「......ベルゼビュートの様子が最近おかしいのは、君のせいか?」
できあがったばかりの城のテラスで眼下の様子を見ていたアイリーンは、上から声をかけられて顔を上げる。
真下では城の修繕に走り回る職人とドニの指示が飛んでいる。しかし誰も、宙に浮かぶ魔王の姿に驚きもしない。
それくらい、見慣れた光景になってしまった。
「様子がおかしいだなんて。騎士らしくなってきましたでしょう?」
「延々と正しい礼の仕方を見せられたんだが......」
「それくらい見て差し上げてくださいな。夜会まであと一週間。クロード様のそばにいたい一心で頑張ってらっしゃるんですから」
複雑そうな顔で、クロードはテラスに降り立つ。足下でおすわりをしていたフェンリルの子がすっくと立ち上がって、隣をあけた。アイリーンと並んで、クロードもテラスから周囲を一望する。
「他にも菓子をエサに、魔物達に色々させているらしいな」
「無理強いはしてませんわ。それとも全てクロード様の許可が必要でした?」
「いや。......魔物達も楽しそうだからいい」
眼下からは賑やかな声が聞こえてきていた。籠を首にかけて運んでいくカラスの集団が見える。重い木材をひょいと立てて、支えている狼男もいる。
「工事を手伝うと無料で住処を作ってもらえると、魔物達が言っていた」
「ええ。魔物達は人間にない力がありますわ。細かい作業は任せられませんけれど、力仕事や運搬はとても頼りになるとドニが言っていました」
おかげで、通常の倍以上の速度で城の修繕が進んでいる。
ドニなどついに「報酬払うから働きにきてもらえないかな?」と言い出した。
そしてその言葉にどの魔物も、魔王様の許可が出たらと返す。
「結界の外でもきっといい働きを見せてくださいますわよ。わたくしの商会の社員にしませんか? 仕事は主に災害復興。クロード様が幹部で、魔物のイメージアップをかかげますわ」
「検討しておく」
断っても無駄だと思っているのか、無難な答えを返された。口にはしたものの、自分の部下になるクロードが想像できなかったので、引き下がって話題を変える。
「クロード様の治める土地――魔物達の住処は、意外と広いのですね」
「......ああ。最初は本当に、この廃城と森だけだったんだが......」
ふとクロードが遠くを見る目になった。
「今は落ち着いたが、昔はよく人間に住処を追われた魔物がやってきた。手狭になって、魔物達が住むところが足りなくなって、困ったことがあった」
「魔物の難民問題といったところですか。それで、どうなさいましたの?」
「キースが隣の土地を買い上げてきた。当時はどこかの伯爵領だったはずだ」
つと、クロードが森の向こうを指さす。
「あちらは北にいくにつれ、気候が厳しく、貧しい土地になる。しかも魔王の森と隣り合わせだ。皇都に近いとはいえ、割に合わなかったんだろう。かなり安く買いたたけたと聞いた」
「でもあちらにも面子があります。難しい交渉だったと思いますが......やり手ですわね、キース様は」
「ああ。信頼している」
相変わらずの無表情だが、本心なのだとわかった。
ちくりと、アイリーンの胸の奥が痛む。
「......キース様がうらやましいですわ」
「君が? どうして」
「クロード様。皇妃というものは、臣下でもあるのですよ。......わたくし、セドリック様の信頼を得られなかったことは、臣下としての自分の手落ちだったと思っていますの」
強い風が吹いて、木の葉を巻き上げた。きゅうと足元のフェンリルの子が小さく鳴く。
「今思えば、ちゃんと予兆はありましたわ。会いにいくのはいつもわたくし。贈り物ももらったことがありません。事業も任せるの一点張り......あら、今も大して変わっていないかしら」
首をかしげたところで、いきなり頭からクロードのマントをかぶせられた。びゅうびゅう風が吹き荒れる中で、クロードが呟く。
「寒いだろう、中に入るぞ」
「あ、ありがとうございます。......クロード様......この風、というか、あの、竜巻があちらに見えるような」
「僕はセドリックとは違う」
ああ、それで不機嫌になっているのか。
納得したアイリーンは一気に不穏になった空模様の下で微笑む。
「わかっております。クロード様なら、約束通り夜会にきちんと来てくださいますでしょ」
「......すっぽかされたことがあるのか?」
「ええ、去年の学園祭で」
セドリックは現れず、アイリーンはひとり、ぽつんと立っていた。
あの時は何が起こっているのか分からなかったが、今は分かる。ゲームの知識があるから、分かってしまう。
セドリックは屋上で、リリアと二人きり、星空の下での舞踏会を堪能していたのだ。
「もし何か起こっていけなくなったとしても、僕ならきちんと説明する」
絶対に行くなどと安易に約束しないクロードは、確かにセドリックとは違う。
だから安心してアイリーンは頷いた。
「でも、どんな理由だろうとこなかった場合はそれ相応の償いをしていただきますわ」
「たとえば?」
「わたくしと結婚致しましょう」
呆れると思ったのに、真顔で考えこまれてしまった。クロードのマントに身をくるんだまま、アイリーンはまばたく。
「あら、ついに観念なさいまして?」
「......。君が泣いて頼むなら前向きに検討してもいい」
「どうしてそうわたくしを泣かせたがるんです!?」
「それはアイリーン様がやり込めたくなる性格をしてらっしゃるからじゃないですかねぇ」
テラスの内側からキースの声がした。見ると、キースだけでなく微妙な顔をしたジャスパーまでいる。
「確かに、泣かせたら男として勝ちみたいな感じするよな、お嬢様は」
「それが男という生き物のサガなら、今すぐ滅んでしまいなさい!」
「二人そろって、なんの用だ。出歯亀か」
「いい感じなところほんっとーに申し訳ないんですけれどね。ちょっとよろしくない情報をジャスパーさんからいただきまして」
ちらとキースに目配せされたジャスパーが、ベレー帽の縁を持った。
「お嬢様が、魔物と手を組んでリリア様の命を狙ってるって噂になってる」
[......The reason for Beelzebub strange appearance recently, is it your fault?] 
Irene who was looking at the situation down below at the recently completed castle's terrace, looked up when a voice coming from above spoke to her.
