The Pirate King's Daughter - Chapter 10

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 10
“Wait—we can’t conduct a Demon Contract Verification this way.”
Kiis spoke up, objecting to the solution Berto had proposed.
“I think it’s a reasonable solution, actually.”
Perian then cast a look at Kiis, urging him to explain his objections.
“Anything involving demons has to be handled with utmost gravity. Most nations execute by fire for such matters. So we absolutely need verification through an officially certified Mage.”
“If she hasn’t made a demon contract, there’s no problem. And if she has, then she deserves to be burned, doesn’t she?”
“Tatiana is an Imperial citizen. As Crown Prince, I cannot stand by and watch an Imperial noblewoman be executed by fire in a foreign land.”
“Really? That’s all it is?”
Kiis and Perian were at a standoff.
I was honestly flustered.
The three of them had seemed to be interrogating me, but somehow Kiis had shifted to my side and was now pressing his case against the other two.
“If we go through the Mage Association, we can rely on them even if the Mage isn’t officially certified.”
Berto stepped in to mediate between them.
“And confidentiality is standard in magical consultations. If we handle this well, Tatiana can clear up the suspicion.”
Tired of the bickering, I cut in.
“It’s just a verification, right? The moment the Mage senses demonic power, they won’t just kill me with their mana or anything, will they?”
“That’s correct.”
“Then I’ll do it.”
At my blunt reply, Kiis grabbed my wrist, as if to hold me back.
“Tatiana, if it’s anything to do with demons, I’m reporting it regardless of confidentiality agreements.”
“I don’t care.”
Even if I were burned, I wouldn’t die. Though I should still think of an escape route.
“But I have conditions.”
Of course I had no intention of doing this for free.
If I was willing to take this risk, I needed to get something out of it.
“Once it’s proven I’ve never made a demon contract, don’t ever treat me with disrespect again.”
“Disrespect?”
Perian tilted his head.
“Trying to execute me just because I survived an encounter with monsters. Calling me a murderer because my temperament is poor. Three strong men threatening me. And more besides.”
As I laid it all out, Perian’s expression shifted into rare confusion.
As if he’d never once considered how I might feel about any of it.
“I’m only traveling with you. I have no intention of causing trouble, nor of getting close to you to do anything about it. So show some restraint while I’m being patient.”
There are limits to understanding caution.
Every time something like this happened, that old question I’d had from the start clawed at me.
‘Why am I doing this?’
For what? There’s not a single person I love here. And if I have another life ahead anyway…
The sudden thought brought me back to myself with a start.
I turned to the three of them, still standing helpless.
“You’ve just arrived—go eat something and come down to the first floor at two o’clock.”
After a clear dismissal, the three of them hesitated before leaving the room.
The time for our visit to the Mage Association was nearly upon us.
I holstered my Revolver and loaded plenty of Ammunition when someone knocked on the door.
“Who is it?”
The moment I opened it, Kiis was standing there.
“You’re opening doors to strangers without even asking who they are. What if it were a criminal?”
Kiis scolded me as he stepped inside and locked the door behind him.
“Right, and here a criminal is just walking in.”
Kiis shot me a sharp look.
“What are you doing here?”
“Cancel it now. I’ll protect you.”
“So you think I made a demon contract too. Then why are you trying to help me? Because I’m an Imperial noble?”
“Even if you prove you haven’t made a contract, the Mage might find something suspicious and report it anyway.”
Kiis didn’t answer my question.
If that was the case, there was no point in talking further.
After all, he was just like the others—he suspected me too. He just wasn’t using brutal methods.
“I won’t reveal that you’re from the Empire, so don’t worry about it.”
“That’s not what I meant.”
“Then what?”
“…”
Seeing his lips sealed shut, I fastened the Brown Leather Bag around my waist.
“It’s admirable that you’re conscientious as Crown Prince, but don’t forget to look after the people who matter to you.”
I checked the time and left the room first.
* * *
Thanks to Perian’s eagerness and advance arrangements with the Mage Association, we were able to get the verification done quickly.
“You said you had a request?”
In the Reception Room, a Mage asked the question, and Perian answered.
“We’d like to proceed with a Demon Contract Verification.”
The Mage’s pleasant expression shifted immediately, tensing with caution.
