#1030 The Childhood Wife’s Adventure  

I’m Arias, wife of Mamoru, a Heavenly One.

Today is a big day for me.

At long last, I get to meet Queen Astres.

As Mamoru’s beloved wife, I need to make sure I leave a good impression on her!!!

...But wait.

Where exactly are we heading?

Mamoru mentioned something about a yakiniku party. But what exactly is that?

Is it like a tea party? A dinner party? Maybe a ball?

I’ve attended many noble gatherings, but this “yakiniku party” is a first for me.

What kind of event is this?

From the name alone, it sounds like a party where you... grill meat?

...What kind of party is this?

Surely, it’s not some demonic ritual, right?

There’s no use in just imagining things.

If the Demon King is attending, it can’t be anything too suspicious. The only way to find out is to go and see for myself!

So, the day of the yakiniku party finally arrived.

We used teleportation magic to get to the venue.

Teleportation magic? Really?

I assumed it would be at the Demon King’s Castle, but we’re leaving the capital altogether?

Where are we going?

We ended up teleporting to a peaceful, tranquil place.

There were few buildings, lots of greenery... It reminded me of a resort I visited as a child.

It’s so calming to be in a place like this.

Maybe it’d be nice to raise our future kids in a place like this, Mamoru?

“Yeah, that sounds nice. Wait, no! That’s not the point! A quiet place is great for raising kids, but...!”

Mamoru, you’re more on edge than usual.

“What I mean is, this is no time to be relaxing! Not only is the Demon King’s family attending, but even the Mermaid King and the Guildmaster couple from the Human Kingdom! If we make a bad impression on these high-ranking individuals, it could seriously hurt our standing! We can’t afford any mistakes!”

Mamoru’s right!

The stakes are high enough to make anyone a little tense!

I’m not here to play around!

For nobles, a lavish banquet is a battlefield!

We don our armor of gowns, wield our swords of flattery, and fight for our family’s interests!

This time, the objective is clear!

Goal: Greet Queen Astres!

The first Demon Queen and the pinnacle of women among demons… Only by earning her approval can we truly be accepted in demon society.

Mamoru’s been a bit overprotective, so I haven’t been able to meet her until now. But now that I’m going to be a mother, I need to be a strong woman!

Running away is not an option!

...So, Mission One: Get close to Queen Astres!

Mission Two: Introduce myself and make sure she remembers my face and name!

Mission Three: Casually explain why I haven’t been able to greet her before, clear up any misunderstandings, and apologize for my father!

Mission Four: Successfully bond with Queen Astres and secure a friendly relationship!

If I can pull this off, Mamoru’s standing will be secure!

Now then, time to find the one and only Queen Astres…!

The venue is more idyllic than I expected.

It’s being held outdoors… like a garden party.

And the guests aren’t limited to demons—this is quite an international affair.

Will it be hard to find Queen Astres in this crowd? Or will it be easy?

“Hey, you over there.”

“Yes?”

As I hesitated, someone called out to me.

Mamoru, who was next to me, suddenly choked up with a “Hik!”

“A-a-a-aren’t you… Lady Bloody Mary?!”

“You don’t look familiar. Is this your first time at one of these farm events?”

The person who called out was a young, beautiful woman.

Her skin was so pale it seemed to glow, and everything about her—her hair, her clothes—was pitch black, creating a striking contrast.

Her skin was like fine porcelain, and her hair so glossy black, it seemed otherworldly.

Who is this woman?

Judging by her complexion, she doesn’t seem human, but there’s something about her aura that suggests she’s not just anyone.

She might even be something beyond human.

My instincts scream that this is someone I mustn’t offend.

I’ll trust my gut on this one.

“A pleasure to meet you. I’m Arias, the wife of Mamoru, one of the Heavenly Four of the Demon King’s Army, known as the Coveted.”

“Oh my, a human who actually knows their manners. How rare! They say it’s polite to introduce yourself in return, so I suppose I shall. I am Bloody Mary, the Gwynn Dragon!”

Gwynn Dragon?

Is that some kind of human clan?

