「噂の出所はマークス・カウエルだ」
「なら、原因はこの間の学園での騒ぎのせいですわね」
アイリーンの足元でフェンリルの子がまばたきする。クロードが眉間にしわを寄せた。
「マークス? 誰だ、キース」
「叩きのめしたって噂を聞きましたが我が主は記憶にすらないと。さすがです」
「......そんなものがいたか?」
いたもなにも、あの場でマークスを、しかもリリアの前で叩きのめしたのはクロード本人だ。
(あらやだ、ちょっと同情しそうになりましたわ)
視界にすら入っていないとは、魔王は冷酷無比だ。
ごほんとジャスパーがわざとらしく咳払いをした。
「ま、まあ認識の相違はおいておくとしてだよ。時系列順に説明すると、リリア様に何通も脅迫文が届いてるらしいんだ。お前はセドリック様の婚約者にふさわしくない、辞退しろ、さもなくば的なお約束のやつ。ま、皇子の嫁になる女の通過儀礼みたいなもんだな」
「そうね。でも、どうして犯人がわたくしということになっているの?」
「一部の脅迫文に、アイリーン・ローレン・ドートリシュって署名されてるんだと。しかも貴婦人が使う香りつきの上等な便せんで届けられて、真に受けたセドリック様が騒いでな」
笑おうとして、こめかみに痛みが走った。点滅するように頭の中に出てくるのは、ゲームの中の光景だ。
(脅迫......そうだわ、ヒロインに届いていたわ。その結果、誘拐事件が起きて......ゲームで脅迫文を出したのは......)
誘拐事件の主犯であり、セドリックとの復縁を望む悪役令嬢アイリーン・ローレン・ドートリシュだ。
「......冗談じゃないわ。わたくしが犯人なら、もう二度とかかわるな、近づいたら殺すって脅迫文をセドリック様宛に出します」
「まあ、俺達はそう信じられるけど世間はそうじゃない。特にドートリシュ宰相が目障りな貴族なんかには、格好の攻撃材料だ」
誰かが陥れようとしているのだろうか。ゲーム通りに。
だがゲームでは、脅迫文にアイリーンの署名はなかったはずだ。その幼稚さを思うと、ゲーム通りと言えない気もする。
「脅迫文が届いてリリア様の身辺警護は厳しくなってるっつーのに、そんな脅迫がきたもんだから、魔物の仕業じゃないかって噂になっててな......」
「ああ、それで私が魔物と通じてるのでは――という話になるのね」
ジャスパーは頷く代わりに溜め息を吐いた。
「魔物の仕業ってことでまともに調査もされてない。リリア様は怖がって泣いてるらしいし、セドリック様は怒り狂ってるしでぐだぐだだよ、あっちは」
「まあ、脅迫文ごときで怖がるなんて。わたくし、何通も届くものだから、まとめて火にくべてお湯を沸かしたことありましてよ?」
「それもどうかと思うけどな!」
「ともかく、時間がありません。最初から犯人に目星をつけて罠をしかけていきましょう」
「目星って言ってもよぉ」
「魔物の仕業としか思えないくらい厳しい警護の目をかいくぐって届けられる脅迫文。犯人は内部にいるのがお約束でしょう?」
不敵に笑うアイリーンに、ジャスパーが頭をかいた。
「貴婦人向けの便せんを取り扱っている業者の最大手はアイザックの実家がやってる商会だったわね。あとでアイザックを呼んで頂戴。そして......アーモンド、聞こえる? 聞こえたなら出てきてくださらない。報酬はもちろん出すわ」
テラスに伸びた陰から飛び出た魔物に、ジャスパーがぎょっと身を引く。蝶ネクタイをつけたカラスが、テラスの手すりに降り立った。キースが複雑そうに呟く。
「こんな使い方できるんですね、この影......」
「仕事! ヤリタイ! 楽シイ! 報酬、アップルパイ!」
「ケーキもつけてあげるわ。王城のゴミを持ち帰る仕事よ」