Underneath Claude who was flying, there were craftsmen running around repairing the castle and Donny who was giving out instructions. However, everyone was no longer surprised at the floating figure of the Demon King in the air.
At least, they were already used to that kind of view.
[What's weird about his appearance now? He becomes Knight-like, right?] 
[He's been showing me the proper way to bow over and over again, though......] 
[Please look over his quirkiness at least that much. There's only a week left before the evening party. He's giving his all because he wants to stay by Claude-sama's side after all] 
With a seemingly complicated expression on his face, Claude got down to stand on the terrace. The Fenrir's pup that was sitting on her feet, stood up straight and then made a s.p.a.ce for him on her side. Claude swept his eyes over the surrounding from the terrace alongside Irene.
[Besides, it seems like you're using pastries as a bait to make the monsters do various things for you] 
[It's not like I'm forcing them. Or, does everything requires Claude-sama's approval?] 
[No. ......the monsters look like they're having fun so it's okay] 
A lively voice could be heard coming from down below. A group of crows could be seen carrying baskets on their necks. There were also werewolves holding up the heavy woods in an effortless manner.
[The monsters said that they will a.s.sist with the construction if those people can build the monsters' residence free of charge] 
[Yes. The monsters possess inhuman strength. Donny said that they won't leave the trivial work to the monsters, so the monsters are being relied on for things like manual labor and transportation] 
Thanks to that, the time it took to repair the castle was twice faster than the original speed.
In the end, Donny and the others proposed[We'll pay for the remuneration, so why don't you guys come and work with us?] 
The monsters' answer to that offer was they need to receive permission from the Demon King-sama.
[With the way they work inside the barrier, I'm sure they will do a good job again if they were to work outside the barrier. Do you want to be a member of my company? The work is mainly for disaster restoration. Claude-sama can become the executive and at the same time, you can also create a better image for the monsters] 
[I'll consider it] 
Irene thought it would be useless to offer him since he would end up refusing it anyway; but, he returned a safe response. Although she had been the one proposing it, Irene couldn't imagine having Claude as her subordinate. So, she left the topic hanging by changing it to another.
