The Little Demon King is Too Bothered by Her Brave Dads - Chapter 77

“You?”

 

 

 

“Yes. After all, I am sorry for leaving it to my father.”

 

 

 

Siegfried spoke coolly.

 

 

 

“…Anyway, I am the heir to the Orleans family, am I not?”

 

 

 

“Siegfried.”

 

 

 

“I haven’t really acted like a son until now, so I should at least do something now.”

 

 

 

But then, a faint sound came from outside.

 

 

 

Thud…

 

 

 

It was a very small sound, but it was enough for the three warriors to hear.

 

 

 

“Who’s there?”

 

 

 

Thud!

 

 

 

Siegfried immediately pushed the door open.

 

 

 

And then…

 

 

 

‘Huh?’

 

 

 

The first thing he saw was a small basket on the ground.

 

 

 

Judging by the random scattering of wrapped cookies around it, the basket must have been filled with cookies.

 

 

 

A small girl was sitting in front of it.

 

 

 

Under her fluffy pink bangs, her round sky-blue eyes looked up at Siegfried, seeming slightly frightened.

 

 

 

“……Tatiana.”

 

 

 

Siegfried instinctively reached out his arms to Tatiana.

 

 

 

The little girl’s body was embraced gently in his arms.

 

 

 

“I tried these cookies… They were very delicious, so I came to share them with my Dads and Grandpa.”

 

 

 

Rambling on, Tatiana snuggled deeply into Siegfried’s arms.

 

 

 

“I… I tripped and spilled everything. I’m sorry.”

 

 

 

“It’s alright. Are you hurt anywhere?”

 

 

 

Siegfried carefully examined Tatiana’s body.

 

 

 

“What? The little kid fell?”

 

 

 

“Miss Tati, are you alright?”

 

 

 

Kirios and Cesar stuck their heads out in concern.

 

 

 

“Oh dear, the child must have been so startled.”

 

 

 

Even the former Duke couldn’t remain calm.

 

 

 

Amidst all the concern, Tatiana didn’t say anything and held onto Siegfried’s neck tightly.

 

 

 

* * *

 

 

 

I buried my face deeply in Siegfried’s arms.

 

 

 

Intruders from the demon realm.

 

 

 

Elusive traces of faint demonic energy.

 

 

 

Among the demons, there was only one that could be so stealthy.

 

 

 

‘The Bartoloa clan.’

 

 

 

My mouth went dry.

 

 

 

My heart pounded.

 

 

 

‘The Bartoloa…… are looking for me.’

 

 

 

The thought of them finding me was undoubtedly frightening.

 

 

 

But what scared me even more than being discovered by demons was…

 

 

 

That the warmth of their care for me would be gone forever.

 

 

 

“…….”

 

 

 

Unknowingly, I tightly gripped onto the collar of Siegfried’s clothes.

 

 

 

His affectionate voice, gentle gaze, and even the tender gesture of brushing my back.

 

 

 

I was afraid that it would all disappear as if it never happened……

 

 

 

‘I’m scared.’

 

 

 

…….I was terrified.

 

 

 

6. 6. The Duchy of Orleans

 

 

 

 

 

Once again, my birthday came and went, and I turned eleven.

 

 

 

‘……It’s a new year.’

 

 

 

While everyone else was enjoying the joyous mood of the new year, I was feeling a little restless.

 

 

 

‘The reason demons have been active in the Duchy of Orleans is obvious.’

 

 

 

I sighed heavily as I slumped down on the sofa.

 

 

 

It was because the three heroes were staying in the capital throughout their return.

 

 

 

No wonder, the three warriors had stayed in the area all the way back home.

 

 

 

They were reluctant to approach the capital for fear of being spotted.

 

 

 

I can see why they chose the Duchy of Orleans to start their movement.

 

 

 

‘That’s because the Dukes of Orleans are Siegfried’s family of origin.’

 

 

 

I pouted my lips in displeasure.

 

 

 

Moreover, the current ruler of the duchy is Siegfried’s biological father, the former Duke of Orleans.

 

 

 

Considering the information I gathered, it seemed that that territory was the most suitable place.

 

 

 

However, the fact that the demonical presence felt faint and disappeared quickly after detection bothered me…

 

 

 

‘What on earth is Bartoloa plotting?’

 

 

 

My head was throbbing.

 

 

 

The Bartoloa clan, the eternal second-in-command of the demon realm.

 

 

 

They were powerful, and their skills were unrivalled.

 

 

 

Including the drug that had been fed to me, for my demonic energy to make it run wild.

 

 

 

If that bizarre technology is combined with Bartoloa’s conspiracy…..

 

 

 

“Hah…….”

 

 

 

I sighed again when someone approached me from the side.

 

 

 

I glanced to the side, only to see my grandfather.

 

 

 

“Baby.”

 

 

 

“Ah, Grandfather.”

 

 

 

I sat up straight.

 

 

 

My grandfather, who was sitting next to me, stroked my hair.

 

 

 

“Why are you sighing so much?”

 

 

 

I crawled up onto his lap and settled down, letting out a sigh once again.

 

 

 

“There are so many things to worry about in life……”

 

 

 

In response to my answer, Grandfather laughed with an amused expression.

 

 

 

Why are you laughing. I’m being serious.

