Chapter 8

"Let's go for a walk when we get the Lord's permission, okay?"

When I pleaded to go outside, Teiana said this with a troubled look.

W-Why do I need the Lord's permission?

"Just going outside, it's fine, right?" I puffed out my cheeks.

It had been quite a while since I got used to life in the castle.

Although the distance between me and the Lord was still hard to gauge, my daily life was much, much better than when I was in the temple.

I wasn't in pain, and I wasn't busy.

Every day, I spent my time leisurely, eating sweets, taking naps, and eating more sweets.

But I was starting to get bored of being cooped up in the room.

I thought it would be nice to take a tour of the castle.

I had become content with my pet life, and such thoughts began to arise.

"Hey, Yuki, Vanilly, can I go outside? Don't you think so?"

Currently, I have three attendants as the Lord's pet.

In addition to Teiana, there are two more maids, Yuki and Vanilly.

Teiana is the main caretaker, and Yuki and Vanilly help out when needed. Of course, other ladies-in-waiting often come into this room, apparently wanting to take care of me.

"Sorry, Princess Presia, not yet. Let's wait until you're a bit more energetic."

Yuki said this with a cool voice.

She is an elf girl with snow-white hair and ice-blue eyes that sparkle like thin ice. She has a stone-like object on her forehead that matches the color of her eyes, giving her a mysterious aura. She is quiet but very reliable.

"That's right. Something might happen. It would be terrible."

Vanilly said this with a worried look.

She is a rabbit girl with pink drooping ears and honey-colored eyes. She is a bit timid.

I was always hugging a rabbit plushie, so they chose her because I would feel more comfortable. It's a pretty good reason.

"Why? I'm already feeling better."

I waved my hands back and forth.

But the three of them shook their heads in unison.

They said I should wait until I'm a bit better.

Why not!

I'm already fine! I'm full of energy!

Since coming to the Demon Lord's castle, I have been examined by a doctor several times.

I don't have any illness, but I was malnourished and not in good condition.

I've gotten a bit better, but I can't help but think that I'm still being poisoned by my thoughts from the temple.

My cheeks puffed up, and Teiana smiled wryly.

"Princess Presia, how about we have some tea? We have a delicious apple pie made by a skilled cook today."

Trying to lure me with sweets won't work!

"Oh, I thought about serving it with vanilla ice cream. Do you not like it?"

No, I do like it!!!

Teiana had already mastered how to handle me.

◆

Although I was getting used to life in the Demon Lord's castle, I hadn't given up on escaping.

I was grateful to the people in the castle.

They saved me and gave me such a good life.

But because of that, I think it's not good to stay here for too long.

I'm lying and staying here.

However, I can't do anything in this little girl's form.

I fall asleep easily, my thoughts are scattered, and my actions become childish (I'm not stupid, you know!).

So, I want to find a way to return to my original form first.

My plan is:

1. Find a way to return to my original form and a way to return to the human world.

2. Secure an escape route from the Demon Lord's castle.

3. Escape from the Demon Lord's castle.

4. Return to the human world.

Steps 1 and 2 can be done simultaneously.

I need to start by gathering information.

So, staying in the room is not good.

I need to go outside to gather any information.

With my mouth dirty from the apple pie crumbs, I glanced at the three attendants in the room.

If it comes to this, I have to be a bit forceful and use my spoiled child strategy.

"Hey, Teiana, I'm thirsty~"

I called out to Teiana, who was serving me nearby.

"Okay, I'll make you another cup of tea."

Teiana smiled and tried to make more tea.

I hurried to stop her.

"No, not tea, I want warm milk!"

"Oh, hot milk?"

Teiana frowned.

There isn't any here, so of course she's troubled.

If I keep whining, Teiana smiled wryly.

"Then I'll go to the kitchen and ask for it."

"Okay! Thank you!"

I smiled and watched Teiana leave the room.

Now, it's Yuki's turn.

"Hey, Yuki, do you know where my teddy bear is?"

"Your teddy bear?"

"Maybe it's under the bed~?"

"…Should I look for it?"

"Sure, thanks!"

Hehe.

It worked.

Yuki started rummaging under the bed.

Finally, it's Vanilly's turn.

"Vanilly, earlier, the head lady-in-waiting was looking for you."

"Wh-What!? The head lady-in-waiting!?"

I thought it might be a bit forceful, but since she often gets into trouble, Vanilly literally jumped in surprise.

"Did I do something wrong again!?"

"She was saying, 'Where is Vanilly?'"

"Wh-What should I do? Maybe it's because I tore my silk panties… or maybe I broke a plate."

Vanilly immediately became flustered and lost her composure.

I just said it casually, but she seemed to have a specific worry.

"S-Sorry, Princess, I'll… I'll go…"

"Sure. You should go quickly, right?"

Vanilly dashed out of the room.

Haha!

How about that! This perfect plan!

I look five, but my mind is fifteen!

This is my escape plan!!

Yuki is rummaging under the bed, and I can see her butt moving.

I quietly got off the chair, grabbed the rabbit plushie (for cushioning), and jumped out of the window.

"Here we go!"

Hehehe.

Third time's the charm.

I've been secretly practicing magic to avoid everyone's eyes recently.

Thanks to that, I can control it much better now.

I can't fly for a long time, but a few minutes is easy.

This time, I landed gracefully in the garden.

So,

I'll explore the castle to gather information.

Oh!!