The Daughter of Evil - Volume 2 - Chapter 3.15

✿CHAPTER 3, SECTION 1, SCENE 5✿
✿ Michaela ~ Elphegort Country’s “Freesis Mansion • Living Room” ~

Since my first performance in front of everybody, I am now familiar with many aristocrats as well as business men. Along with it, problems came one after another. Young nobles even began to ask me to marry them.

While Mr. Keel was pleased with the offer, but I can’t just accept. My time as a human will end in two years. After that, I have to change back into a spirit.

Further to say, I am still not able to clearly understand the feelings of human love.

(How do you even love a person?)

I used to be a genderless spirit and have never been in love before.

By observing the visitors coming to the forest, several times I would see the man telling the woman or the woman telling the man his or her love then they begin kissing each other. I have seen the result of reckless love that only leads to a tragic ending. But even so, I still couldn’t resonate those feelings. In my eyes, those feeling are only unique to humans

I’m very fortunate to win an applause again for tonight’s dinner. Before, I was happy to sing for them but now, it has become a pain because I had to deal with people’s praise and some are full of discontent. But I mostly get good answers.

“Are you okay? If you’re getting too tired, you can leave and rest for now”

Mrs. Freesis is always very caring. I thanked her and bowed then walked towards the living room that serves as a lounge during dinner.

“I’m so tired”

I sat on the sofa. The living room was decorated with several painting which are all part of a collection. I looked around and one particular painting caught my eye.

In comparison to the other paintings, this one was more conservative. Though it was a picture of a blond girl smiling and standing on the coast but it can give you an ominous sad feeling. Although the painter’s name is on the lower part of the painting, I can’t read and identify him.

(It would have been nice if I learned a little from Elluka)

In those three months of training, she didn’t even give some spare time to learn how to read. Although Elluka told me I will learn in time, but starting life as a farmer, this is impossible.

(Clarith’s mother knows how to read and write. I should have let her teach me)

I stared at the signature.

“Kachess Crim is my pen name.”

From behind, some told me the name of the author. The one who walked into the room was none other than Kyle, the King of Marlon.

“Ky-Kyle, you Royal Highness! You scared me. Please don’t scare like that!”

“I’m sorry. I knocked on the door… but no one responded”

I was probably too focused to notice the knock on the door. For him to just walk in… he should at least called me out.

Sometimes, this person does commensurate the Royal Family’s dignity but has a speculative atmosphere; he just looks like that with no effort. The ladies attending the dinner party would always crowd over him; he seems to be very popular with them.

“I did this painting when I was a kid”

There seems to be a strange tone coming from Kyle’s mouth. His faced looked very gentle.

“It has been seven… No, eight years ago. At that time, I was a fourteen year old boy who wanted to be a painter. I even considered leaving the Royal Family and go meet with Keel”

It was surprising that he was very honest. Even if he had a secured future, he wanted to abandon in all and follow his own ideals…… Even in this, he was very similar to Ein.

“Under the manipulation of my mother, I quitted painting. She hired art dealers and critics to demean my moral and make me leave the world of painting. Up to now, I never painted again.”

“But how did that happen……”

“After all, the heir to the throne cannot be a simple painter. When father died, I collected all my paintings and burned them… The rest of the painting were bought my Keel”

“Kyle, your Highness, do you hate becoming the king?”

“It’s not like that. I’m proud of my position as king. One word from my mouth can either save my country or plunge it to hell. It’s a heavy responsibility. Although I walk the path paved by my mother, in the end, she is still unsatisfied.

At this point, I was feeling unwell. What exactly is this feeling…… My body is trembling and I unconsciously began to rub his arm.

“……Up to now, I still have to give up the idea of leaving my position, mixing with the civilians and live a simple life surrounded by my beloved wife and children”

Speaking of which, Kyle was staring at my face.

“Until then… For me, people like you are the most wonderful”

He said, getting all shy and red from his face to his ears. Looking at him, a strange feeling filled me up. This must be the emotions said by those ladies as “cute”. I can somewhat understand it.

