Who Could Have Loved the Monster Princess? - Chapter 28

I have hands, so why?

I couldn’t figure out why he was feeding me something I didn’t recognize, so I glared at him, and he gave me more raspberries. Placing the raspberries slightly inside my lower lip, he withdrew his hand as I bit into it.

Ken watched my lips with a subtle intensity as I ate. After I swallowed, he offered another one. This time, his finger went inside my mouth.

I bit into the raspberry and then into Ken’s finger. It was a small bite, but I pulled my head back in embarrassment.

Undeterred, Ken silently picked up another strawberry.

“Oh, it’s fine. I’ll eat it myself.”

Ken put the one he was about to put in my mouth in my hand. One by one, the raspberries grew until my palm was full.

Then he asked, “What happened during the coming-of-age ceremony?”

I was in the midst of greedily popping the raspberries in my mouth, so I sputtered out in embarrassment.

“Coming-of-age ceremony?”

Ken nodded, looking at me. My mouth was too full of raspberries to respond.

I shook my head, but Ken just stared at me with a calm look in his eyes. I wanted to say that the event was no big deal, but Ken must have taken that as me not wanting to answer. He kept silent, as if waiting for me to provide a proper response.

After I had barely gulped down the raspberries, I said, “It’s nothing, really. There was just someone who screamed and fainted when they saw me.”

“Fainted…? Why?”

Ken genuinely seemed curious. Even as a ten-year-old, he displayed the courage of a seasoned warrior when he followed me—a monster who had defeated a demon—without fear. It was probably obvious to everyone but Ken why the person fainted, but I couldn’t bring myself to tell him it was because of my face.

“I don’t know.”

Ken thought for a moment, then went back to grilling the skewers.

“I should’ve gone.”

“Gone where?”

“To the coming-of-age ceremony.”

“You shouldn’t have gone…”

It seemed he hadn’t gone after all.

The last time Ken saw the palace, it was a place where the stench of decay, fetid odors, thick despair, and resentment clung to the underground prison. It was a place that even I, who wasn’t easily frightened, found repulsive enough to feel disheartened.

For Ken, the palace must have been a place where those who imprisoned him resided. If it were me, I wouldn’t even lie down in that direction for the rest of my life.

Yet, he regretted not going.

“No, why? Do you have feelings…?”

“Yes, to escort you.”

I was about to ask if he was interested in someone there, but then I realized what he had just said and quickly shut my mouth.

‘So, he intended to go with me.’

It was like a hard knot in my stomach that I hadn’t even realized was there had disappeared.

‘What was I even worried about?’

After all, that humiliation happened just five years ago. If you were a commoner who couldn’t enter the palace, it might be hard to understand. Still, it wouldn’t be that difficult to like someone who could accompany you there.

Ken looked puzzled. “Feelings?”

It seemed like he only heard that part. I hastily circled around.

“N-No, I meant are you going there with the intention of seeking revenge?”

“Revenge on the royal family?”

I kept awkwardly stumbling through my words.

“Just saying, I was wondering why you wanted to go to the palace.”

“Revenge… Why would I want revenge?”

“Why? Why not? You’re a hero who killed the Demon King! It’s annoying that they don’t even appreciate the grace you’ve shown while they just stuff their bellies!”

“I didn’t kill the Demon King to protect them or expecting something in return, so there’s no need for revenge.”

“Even if that’s your intention, it doesn’t change the fact that you helped them.”

“I don’t think I want to be involved with those kinds of people. I’m comfortable being a stranger to them. But if you want revenge, I’ll help you get it.”

“Ah, my revenge…”

It was me who had a grudge against the royal family. Or rather, me and my father. But Dad didn’t want revenge either. I remember him saying:

“I want to spend the remaining years of my life for myself. I don’t want to harbor the desire to resent and kill someone.”

I didn’t want to hate and kill anyone either.

Especially these days, the imperial family showed a friendly attitude towards House Staedt and the five heroes. It seemed even more so when the Emperor approved the proposals put forward by Carnelian without comment.

‘The Emperor is probably too busy enjoying himself…’

The greatest revenge on the Emperor now would be to take his material possessions, and it felt shallow that the only way to do that was to rob him of his riches. I didn’t want to stoop to the same level as such a person.