Surely, the outcome would leave him filled with regret...

...

Kur Kingdom, Imperial Palace. Night.

In the quiet courtyard, white moonlight spilled down like transparent silk, settling on the neatly trimmed flowerbeds and condensing into pure dew on the soft, full petals.

On the path bathed in silver moonlight, a young girl with the long train of a soft, white gown strolled along. Her delicate face bore a lingering trace of worry. Her emerald eyes shimmered with light, and her innocent features were filled with a noble aura, yet she looked as lovable as a fawn in the forest.

She was the jewel of the kingdom, the Second Princess, Princess Kalia, sister to Prince Ota.

"Sigh..." Suddenly, Kalia sighed softly. The gentle sound vanished into the night air with the wind, echoing under the moonlight. She brushed her fingers lightly over the dew-dampened petals, tilted her fair neck, and gazed far, far away.

The head maid trailing behind her knew who Princess Kalia was longing for—the heroic warrior fighting in blood and fire, now separated from the princess by great distances. It was enough to evoke a poignant, beautiful love poem.

"Mino..."

Kalia spoke the name with longing, but then a blush crept across her face, and she added two words with a hint of bashfulness: "...Brother Mino."

"Why, why must you be so reckless... you fool... so many people are waiting for you... waiting for you to return... including me."

Mist welled up in the corners of her eyes. Kalia stood motionless for a long time before finally praying to the moonlight. Her hands, wrapped in silk gloves, were clasped together, the transparent fabric outlining the contours of her long, slender fingers. Kalia’s pale, rosy-tipped fingers tightened slightly.

"Oh, gods, I pray that Brother Mino is safe in the Demon King's Castle and spared from torment..."

The head maid sighed and walked forward, gently patting Kalia’s shoulder. After a long while, the faint, lingering sobs faded into the night.

"Let’s go back," Princess Kalia turned, preparing to leave the courtyard.

"...Hehe... uh-hehe..."

A bout of foolish laughter drifted toward the courtyard, intermittent and unclear due to the distance.

"That is... Brother Ota’s study?" Kalia turned her head, her eyes filled with confusion. "What is Brother doing? I thought I heard things like 'my dear' and 'I love you'..." She blinked curiously. Brother Ota shouldn't have a fiancée yet.

Then came several strange "prpr" sounds.

The head maid’s expression turned peculiar, and she instinctively pulled Princess Kalia away.

"Pr-Princess, pay it no mind... His Highness Ota is just a little sick... he’s having an episode, yes! He’s just having an episode!"

Kalia immediately lowered her eyes with pity. Brother was truly pitiful; it must be because Brother Mino was captured by the demons that his condition had become so severe.

Still, the most pitiful one was Brother Mino...

Kalia tilted her head, her heart filled with worry and yearning. "Brother Mino must be suffering inhumane treatment in the Demon King's Castle right now..."