“Who will be undergoing the verification?”
Kiis, who was sitting beside me, flinched at the question.
From the corner of my eye, I could see his entire body go rigid from face to legs.
But my own mind had grown cold.
‘I’m not about to be played with again.’
When he jumped off the boat, his expression had been far more worth seeing—the kind of face someone makes when they never expected an interrogation.
“It’s me.”
At my flatly delivered answer, the Mage stood and extended his hand.
“I’ll need to make contact to cast the spell. Would you come with me?”
I stood facing the Mage, both our hands clasped together.
“I’m beginning.”
At the same moment, a bright light soaked into me.
I stared unblinking at the Mage’s mouth. Depending on what came out of it, I might have to draw my gun instantly.
My breath came shallow. My chest heaved. The hands clasped together grew damp.
And then, at last, the Mage’s red lips parted.
“No traces of a demon contract were detected.”
I exhaled long and slow, crushing my eyes shut. My eyelashes trembled.
“Is that all?”
I asked, looking at Perian, but he said nothing.
“…”
I couldn’t tell what he was thinking.
His gaze seemed uncertain, but oddly, the tension that had gripped his shoulders seemed to dissolve, and they relaxed.
“I will not raise any issues related to this matter going forward.”
Berto, who had been waiting motionless as usual, stood and spoke.
“And?”
“I apologize for the suspicion.”
Was that what an apology looked like?
Then again, Berto wasn’t someone who apologized falsely.
‘As for Perian…’
When I turned my gaze, our eyes met and he froze.
“Let’s go.”
Kiis spoke with a noticeably lighter tone.
But on the way back to the Inn, we all sank into our own thoughts, and no one spoke.
The door closed with a click, and I let out a curse.
“Damn bastard.”
I felt no relief whatsoever.
When I opened my bag to unpack the luggage I’d brought in case I had to flee, a neatly folded sheet of paper caught my eye.
“I’ve been carrying this around for them the whole time.”
I pulled out the paper and unfolded it—large letters in the center stood out against a colorful background.
Bella Luna Troupe
Where she was being held captive.
She was an exceptional Mage. But the Troupe’s leader, coveting her beautiful appearance, exploited her gentle heart and placed a Magic Control Collar around her, keeping her under his control.
‘Rescuing her alone would be difficult.’
The mood wasn’t right to suggest going to see the Troupe’s performance, and besides, I didn’t want to.
The performance was still several days away, so I’d have time to figure something out.
‘Maybe I should just talk to the one who’s at least decent.’
Perian was out of the question. He didn’t know how to fight anyway, so he’d be useless.
I was pondering which of them to pick when a knock sounded.
I was about to open the door when I hesitated and asked first.
“Who is it?”
“…It’s me.”
I let out a sigh at the voice I didn’t want to hear, left the Flyer on the table, and opened the door.
Perian was standing there with a gloomy expression.
“What is it?”
“I have something I want to say. Can I come in for a moment?”
“No. Say it here.”
His lips moved. With such a gentle face, I felt like I’d become a real villainess.
“I’m sorry. I pressed forward with excessive speculation when this isn’t something to discuss lightly. I think the sudden shift to the other side of the world was causing me stress.”
I stared at Perian for a moment before I spoke.
“You don’t have to force yourself to apologize.”
“I mean it. No matter how good my social skills are, I don’t calculate every action I take.”
So he was just dressing up artificiality as sociability.
“So all your suspicions about me are gone?”
“…To be honest, I still find you suspicious.”
Of course.
“But from now on, I won’t make accusations without evidence. And I’ll keep in mind that without your status, you’re just an ordinary woman.”
Should I appreciate this or not?
“I’ll also be mindful of the appropriate social graces you mentioned for the atmosphere.”
So he’s a madman, at least I’ve established that.
His earnest apology was truly strange, twisted as it was.
“Fine. I accept your apology, so stop with the smile and go back to your room.”
I thought that had wrapped things up nicely.
The next morning, I irritably threw off the blanket that had been covering my head.
“Tatiana~”
His voice didn’t stop even as I jolted up and ran to the door.
“Good morning~”
When I flung the door open, Perian was standing in the same spot as last night.
“Sleep well?”
The only difference was that he was sporting a bright smile and making meaningless gestures.
“My hair’s a mess.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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