The Daughter of Evil - Volume 2 - Chapter 3.21

✿CHAPTER 3, SECTION 2, SCENE 1✿
Section II —The Lady who staggered—

✿ Michaela ~ Elphegort Country’s “Freesis Residence • Laundry Room” ~

Compared to the time I first worked here, the weather today was much warmer. The torture we endured doing laundry has become less difficult.

For the last few weeks, the Elphegort King’s messenger would come by after dinner. Because of the impact the poor harvest had on Elphegort, Mr. Keel decided to assist in related procedures.

Yesterday, the Elphegort King and the King of Marlon, Kyle, came by and had a private chat with Mr. Keel. They must be deciding their plans for their assistance.

During our spare time, we servants would gossip about such matters.

“Lucifenia has been in unrest recently”

“I heard one of the three heroes, LeonHart, was assassinated! How terrible!”

“Their meeting must also be about Lucifenia’s problems”

“It would be nice if a war wouldn’t start…”

“They wouldn’t be taking the opportunity while the other is pinned down right? That’s what the meeting is trying to prevent right?”

“Did you know? In Lucifenia, they call the king’s daughter the “Daughter of Evil” because of her tyrannical rein?”

For decades, Lucifenia has expanded their territory but because of their frequent change for a leader, Lucifenia’s system is in chaos. Coupled together with the poor harvest Lucifenia had and the “Daughter of Evil”, Rilliane’s tyranny, Lucifenia is beginning to decline.

Speaking of Lucifenia’s princess…

(The marriage contract)

Mr. Keel secretly told me about Kyle and Rilliane’s engagement.

I was just being teased? Although it has settled down, I still feel somewhat angry.

In Kyle’s short-term stay here, we would frequently see each other (almost every day). It was always fun to be with him; he would talk about Marlon’s ceremonies or tell me stories about him fighting with pirates. Occasionally, he would buy me things. He was very careful not for me to feel humble.

“Michaela, are you there?”

I do not know when Kyle would come by and say hello. He would always walk in without hesitation.

“It’s a nice day today. wouldn’t you rather go outside instead of doing laundry?”

Kyle spoke in a cheerful tone. I suddenly felt uncomfortable. In order to make him feel displeased, I didn’t answer back and just got back on doing the laundry.

 “I’m about to go back to Marlon today. I just wanted to say hello and bid farewell to Keel…… but unfortunately, he had some official things to do. I don’t want to keep the captain waiting so Michaela, could you tell my farewells to Keel?”

“If you have something to say to Keel, tell it to his butler, Bruno, instead”

“………Are you angry? Are you going to feel lonely because of my departure? Michaela… You have finally…!”

“That’s…not…what…”

I snapped and dropped the washing board into the water, splashing all over.

“…… I heard you have a fiancée?”

“Fiancee? Oh, you’re referring to Rilliane…… She’s like a little sister to me. I do not love her in the perspective of the opposite sex”

“But you’re about to get married with her right?”

“Maybe… I feel happy that you’re getting jealous but I…”

“I’m angry at you because you’re deceiving me!”

Although I vented my anger on the washboard, I have to think. After all, there are others watching and for a monarch like him to do such a thing is impossible. I took a deep breath and calmed down.

“…… Are you about to leave? I can guide you to the entrance”

I briefly said. Kyle closely followed behind me and I heard his sighing and footsteps. On our way to the main entrance, Kyle ordered me to turn around and said:

“Michaela, even though I and Rilliane are engaged, it was determined by our mothers— Queen Dowager of Marlon, Prim Marlon and Lucifenia’s previous queen, Queen Anne, decided it. I honestly do not want to marry Rilliane”

“Kyle-san hates the King’s daughter, Rilliane?”

“It’s not like that. Although civilians ridicule Rilliane as the “Daughter of Evil”, she is definitely not a bad girl. She became like that because of the environment around her. I like Rilliane but… not that kind of love. I grew up with her and I can only look at her as a lovely sister”

For him to specifically say “like” implies that like is different from love. Love is what I do not understand

Anyway, I must refuse Kyle’s marriage proposal. If people knew a monarch like Kyle refused to marry Rilliane, who is also a “victim of sin”, I do not know what tragedy might happen. If I let Kyle do what he wants, it will only give himself trouble.

