Betrothed to My Sister's Ex

“Fuhahaha, I’ve finally cornered you, demon lord! The princess will be mine!”

“You wretched hero! How dare you wreak havoc on my precious castle! I will never forgive you!”

“Ahhh, Hero-sama, help me!”

In the summer of Dirts Kingdom, Granado Castle was very peaceful.

In the garden, I was picking berries. My lady’s maid, Mio, was helping me. Not far from us, children were playing noisily.

It seemed they were pretending to act out a play. Watching them as I worked, I couldn’t quite understand the story.

“You insolent brat! I’ll gut you and kill you!”

The hero, a silver-haired girl named Cecilie, was raising a small branch and saying something only a villain could say.

“I’ll make you regret it! Come forth, Four Heavenly Kings! Army of pill bugs!”

Our cute demon lord—my younger brother, Cedric Chadelan—was saying this. He had come to the castle to prepare for his move to the student dormitory in the royal capital starting next week. I planned to teach him later that the Four Heavenly Kings are usually only four.

Then,

“Hey, Cedric-kun, I mean, Demon Lord-sama, don’t scatter bugs around! Ahhh, my back!”

The pitiable princess crying out was Thomas, the gatekeeper of Granado Castle.

“...Peaceful, isn’t it.”

“So peaceful.”

Mio and I said in unison as we picked berries into the basket.

Yes. Granado Castle was very peaceful today, too.

Summer in Dirts Kingdom was short. As if not wanting to miss this fleeting moment, the grass and trees rapidly stretched their branches and leaves, and the whole country was wrapped in green. At the same time, it was the most bountiful season of the year. Of course, vegetables flourished, but so did fruits. With many kinds of berries, bayberries, and clusters of grapes, the basket quickly filled up.

A smile escaped me.

“Hehe... they look delicious.”

“They are delicious,” said Mio.

I turned to see her happily devouring the berries from the basket with great enthusiasm. Even though we had just picked them, she might eat them all.

I looked around for Johan, the gardener. Johan took on the troublesome weeding, letting me enjoy the joy of harvesting. If we were going to taste the freshly picked fruit, the first thanks should go to him.

I ran over to Johan and plucked a large berry to offer.

“Johan, we picked a lot. Please, have a taste.”

“...No, my lady. I am already full.”

“Oh, really?”

Though he was as unfriendly as ever, I felt a little disappointed. I put the berry in my mouth—and immediately groaned, “Ugh.”

With tears in my eyes, holding my mouth, Johan grinned broadly.

“That’s a berry for jam; it’s too sour to eat raw. Consider that a lesson.”

“Ugh, ooooh!”

“Hurry and rinse your mouth with water. Hahahahaha!”

Johan laughed heartily. I’ll remember that!

On my way to the water faucet, I passed the children. I tried to run by holding my mouth.

“Wait, Marie, that way...!” Ceri shouted something. I conveyed with my eyes that I’d hear it later and ran on.

Granado Castle was a fortress from two hundred years ago, a rough stone-built ancient city. But the areas from the courtyard onward had been recently built by Lady Ryuu-Ryuu and Duke Granado. Water and sewage systems were installed, and there were taps for potable water here and there. The closest was near the gazebo.

“Phew...”

I rinsed my mouth with the clean water and wiped it with a handkerchief, finally feeling a bit better—

Meow.

A faint, sweet, high-pitched sound came from my feet.

...Hmm?

I stepped inside the gazebo, a rest area for the gardener and those strolling through the garden. It was simply made of wood, freshly painted white, with only a rain-shielding roof and benches.

Nobody was there, and there was nowhere to hide. Strange... I thought I heard a baby crying...

Just as I was about to leave, I heard “meow meow” again—from under the bench?

I knelt on the wooden floor and crawled to look under the bench. Something was moving in the shadows. Two round, golden-yellow glowing eyes. Pointy triangular ears standing up. And a long fluffy tail.