Oh no, I crammed all the demon clans and family names into my head, but I didn’t prepare for the human ones!

This is the perfect time to use one of my noble arts... pretending I know what they’re talking about!

“How very gracious of you! The Gwynn Dragon’s fame is well-known even among us demons.”

“Really?! It is?! ...Well, I suppose demons are a bit more impressive than I gave them credit for!!!”

A little flattery goes a long way.

Now, time to make a quick exit before I slip up! Such is the golden rule of pretending you know something.

“A-A-A-A face-to-face conversation with the Queen of Dragons...?! Abababababa!”

Mamoru’s acting all weird, too. My noble senses are tingling, telling me that it’s best not to get too involved with this woman.

“I’d love to continue this delightful chat, but there’s someone I urgently need to greet. It’s a shame, but I must take my leave.”

“Greet? Well, why not greet me? I am, after all, the Dragon Empress, ruler of all creatures!”

Yikes, is she one of those people who just doesn’t get it?

Everything she says is so over the top; she must be from the countryside or something.

“Well, you see, in the demon society, there’s a certain hierarchy to observe...”

“Oh! Demon hierarchy? That means the Demon King! Demon King! Are you around?!”

Wha—?!

You bumpkin! You can’t just call out to the Demon King by name like that!

Please stop, or you’ll get us all caught in the crossfire!

Too late—before I could react, the Demon King Zedan actually showed up!

“What business do you have, Lady Mary? It’s rare for you to call on me.”

“This woman says she has business with you. I quite like her—she’s got potential. Treat her well.”

Did she really just talk like that to the Demon Kinggggggg?!

This woman is so out of her depth that it’s a disaster for someone like me who values decorum!

And let’s not forget, Demon King Zedan isn’t exactly on good terms with my family!

In fact, the reason our family fell from grace was that my father managed to infuriate him over and over.

And now, here I am, in front of him without any preparation—this is a disaster from the start!

“Hmm? And you are...?”

The Demon King looks at me with a curious expression.

“Oh, right. You must be Mamoru’s wife.”

“Yes, that is indeed correct, You Majesty!!!”

He totally just deduced that after looking at Mamoru standing next to me, didn’t he?!

The Demon King doesn’t even recognize me?!

And I was once considered a candidate for his bride?!

I wasn’t interested in him, but it still kind of stings that he wasn’t interested in me either!

“Mamoru is known for keeping his wife out of the public eye. This is a rare occurrence. So, he’s finally going to be a father, is he?”

“Y-Yes, exactly...!”

Men have their own way of interacting.

I’ll leave handling the Demon King to Mamoru and stay a few steps behind like a proper wife!

“So, he’s brought you here because you’re expecting. That means the direct line of the Coveted-Holy Sword is secure, and the family lineage is safe. I’m glad the faction’s survival is also assured.”

“We’re eternally grateful for your mercy in allowing the family and the faction to survive...!”

“No need to thank me repeatedly for something that happened so long ago. It’s a bit embarrassing.”

The rumors are true—Demon King Zedan is quite a magnanimous person.

I can’t believe my father managed to get someone like him so angry. What was that man even doing as one of the Heavenly Four?

“The Coveted faction, which was once at its lowest, has now regained its honor, all thanks to your hard work, Mamoru. You can stand tall now. I take it bringing your wife here is part of that?”

“Yes... this event is hosted by Lord Saint, so it’s not an official affair. I thought it would be a good opportunity to let my wife meet you without any unnecessary interference...”

“Overprotective as always. It seems your title of ‘The Nation’s Greatest Husband’ isn’t just for show.”

Wait, that’s what they call my husband?!

“My wives are gathered over there. Take your wife and join them. Today is your moment in the spotlight, so enjoy the yakiniku.”

“Y-Yes...!”

Again, what is this yakiniku they keep mentioning?

At least I managed to make it through my introduction to the Demon King. Now, let’s keep this momentum going and get through to Queen Astres as well!

Strengthen my husband’s position!

That’s my duty as the wife of one of the Heavenly Four!!!