[The land that Claude-sama governed----the monsters' den is surprisingly wide] 
[......Yeah. In the beginning, there was really only this abandoned castle and the forest......] 
Suddenly, Claude made a look that seemingly looking at a distance place.
[Everything had settled down right now, but a long time ago the humans often came to the monsters' den to chase them. There were troubled times when the place had become cramped and the monsters didn't have enough place to live] 
[Was it something like refugee problems for the monsters?So, what did you do?] 
[Keith bought the plot of land next to it. It was supposed to be a territory of some Earl at that time] 
Calmly, Claude pointed at the other side of the forest.
[Over there, as you move ahead towards the north, the climate will become harsher and the soil, poorer. Furthermore, it was adjoined to the Demon King's forest. Although it was close to the imperial capital, it did not have any worth. I heard he bought it for quite a cheap price] 
[But, even that person has honors. I think it must be a difficult negotiation, but......Keith-sama is a skilled person, isn't he?] 
[Yeah. I trust him] 
He was as expressionless as usual, but she could confidently say that she knew it was his true feelings.
As if p.r.i.c.ked, Irene felt a pain on her chest.
[......I'm jealous of Keith-sama] 
[You do? Why] 
[Claude-sama. An Empress can also be called as a retainer, you know?. ......I think it was my fault as a retainer for failing to gain Cedric's trust] 
The wind blew strongly causing the leaves to be ripped off of the trees. With a squeal, the Fenrir's pup at their feet cried out softly.
[If I think about it now, there were proper signs. It was always me who went out to see him. I've never received a gift from him, and he also persistently left the project for me to handle......My, I wonder if things haven't changed much] 
When she tilted her head in puzzlement, Claude's put his mantle on her head out of the blue. Under the harsh sound made by the violent wind, Claude muttered.
[It's cold, isn't it? Get in] 
[T-Thank you very much. ......Claude-sama......This wind, how should I put this, well, I can see a tornado over there] 
[I am different from Cedric] 
Ah, so he was displeased about that?
With that understanding, Irene smiled underneath the sudden stormy weather.
[I understand. If it's Claude-sama, you will properly keep your promise to come to the evening party, right?] 
[......Have you been stood up by someone?] 
[Yes, last year at the school festival] 
Cedric did not appear, so Irene stood alone by herself.
At that time, she did not know what happened, but now she knows. Because she had the game information, she ended up knowing.
Cedric and Lilia were at the rooftop, dancing joyously underneath the starry sky with just the two of them.
[Even if, for example, something happens and I end up not going to the party...If it was me, I'll properly explain] 
Claude who won't easily promise he would definitely go and such was certainly different from Cedric.
So, with a peace of mind, Irene nodded.
[However, in a case where you can't come, I don't care whatever reason you have, I'll take a proper compensation from you] 
[For example?] 
[I'll let you marry me] 
She thought he would be shocked, but he was seriously considering her words with a serious look on his face. While wrapping her body with Claude's mantle, Irene blinked her eyes.
[My, have you finally get used to the idea?] 
[....... If you ask for it while crying, I might consider it positively] 
[Why do you want to make me cry so much!?] 
[Isn't that's because of Irene-sama's personality that likes to corner someone in an argument?] 
There was Keith's voice coming from the inner part of the terrace. When she looked at the location properly, it wasn't just Keith. There was also Jasper with a strange look on his face.
[Certainly, if we manage to make Ojou-sama cry, it feels like it's our win as a man] 
[If that's a saga for beings called men, destroy it immediately!] 
[What business do you two have, meeting in here like this? A Peeping Tom? ] 
[I truly apologize for interrupting when there's a good atmosphere surrounding you two. There's slightly unpleasant information from Jasper-san that he wanted to tell you] 
Jasper exchanged a look with Keith while holding his beret in his hand.
[It is rumored that Ojou-sama's aiming for Lilisama's life by joining forces with the monsters]
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