“But even so, you cannot defy your mother’s… Queen Dowager Prim Marlon’s decision right?”

“I know but……”

I looked at him straight into the eye.

“In the future, please do not express your love to me and just address me as a house maid. You are the King of Marlon and yet you choose someone like me to marry you? If this goes on, we might have problems with the other countries”

Kyle stopped in amazement and just looked at the sky. Soon after, he looked at me in the eyes.

“……For a monarch to be preached by a mere servant… I understand. I will not do anything to cause harm”

He said in a firm voice. He instantly revealed a sad expression and walked for the door.

I wordlessly took a step and followed him. We both fell into silence. Finally, we saw the main entrance and saw the Kyle’s men waiting for him.

“I wish you Bon voyage”

“I look forward to your singing at the next dinner party”

Kyle walked into the direction of his entourage. I intended to watch until he left but as I gazed on him, he turned around and ran up to me, holding me tight.

“Kyle your Highness!? Please don’t do this!”

“Michaela, if I said I intended to disobey my mother, give up my throne and ran away… will you go with me?”

It’s happening again. It was the same feeling I got when we first met that night. I’m not quite sure what this feeling is but I can only feel it when I feel Kyle’s body temperature.

“I……”

“…I’m sorry. Forget about what I just said”

Kyle released me and turned to leave.

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Do humans really give up everything for love?

For Kyle to do that, even if it was mad love, made me feel stupid. I, however, felt a little envious.

Is this… the feeling when falling in love with someone?

As I went back to the laundry room, I suddenly felt a strange atmosphere.

The “sin” was moved from the warehouse. Who took it out? As I became aware that it was moved, I quickly ran. It’s seems to be in Mr. Keel’s private room.

“Ah, Michaela, you seem anxious. Is something there wrong?”

When I reached the room, of course, I saw Mr. Keel inside.

“Nothing’s wrong. It seems messenger-san has already left”

“Ah, yes. It ended earlier than expected so I thought of going to the warehouse to tidy things up”

“Then this is……?”

Mr. Keel was holding a sword. I could feel the dissonance of “sin” on it.

“A girl like you is also interested in this kind of thing?”

“No, it’s just… the shape of the sword seems kind of weird”

“It’s one of my favorites. Indeed, as you say, that this sword has a rare shape. Even my wife particularly said so. But in fact, it’s not really valuable”

It was different from a two-handed or one-handed sword; it had a scabbard engraved into it.

“What was its name…… I recall a travelling businessman said it was called the ‘Venom Sword’”

I now know the “sin’s” location, shape and name. The next thing I have to do is find a way to give it to Elluka in Lucifenia.

That night, I stood in the garden. I wanted for Clarith not to hear my “song” so I went here a little earlier than usual.

I took a deep breath and sang a song, different from my usual song.

“Recollective Music Box”— this song was called “Clockwork Requiem” that seemed to be a tragic song for workers. I sang endless melodies so that it would reach Lucifenia.

This song is to inform Elluka about the “sin’s” whereabouts. But as for the meaning of the song, I know nothing. Elluka understood that we only had a short time to learn from her so she didn’t teach us the unnecessary things.

(It didn’t really matter for as long as I know how.)

Now, I just have to wait for Elluka. She will definitely come here.

—

Note: You can listen to the song Clockwork Requiem, and it tells about Elluka’s life before she began her quest to find the things called the ‘Vessels of Sin’. It is sung by Megurine Luka, but the perspective is unknown. Elluka’s the fiancee. The musicbox maker is known as Kirill Clockworker, and the younger sister is Irina(Abyss I.R. as we know her). The song is here. It also translates as 'Recollective Musicbox’, 'Recollective Orgel’, 'Musicbox of Reminiscence’, or 'Anastasia’s Musicbox’…. The translation is bad, sorry! -Lynn