「簡単! 任セロ!」
「駄目だ」
反対したのは、クロードだ。当然、アーモンドはあっさり態度を翻す。
「仕事、駄目ダ! 断ル!」
「王城からゴミ――書類を持って帰ってもらうだけです。危険はありません」
「だがゴミを捨てる使用人の目にはつくだろう。罠が仕掛けてある可能性もある」
「――クロード様。前々から言おうと思っていたのだけれど、魔物を甘やかしすぎです」
「結界の外は僕の力が及ばない、当然の対処だ」
「結界の外が危険だからと閉じ込めて、何が解決すると仰るの。危険だと言って刃物の使い方を子供に教えない親はただの馬鹿でしてよ。魔物にも知恵をつけさせるべきです。あなた一人で、全てを守れるわけではないんですから」
ずいっとクロードの顔に下から近づく。クロードは無表情だったが、わずかに身じろぎして後ろに下がった。
「アーモンド、あなたはどうなの? 仕事をしてみたい? したくない?」
「俺様、魔王様ノ命令、イチバン」
「さっきのは命令ではないわ。ただの束縛です」
名前と同じアーモンドのような目をぐりぐりと動かす。何か考えているようで、忙しなくクロードとアイリーンの間をいったりきたりした。
やがて、根負けしたようにクロードが息を吐き出した。
「......好きにしていい。ただし、危険だと思ったらすぐ戻ること。これは命令だ」
こくりとアーモンドが蝶ネクタイがついた首を縦に振る。そしてクロードは、冷たい双眸をアイリーンにひたと向けた。
「もし何かあったら、この城も森も人間の出入りを二度と許さない」
「その前に何かした人間をわたくしが叩きのめしてやりますわ。わたくしだってアーモンドが可愛いんですから。――なんですか全員、その顔は」
クロードはおろか、当の本人のアーモンドまでくちばしを開けて惚けている。ジャスパーが両腕を組んで、ベレー帽を被り直した。
「普段の言動のせいじゃねぇかなーと。分かりにくいんだよ、お嬢様の愛は」
「わたくしの貴重な時間を割いて仕事を任せる時点で、相当な愛でしてよ?」
だからその言動が、と言いたげな全員の顔をアイリーンは綺麗に無視した。
「アーモンド。クロード様の言うとおり、危険だと思ったらすぐ逃げること。そして必ず、複数で行動なさい。ゴミを見張る、持ち帰る、どれも手順が必要です。仲間の誰にどんな役割を振るか、それを決めるのはあなたに任せるわ」
「俺様、決メル」
「そうよ。あなたが隊長です」
ぶあっと全身の毛をふくらませたアーモンドが、目をきらきらさせた。と思ったら、器用に羽を片方折り曲げて、びしっと敬礼の格好をとる。
「あら。どこで覚えたの、敬礼なんて」
「アイザック、聞イタ! ケーレー、了解!」
誤解が多々混じっているが、要はこのポーズが気に入ったのだろう。羽で敬礼をし、ふさふさの胸を張っている姿は、魔物とは思えぬ愛らしさがあって微笑ましい。
ジャスパーもまじまじと眺めて、口笛を鳴らした。
「空軍式の敬礼だな。うまいうまい。確かに魔王様にとったら空軍だもんなぁ」
「......なら、部下を死なせないのは指揮官のわたくしのつとめね」
苦笑い気味のアイリーンに、クロードが目を向ける。そして、静かに尋ねた。
「僕に、何かできることはあるか」
ぎょっと全員が目を剥く。アイリーンも目を見開いて数秒固まった。
クロードだけが一人、足下に目を落とす。
「不思議だな。......君を泣かせたいという気持ちに変わりはないんだが」
「そこは変わって下さいませ!」
「たまにどろどろに甘やかして、君を駄目にしてしまいたくなる」
だから何故、甘いはずの台詞が怪しい方向へいく。
(孤高の魔王設定はどこへいったの!?)
