ほどなく、化粧水の試作品が完成した。
秘匿性を考え、アイザックが選んだ富裕層の女性にモニターしてもらった結果、評判は上々。手応えは十分あった。
問題は売り方だ。
(わたくしが売り込もうとしても、今は名前だけで門前払いだわ。前はドートリシュの名前だけで信用は十分だからって、宣伝のことはあまり考えてなかったのよね......)
ジャスパーに調べてもらった、夜会出席予定者のリストに目を通す。
皇太子が初めて自ら夜会を主宰する場だ。ドートリシュ公爵家に劣らぬ大物貴族の名前も並んでいる。ここでうまく演出できれば、軌道にのる。
(いいものができたもの、使ってもらえれば確実に評判になるはず。問題はどうやって使わせるかよ。頭を下げて頼む? いいえ、そんなことをしたら足下を見られるだけ......)
がさりと音が聞こえた。
羽ペンを持ち、ランタンの灯り一つで自室の机に向かっていたアイリーンは、先に口を動かす。
「アーモンドでしょう。クロード様に言いつけましてよ。まったくあなたは懲りもせず――って」
振り向いたアイリーンは目を丸くする。
そこにいたのは蝶ネクタイをつけたカラスではなくベルゼビュートだった。
(......。そうね、彼、魔物だものね。使えるのよね、私の影)
微妙に間抜けたことを考えてしまう。
こんな真夜中に、淑女の部屋に忍び込む。魔物とはいえ青年の格好をしている以上、許されざる所業だ。だが、彼に限って夜這いなんてことはあるまいし、ただ困惑が勝る。
「......娘。頼みがある」
「......。まあ、いったいどういう風の吹き回しで?」
皮肉ではなく本気で首をかしげると、ベルゼビュートは眉間のしわをさらによせた。
「俺だとて、頼みたくはない。だが、お前が適任だと小僧から聞いた」
「ドニのことかしら。まったく、わたくしは便利屋ではなくってよ。でもいいでしょう、言ってご覧なさい」
「......王が、夜会に行かれるだろう。俺もそれについていきたい」
ぱちり、とアイリーンはまばたきした。ベルゼビュートは深くため息を吐く。
「キースがついていくのは知っている。だが、それだけでは心もとない」
「夜会についてきたとしても、従者は隅にいるくらいしかできませんわよ?」
「それでもだ。......夜会とは、王を追いやった人間共の集まる場所だろう。そこは王にとって戦場だ。王は強い。負けない」
ゆるぎない信頼が宿る瞳で、ベルゼビュートは続ける。
「だが、傷つかないわけではない」
「夜会という場所で王に恥をかかせないためには、マナーという力が必要だと聞いた。俺は、その力が欲しい」
せめて、そばにいるために。
そう訴える瞳に、苦笑いしてしまった。――これは、断れない。
「俺にマナーの力を授けてくれるのか」
「ええ、授けましてよ? まだ一か月あります。とりあえず形にして差し上げますわ。あなたはクロード様の右腕で、騎士なのですから」
ぱっと嬉しそうな顔をするベルゼビュートの純真さは本物だ。
「クロード様は幸せ者ね。......何より、不思議な方だわ」
ベルゼビュートが首を傾けた。
それがまぶしくて、うらやましくて、アイリーンはぽつりと胸の内をさらす。
「ここまで周囲を動かすなんて、どんな方かしらと気になってしまう」
「魔王だが?」
「そうね。それでこそ魔王なのかもしれないわ。......危険で、謎めいていて、何が起こるか分からない。だからこそ誰もが無視できない......――それだわ!」
まさに天啓だった。立ち上がり、夜会の出席者のリストをもう一度見る。
「......狙うならこことここと......確かこの二人は仲が悪かったわね、それを利用して......!」
「おい、娘。俺は早くマナーを授かりたいのだが」
「ええ、もちろんよ。あなたにも他のご令嬢がときめく騎士になってもらわないと」
いけるはずだ。にいと悪徳商人の笑みを浮かべたアイリーンは、早速ベルゼビュートに向き直る。
そして両腕を軽く組み、優雅に微笑んだ。
「そういうわけで、まずはわたくしに跪くことから覚えましょうね?」
Soon, the prototype for the face lotion would be completed.