 

 

 

I gave Grandfather a sidelong glance.

 

 

 

Seeing my gaze, he quickly composed his expression.

 

 

 

“So, what is bothering you so much?”

 

 

 

“That’s a secret.”

 

 

 

“I see. Even young children have their own worries, I suppose.”

 

 

 

… Yeah, even young children have their own worries.

 

 

 

But the problem is that my worries are about the eternal second-in-command of the demon realm.

 

 

 

As I furrowed my brows slightly.

 

 

 

“Kid!”

 

 

 

A cheerful voice called out.

 

 

 

‘Who’s that?’

 

 

 

When I raised my head, a vibrant young man with fiery red hair was standing at an angle, looking down at me.

 

 

 

It was Kirios.

 

 

 

“Uh, second dad?”

 

 

 

I blinked my eyes.

 

 

 

“I thought you were at the tower.”

 

 

 

“Well, it’s a new year, and I thought we should all have a meal together.”

 

 

 

Kirios shrugged as if it was obvious.

 

 

 

“Miss Tati, I’m here too.”

 

 

 

Caesar also chimed in with a cheerful smile.

 

 

 

At the same time, Kirios narrowed his eyes and asked me a question.

 

 

 

“What´s that, kid. Have you gotten close enough to sit on the former duke’s lap?”

 

 

 

“I guess that’s why everyone says that their granddaughter is cute.”

 

 

 

Grandfather answered with a smug smile as if he wanted everyone to hear.

 

 

 

Siegfried, who followed behind, smiled.

 

 

 

“Our Tatiana is quite adorable.”

 

 

 

Wow, now even Siegfried’s dad is being cheeky…….

 

 

 

I felt a bit embarrassed.

 

 

 

Yet, the reason my melancholy mood improved slightly was that…

 

 

 

‘This time… I’m celebrating the New Year with all my family.’

 

 

 

I was truly happy about that fact.

 

 

 

Just then, Siegfried looked back at me.

 

 

 

“Shall we go eat then?”

 

 

 

“Yes!”

 

 

 

I nodded happily.

 

 

 

***

 

 

 

Afterwards, at the dinner table.

 

 

 

“Kirios, Cesar.”

 

 

 

Siegfried spoke in a low tone.

 

 

 

“It is my intention to visit the Duchy of Orleans this time.”

 

 

 

I looked up from stacking butter and various jams generously on a piece of white bread, momentarily pausing to gaze at Siegfried.

 

 

 

‘What?’

 

 

 

Meanwhile, Cesar, performing a maneuver that could have come straight out of an etiquette book while cutting his steak, looked up too.

 

 

 

“Oh, so you’ve finally made up your mind.”

 

 

 

“Yeah, so take good care of Tatiana and Lakius while I’m away.”

 

 

 

“Oh, no, Siegfried. I have no problems taking care of the children with or without you.”

 

 

 

In response, Cesar retorted with a sly smile.

 

 

 

“Yeah, you being absent might actually be better for everyone.”

 

 

 

Kirios also quickly joined in.

 

 

 

“…….”

 

 

 

Siegfried merely gulped down his water with a tired look on his face.

 

 

 

He seems to have decided to focus on his meal rather than continue mixing up his words and getting tired.

 

 

 

Hmm, a wise decision.

 

 

 

‘More than that, has Siegfried decided to investigate the demons himself?’

 

 

 

I glanced at Siegfried hesitantly.

 

 

 

As if sensing my gaze, Siegfried looked back at me with a puzzled expression.

 

 

 

As soon as our eyes met, I quickly spoke up.

 

 

 

“I want to go too.”

 

 

 

“……..You?”

 

 

 

Siegfried frowned.

 

 

 

I put on the face of an innocent and naive child and retorted.

 

 

 

“Yes! I’ve never been to the Duchy of Orleans before, have I? I’ve always wanted to go there!”

 

 

 

If it really was the Bartoloa clan they were talking about…….

 

 

 

‘They might have used some trickery to conceal their traces.’

 

 

 

So, I judged that it would be better for me to go there myself.

 

 

 

Even if he’s a warrior, he probably can’t detect demonic energy better than me, right?

 

 

 

Even though I’m a half-demon, I’m still a demon, so I’m highly sensitive to it.

 

 

 

“Tatiana, I don’t think that’s such a good idea.”

 

 

 

Siegfried, meanwhile, tried to soothe me.

 

 

 

“Of course, if it were any other time, I would have taken you with me, but right now, we’re going to investigate the traces of the demons. It could be very dangerous, so it’s better for you to stay here…..”

 

 

 

No, that’s why I want to go!

 

 

 

Frustrated, I clung to Siegfried.

 

 

 

“But first dad will be with me, right?”

 

 

 

“…….”

 

 

 

“Even if something happens, my first dad will be there to protect me, right?”

 

 

 

“…….”

 

 

 

“I’m not scared at all.”

 

 

 

I stopped looking at Siegfried, my eyes sparkling, and dropped both my shoulders.

 

 

 

“I just want to spend time with my dad and grandfather and all of you…….”

 

 

 

“…….”

 

 

 

A moment of silence passed.

 

 

 

“……Alright.”

 

 

 

In the end, Siegfried raised his hands.