囁き一つで、清々しい真昼を倒錯感漂う淫靡な蜜月にしないで欲しい。あとずさりながら、アイリーンは引きつった笑いを見せる。
「お、おたわむれがすぎると......って全員いない!?」
「一目散に逃げていったが」
アーモンドもフェンリルの子までいない。魔王に捧げられた生け贄になった気分だ。額に手を当てて、アイリーンは深呼吸をする。
(落ち着こう、落ち着いて......大事なのはそう、クロード様に何かしてもらえそうだっていうことよ! ここは一つ、結婚を了承させて――)
そこまで思いついたのに、どうしてだか、それが口にできなかった。
どろどろに甘やかされて駄目になる気がした。
「では――夜会で、他のどの殿方より......セドリック様よりかっこよく、わたくしをエスコートしてくださいませ」
考えて考えて出てきたのは、そんな間抜けな願いだった。言ってから頭を抱えたくなる。
(せめてコラーゲンを開発してとか! いやそれも違う!? あああクロード様もほら、何言ってんだこいつみたいな目になってる!)
どうしてだろう、願いなんて数え切れないほどたくさんあるのに、そんなことしか思いつかなかった。恥ずかしさに逃げ出したくなっていると、先にクロードの方が目をそらす。
「君はほんとうに、手強い」
「は......?」
「約束する」
何を、と問い返す前に、とんとテラスを蹴ったクロードは地面に下りてしまった。
約束の中身に思い当たったアイリーンは、遅れて熱くなった頬を両手で挟む。
――クロード・ジャンヌ・エルメイアの署名付きでアイリーン宛に、夜会用のドレスと靴、アクセサリーの一式が枕元に置かれていたのは、夜会の当日、朝のことだった。
[The source of the rumor is Max Cowell] 
[Then, the cause must be from the uproar at the academy the other day] 
The Fenrir's pup at Irene's feet blinked its eyes. Claude furrowed his eyebrows.
[Max?Who is he, Keith?] 
[I heard a rumor that you knocked him down, but to think that our King has no memories of him... As expected from our King] 
[......Did something like that really happen?] 
If anything, it was Claude himself who had Max beaten up in front of Lilia at that place.
(Oh dear, somehow, I feel a little sympathy for him)
Max wasn't even in his field of view; the Demon King ruthlessness was unparalleled.
Jasper seemed to cough out purposely.
[W-well, let's just say that there's a difference in each and everyone's awareness. Hereupon, I shall explain one by one in chronological order about what really happened; it seems like threatening letters have been constantly sent to Lilisama. You aren't suitable to become Cedric-sama fiancee, so withdraw immediately; otherwise, something is guaranteed to happen kind of thing. Well, it's something like the rite of pa.s.sage for a woman who will become the Prince's wife] 
[I see. But, how did I end up becoming the culprit?] 
[The reason is that some of the threatening letters were signed by Irene Loren D'Austriche. Moreover, the letters were delivered by the first-cla.s.s service with the scent that My Lady often used, attached to them; Cedric-sama who received the letters first, made a fuss because of it] 
When she was trying to laugh, she felt a shot of pain running to her temple. Like a flash, a scene from the game was played inside her mind.
(Threat......That's right. The heroine did receive something like that. Because of that, a kidnapping incident will happen......In the game, the one who revealed the threatening letters was......)
The villainess Irene Loren D'Austriche was the mastermind behind the kidnapping because she wanted to reconcile with Cedric.
[......Give me a break. If I were to be the culprit, I would write don't ever get yourself involved with her, if you get close to her, I'll kill you and send that threatening letter to Cedric-sama] 
[Well, we believe in you, but the society doesn't. Especially, the other n.o.bles and those who think that D'Austriche Prime Minister is an eyesore; it's a suitable censure material] 
I wonder if someone is trying to drag me down. Like in the game.
However, in the game, Irene's signature wasn't supposed to be on the threatening letters. (1)Thinking of that childishness, she also felt like she couldn't say like it was something like in the game.