Considering the confidentiality of the project, the result from monitoring the rich lady chosen by Isaac showed that the product had an excellent reputation. Her reaction was enough.
The problem was the method for selling it.
(Even if I were to promote it by myself, right now, just at the mention of my name, they will not hesitate to turn me down at their front doors. Nevertheless, before, it's enough to gain some trust just by using D'Austriche name; It has appears to me that I didn't give much thought on its advertising......)
She looked through the list of prospective attendees for the evening party that she asked Jasper to check up on.
It was an occasion in which it was the first evening party that the Crown Prince himself organized. There were also names of great n.o.ble families comparable to the D'Austriche Ducal House listed. At this point, if the production is going well, they will be moving on the right track.
(We were able to make an excellent product; if we can persuade the people to use it, this product should be gaining a reliable reputation. The problem is, how do we persuade them to use it? Should I lower my head and beg them? No, if I do that kind of thing, they will use that opportunity to take advantage on me......)
She heard a rustling sound.
Irene who was facing the desk illuminated by a lantern in her own room spoke first with her quill pen in her hand.
[Almond, right? I'm going to tell Claude-sama, you know? For G.o.d sake, you don't learn your lesson at all----Eh] 
Turning around, Irene's eyes widened.
The one who was standing over there was not the crow that was wearing bow necktie. It was Beelzebub.
(....... That's right, he's a monster after all. He can use my shadow as well)
She ended up thinking something strangely stupid.
He just sneaked into a lady's room at midnight. Even though he's a monster, it was an unforgivable deed for someone possessing the appearance of a young man like him. (1) However, there was no such thing as a restriction for him to sneak a visit in the first place; but, Irene was still greatly bewildered by the situation.
[......Girl. I have something to ask from you] 
[....... My, what brings you here?] 
At her confusion, not in a sarcastic way, but truly in a puzzled way, Beelzebub further furrowed his eyebrows.
[I don't want to ask you either, but I heard from that brat that you're a qualified person to ask about this matter] 
[Are you talking about Donny? Good grief, I'm not a jack of all trades. But, it's fine I suppose. Please, ask away] 
[......The King is going to the evening party, isn't he? I want to accompany him as well] 
Irene blinked rapidly. Beelzebub sighed deeply.
[I know that Keith will accompany him. But, I feel uneasy if it's just him] 
[Even if you want to come along to the evening party, the attendant can only stay at the corner, you know?] 
[Still.......The evening party is the gathering place for humans who had driven the King away, right? For King, that place is a battlefield. The King is strong. He will not lose to them] 
With unwavering confidence in his King dwelling in his eyes, Beelzebub continued.
[But, it doesn't mean that he will not be hurt] 
[I heard that a power called "manner" is necessary at the place called the evening party for the sake of not embarra.s.sing the King. I want that power] 
At least, for the sake of staying by the King's side.
When he appealed to her with that pair of eyes, Irene let out a strained laugh.----This was a request she couldn't decline.
[You'll grant me the power of "manner"?] 
[Yes, I'll grant it to you. I still have a month left. First of all, I'm going to give you the form. Because you're Claude-sama's right-hand man, you're inevitably his Knight] 
In a flash, Beelzebub made a seemingly happy face; His sincerity is real.
[Claude-sama is a fortunate person. ......Moreover, he's a mysterious man] 
Beelzebub tilted his head to a side.
It was brilliant and enviable, Irene exposed what's inside her heart with just a few words.
[To be able to influence his surroundings up to this point, I ended up feeling curious about what kind of person is he] 
[He's a Demon King?] 
[That's true. Maybe because of that, he's the Demon King....... He's dangerous, mysterious, and no one knows what will happen. That's why no one is able to ignore him......----That's it!] 
It was exactly a divine revelation. Standing, she looked at the list of the prospective attendees of the evening party once again.
[......The aim is, this and this......If I'm not mistaken, these two have a bad relations.h.i.+p, if we can utilize that......!] 
[Oi, girl. I want to quickly be granted the power of "manner"] 
[Yes, of course. I need to turn you into a Knight who's going to flutter other ladies' hearts, as well] 
It should be possible. With a grin of a corrupt merchant shown on her face, Irene immediately turned around to face Beelzebub.
With both of her arms lightly crossed, Irene smiled gracefully.
[So, first, let's learn how to kneel before me, okay?]
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