“Does Kyle, his Highness, love me?”

“……I see you’re very straight forward”

It suddenly became difficult to say something. Even so, Kyle said it quite clearly:

“Yes, I like you. Perhaps it started when on our first meeting…”

I looked at Kyle and thought… If I was an ordinary woman, then should I say I’m happy? Or should I be shy about it? Or ask him “Why me?” looking all confused? For me, these feelings are not true. Loving a person categorically is not a bad thing. Well, he would the fifth person that proposed to me. I should have no problems rejecting him.

“I am very happy for being able to receive your love. But for me, I do not know how to love a man so I can’t give you an answer. I’m really sorry”

I honestly replied. I think that would get him to leave me.

“You don’t understand… what is love?”

“Up to now, I haven’t been in love… so what is it?”

I can see the “Do you take me as a fool” expression on his face. Kyle seems to be angry and is now considering.

“Michaela, besides your brother or sister or your family, do you have anybody that is precious to you?

“……Yes, there is someone”

“When this person is in trouble, you want to protect him right?”

“Yes, of course”

“If you are with this person, you feel happy right?”

“Yes”

“The other side has friends other than you and talks about them a lot. Would you accept that?”

Before being able to fluently answer the question, my heart felt a little pain.

“……Although I have to accept, but in my opinion, I can’t accept it”

“Then, you might be in love with this person. But in my personal point of view, I think that kind of love is capricious. Wanting to meet each other’s thoughts but, on the contrary, they just want to occupy the other one. The other one shifts his attention to other places and you will be jealous of their friendship. Although there are many other concerns, but for me, this is the difference of friendship and love.”

“Although……Even so……”

“What?”

“Even if… the other person is a woman?”

“…… That would make me embarrassed.”

Kyle raised his head and looked up. Of course, the one who came to my mind is Clarith.

“Well, love is not only limited to heterosexuals… if it’s about love, I’m still very immature”

“There is no such thing. At least you know more than I do.”

“……Michaela”

Kyle brings out a shell necklace and places it on my neck.

“It represents my pure love. If you are willing to accept it, I would be very happy”

“…I…I can’t accept it”

“Are you refusing a gift from the King of Marlon”

Kyle seems to be a spoiled child. I knew it was a joke; his cheeks became bright red.

“It’s unfair that you start using your power”

“I’m sorry for messing up the mood. I would like to start as friends first to know you better. Is it alright with you?”

He bowed his eyebrows with a mischievous smile. I caressed the necklace.

“I guess it is okay to start off as friends.”

“Being able to be friends with the King of Marlon is incredible”

“……Do not anger me”

“I’m kidding~ please take care of me”

As we finished, Kyle walked to the dining room.

I took a short break. I slowly relieved my fatigue then as returned to the venue, I saw Clarith.

“What’s wrong Clarith?”

“……I just saw the Marlon King. What did you two do?”

“Eh? Just a little chat”

“And… What’s this necklace?”

“He… gave it to me”

“That necklace is clearly—“

Clarith looks very unhappy. Her tone became different.

“Clarith, is something wrong?”

“Michaela, please don’t get closer to other people”

“Eh? Why?”

“I’m afraid Michaela will be taken away from me. I would feel terrible… I hope you feel the same way”

Clarith wrinkled her brow as if she was about to cry. Although I’m beside her, why is she still afraid?

“……I’m sorry. I said some strange things today. Please forget what I said”

As Clarith said these, she ran back. Miss Yukina was awoken and angrily shouted: “Don’t run in the corridors!”. Clarith panicked and immediately bowed her head, asking for forgiveness.

I was again reminded of what Kyle said.

“Love is capricious. Wanting to meet each other’s ideals, but on the contrary, we just want to keep the person. We feel envy whenever the other person looks in other places.”

I feel these words consistently resonated through Clarith.

“Am I……”