[Although Lilisama's personal protection has been tightened due to the threatening letters, that kind of threats are still coming. That's why, they a.s.sumed it was the monster's deed, thus we ended up getting such rumor] 
[Oh, and so, I am in touch with the monsters----that kind of conclusion was made] 
Instead of nodding his head, Jasper heaved a sigh.
[They didn't even properly investigate whether it was the work of the monsters or not. It seems like Lilisama is crying because she's scared, so Cedric-sama is in a fit of anger; it was a mess over there] 
[My, as if things such as threatening letters are something that one needs to fear. I've had received something like that way too many times. So, there was a time where I threw all of the letters into the fire; I even boiled them in hot water, you know?] 
[But, there's also a problem with that kind of way!] 
[Anyway, we don't have time. First of all, let's put a mark on the culprit and set a trap for them] 
[Even if you say something as marking the culprit] 
[Threatening letters managed to slip through and were delivered under the intense scrutiny of the bodyguards, so people can't help but think that it was the work of the monsters. So, it was the work of an insider, wasn't it?] 
At Irene's bold laugh, Jasper scratched his head.
[Isaac's parents run the largest company that deals with letters oriented towards the ladies. Please call Isaac for me later. And then......Almond, can you hear me? If you hear me, please come out. Of course, I'll give you rewards] 
Jasper took a step back after being startled by the monster that flew out of Irene's shadow that was stretched out all the way to the terrace. The crow that was wearing a bow neck tie was perched on the handrail of the terrace. Keith muttered while looking complicated.
[So we can use the shadow in such way......] 
[Work! I want to do it! It's fun! Reward, Apple Pie!] 
[I'll give you a cake as well. It's a job that needs you to bring back the trash from the Imperial Castle] 
[Easy!Leave it to me!] 
[Not allowed] 
The one who made that objection was Claude. Naturally, Almond quickly changed his att.i.tude.
[Work, not allowed!I decline!] 
[The trash from the Imperial Castle----It's just bringing doc.u.ments back. There's no danger] 
[But, it will definitely attract the attention of the servants who will be throwing away the trash. There's also a possibility of it being a trap] 
[----Claude-sama. I think I've said this before, but you've pampered the monsters too much] 
[It's a natural way to deal with it since my power can't reach outside of barrier] 
[Because it's dangerous outside the barrier, we'll shut ourselves in here; tell me is there anything that can be solved by doing that? A parent who doesn't teach their children how to use cutlery because it's dangerous for them is nothing but a fool. Even monsters should be given wisdom. Because... you can't protect everything by yourself, after all] 
Irene approached Claude's face from below without hesitation. Claude was expressionless, but he slightly stirred and took a step back.
[Almond, what about you?Do you want to try to work?Or you don't?] 
[Ore-sama, Demon King-sama's command, prioritize] 
[That wasn't a command just now. It was simply a restriction] 
Almond, similar to his name rolled his eyes. It seemed like he was thinking of something; his eyes restlessly moved back and forth between Claude and Irene.
Eventually, as if being beaten down by Almond's persistence, Claude sighed.
[......You can do whatever you like. However, if you think that the situation is dangerous, you need to come back quickly. This is an order] 
Almond who was wearing the bow tie repeatedly nodded his head. And then, Claude directed his pair of cold eyes towards Irene.
[If something happens, the humans will no longer be permitted to come and go from this castle and forest] 
[Before that happen, I will personally beat up the human who does something. After all, even I, think that Almond is cute----what's with those faces, everyone?] 
Claude looked stupid while Almond himself had his beak opened. There was a blank look on his face. Jasper crossed his arms after putting back his beret.
[I wonder if it's the fault of her usual speech and conduct. Ojou-sama's love is incomprehensible] 
[It's an occasion in which I can entrust someone with work during my precious spare time; he's worthy of my love, no?] 
Irene completely ignored everyone's faces that seemed to say "it's that speech and conduct".
