I recited the words I had prepared in advance.

“I have the Tamer ability that allows me to communicate with animals and monsters with intelligence. I run a transportation business with that ability.”

People couldn’t seem to be any more surprised, just staring at me with dumbfounded expressions, unable to look away.

“Our transportation business wants to maintain a close relationship with Chelsea Center going forward. I don’t know how you all view me, but I think of this place quite specially.”

Of course, the reason I thought of this place specially was entirely because of Demian.

“Ah, and while I have the honor of standing here, let me do a bit of promotion!”

I gestured to a center employee I had arranged in advance to bring what I had prepared.

Shortly after, the center employee came with a large banner.

The banner fluttered slightly in the cool breeze.

I pointed toward the banner, making sure everyone at the center could see it.

“…Baron?”

“La-Lambert?”

People immediately recognized who was depicted on the banner and showed puzzled expressions.

“To provide better convenience, we’ve prepared a new service. It’s called the VVIP Monster Bird Carriage.”

The banner showed monster birds transformed into large birds pulling a carriage in the sky.

And there, Baron and Lambert were depicted together.

They were smiling and pointing at the monster bird carriage with one hand.

And above their heads was this promotional message:

“VVIP Monster Bird Carriage for your safe and fast flight.”

I had used two men notorious for their nasty personalities as promotional models for the new service launched by Jinjijo Transportation.

I had even commissioned an esper with the [Painter] ability, famous for making static objects look alive, to create the illustration.

Perhaps because of this, Baron and Lambert depicted on the banner looked almost like people in a photograph.

‘Such a vivid painting. What an amazing ability.’

It was something ridiculous that they would never have done normally, but they had no choice but to help me.

“But everyone, don’t be completely disappointed. I’ll give you a chance for forgiveness. How about it? Would you like to hear?”

As their chance for my forgiveness, I wanted them to become promotional models for my business.

After long deliberation, Baron and Lambert were about to refuse my offer, but.

“…If you don’t do it, I’ll resent you for the rest of my life. Don’t ever speak to me again. No, don’t do anything at all.”

When I spoke coldly, they belatedly agreed to do it.

Before they could change their minds, I quickly produced the banner.

And today, the faces of Baron and Lambert, seeing the banner with their faces on it for the first time, were truly worth watching.

Baron was so angry to the tips of his hair that he looked ready to storm onto the platform, while Lambert kicked his chair and left.

Why does it feel so good to see them indignant?

I continued speaking to the crowd.

“By using carriages pulled by intelligent monster birds, travel time is drastically reduced. And you can also have a special experience you’ve never had before in your life!”

People showed great interest in the monster bird carriages. Most opinions were that they would like to try riding one.

I delivered the clinching statement.

“Moreover, this monster bird carriage is guaranteed by Chelsea Center’s great espers, Baron and Lambert! Everyone, ride with confidence.”

At that, Baron finally stood up, calling my name loudly.

“Ye-Yerena…!”

I waved my hand toward Baron with feigned delight at seeing him.

“Baron! Thank you for trusting our transportation! Thanks to your beautiful appearance, the quality of our promotion has improved.”

I knew all too well how to handle an angry Baron.

Baron loved this kind of praise terribly, to the point of getting goosebumps.

“…What? My beautiful appearance?”

“Yes! The illustration turned out really well.”

“…Well. I do look quite good.”

Baron quickly became pleased as if he had never been angry and sat back down.

My goodness. How fickle.

“Anyway, everyone, if you’re interested, please contact Jinjijo Transportation located in the capital. Or you can contact Center Director Evans.”

I bowed gracefully like any noble lady and said my final words.

“Thank you for listening to my sudden speech!”

Just as I was about to leave the platform.

“Guide Yerena, please also explain the rumors about your romance with the Second Prince.”

The person who asked such a direct question was a hooded man.

It was Demian. Him.

“Haha. Since this is an inauguration ceremony, I’ll explain that another time when the opportunity arises.”

I don’t understand why that man wants to make such a big deal out of this.

Just as I was coming down from the platform, almost like I was escaping, Demian stood up abruptly.

He wrapped one arm firmly around my waist and removed his hood with his other hand.

“De-Demian?”

People who recognized Demian, who suddenly revealed his identity, gasped in surprise once again.

“Du-Duncan? No, is that Prince Demian?”

“Did Prince Demian come together with Guide Yerena?”

Despite the whispers of people growing uncontrollably louder, Demian’s face wore a relaxed smile.

“What are you doing?”

I asked about his intentions in a small voice.

But Demian only opened his lips while looking at the audience.

“I sincerely love Yerena.”

It was a shockingly direct confession.

“…!”

What kind of public confession is this?

I felt like I wanted to hide in a mouse hole if there was one.

And I was very curious about what this man was thinking of doing something like this.

That curiosity was soon resolved.

“So everyone, please do not bully Yerena, speak ill of her with unspeakable words, or kidnap her… Please never take any threatening actions against her.”

His declaration, which had only felt embarrassing and shameful, somehow felt sweet now.

“If you threaten Yerena, I will consider it a threat against me.”

At that moment, Demian’s gaze turned to Benjamin, standing at the very back.

“Especially… those who have a history of harming her, I warn you in advance that I am watching you more closely, so please be careful.”

I glanced at Benjamin.

His face, which usually maintained a relaxed expression regardless of what others said, was quite distorted.

Demian, seemingly having said all he wanted to say, finally whispered in my ear.

“Let’s go back now.”

I lightly stepped on Demian’s foot.

“Oh, really! If you were going to do something like this, you should have told me in advance.”

“Who announces events like this in advance?”

“I’m dying of embarrassment!”

“I’m willing to be even more embarrassing. As long as you can be safe.”

I looked up at him with incredulous eyes.

Then, contrary to me, Demian smiled pleasantly and lifted me up in an instant.

“The finale is a princess carry.”

This man must be truly crazy.

But instead of asking to be put down, I remained quietly in his arms.

Because my heart was pounding violently at this bizarrely outlandish public confession.

…I guess I don’t dislike this sort of thing.

It was a true feeling I could never tell Demian.

***

The promotional effect was substantial.

Evans says he’s being bombarded with inquiries about how to ride the monster bird carriages.

To which Evans.

“Why am I constantly busy!”

He reportedly cried out in frustration.

Before Evans got even busier, I felt I should start my work in earnest, too.

And there was someone who was quite regretful about that point.

“Are you really going to leave me?”

Early in the morning, Demian was looking at me with half-closed eyes.

The white skin visible beneath the blanket looked sensual in the morning.

I gently stroked Demian’s golden hair.

“We can still meet outside the palace, you know.”

“But not as often or for as long as now…”

“Demian, I regret that too, but I want to live doing my own work.”

“Of course, I understand. Rather, keeping you confined in the palace would be the wrong thing to do.”

It was at that moment in the conversation.

A white ball of fluff jumped onto Demian’s head with a hop!

It was Sarang.

—Meow.

‘Let’s go meet Nero and the Duchess.’

“Yes! Let’s definitely go meet them today.”

And a black snake slithered onto the bed and coiled on top of Demian’s body.

It was Zelda, whom I had occasionally met since coming to the palace. He flicked his red tongue and spoke to me.

‘The snake that the master always hides in his pants seems to have grown bigger…’

“…!”

Feeling my face heat up, I covered Zelda’s mouth.

“You! You did this last time, too!”

“What? What is it saying?”

I shook my head hurriedly.

“It’s something Demian doesn’t need to know.”

How can I tell you that you’re healthy in the morning?

It seemed like there was one more fact I could never tell Demian.