[Almond. As per Claude-sama said, if you think the situation is dangerous, run away immediately. And, be sure to move in a group. Look out for the trash and bring it back. Both of these procedures are necessary. I'll leave it to you to decide who and what role he's going to act on] 
[Ore-sama, decide] 
[That's right. You're the captain] 
Almond whose whole body feathers expand in a surprising way, had sparkles in his eyes. No sooner than that, he skillfully bent one side of his wings up and smartly made a salute form.
[My. Where did you learn things like a salute? ] 
[I heard from Isaac! Follow, understand] 
There was a lot of misunderstanding mixed in, but surely the point is, he liked the pose. His wings when he did the salute, his figure when he puffed out his tufty chest: there was an adorableness that didn't make him seem like a monster; it's pretty charming.
Having his view fixed at Almond, Jasper whistled loudly.
[It's an Air Force style salute, isn't it? It's done skillfully. Certainly, it's an Air Force meant for the Demon King-sama] 
[......Then, it's my duty as the commander to not let my subordinate die] 
Claude looked at Irene who had laughed bitterly. And then, he quietly asked.
[Is there something that I can do?] 
Startled, everyone widened their eyes in surprise. Irene's eyes were also opened widely and stiffened for several seconds.
Meanwhile, Claude had dropped his gaze to his feet.
[It feels strange. ......The feeling of wanting to make you cry doesn't change] 
[Please change that!] 
[Sometimes, I'm tempted to pamper you until you become useless] 
So, why did the lines that should be sweet suddenly went in a strange direction?
(Where did the setting of the aloof Demon King go!?)
Please don't make the air of a mysterious honeymoon filled with only secret whispering and sensation of perversion be in the refres.h.i.+ng broad daylight.  While stepping back, Irene laughed stiffly.
[Y-your joke is too much, I......Eh, everyone's gone!?] 
[They escaped at a full speed] 
Almond and even the Fenrir's pup were nowhere in sight. She had a feeling that they were offering her as a sacrifice to the Demon King. With her hand on her forehead, Irene took a deep breath.
(Let's calm down, calm down......What's important, that's right, I need to make Claude-sama do something for me!Here's one, please accept the marriage----)
Although her thought had gone that far, for some reason, she couldn't say it.
She felt like she was being pampered too much she had become useless.
[Then----during the evening party, better than any other gentlemen......Please escort me in a cooler way than Cedric-sama had did] 
She kept on thinking and what's coming out of her mouth was that kind of stupid request. After she said that, she was greatly perplexed.
(At least, say something about collagen development or something! No, that's not right, either!? Aaah, now look at Claude-sama, he's looking at me as if he's saying what is this woman saying!)
She wondered why, although she had countless of wishes, it was that kind of thought that came into her mind. Even though she was so embarra.s.sed to the point she wanted to run away, Claude's the one averting his eyes away first.
[You are truly difficult] 
[Huh......?] 
[I promise you] 
Before she was able to ask him again about what he meant by those words, Claude tapped his feet on the terrace and got off from the ground.
Irene covered her warmed cheeks with both of her hands when the content of the promise came into her mind.
----It was the morning of the appointed evening party day. A complete set of dress, shoes, and accessories for Irene to wear to the evening party were placed at Irene's bedside. There was also a card signed by Claude Jeanne Elmeier.
Villainous Daughter Aims for the Last Boss
悪役令嬢なのでラスボスを飼ってみました
https://www.novelupdates.com/series/villainous-daughter-aims-for-the-last-boss/
Drama Fantasy Romance School Life Shoujo
Adapted to Anime Adapted to Manga Aristocracy Beautiful Female Lead Bloodlines Broken Engagement Business Management Businessmen Calm Protagonist Demon Lord Demons Female Protagonist Handsome Male Lead Hated Protagonist Kuudere Multiple Reincarnated Individuals Nobles Otome Game Politics Reincarnated in a Game World Royalty Saints Sword And Magic Villainess Noble Girls
https://ncode.syosetu.com/n2766dz/
永瀬さらさ